asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he will now take to procure a reduction in the emission of smoke and harmful fumes from motor vehicles, including vehicles propelled by diesel oil and petrol.

I have already published a draft regulation to control smoke from new diesel-engined vehicles, and a regulation has been made requiring all new cars to have a device eliminating fumes from the crank case. I am actively considering the complex question of exhaust fumes from petrol-engined vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an early official visit to the South West of Scotland.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to protect against road accidents where heavy loads such as steel girders crash through the cab of a lorry when the driver is forced to brake sharply.

The most effective way is to ensure that loads are properly secured. My Department is engaged, with the interested organisations, in producing a Code of Practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what priority he accords to road links to ports in his consideration of the road programme.

It is our policy to give particular attention to the roads serving the ports when selecting schemes for preparation and programming.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to improve road safety on the Beverley High Road, the Hull to Beverley main road, north of the Sutton Road to Beverley High Road junction to the city boundary, and whether he will include limiting the speed at which motor vehicles can travel to 30 miles per hour and improve and widen the junctions of Beverley High Road/Hall Road and Beverley High Road/Mizen Road, and widen the pavement and erect a safety barrier on the pavement from Mizen Road to Parkstone Road on the Beverley High Road.

I am satisfied that the 40 m.p.h. limit imposed by the county borough council is the right level. The roadworks suggested are for the council to sponsor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the rights which property owners have to be informed of plans by the public health authorities under which their properties may be demolished.

It is a statutory requirement that when local authorities make compulsory purchase, clearance or demolition orders on unfit houses they must serve a personal notice or a copy of the order as appropriate on all owners of properties affected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to secure the improvement by local authorities, transport bodies and voluntary organisations of derelict railway land; and if he will make a statement.

I will continue to encourage the improvement of derelict land. Informal consultations with interested bodies on the disposal of disused railway lines in the countryside have shown general agreement on a procedure under which local planning authorities decide what is the best use of the land in the public interest. I expect to get agreement shortly on a circular to local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to introducing legislation to deal with non-returnable containers; and what discussions he is having with container manufacturers to reduce problems of litter and to simplify the disposal problems of packaging.

The effect of non-returnable containers on refuse collection and disposal services should not be under-estimated. Officials of my Department will be considering with the other Departments concerned the recommendations in the report of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal that there should be a more intensive consideration of packaging in relation to re-use or disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in his consideration of the question of repealing certain Sections of the Transport Act, 1968.

The need for further legislation is under constant review. As already announced we have decided to repeal quantity licensing in its totality.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on the movement of land prices during 1970.

Comprehensive information about prices of land for all purposes is not available, but so far as private sector housing land in England and Wales is concerned, figures to be published next month in "Housing Statistics" indicate that prices rose by only about 2 per cent. in 1970, compared with rises of the order of 24 per cent. and 15 per cent. in 1969 and 1968 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to give his decision on the public inquiry held in January, 1968, into the proposals of the Cheshunt Urban District Council to designate the High Street, Waltham Cross, area as a comprehensive development area.

My right hon. Friend's intention to approve this comprehensive development area was advertised in October last year. Formal approval will be given when the necesssary documents are received from the local planning authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the difficulties being experienced in obtaining a free flow of traffic due to the indiscriminate parking of vehicles in the royal parks; what action is taken to ensure that these vehicles are being legally operated; and, as a means of revenue earning, to control the periods of parking and to assist traffic flow, if he will introduce a parking meter scheme in the royal parks.

The Royal Parks Regulations control parking in the royal parks. They are enforced by park patrols, and parks staff generally are instructed to report irregularities. Parking meters in the royal parks would in my view be objectionable on environmental grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any progress can be reported on sewage disposal on the Tyne.

Approval for interceptor sewers was given on 9th June. The technical discussions on the method of sewage disposal to be adopted have reached an advanced stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is proposing to reduce the delay of up to six weeks in the testing of commercial motor vehicles.

Providing the statutory period of one month's notice is given only a very small minority of operators have to wait longer than a few days beyond the appointment date requested, but I should be glad to look into any specific case of delays which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the light of further accidents at the Archway Bridge, London, N.19, whether he will reconsider providing some safeguards; and if he will make a statement on what discussions he has had with the police as to what steps they recommend to avoid such incidents.

No. All the advice available to me, which is supported by the police, is that it would be difficult to devise steps which would eliminate the sort of incident to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that county planning authorities are insisting on the demolition of fit houses in good order as a condition for the granting of planning consent for some other house; and if, in view of the housing shortage, he will take steps to discourage this procedure.

Local planning authorities are advised in Circular 5/68 that conditions requiring the removal of existing buildings are reasonable only if there are clear planning objections to the new and old buildings continuing on the site together.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has taken note of the case presented to him by the Long Eaton Urban District Council opposing the transfer of Long Eaton from Derbyshire into Nottinghamshire, as proposed by the White Paper on Local Government Reorganisation.

Yes, and it will be given very careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of houses demolished or cleared as a result of slum clearance activity during the first quarter of 1971; how many of these were in clearance areas; and how these figures compare with the corresponding period of 1970.

22,858 houses in England and Wales were demolished or closed during this period, of which 18,151 were in or adjoining clearance areas. These totals are 31 per cent. and 35 per cent. higher respectively than those for the corresponding period of 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the statistics relating to the percentage of traffic in Great Britain carried by road supplied by his Department for the United Nations publication Statistics for Europe differ from those published in his Press Notice No. 288.

The road shares of British freight traffic given in the Press Notice were calculated on totals which include coastwise shipping: the United Nations appear to have based their calculations on totals exclusive of coastwise shipping.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable he has laid down for the discussions between his Department and the local authority associations and other interested bodies concerning the publication of the Report of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal.

I expect that discussions will take place later this year. The recommendations concerning new Solid Waste Disposal Authorities must be considered in relation to the Government's proposals for the local government reform.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable he has laid down for the discussions between his Department and the local planning authorities on the preparation of structure plans; and if he will make a statement.

The necessary arrangements for discussions with the majority of the further local planning authorities, or groups of authorities, which I announced to the House on 12th May have already been made. Discussions with the remainder are now being arranged. The aim is to hold these discussions during this month and next month.In the South-East region, the timing of the discussions will be determined largely by the timetable of action needed to follow up the South-East Joint Planning Study.—[Vol. 817, c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the price at which Lunn-Poly is now being offered for sale compares with the original purchase price by the Transport Holding Company.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Idris Owen) on 9th June—[Vol. 818, c. 338.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking regarding amusement arcades in his review of the Town and Country (Use Classes) Order, 1963.

I am considering representations that amusement arcades should be excluded from Class XIX of the Order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will define the different standards of safety which he has recommended to British car manufacturers in connection with the design of their cars for the domestic market and for export.

Safety standards in Britain are dealt with in the Construction and Use Regulations. Standards for exported cars are a matter for the authorities of the importing country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what communication he has made to the United States State Department in connection with statements concerning safety in British cars made by Mr. Douglas Tome, head of the National Highway Safety Administration, and other United States transport officials.

None, but there were exchanges at official level about the context of certain reports in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet been able to publish his proposals for the western section of the Bishop's Stortford east/west bypass and to define its relationship with the construction of the eastern section.

The western section of the Bishop's Stortford east/west bypass is a principal road scheme for which Hertfordshire County Council are responsible. They hope to start construction in 1972, so that it may be open at the same time as the eastern section, and the nearby section of Mil. A decision on the county council's proposals for the western section is expected following fuller examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to prevent or lessen the escape of naphtha, methane, or other gases from tank farms near residential areas.

asked to reply.The storage of certain forms of naphtha and liquid methane is already controlled by licences issued by local authorities under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928. My right hon. Friend is inquiring into the circumstances of the recent leakage of naphtha in Liverpool and he will consider, in the light of the reports which he receives, whether local authorities require any further guidance as to the conditions of licence which they impose in such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of houses started in the public sector during the first four months of 1971; and how this compares with the number of starts for the corresponding period of 1970.

44,500 dwellings in the first four months of 1971 as against 43,600 in the same period of 1970, an increase of 2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider introducing legislation restricting commercial vehicles over 5 cwt. for journeys of over one mile to the use of A roads.

No. This would be impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates would be the extra cost to the consumer in terms of new pence per gallon of introducing unleaded gasoline in the United Kingdom.

I am advised that lead-free petrol would cost about one new penny more per gallon for low octane ratings and substantially more for higher ratings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the remaining sections of the Traffic Signs Manual in view of the fact that they are based on the recommendations of the Worboys Committee which reported in 1963.

Four chapters are outstanding. One will be published shortly. I shall be ready to consult interested bodies on two more within a few weeks and publication should be possible in about 12 months. I regret that I am unable to forecast when the remaining chapter will become available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to prohibit long vehicles from crossing the intersections of dual carriageways on trunk roads, in view of the danger to on-coming vehicles in both directions when they protrude over the carriageways.

Powers already exist in the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will initiate an investigation into the number of heavy vehicles and trailers parked at night in Shoreditch compared with the number parked in the less densely populated area of the City of London; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will convene a meeting with representatives of the City of London and the London Borough of Hackney to devise a system of night-time lorry parking areas in the streets of the City of London to which lorry drivers can be guided from Shoreditch.

The regulation of lorry parking in London is primarily the responsibility of the Greater London Council. It would be for them to initiate the investigations or convene the meetings suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that where a Greater London Council site scheduled by order for development as open space and partially developed as a park, has been handed over to the London Borough of Hackney, the Greater London Council will complete the development;(2) if he is aware of the distress caused to residents living in the area bounded by the Shepherdess Walk open space development area in Shoreditch as a result of the delay due to his decision to transfer the site to the London Borough of Hackney; and if he will take steps to ensure the early completion of the development by the Greater London Council.

Some of the land in the Shepherdess Walk area was transferred to the Hackney London Borough Council under the London Authorities (Parks and Open Spaces) Order, 1971. The G.L.C. have asked my right hon. Friend to substitute the London Borough Council as the acquiring authority under a confirmed compulsory purchase order for certain other land in the area. I await the views of the L.B.C. on this request.I am not aware that development of land in the area has been delayed.The Hackney L.B.C. are responsible for the administration and development of land transferred to or acquired by them for open space purposes. There are

						Miles	Estimated date of completion
M3	LONDON-BASINGSTOKE MOTORWAY
	Sunbury-Lightwater	…	…	…	…	12·7	End 1973
	Lightwater-Hawley	…	…	…	…	5·7	June, 1971
	Hawley-Basingstoke	…	…	…	…	13·0	June, 1971
M4	LONDON-SOUTH WALES MOTORWAY
	Holyport-Winnersh	…	…	…	…	6·7	End 1971
	Winnersh-Theale	…	…	…	…	12·2	End 1971
	Theale-Wickham	…	…	…	…	16·7	End 1971
	Wickham-Liddington	…	…	…	…	12·2	End 1971
	Liddington-Wootton Bassett	…	…	…	…	11·0	October, 1971
	Wootton Bassett-Stanton St. Quintin	…	…	…	…	8·7	October, 1971
M5	BIRMINGHAM-BRISTOL-EXETER MOTORWAY
	Eastington-Michaelwood	…	…	…	…	8·3	October, 1971
	Michael wood-Almondsbury	…	…	…	…	8·0	October, 1971
	Avonmouth Bridge-Clapton Wick	…	…	…	…	5·0	End 1972
	Clapton Wick-St. Georges	…	…	…	…	8·7	End 1972
	St. Georges-Edithmead	…	…	…	…	8·8	End 1972
	Edithmead-Dunball	…	…	…	…	5·1	Summer 1973
	Dunball-Huntworth	…	…	…	…	5·0	Summer 1974
M6	CATTHORPE-BIRMINGHAM-PRESTON-CARLISLE MOTORWAY
	Catthorpe-A46	…	…	…	…	11·7	End 1971
	A46-Coleshill	…	…	…	…	12·1	July, 1971
	Castle Bromwich-Gravelly Hill	…	…	…	…	2·9	End 1971
	Gravelly Hill Interchange	…	…	…	…	0·7	End 1971
	Gravelly Hill-Queslett Road	…	…	…	…	3·2	End 1971
	North of Penrith-South of Carlisle	…	…	…	…	12·3	July, 1971
M18	ROTHERHAM-GOOLE MOTORWAY
	Hatfield-Thorne	…	…	…	…	3·5	Autumn 1972
M20	MID KENT MOTORWAY
	Ditton By-Pass	…	…	…	…	6·8	Spring 1972
M40	LONDON-OXFORD MOTORWAY
	Knaves Beech Interchange	…	…	…	…	0·8	Spring 1972
M53	MID WIRRAL MOTORWAY
	Moreton Spur-Hooton	…	…	…	…	9·8	End 1971
M56	NORTH CHESHIRE MOTORWAY
	Clifton Road A557-Preston Brook	…	…	…	…	3·0	August, 1971
	Wythenshawe-Bowdon	…	…	…	…	7·0	End 1971
M 62	LANCASHIRE-YORKSHIRE MOTORWAY
	Whitefield-Moss Moor	…	…	…	…	13·0	August, 1971
	Outlane-Hartshead	…	…	…	…	7·0	End 1972
	Hartshead-Gildersome	…	…	…	…	5·3	End 1972
						246·9

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the current motorway contracts under construction with the latest estimated dates of completion.

Following is the information:he commenced his examination of the proposals for the Fleet Line; how this examination differs from that already made by the Greater London Council; and what criteria he is using to judge the merits of this project.

A formal request for infrastructure grant was made on 18th July, 1970. Both the Government and the G.L.C. are concerned with the line's value for money, in terms of its costs and benefits, including its effect on the environment and on the development of London.The Government are also concerned with the implications for the South East generally and the allocation of resources between competing claimants, both in the transport sector and beyond.My right hon. Friend's decision will take into account all these factors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to prevent the emission of black smoke during the production of blue bricks in North Staffordshire.

Excellent results have been obtained by the use of gas firing in the kilns, the general introduction of which is expected to solve the problem. Technological and economic factors are involved in effecting this change throughout the industry, but the Alkali Inspectorate have been instructed to do all they can to accelerate it and I expect to see a marked improvement before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action the Government have taken on Resolution71(6) adopted on 26th March, 1971 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe relating to the limitation of pollutants emitted in the atmosphere by two vehicles.

I am at present actively considering what further controls on air pollution from cars are needed in this country, and I am having further measurements taken of exhaust pollutants including lead. Research into the medical effects of exhaust pollutants is carried out on a continuing basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action the Government have taken on Resolution 71 (6), adopted on 26th March, 1971 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and relating to the limitation of pollutants emitted in the atmosphere by two-motor vehicles.

I am at present actively considering what further controls on air pollution from cars are needed in this country, and I am having further measurements taken of exhaust pollutants including lead. Research into the medical effects of exhaust pollutants is carried out on a continuing basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will obtain from local authorities the number of cases in which they have served closing orders on cottages which are protected as listed buildings of special architectural or historical interest.

Some information on buildings of architectural or historic interest which have been closed is already included in one of the quarterly returns submitted by every housing authority. If my hon. Friend will let me know in which area and period he is interested, I will see whether I can help him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has read the Report made to the Glasgow City Corporation by Gerald Eve & Co. in relation to car-oriented shopping centres, a copy of which is in his possession, and if, in the light of this report, he will advise local authtorities of his policy in relation to planning permission for such centres.

I am aware of the report. I have sent my hon. Friend in response to his subsequent request a copy of the draft Development Control Policy Note which will be published soon in the light of comments from the local authority associations and retail trade organisations to whom it has been circulated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to lay the new Alkali &c. Works Order; when it will come into operation; and to what industrial processes it will apply.

The Order, which I have laid today, is due to come into operation on 1st July. It will bring under the control of the Alkali Inspectorate primary aluminium smelting, petroleum, acrylates, di-isocyanates and mineral works.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated date of completion for the M5 bridge across the River Avon; how many months it is behind schedule; when work on the decking will commence; and if he will make a statement.

The Technical Committee which my right hon. Friend set up last December to examine the basis of design and method of erection of large steel box girder bridges has made an interim report. Until the Avon Bridge, which is of this type, has been re-appraised in the light of the Committee's recommendations I am unable to state what delay there will be on the original contract completion date of September, 1972, or when erection of the decking will commence. I will write to the hon. Member when further information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on the outcome of the public inquiry into the extension of Abbotsinch Airport.

I announced on 17th May my decision to accept the Reporter's recommendation following a public inquiry, and grant planning permission for the extension of the main runway at Abbotsinch Airport. This does not imply any change in Government policy on the respective roles of Prestwick and Abbotsinch Airports.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prison officers in Scotland were assaulted in the course of their duties last year; how many were seriously injured; and how the record compares with previous years.

In 1970 there were 44 assaults on prison officers, four of them resulting in serious injury. The figures for the five preceding years, which are not substantially different, are as follows:

	Total	Serious Injury
1969	47	3
1968	38	14
1967	33	5
1966	39	5
1965	51	3

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many abortion operations have been performed in Scotland in each year since the passing of the Abortion Act; and how many were performed in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, respectively.

The information is as follows:

NUMBER OF ABORTIONS NOTIFIED TO CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, SCOTTISH HOME AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT
	1968*	1969	1970 (provisional)
Scotland	1,538	3,559	5,201
Aberdeen	217	490	578
Dundee	137	301	438
Edinburgh	361	890	1,117
Glasgow	273	698	1,030
* The Abortion Act, 1967 came into operation on 27th April, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, for each of the years 1968, 1969 and 1970, how many women had abortions without sterilisation and how many with sterilisation; and for each of these categories, how many deaths wer eassociated with, and how many attributed to, the operation in question.

The number of women who had an abortion under the Abortion Act without sterilisation in each of the three years was 972, 2,447 and 3,780, respectively, and with sterilisation 566, 1,112 and 1,421, respectively.In 1968 and 1969 there were no deaths connected with abortion under the Act. The statistics for 1970 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, 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.

The number of married women who had an abortion in National Health Service hospitals in each of the three years was 856, 1,844 and 2,654, respectively. Of these 497, 988 and 1,308, respectively, were sterilised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities have made representations to him concerning the Government's instruction to end the supply of free milk in schools; and what reply he has sent.

I have had representations from the education authorities of Banff, Midlothian, Peebles, Ross and Cromarty and Sutherland and have noted their views. Glasgow Education Committee have asked to discuss the new arrangements and a meeting is being arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the number of houses under construction in Scotland on 30th June, 1970, and at the latest convenient date this year;(2) what was the total number of approvals of houses to be constructed in the public sector in Scotland, but not started, on 30th June, 1970, and also at the latest convenient date this year.

At 30th June, 1970, there were 49,445 houses under construction and 19,514 public sector houses approved awaiting start. At 30th April, 1971, the figures were 43,270 and 15,772 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total number of starts of new houses in Scotland in 1971 to the latest convenient date;

In 1971, to 30th April, about 9,300 houses were started and 12,300 houses completed by all agencies, and 6,400 public sector houses were approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to extend facilities for the treatment of rheumatic diseases; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 19th May to similar Question by the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Buchanan).—[Vol. 817, c. 313.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning revaluation in Lanarkshire; and what replies he has sent.

I have received a few letters seeking postponement of revaluation or complaining about increased valuations. In reply it has been explained that revaluation must proceed so that the rate burden will be shared on an up-to-date basis. Where appropriate, an explanation of the valuation appeal machinery has also been given.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the extension of special clinics for the elderly in 1971–72; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. member to the reply given him on 11th November, 1970.—[Vol. 806. c. 357–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement describing the studies he has instituted on the siting of runways, stacking areas, flight-paths and other matters relating to the proposed Foulness Airport, with particular reference to the need to protect Kent from noise pollution and when he expects to be able to publish his conclusions as to the final detailed proposals.

Preliminary studies by the Departments concerned are in hand. The B.A.A. are being consulted and there will be full consultation with the local authorities. We hope to reach conclusions on this matter by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to electricity boards not to charge dual use rate for play groups.

No. Electricity tariffs are the responsibility of Area Boards in consultation with their Consultative Councils and the Electricity Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will establish an immediate inquiry into the motor insurance market in view of the recently announced intention of the major companies to increase their premiums.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total tonnage of imported foreign coal used last year by the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what was the total cost, including handling costs per ton.

The costs of fuels, wherever obtained, constitute a commercial matter about which the Central Electricity Generating Board does not disclose details. On the tonnage of imports, however, I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what forms of publicity are used for attracting additional employment to the special development areas and development areas; whether he is satisfied with the position; and if he will make a statement.

The main forms of paid publicity are Press advertising and the provision of descriptive literature to inquirers. I am satisfied that these are effective in bringing the advantage of the assisted areas to the attention of industrialists with expansion plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the effect to date in reducing unemployment in the Easington constituency of the measures announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October, 1970.

I have as yet nothing to add to the answer given by my hon. Friend on 11th March to a similar Question by the hon. Member.—[Vol. 813, c. 167.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry before imposing new origin marking requirements, on what criteria he decides whether origin information helps the consumer to select the goods best suited to his needs.

The test is whether origin is likely to provide a reliable indication of characteristics which will affect the suitability of the goods for the use the consumer has in mind, and which cannot more suitably be established by other means.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest total of unemployment in the building industry throughout Great Britain; and if he will state the figures separately for the Greater London area.

At 10th May the number of people registered as unemployed in Great Britain who last worked in the construction industry was 123,569. The corresponding figure for Greater London was 9,948.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to publish the report on Psychological Factors in Industrial Accidents submitted in June, 1970.

The report on a study carried out by the National Institute of Industrial Psychology of environmental and personal factors which contribute to accidents was received by my Department—though not quite in its final form—in November, 1970. The question of the form of publication is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were known to be suffering from epilepsy in the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1920 to 1970, inclusive; how many of such sufferers were below the current school-leaving age; how many were retirement pensioners; and of the remainder, how many men and how many women were unemployed.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of

NUMBERS UNDER 20 YEARS OF AGE REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED AT 11TH JANUARY, 1971
		More than 4 weeks (1)	More than 13 weeks included in Columns (1)	More than 26 weeks included in Columns(1) and (2)	More than 52 weeks included in Columns (1),(2)and (3)
		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
South East	…	5,406	1,473	419	106
East Anglia	…	1,143	353	97	32
South Western	…	2,677	886	230	75
West Midlands	…	2,771	889	335	96
East Midlands	…	2,143	770	286	66
Yorkshire and Humberside	…	4,148	1,520	505	130
North Western	…	6,287	2,410	837	167
Northern	…	5,665	2,415	774	227
Scotland	…	9,693	3,914	1,467	348
Wales	…	3,915	1,519	481	129

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest available figures, for each of the regions of Great Britain of young people under the age of 21 years who have been unemployed for one month, three months, six months, one year and over one year.

Information for this precise age group is not available but a detailed age analysis of the registered wholly unemployed made in January and July distinguishes those under 20 years of age. Following is the information available for January, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many adult male workers over 21 years of age working a normal week in the Northern Region had a gross pay of less than £15 per week, £15 to £20, and £20 to £25 at the last count.

The following estimates are based on the numbers of adult male workers, aged 21 years and over in the New Earnings Survey, 1970, sample who were employed in the Northern Region on a full-time basis and whose pay was not affected by absence during the survey pay-period in April, 1970. Weekly earnings are gross, before deductions, and include overtime payments and the average weekly value of annual and other periodical bonus and commission payments.

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF FULL-TIME MEN WHOSE PAY WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ABSENCE WITH GROSS WEEKLY EARNINGS IN PARTICULAR RANGES: APRIL, 1970
Range of earnings	Number (thousands)
Under £15	21 (about 3 per cent. of the total).
£15 or over but less than £20.	116 (about 18 per cent. of the total).
£20 or over but less than £24.	113 (nearly 18 per cent. of the total).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of administering the bull and boar licensing scheme during the last convenient period for which figures are available; how the cost fell between bulls and boars; and how many of each were rejected.

The last detailed review of costs was in 1967, when those in England and Wales were estimated at £29,000 a year for bulls and £38,000 for boars. Using the same basis of assessment, the costs in the year ended 31st March, 1971 would have been about £42,000 and £52,000 respectively. The number of animals rejected for licence in that year was 760 (6·5 per cent. of applications) in the case of bulls and 2,303 (9·5 per cent.) in the case of boars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with reference to Resolution No. 480 on the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 27th January, 1971, whether Her Majesty's Government will collaborate in one form or another in the activities of the centre.

Her Majesty's Government are already indirectly associated with the Centre by virtue of the United Kingdom's membership of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for European Co-operation and Development. I will examine the case for more active participation and write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to ban the use of fertility pills until further medical research makes the results of their use more predictable.

Fertility drugs are administered in the main by experts in infertility problems at only a few specialised centres in this country. I am not aware of reasons for taking steps to secure discontinuance of their use.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the basis for the calculation of an offer of 7½ per cent. to Government industrial workers to be paid as from 1st July.

This offer, which is being negotiated through the normal channels, is regarded as fair in all the circumstances.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what has been the percentage increase in the cost of living over the period 1st July, 1970 to 1st July, 1971; and whether this increase is covered by the offer of 7½ per cent. to Government industrial workers.

This information is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the relief funds allocated in respect of Bengal refugees are to be drawn from existing overseas aid allocations or are additional to them.

Funds allocated for these relief purposes are at present being found from the contingency provision in the aid programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects to receive the report on death certification and coroners.

Later this year.

asked the Secretary of Slate for the Home Department if, in order to encourage interest and participation in the various local government elections preceding implementation of his local government reorganisation proposals, he will take steps to provide for the issuing of poll-cards and polling instructions to all local government electors.

No. The cost would be considerable and my right hon. Friend doubts whether the effects would be commensurate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to limit the percentage of collections which charity organisations may devote to their own expenses, and to empower him to publish a list of approved charities.

No. The expenses incurred in raising funds are bound to vary widely and to be dependent on a number of factors, not all of which are foreseeable. The register of charities maintained by the Charity Commissioners and by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is open to public inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Government accept Resolution No. 468 on the International Year for action to combat racism and racial discrimination (1971) which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 21st January, 1971; and whether, having ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, they will take steps to establish a board or a commission as agreed to in paragraph 8(b) of this resolution.

Her Majesty's Government accept the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers. The bodies mentioned in paragraph 8 of the resolution were already established in the United Kingdom prior to our ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in March, 1969.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Land Rovers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively, will be affected by the change made in the 1971 Budget, with regard to licence duty and eligibility for cheaper fuel.

Detailed figures for the number of vehicles of a type that would be affected by Clause 4 of the Finance Bill are not available. The total for England and Wales at 31st March, 1971, is estimated to be below 5,000. The number of such vehicles in Northern Ireland was 1,270 at that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, in relation to the quoted and unquoted companies in which Her Majesty's Government hold shares, the consideration for their acquisition.

Following is the information:

Name of Company	Cost of Acquisition
	£
Beagle Aircraft Ltd. (in liquidation)	1,142,490
British Nuclear Design and Construction Ltd	260,000*
British Petroleum Co., Ltd.	36,155,000
British Sugar Corporation	Nil†
Brown Bayley Ltd	‡
Cable and Wireless Ltd.	34,795,000*
Cammell Laird (Shipbuilding & Engineers) Ltd. (§)	1,500,000
Chrysler (U.K.) Ltd.	1,662,228*
English Electric Co., Ltd.	2,500,000*
Herbert-Ingersoll Ltd.	525,000*
International Computers (Holdings) Ltd.	3,500,000║
Itabira Iron Ore Co., Ltd. (in liquidation)	157,500
Kearney & Trecker Ltd.	300,000*
George Kent Ltd.	6,504,861*
Marwin (Holdings) Ltd.	750,000*
Nuclear Enterprises Ltd.	100,000*
Power Jets (R. & D.) Ltd. (in liquidation)	250,000
Ransome Hoffmann Pollard Ltd.	6,342,931*
Rolls-Royce Ltd.	10,000,000*
Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd.	20,000.000¶
SB Realisations Ltd.**	1,262,170
Spirella Group Ltd.	400,000*
Suez Finance Company	4,076,622††
The Laird Group Ltd.	1,225,208*
Toplis and Harding (Middle East) Ltd	Nil
Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd.	530,000‡‡
Welsh Highland Light Railway (in liquidation)	35,774
* Loan stock (including loans convertible into equity) or other shares previously held by the I.R.C. but recently transferred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
† Her Majesty's Government's holding was acquired in consideration of loan guarantees made under the Trade Facilities Acts 1921–26 to the former Anglo-Scottish Sugar Beet Companies.
‡ Brown Bayley Ltd. is a holding company for the following investments:
Brown Bayley Steels Ltd.,
2,404,000 schares of 50p—Cost: £1,470,453.
Ransome Hoffmann Pollard Ltd.,
£2,700,000 8 per cent. Convertible Unsecured Loan Stock 1984—Cost: £2,700,000.
1,200,000 Deferred Ordinary shares of 25p —Cost: £588,911.
§ The Public Trustee holds these shares on behalf of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
║ The Government have so far paid only 10p (2s.) for each share. The balance of 90p (18s.) per share is due on 28th September, 1972.
¶ An advance of £20 million has been made from the Contingencies Fund. The Fund will be repaid in due course by means of a Supplementary Estimate.
**SB (Realisations) Ltd. is the holding company for the Government's share in Short Brothers & Harland.
††The original cost of Her Majesty's Government's investment in the Suez Canal Co.
‡‡ The original cost of Her Majesty's Government's investment in Fairfields (Glasgow) Ltd., now merged in Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd.

NOTE.—This Table covers all shareholdings held by Government Departments except for a number of small groups of shares held mainly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in mixed agricultural enterprises such as agricultural co-operatives. The total nominal value of these shares is very small. Unsecured and secured loans made by the I.R.C. which are not convertible into equity and which have recently been transferred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry have been excluded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he does not keep a record of the number of people who pay their tax without query on receiving their assessments; and if he will keep such records in the future.

No. To maintain such a record would be very expensive of staff and would not assist efficient administration of the taxes for which the Department is responsible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will name the offices which he operates for the purpose of issuing stamps, and collecting relevant stamp duties thereon, stating how many persons are employed at each, the administrative cost of operating each, and the total revenue raised at each in the last financial year.

There are Stamp Offices in the towns listed below. The number of staff employed in each office, the administrative cost of operating each, and the gross total revenue raised at each in the year ended 31st March, 1971, are as follows:

	Staff	Cost	Revenue
		£	£m.
Head Office (London and Worthing)	302	716,000	47·2
London Stock Ex-change	29	66,000	35·1
London City Office	23	57,000	17·5
Provincial Offices:
Birmingham	11	24,000	2·9
Bristol	11	24,000	1·9
Cardiff	4	8,000	0·6
Leeds	5	11,000	1·0
Liverpool	13	27,000	2·5
Manchester	18	33,000	2·5
Newcastle	5	11,000	1·0
Nottingham	10	22,000	1·8
Sheffield	5	11,000	0·7
Scotland:
Edinburgh	32	75,000	6·3
Glasgow	5	8,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT of those stamp duties from which he received revenue in the last full financial year; and if he will publish another list of those stamp duties from which he is uncertain whether he received revenue because the relevant documents were not classified to particular heads of charge when they were presented for stamping.

The following is a list of heads of charge under which it is known that duty was collected:

• Bank Note (Scotland).
• Banker's Licence (Scotland).
• Bearer Instrument.
• Bill of Exchange or Promissory Note.
• Certificate of Registration of alkali and other works.
• Companies' Share Capital. Contract Note … for or relating to the sale or purchase of any stock …
• Conveyance or Transfer on sale of any property.
• Lease or Tack.
• Loan Capital.
• Mortgage, Bond, Debenture, Covenant.
• Policy of Insurance other than life insurance.
• Policy of Life Insurance.
• Receipt given for … any money amounting to £2 or upwards.
• Unit Trust Instrument

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) from information available from international sources, what was the gross domestic product per head at factor cost in Australia and Canada for the most recent year in which information is available; and how this compares with the figure in the United Kingdom for the same year;(2) from information available from international sources, what was the gross domestic product per head at factor cost in New Zealand for the most recent year for which information is available; and how this compares with the figure in the United Kingdom for the same year.

The figures are given in the table below. They have been taken from the United Nations Yearbook of National Accounts and relate to 1968, the latest year for which the information is available. The United Kingdom figures have been revised on the basis of the latest published estimates. The figures have been converted to United States dollars at official exchange rates as in the United Nations publication, but this does not necessarily take account of differences in internal purchasing power.

Gross domestic product at current factor cost per head of population
	1968
	$
United Kingdom	1,584
Australia	2,264*
Canada	2,621
New Zealand	l,666†
* Figures relate to fiscal year beginning 1st July, 1968.
†Figures relate to fiscal year beginning 1st April, 1968.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax was collected during 1969–70 and 1970–71, respectively, by the application of the 1969 Finance Act provisions prohibiting tax relief on interest.

This information is not available but the yield is estimated as £6 million in 1969–70 and about £20 million in 1970–71.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage rate

		France Per cent.	Germany Per cent.	Netherlands Per cent.	Luxembourg Per cent.	Belgium Per cent.
Sand		23	11	14	10	18
Gravel
Limestone
Cement
Bricks
Timber (other than rough timber)
Rough timber		17·6	5½	4	2	6

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider reintroducing the system of stamping the papers of every motor vehicle crossing the border between Northern Ireland and Eire for the duration of the present disturbances.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to be able to give figures for the numbers of school children in the Inner London Education Authority area taking school meals in May, 1971, as compared with previously.

At the May, 1971 census, 202,000 or 54·2 per cent. of pupils present at maintained schools in the I.L.E.A. area took the school meal, compared with 254,000 or 65·6 per cent. at the autumn, 1970 census. Free meals served in May numbered 61,300, or 30·4 per cent. of the total taking meals, compared with 57,800 or 22·8 per cent. in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the percentage increase in public

Italy has not yet introduced V.A.T. The information requested for the other Common Market countries is as follows:expenditure on primary education between 1964–65 and 1969–70 at constant prices; what is the proposed percentage increase between 1969–70 and 1972–73; and if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the average annual increase in money terms over the whole period 1964–65 to 1972–73.

The conversion of educational expenditure for past years to a constant price basis presents technical difficulties and the results are to be treated with caution. Subject to that reservation, I estimate that current expenditure on primary education in England and Wales between 1964–65 and 1969–70 rose in real terms by about 23 per cent. The corresponding increase between 1969–70 and 1972–73 will probably be about 13 per cent. Comparable information on capital expenditure is not readily available.In money terms the average annual increase between 1964–65 and 1969–70 was 10 per cent. for current and capital together. Forecasts of expenditure for future years are made only on a constant price basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science with reference to Resolution No. 461 on European culture and education policy which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 22nd September, 1970, what action Her Majesty's Government have now taken on Recommendation 567 (1969) on Twenty Years of European Cultural Cooperation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science with reference to Resolution No. 461 on European culture and education policy which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 22nd September, 1970, what action the Government has taken on Recommendation 567 (1969) on, Twenty years of European cultural co-operation.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State represented Britain last week at the Seventh Conference of European Ministers of Education in Brussels, when it was agreed to give the Conference a permanent character. This decision and its implications will be discussed at the Council for Cultural Co-operation next September and reported through the Committee of Ministers to the Consultative Assembly.

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 she will instruct Her Majesty's Government's representative in the Committee of Minsters 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.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 15th June to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers).—[Vol. 819, c. 60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many mentally handicapped children are registered with each local authority in Wales.

Mentally handicapped children are not registered. The number of mentally handicapped children in the case of each local authority in Wales on 31st December, 1970 is shown in the attached table.

NUMBER OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN UNDER LOCAL AUTHORITY CARE AT 31.12.70.
Local Authority	Mentally Handicapped Children
Anglesey C.C	30
Breconshire C.C.	28
Cardiganshire C.C.	70
Carmarthenshire C.C.	74
Caernarvonshire C.C.	74
Denbighshire C.C.	113
Flintshire C.C.	93
Glamorgan	338
Merioneth C.C.	18
Monmouthshire	154
Montgomeryshire C.C.	28
Pembrokeshire C.C.	62
Radnorshire C.C.	3
Cardiff C.B.C.	153
Merthyr Tydfil C.B.C.	23
Newport C.B.C.	59
Swansea C.B.C.	92

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what calculations he has made of increased outward migration from Wales to Europe in consequence of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community.