asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a Ministerial broadcast explaining his policy towards means tests.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health centres are now in operation in the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board's area; how many are in the process of being built; and how many plans have received approval for future building.

At 1st June, 1971, 30, 12 and six.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet able to announce the appointment of a National Health Service ombudsman.

I hope to announce the Government's policy shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the three deaths which have recently occurred at Broadmoor Hospital.

I much regret the deaths of these three patients. Inquests have been held; in one case the verdict was accidental death and in the others that the patients took their own lives.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the action being taken in the local authority areas in the Northern Region with regard to Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, about amenities for the disabled.

All local authorities, including those in the north, are implementing this Section. The latest Rate Support Grant Order and the White Paper on Public Expenditure took account of

The number of women having abortions with and without sterilisation, in England and Wales were as follows:—
						Abortion with Sterilisation	Abortion without Sterilisation
1968 (27th April—31st December	…	…	…	…	…	5,146	18,495
1969	…	…	…	…	…	11,179	43,640

The number of deaths from abortion with and without sterilisation which were attributed to, or associated with, the operation were as follows:—
Underlying Cause of Death
				Attributed to Abortion		Attributed to Other Causes
			Total	Sterilised	Not Sterilised	Sterilised	Not Sterilised
1968 (27th April—31st December)	…	…	3	1	2	—	—
1969	…	…	17	6	3	6	2

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, for each of the years 1968, 1969 and 1970, how many married women had National Health Service abortions; and of these, how many were also sterilised.

Complete figures for 1970 are not yet available but the following are the figures for 1968 and 1969:The number of married women having National Health Service abortions in England and Wales, and the number of these that were also sterilised were as follows:—

	Number of With Abortions	With Sterilisation
1968 (27th April–31st December)	8,246	4,496
1969	18,484	9,847

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the number of general practitioners and the average number of patients on the lists in Sunderland for the latest available date.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, for each of the years 1968, 1969 and 1970, how many women had abortions without sterlisation and how many with sterilisation; and for each of these categories how many deaths were associated with and how many attributed to the operation in question.

Complete figures for 1970 are not yet available but the following are the figures for 1968 and 1969:

Eighty-one doctors are currently providing full general medical services in the area of the Sunderland Executive Council and the average ' list is 2,734 patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that Circular ECN844, paragraph 9, instructs dentists to inform dental departments of hospitals of charges paid by patients for their treatment, if patients receiving dental treatment, excluding appliances, at hospitals will have to pay; and if he will make a statement.

No. Charges under the hospital dental service continue to apply only to the supply of dentures for outpatients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average cost, exclusive of patient charges, of the dental treatment provided under the general dental service in England and Wales in 1969 and 1970; what were the figures for each individual Executive Council and the regional average; and if he will make a statement.

The average cost exclusive of patient charges of courses of treatment and cases of emergency treatment provided under the general dental services in England and Wales in 1969 and 1970 was about £2·98 and £3·43, respectively. Corresponding figures for individual Executive Councils and regional averages are not available but the estimated average cost, inclusive of patient charges, for each economic planning region is as follows:

AVERAGE COST (INCLUSIVE OF PATIENTS' CHARGES) OF COURSES OF TREATMENT AND CASES OF EMERGENCY TREATMENT BY ECONOMIC PLANNING REGION IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Region	1969	1970
	£	£
England:
North	3·71	4·20
Yorkshire and Humberside	3·67	4·09
East Midlands	3·43	3·85
East Anglia	3·24	3·72
South East (GLC Area)*	4·35	4·95
South East (Non-GLC Area)	3·38	3·85
South West	3·29	3·83
West Midlands	3·63	4·14
North West	3·76	4·28
Wales	4·21	4·78
Note: The figures are derived from a 2 percent. sample.
* Includes Inner London; North East London; South West London and Surrey; Middlesex Executive Council areas only.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he is making for extra dental staff to be recruited to meet the expected increase in demand for free dental treatment; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early yet to assess the overall effect on manpower requirements of the revised system of patients charges but the total number of registered dentists and the numbers employed in the hospital, local health and education authority and general dental services are all increasing. The number of dental students admitted to the first professional year has already risen from 590 in 1962 to 791 in 1970 and the programme of expansion of dental schools is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for increasing the number of Mobile Coronary Care Units; what assessment has been made of the success of these units; and if he will make a statement.

Mobile coronary care units are under evaluation. Trials are currently being undertaken to determine the efficacy of such units in urban traffic conditions with particular reference to the most effective use of medical manpower. On completion a careful assessment will be made of the results.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken to replace the inefficient fire extinguishers in invalid carriages; what investigations have taken place regarding the inefficiency of these items of equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Damaged fire extinguishers are promptly replaced. One type of extinguisher, however, cannot be tested except by discharging it completely. These extinguishers are already being replaced by a new model which will be tested at intervals and replaced as necessary. Extinguishers fitted to invalid three-wheelers have been tested by the Joint Fire Research Organisation of the Department of the Environment and the Fire Offices Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made with the proposed Health Centre at Warsop, Nottinghamshire; and when he expects it to open.

I understand that the doctors concerned have withdrawn from the county council's health centre project because of differences of opinion with the council over the council's proposed use of solid fuel for central heating. It has not been possible to resolve this disagreement and the council are now considering instead the provision of a clinic which is unlikely however to be open before early 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is now able to announce the membership of the Committee under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Justice Lane to review the working of the Abortion Act, 1967.

Yes. The membership is as follows:The Hon. Mrs. Justice Lane, Chairman.Dr. Josephine Barnes, F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.O.G.—Consultant Gynaecologist, Charing Cross Group of Hospitals, London.Mrs. K. M. Barratt—Headmistress, Nether-hall Secondary School for Girls, Cambridge.Professor I. R. C. Batchelor, F.R.S.E., F.R.C.P.—Professor of Psychiatry, University of Dundee.Mrs. J. Cheetham—Lecturer, Department of Social and Administrative Studies, Oxford University.Dr. D. J. Pereira Gray, M.A., M.R.C.G.P.—General Practitioner, Exeter.Miss J. Gutteridge—Staff Manageress, Marks and Spencer Ltd.Mr. A. M. Johnston, Q.C.—Member, Scottish Law Commission.Mrs. E. Learner—Social Worker, University College Hospital, London.Miss M. E. Munro—Nursing Sister, St. Thomas' Hospital, London.Miss D. Rasbach—An Information Officer for Confederation of British Industries.Dr. Rosemary Rue, D.C.H.—Senior Administrative Medical Officer, Oxford Regional Hospital Board.Professor A. T. Turnbull, F.R.C.O.G.—Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Welsh National School of Medicine.Dr. D. G. Wilson, F.R.C.G.P.—General Practitioner, Bushey, Herts.Miss R. B. Worsley—Chief Nursing Officer, Portsmouth Hospital Management Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hostels for mentally handicapped children have been established in England.

There are now 72 local authority hostels for mentally handicapped children in England, providing 1,349 places, and a further 47 places in eight hostels catering for both adults and children. Local authorities use in addition 594 places in voluntary or private homes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the increase of maximum fines for failure to pay contributions provided in Clause 8 of the Social Security Bill, whether he will make a statement on his Department's enforcement policy, particularly as regards persons who are disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit under Section 22 of the National Insurance Act, 1965 and are not credited with contributions.

There has been no change in enforcement policy: the reason for the proposed increase is simply the change in contribution values in the National Insurance scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will urge the Derbyshire County Council to speed up plans for improving day-care facilities for mentally handicapped people;(2) how many day-care centres for the mentally handicapped at present exist in Derbyshire; and how many new ones are proposed this year and how many in 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1974–75.

Derby County Borough Council have one Adult Training Centre with 90 places and a further Centre with 100 places is planned for 1973–74. Derbyshire County Council provide 10 Adult Training Centres with 561 places and their present plans envisage starting two more Centres with 220 places in the current year. I understand that in reviewing their plans for training and residential services for the mentally handicapped they will be considering whether additional places are needed for those who are unable to join in the normal training programme at such centres.We are anxious that the drive to improve these services for which allowance has been made for substantially increased capital and revenue expenditure, should continue to gain impetus, and will watch closely the plans of these and other authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to improve the existing facilities for the mentally handicapped in the County of Derbyshire.

The Regional Hospital Board plan to continue their programme of improvements to the existing hospitals and to provide new facilities at centres of population in the county; their plans for Nottingham will, when implemented, also relieve pressure on the Derbyshire hospitals.I am answering other Questions from the hon. Member on the local authorities services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to know what is the additional expenditure currently under consideration at the Bristol Royal Infirmary casualty and out-patients' department, and its purpose.

It is expected that the Board of Governors will be able to report further next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of measures to reduce external noise at the new Casualty and Out-patient Department at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Approximately £13,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services for what years after the war the South-West Regional Hospital Board was without a member who was an elected councillor of the city and county of Bristol.

1947 to 1965 inclusive. From 1947 to 1958 an alderman of the city and county of Bristol served as a member of the Regional Hospital Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance his Department has given to regional hospital boards on the question of maintaining good public relations.

The importance of good public relations and the means of promoting them have been discussed with Regional Hospital Boards on a number of occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which regional hospital boards have full-time officers dealing with public relations; and when were they appointed.

Full-time information officers have been appointed as follows:

Regional Hospital Board	When appointed
Newcastle	January, 1971
Leeds	April, 1970
Sheffield	July, 1966
North-East Metropolitan	June, 1970
North-West Metropolitan	January, 1971
South-East Metropolitan	September, 1970
South-West Metropolitan	September, 1970
Oxford	January, 1971
Wessex	July, 1970
Birmingham	July, 1970
Manchester	June, 1970

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions he has had discussions with representatives of the employers and trade unions connected with the fishing industry to ascertain their views on what would be acceptable terms for the fishery industry before the United Kingdom agreed to join the European Economic Community.

My right hon. Friend is in continual contact with the fishing industry and is meeting representatives of the English inshore fishermen later today. No trade union has indicated to him its interest in the fishery implications of joining the European Economic Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he can now give the assurances required by the Cake and Biscuit Alliance and the Food Manufacturers Federation that entry into the Common Market will not be detrimental to the supply of raw materials at present prices or to the long-established manufacturing practices which differ in many significant respects from those within the present European Economic Community countries.

I think there must be some misunderstanding. My right hon. Friend is in close touch with both organisations about questions arising from our application to join the European Economic Community, and neither of them has sought assurances on the points mentioned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the National Union of Agricultural Workers concerning developments within the Forestry Commission; and if he will make a statement.

I received a deputation from the Union in February. I see no need to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will particularise all the aspects of the work of the Forestry Commission which are covered by the review which he is at present conducting.

I have nothing to add to the replies on the scope of the review which I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Harborough (Mr. Farr), Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison) and Maidstone (Mr. John Wells) on 11th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 194; c. 62.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can now announce details of his new orchard grubbing scheme.

It is the intention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and myself to introduce an amendment to the Farm Capital Grant Scheme to authorise the payment of a special grant to encourage the grubbing of uneconomic orchards of dessert and culinary apples and pears. The grant will be at a flat rate equivalent to the full standard cost of grubbing; and, subject to proposals being approved before work is started, it will be payable on applications received up to the end of March, 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement on the petition presented to her on Thursday, 6th May, by parents from the East End of London concerning the danger to schoolchildren from sex maniacs; what was the nature of this petition; what action she has taken or intends taking in connection with the same; and whether she will make a statement.

The petition presented to the Prime Minister was headed

"this is a petition for security guards in all schools in London".

The committee of a parents' action group also wrote to the Prime Minister about the need to provide such guards in order to prevent a repetition of the incident in March this year which has given rise to the understandable fears of parents. I was asked to deal with the petition and the letter and I have told the parents action group that I appreciate their concern but that the matter is one for the I.L.E.A. I am sure that the authority are fully aware of the strength of parental feeling and of the need for appropriate precautions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those local education authorities who have withdrawn proposals for comprehensive schools following the issue of circular 10/70.

The position has not changed since I replied to a Question by the hon. Member on 22nd March, 1971. Since the issue of circular 10/70 two local education authorities—Burton-upon-Trent and Southend-on-Sea—have withdrawn plans, which had previously been approved in principle, for the reorganisation of secondary schools on comprehensive lines.—[Vol. 814, c. 60–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schemes for secondary reorganisation submitted by local education authorities contain, respectively, full provision and partial provision for comprehensive schools.

One hundred and nineteen local education authorities in England and Wales have schemes which provide for comprehensive schools in the whole or greater part of their areas and 16 have schemes covering a lesser part.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the position in the United Kingdom, so far as qualified teacher status is concerned, of teaching qualification obtained as a result of either full-time or part-time study in the various countries of the Commonwealth, the Republic of Eire, and the countries of the European Economic Community.

For acceptance, all such qualifications have to be broadly similar in standard and content to those required of persons trained in England and Wales at the same time. Responsibility for this matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland rests with the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Education for Northern Ireland respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will institute an inquiry into the changing types of truancy now being experienced in secondary schools.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether Her Majesty's Government accept Recommendation No. 621 on the problems arising out of the use of live animals for experimental and industrial purposes, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20th January, 1971; and whether they will instruct their representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the setting up of a Committee of Experts as recommended in paragraph 10(a) of this text.

While we have some reservations about certain aspects of Recommendation 621, Her Majesty's Government are in favour of the setting up of a Committee of Experts.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service to what extent the cleaning of Government offices is carried out by contract firms, rather than by direct employment of cleaners; what steps are taken to ensure that the conditions of work and rates of pay of the cleaners are satisfactory; and what change in expense to public funds arises from switching from direct employment to contract cleaning.

In October, 1970, the latest date for which figures are available, 21½ million sq. ft. of Government Offices were being cleaned by directly employed cleaners and 42 million sq. ft. by contract cleaners.Every cleaning contract includes a clause requiring the contractor to observe the Fair Wages Resolution approved by the House of Commons on 14th October, 1946, the first paragraph of which states:

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total number of British soldiers killed or seriously injured since the disturbances began in Northern Ireland; and what provision is made in fatality cases for dependent wives and children.

Five soldiers have been killed and 166 have received injuries requiring hospital treatment as a result of security operations in Northern Ireland. In addition three soldiers have been murdered. The widow of a soldier killed on service in Northern Ireland is eligible to receive a gratuity and in some circumstances a families pension in addition to whatever benefits may be awarded by the Department of Health and Social Security.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will give an estimate of the total damage done to public, industrial and commercial property in Northern Ireland by British military action since the disturbances began and the extent of United Kingdom Government liability therefor.

The information is not available in the form requested. However, since mid-1969 about £6,200 has been paid by the Ministry of Defence in respect of claims for damage to public, industrial and commercial property in Northern Ireland, excluding claims arising from road accidents. Of this sum, £5,500 was for dilapidations caused during the occupation of premises by troops.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if the statement made about Northern Ireland by General Tuzo on British Broadcasting Corporation's television on Tuesday, 8th June was made with his authority.

Ministerial approval was given to the participation of the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland, in the programme in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many former coal miners living in the Easington constituency received industrial retraining at Government training courses in 1968, 1969 and 1970; and how many are currently receiving such training.

Sixteen ex-coalminers from Easington were retrained in 1968, 13 in 1969 and three in 1970. One is currently in training.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of coal miners presently unemployed in the Easington constituency; and what is the number aged 55 years and over.

At 10th May, 484 males who last worked in coalmining were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Peterlee and Wingate employment exchange which approximates broadly to the Easington constituency. There is no age analysis of this figure but a special quarterly return in March of colliery workers unemployed through the contraction of the coalmining industry showed that 383 such workers, including 345 aged 55 and over, were registered as unemployed in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in employment are over 60 years of age.

At mid-1970, the latest date for which numbers of employees analysed by age are available, it is estimated that the number of employees in employment aged 60 and over was approximately 2,100,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimates he has made of the number of workers who may seek to enter employment in Great Britain from European Economic Community countries in the first year and in the fifth year after Great Britain's entry to the European Economic Community; and what number would be entitled to remain in Great Britain after the termination of their employment.

While it is impossible to estimate the number of workers from an enlarged European Economic Community who may seek to enter employment in Great Britain at any specific time if Great Britain enters the Community, it seems unlikely that the free movement of labour would have a significant impact on the United Kingdom labour market. Provisions are made in Regulation (E.E.C.) No. 1251/1970 of the Commission of 29th June, 1970, whereby E.E.C. nationals may acquire the right permanently to settle in another country of the Community if they so choose, but only if they have lived and worked in that country for prescribed periods.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many courses are available at industrial rehabilitation units for the training of those afflicted with epilepsy; how many persons are at present undergoing training in such centres; how many persons have undergone such training in each of the past 10 years; and what are the ages of such persons.

Industrial rehabilitation units do not provide training. Their aim is to assess and restore working capacity and to provide skilled advice on the type of employment or training most likely to lead to satisfactory resettlement.My Department now has 24 industrial rehabilitation units with 2,317 places, all of which are available to epileptics. On 10th May, 1971, 1,880 persons were attending courses at these units. Information about how many of these were suffering from epilepsy is not readily available, but the normal proportion of epileptics is about 4½ per cent.The following table shows the total numbers of persons and the number of epileptics who completed rehabilitation course in each of the past 10 years. An analysis of these numbers by age is not available.

Year	Number who completed IRU Courses	Number of who Epileptics completed IRU Courses
1960	8,505	353
1961	8,857	373
1962	9,995	435
1963	9,899	472
1964	10,097	438
1965	9,336	406
1966	9,710	464
1967	10,608	548
1968	11,784	513
1969	11,605	547
1970 (first 6 months only)	6,219	270

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vocational training courses are sponsored by the Department of Employment other than at industrial rehabilitation units for persons afflicted by epilepsy; how many persons are at present undergoing training in such units; how many persons have undergone such training in each of the past 10 years; and what are the ages of such persons.

In common with other disabled persons, epileptics may receive vocational training suited to their needs in a wide range of courses at Government training centres, residential training colleges for the disabled, and colleges of further education, or by individual arrangement with employers. At 12th April, 1971, 1,640 disabled persons were attending such courses; the number of epileptics is not readily available but the proportion is estimated to have been about 3½ per cent. I regret that details of the numbers of epileptics who have taken such courses in each of the past 10 years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what inquiries have been undertaken to ascertain the subsequent employment of epileptics trained at industrial rehabilitation units or special Government-sponsored vocational training courses; what is the result of such inquiries; and how many of such persons are now unemployed.

The employment position of all who complete industrial rehabilitation courses is checked by individual inquiry about six months later, and if necessary further help is then offered to sufferers from epilepsy. Out of 184 epileptics who completed rehabilitation courses in the second half of 1969, 96 were in employment or vocational training six months later and 35 others had had employment since the end of their courses. Similar records are not kept for epileptics who have attended vocational training courses; but the last count showed that 73 per cent. of all disabled trainees were placed in employment within three months of completing training. I regret that information is not available about how many epileptics who have taken rehabilitation or training courses are now unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what instructions have been given to disablement resettlement officers in 1971 to try to overcome the reluctance of some employers to consider candidates suffering from epilepsy.

Existing instructions already include advice on the special problems confronting people suffering from epilepsy, and these are supplemented by circulating the latest information. Disablement resettlement officers have always been made aware of the necessity for obtaining adequate medical guidance about individuals, so that the degree of disability is properly understood and, with the individual's consent, may be disclosed to prospective employers. Our leaflet entitled "Employing Someone with Epilepsy", which is revised in the light of expert advice, is designed to give guidance to employers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what training courses have been provided for disablement resettlement officers so as to inform them as to the real nature of epilepsy and how it may be dealt with in the working situation.

The training programme for disablement resettlement officers includes lectures and discussions about the nature of epilepsy, and its effects upon a person's capacity for work. Disablement resettlement officers throughout the country have also attended one-day courses organised by the British Epilepsy Association to study the special problems associated with epilepsy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the use of audible warnings from motor vehicles in built-up areas at any time, except in an emergency in order to avoid an accident.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to regulate long-distance bicycle races on public roads in order to prevent the dangers to other road users which are currently caused by bunching, refusing to give way, and the practice of accompanying cars following the competitors at close intervals to each other.

No. Both my right hon. Friend and the police are already empowered to regulate the holding or conduct of cycle racing on public highways as they see fit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps regarding the abolition, under the Housing Act, 1969, of provision for the repayment of a full improvement grant or a proportionate part of it in the case of the improved property being either used for letting as holiday accommodation, or of being sold at an increased level of profit within three years of improvement.

My aim is to encourage the flow of private capital into the improvement of our older houses and from this point of view, I fear that my hon. Friend's suggestion could be counterproductive.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what experiments are being carried out by his Department into turning sea water into drinking water.

Studies of desalination as a means of contributing to water supply in England and Wales are promoted by the Water Resources Board and are kept under review by a Co-ordinating Committee set up by the Board in 1964. On 17th March I announced the approval of an experimental scheme at Ipswich using the secondary refrigerant freeze process which is being carried out by the Board in conjunction with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and Simon Engineering Ltd. It will be operating in about two years' time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes, in view of the acute shortage of water in Devon and in the City of Plymouth, to secure an improvement in the near future in this situation.

This is essentially a matter for the stautory water undertakers in consultation with the Devon and Cornwall River Authorities. But my hon. Friend, the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths), the Under-Secretary of State, visited the South-West last weekend at my request to discuss the situation with the authorities concerned and to see something of the problems first hand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he hopes to start work on the bypass around Brough in Westmorland.

Subject to satisfactory completion of the necessary statutory procedures, in September, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now introduce legislation to enable local planning authorities to bring within control the demolition in conservation areas of buildings which contribute to the character of the area, in accordance with his intentions expressed in a letter to the hon. Member for Islington, East on 25th February 1971.

I repeat my assurance that an early opportunity will be sought for including the necessary provisions in a Government measure. I am not yet able to be more specific.

asked the the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline his proposals for a relief for the Barnhorn Road at Little Common, Bexhill on Sea; and when objectors will have an opportunity of being heard.

Tentative proposals for a diversion south of Barnhorn Road are in the early stages of consideration. It is intended to protect a possible line, but the project is long term and it will be some years before draft Orders under the Highways Act, 1959 are published. These Orders would provide an opportunity for objections to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the negotiations over the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will state what quantity of sugar was imported into Holland from the Dutch dependency of Surinam in 1968, and what is the quantity for 1971; and if he will make a statement giving the reasons for the reduction.

Figures from international sources show that the Netherlands imported 7,182 metric tons of raw sugar from Surinam in 1968. No figure can yet be quoted for 1971. Under arrangements agreed with the European Economic Community it is understood that the Netherlands have the right to import, free of levy, 4,000 tons of raw sugar per year until 1974 from Surinam but reports indicate Surinam's exports of sugar may be seriously reduced in 1971 due to damage to cane by pests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he is satisfied that the Commission and the Six Member Countries of the European Economic Community are aware of the special problems which would arise in relation to Northern Ireland if the United Kingdom were to enter the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement;(2) what part the special economic problems of Northern Ireland will play in the decision of Her Majesty's Government to accept or reject terms of entry to the European Economic Community.

The decision whether to enter the Community will be taken in the light of the advantages secured for the United Kingdom as a whole, having regard to the interests of all areas including Northern Ireland. In our negotiations with the Community, we are taking full account of those interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations have taken place on the constitutional and financial position of the Isle of Man if Great Britain should join the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

There has been full consultation with representatives of the Isle of Man Government covering all the implications for the Island of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community. We expect to have discussions with the Six very shortly on arrangements which will best meet the wishes and needs of the Isle of Man.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why, in the event of Parliament approving the instruments of accession to the Treaties of the Communities, he will not propose in the accompanying legislation that the House of Commons should be able to renounce membersip on behalf of the United Kingdom at any future date.

In legislation to give effect to a treaty in this country, it is neither usual nor appropriate to provide for the termination of our international obligations under the treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the present practice of proposals being made by the Commission and Ministers to the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community being confidential and unquestionable by the House of Commons or its Members will continue on present known terms if Great Britain enters the Common Market.

Hon. Members will continue to be free to question Ministers about proposals in the European Economic Community as they affect the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the recent official visit to Great Britain of Mr. Don Dunstan, the Prime Minister of South Australia; what discussions he had with him concerning Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and what was the attitude and view of the South Australian Prime Minister as expressed to him on this subject.

My right hon. Friend received Mr. Dunstan on 25th May. In the part of their discussion which related to the European Economic Community, Mr. Dunstan expressed fears for South Australia's export trade with the United Kingdom in certain goods and commodities. My right hon. Friend cited the overall buoyancy of the Australian economy and explained that the effects of European Economic Community entry (which could affect only a small proportion of Australia's export earnings) would be spread over five to eight years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent, if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community, the implementation of Article 189 of the Treaty of Rome will enable the British House of Commons to pray for the annulment of orders made by the Council of Ministers.

Article 189 of the Treaty of Rome defines the effect of regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions of the Council of Ministers and the Commission of the European Economic Community in Member States. If Parliament approves an Instrument of Accession to the European Communities its powers in relation to acts of the Council and Commission will be exercised in the light of this article.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he has agreed in principle to the European Economic Community countries having the same freedom of capital movements as applied to the countries of the sterling area on Great Britain's entry into the Community; and whether he will make a statement.

We have proposed that we should comply, by the end of the transitional period, with the obligations of the Community concerning movements of capital within an enlarged Community. I will report to the House on the outcome of the negotiations with the Community on this matter as soon as they are concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial help has now been given by Her Majesty's Government towards supporting India with the cost of maintaining refugees from East Pakistan now in India; what additional help he proposes to give in the next six months; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statements to the House on 8th and 9th of June. HOT Majesty's Government made an immediate contribution of £1 million to the United Nations Secretary-General's Appeal Fund for the Refugees. We are also contributing £750,000 in the form of food aid through the World Food Programme. We are making available a total of £250,000 to meet the cost of Royal Air Force and charter flights and the cost of saline solution, syringes and vaccines which have enabled the British charities to give immediate help to the Indian authorities. Of this amount £177,000 has already been committed. Supplementary provision for £250,000 will be sought in due course and, if necessary, an advance will be made in the meantime from the Contingencies Fund. This sum includes the amount of £18,000 which I notified to the House on 11th May.We are ready to consider further contributions to the relief effort, but it is not possible yet to forecast what may be needed over the next six months.—[Vol. 818, c. 862–4, 1066–70; Vol. 817, c. 206–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial help has been given by the United Nations in assisting India with the cost of maintaining refugees from East Pakistan now in India; what additional help he expects to be given by the United Nations in the next six months; and if he will make a statement.

Our latest information is that about $30 million has been contributed by Governments to U Thant's appeal for the refugees. $500,000 has been made available by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, $400,000 in kind by U.N.I.C.E.F. and $3,100,000 by the World Food Programme. Assistance is being coordinated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in co-operation with the Indian Government. I am sure that the United Nations will continue to respond to the needs of the situation, but it is not yet possible to say how these will develop over the next six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government accept Recommendation No. 638 on the general and cultural aspects of east-west relations which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 27th January, 1971; and whether they will instruct their representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to agree to the requests contained in paragraph 9.

Her Majesty's Government accept in general the aims of Recommendation 638 and the United Kingdom representative at the Council of Europe will continue to play a full part in the Committee of Ministers' discussions on the general and cultural aspects of East-West Relations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government accept Resolution No. 490 on the situation in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 14th May, 1971.

Much of the content of the Assembly's Resolution No. 490 is acceptable to Her Majesty's Government. In particular, we welcome the endorsement, in paragraph 3 of Security Council Resolution 242 of 22nd November, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the properties under the Licensing (Abolition of State Management) Bill which will be disposed of and give full details of the hereditaments.

I will send the hon. Member a list of the properties concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for naturalisation in the last year have been refused because the applicant's wife has not been resident in Great Britain; and for how long it has been his Department's policy to refuse applications for naturalisation on such grounds.

During the 12 months ending 31st May, 1971, 17 applications for naturalisation have been refused, and in a further seven a decision has been postponed because the circumstances in which the applicant's wife was living abroad cast doubt on whether the applicant satisfied the statutory requirement that, if naturalised, he intended to live in the United Kingdom or a colony or protectorate. In similar circumstances applications have been refused, or postponed, for many years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards would exist at the end of any transitional period to ensure that European Economic Community workers could not move freely into Northern Ireland.

This is a matter which will be considered during the negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers in the Probation Service have left to join the local authority social service departments in the first three months of 1971, and what estimate he has made of those who will do so in the remainder of 1971.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 18, according to returns furnished by probation authorities; and to the second, that I have made no such estimate.

asked the Secretary of Stale for the Home Department whether he will call for reports from chief constables on the behaviour from a road safety point of view of competitors and supporting officials in long-distance bicycle races passing through their areas.

My right hon. Friend is in regular touch with chief constables about road safety problems and sees no need to ask for special reports on this one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Vehicle and Driving Licences Act, 1969, and similar legislation so as not to require applicants for driving licences and licence holders to divulge their age or date of birth to licensing authorities or to the police.

The only purpose of requiring the date of birth is to help distinguish between people of the same name in the records of the driver licensing system.

asked the Secretary for Trade and Industry what action he intends to take to safeguard the interests of policy holders in view of the present state of the motor car insurance market.

I am continuing to keep a close watch and, as I told the House on 10th March, I am reviewing the adequacy of the law affecting insurance companies within the wider review of company law generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) from information available to him from international sources, what is his estimate of the likely demand for bulk steel in the world, in Europe, and in the United Kingdom, respectively, during the current year, in 1975, 1980, and 1985 and beyond, and his estimate of the productive capacity, and the location of that capacity, required to meet this demand, and whether these estimates are being considered in the review which is now being carried out with the British Steel Corporation;(2) what is the estimate of the tonnage of bulk steels which will be manufactured in the United Kingdom in 1975, 1980, 1985 and beyond, which he is using as the basis for his long-term review with the British Steel Corporation.

The Review is examining a number of alternative levels of steel capacity and no decision will be taken until this extensive work is completed, having regard to all relevant factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has now had with the British Steel Corporation and the steel companies within the European Steel Community, with a view to setting up one or more competing international steel companies within a larger European Community.

No such discussions have taken place.

asked the Secretary of Stale for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place with the Commission in Luxembourg and Brussels about the size of the European steel industry, including the British steel industry, and the maximum capacity of individual companies and individual steel plants, both recently and since the European Coal and Steel Community was first established.

No such discussions have taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a comparison of present estimates of generating costs for the proposed nuclear station at Haysham and for the proposed oil-fired station at the Isle of Grain in identical form to the Table which appears in the report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology, Session 1966–67, Appendix 11, page 392, and stating how the figures given would be affected if both stations had the same output.

The Appendix was part of evidence supplied by the Central Electricity Generating Board and I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support his Department is giving to the British exhibitors to the World Hunting Exhibition at Budapest in 1971; and if he will make a statement.

The Department of Trade and Industry is not providing support for British exhibitors in the World Hunting Exhibition in Budapest. Exhibitors are eligible for the usual services provided by the Department and the Commercial Department of the British Embassy.An information counter, panels and plaques from the British Pavilion at the Budapest International Trade Fair, held in May, have been made available to The Nature Conservancy, who are organising a central exhibit at the exhibition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has received from the National Coal Board concerning further pit closures in County Durham.

Colliery closures are a matter for the National Coal Board which acts in consultation with the Unions. The Board has not consulted the Department about any further closures in County Durham.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of a number of recent discoveries in the North Sea, he will revise the Government's estimate of the ultimate potential of the area from one million barrels per day of crude oil to three million barrels per day; and whether he is prepared to give a new estimate of the recoverable reserves of natural gas locatable on the British section of the Continental Shelf.

No official estimate of crude oil reserves in the North Sea has yet been made: indeed, this will not be possible until recent discoveries have been appraised and considerable further exploratory drilling has taken place. The latest estimate of recoverable reserves of gas is put at about 32 trillion (32×10¹²) cubic feet.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will authorise the Central Electricity Generating Board to purchase supplies of natural gas direct from the Phillips Company in the Norweigan sector of the Continental Shelf or from any other foreign supplier for the purposes of power generation in the United Kingdom.

No authorisation is needed to import such gas, but proposals from C.E.G.B. to use more gas in power stations would have to be considered on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government accept Recommendation No. 619 on the computer industry in Europe, hardware manufacturing, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20th January, 1971; and whether they are prepared to collaborate in reaching agreement on common European standards and common European public procurement and development contract policies in the computer field.

The Government welcome moves towards standardisation in the computer field and Britain continues to participate in the work of the international standardisation bodies. Several of the other topics covered by the recommendation raise complex issues which are of concern to one or more of the international bodies to which it has been transmitted by the Council of Europe for comments.The Government will play their part in international discussions on these topics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Her Majesty's Government accept Resolution No. 488 on European economic problems, trade relations between the United States of America and the European Communities, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 14th May, 1971; and whether they will make the declaration mentioned in paragraph 6 of this resolution.

This Resolution has been noted with approval by Her Majesty's Government who are in full agreement with the need for maintenance and development of liberal policies for the growth of world trade and for the restraint of protectionism. Indeed, within the O.E.C.D., and with the full approval of ourselves and the Community, a high-level working group is being established to examine moves towards liberalisation in world trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the short-stay diagnostic unit for mentally handicapped children at Glangwili Hospital will be completed.

It is too early yet to give a firm starting date. The scheme when started is likely to take 18 months to complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made with the plans for the Brecon bypass; and when construction work will start.

Possible routes for the new road are being examined and I hope to publish my proposals early in 1972. It is too early yet to say when work is likely to start.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the salaries of tutors in teachers' training colleges in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Lecturers in colleges of education in Scotland are paid on three basic scales according to their qualifications. The current scales with annual increments are as follows:

Third Scale	Second Scale	First Scale
£	£	£
1,668	1,509	1,398
1,770	1,602	1,482
1,875	1,695	1,566
1,980	1,788	1,650
2,085	1,881	1,734
2,190	1,974	1,818
2,295	2,067	1,902
2,397	2,160	1,986
2,499	2,253	2,070
2,601	2,346	2,154
2,703	2,439	2,238
2,805	2,532	2,328
2,907	2,625	2,421
3,012	2,721	2,514
3,117	2,817	2,607
3,222	2,913	2,700
3,327	3,009	2,793

Responsibility allowances ranging from £339 to £1,245 may be added to basic salary according to the post held and the size of college. A claim for revision of salaries is to be considered by the appropriate negotiating committee on 16th June.