asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the security, and confidentiality, of personnel files in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware of any shortcomings in the present arrangements for ensuring the security and confidentiality of both computer and manual files of personal information in my Department. However, as the hon. Member knows, the Government will consider further appropriate safeguards once the inter-departmental group, led by the Home Office, has completed its survey of the categories of personal information held in computer systems of Government Departments.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many Victoria Cross holders who are still living had their awards for valour conferred in World War I and World War II, respectively; what is the annual payment of pension paid to each man; when the annual pension was last revised; and by what figure it has increased in the past 10 years.

The numbers are 67 and 47 respectively, excluding those who won the award while serving in Commonwealth Forces. Each receives a tax-free annuity of £100. Those who were other ranks at the time of their award also receive a small addition to their Service pensions.The annuity was last increased in 1959.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the implications for the manpower requirements of the British Armed Forces of reductions in United States of America forces in Europe.

In view of President Nixon's undertaking, reaffirmed in Brussels last month, not to make any unilateral reductions of United States forces in Europe, the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the action he proposes to take in the light of the memorandum on Armed Forces long service and widows' pensions issued by the Armed Forces Pensioners Association of Portsmouth in May, 1971, a copy of which has been sent to him.

No, but I am replying to the hon. Member's letter of 3rd June on the same subject.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the Tynan Platoon of the former B-Specials are now members of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Two.

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to a house in Queen Street, Londonderry, used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion early on Monday, 14th June; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made;(2) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to Unity Flats, Belfast, early on Monday, 14th June, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion in a shop used by the Army; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests have been made;(3) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to Academy Street, Belfast, early on Saturday, 12th June, after an explosion; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made;(4) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to examine the College of Art, Belfast, early on Saturday, 12th June, after it had been damaged by an Irish Republic Army bomb; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made;(5) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to examine Hastings Street Royal Ulster Constabulary Station after it had been bombed early on Thursday morning, 10th June; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made;(6) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to examine the rear of Springfield Road Royal Ulster Constabulary Station, Belfast, after a bomb attack on Thursday afternoon, 10th June; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made;(7) under what circumstances an Army expert was called to examine Lurgan Royal Ulster Constabulary Station, Northern Ireland after an explosion early on Friday, 11th June; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made;(8) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to examine Killeen Customs Post, Newry, Northern Ireland after the customs officers had been ordered out at the point of the gun by Irish Republican Army members and the building damaged by a bomb on Saturday night, 12th June; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made;(9) under what circumstances an Army explosive expert was called to examine two cars after an explosion outside Armagh Prison, Northern Ireland, early on Thursday morning, 10th June; what were the findings of his investigations; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made.

On the occasion of each explosion Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, which revealed that charges varying in weight from 2 ounces to about 20 lb. had been used. No arrests in connection with these explosions have so far been made, and responsibility for them has yet to be established.

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) under whose order an Army officer gave an assurance to the Roman Catholic priest of Dungiven, Northern Ireland, that the annual Orange parade which had taken place there for 11 years would be banned before statutory notice of the parade had been given to the Royal Ulster Constabulary;(2) under whose orders an Army officer requested the Roman Catholic priest of Dungiven, Northern Ireland, to publish in his parish news sheet the fact that the Orange parade would not take place before an application for such a parade had been made.

No such assurance was given and no such request made by the Army.

asked the Minister of State for Defence, in view of the second bombing of Killeen Customs Post, Northern Ireland, if he will ensure that in the future proper security measures to protect customs posts in Northern Ireland will be taken.

The appropriate security measures will continue to be taken with regard to installations in Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of State for Defence why an Army sentry did not open fire when he saw an Irish Republican Army member hurl a duffel-bag bomb at Springfield Road Royal Ulster Constabulary Station, Belfast, on Thursday afternoon, 10th June.

During the incident, responsibility for which has not yet been established, the sentry was not in a position which enabled him to open fire on the bomb thrower.

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army opened fire in Vernon Street, Belfast, on Sunday morning, 13th June; what was the result of their firing; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made.

Fire was opened at three men after a bomb was thrown at a military patrol. A club was subsequently searched and three men were arrested.

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances Army patrols were fired on as they made their way to the scene of an explosion outside Armagh Prison, Northern Ireland early on Thursday morning, 10th June; if the fire was returned: what searches resulted; and what arrests were made.

A single shot was returned in response to shots believed to have been aimed at, but which did not hit, two Army vehicles travelling to Armagh. A search of the area was carried out but so far no arrests have been made.

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) how much gas was used against Orangemen by the Army in Dungwen, Northern Ireland, on Sunday, 13th June;(2) what sort of gas was used against Orangemen in Dungiven, Northern Ireland, by the Army on Sunday, 13th June;(3) how many rubber bullets were fired by the Army at Orangemen in Dungiven, Northern Ireland, on Sunday, 13th June;(4) why no warning was given when gas was used against Orangemen by the Army in Dungiven, Northern Ireland, on Sunday, 13th June, resulting in policemen being overcome by its effects before being able to don their masks.

After warning, a small amount of CS smoke, sufficient to control the situation, was used. It was also necessary to fire a small number of rubber baton rounds.

asked the Minister of State for Defence why Hasting Street Royal Ulster Constabulary Station, Belfast, which is used by the First Battalion Royal Green Jackets and which was bombed before by Irish Republican Army terrorists, had no security guard on Thursday morning, 10th June, when it was extensively damaged by another Irish Republican Army terrorist bomb attack.

Security improvements to this station, which would have permitted the deployment of an armed guard, were still under construction when the incident occurred, respon- sibility for which has yet to be established.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will ensure that in the future the Army in Northern Ireland will not indicate to anyone its findings or recommendations in regard to the banning of parades.

Army procedures on this matter will continue to have regard to the requirements of the relevant public order Acts.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the present strength of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the Gulf.

Our current force level in the Gulf consists of an infantry battalion with supporting units, ground attack and fighter reconnaissance aircraft together with tactical transport and long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and a naval frigate and mine counter-measures presence. This is sufficient to meet our commitments in the area.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether there will be a battalion of Gurkhas stationed in Brunei during 1971–72.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply given earlier to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell).

asked the Minister of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the number of candidates for regular and short-term commissions to the Army.

This year I expect about 450 entrants for regular commissions and about 200 for short service commissions.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of Harrier trials from ships of the Fleet.

The trials carried out in H.M.S. "Ark Royal" from 4th to 15th May were to evaluate the implications of deploying the Harrier in an operational environment at sea. A total of 57 aircraft sorties were flown, including 21 in which the aircraft carried weapons. The procedures for controlling aircraft from the ship were thoroughly tested and all aspects of operation were examined.The results of these trials are now being studied. They will be taken into account during the examination which is being made to establish whether this aircraft, in a maritime rôle, can meet our particular requirements. I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no lack of urgency and we realise the interest that other countries are showing. But there are many factors to be considered and it would be wrong not to look at them very seriously.My noble friend will keep the House informed of further progress.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what Service it is intended will fly fixed-wing aircraft from aircraft carriers before they phase out, and from through-deck cruisers when they come into service; and which Service will provide the deck-crews of maintenance staff.

The aircraft embarked in H.M.S. "Ark Royal" will be flown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of legal aid applications which were made at magistrates' courts in the Northern Region during 1970 in respect of summary proceedings and cases committed for trial, respectively; and what is the number of legal aid applications granted in each of these respects in each case and the number of refusals.

In 1970 4,961 applications in summary proceedings were granted and 954 refused; 4,647 applications for legal aid for committal proceedings and trial on indictment were granted and 61 refused.Following is a table giving the information requested for each county and county borough:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about probation officers' salary negotiations.

I understand that the staff side of the joint negotiating committee for the probation service has been reconstituted and that the committee will resume discussions on probation pay at a meeting tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to prevent the punishment of servicemen of foreign forces stationed in Great Britain by foreign powers for actions of a peaceful political nature and not contrary to United King dom law.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he is satisfied with the powers available to control the use of speed boats adjacent to bathing beaches; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he is aware of the death of a child living in the constituency of the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East when she was struck by a speed boat while bathing in a Welsh bay on 31st May; and what action he proposes to take directed to preventing a recurrence of similar accidents.

I was distressed to learn of this tragic accident. Under Section 76 of the Public Health Act, 1961, local authorities have power to make bye-laws regulating the speed and navigation of pleasure boats in the interests of persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore. The exercise of these powers is a matter for individual local authorities. I am not aware that the powers are, in general, inadequate, but I shall keep them under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the official figures of Commonwealth students who entered the United Kingdom for the purpose of a particular course in a recognised establishment of education in the years 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970; how many of these same entrants have subsequently returned; and how many are still here for the respective periods, having terminated their educational studies.

Following are the numbers of Commonwealth citizens admitted as students and the numbers originally admitted as students who had their conditions revoked (enabling them to settle here) in each of the years in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will request the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to supply statistics of the number of cases which have been reported for the longest most convenient period of time of minicabs in the Greater London area advertising themselves as cabs, taxis, &c.; and what action was taken in each instance.

There is no need for my right hon. Friend to do so. I am sure that the Commissioner of Police will supply the hon. Member with the relevant information if he is asked; or, if the hon. Member prefers, I will myself send it to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the Crime Report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and his request for more severe penalties against hardened criminals.

In my right hon. Friend's view, the maximum penalties available to the courts for dealing with serious crime are in general adequate, but it would not be right for him to comment on the use made by the courts of their powers. He has no present proposals for any substantial changes in prison régimes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to announce his decisions on the recommendations submitted to his Department in 1970 by the Central Youth Employment Council on the future of the Youth Employment Service.

My right hon. Friend has considered these recommendations and the subsequent views of the Council, and many other organisations, on a consultative document about the employment services as a whole. A decision must, however, await the outcome of the wide-ranging review which we are making of the Department's manpower policies and services.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places at Government training centres in the Northern Region were unfilled on the latest available date; and what steps are being taken to fill the vacancies.

There were 430 places unfilled on 7th June, including nearly 100 in construction trades for which recruitment is restricted because of limited employment opportunities. Our local officers are continuing their efforts to recruit suitable trainees for other trades; particular emphasis is being placed on conversion and refresher training for unemployed craftsmen, and special courses for sponsored employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the number of persons employed in the Northern Region in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries, respectively, on 1st April, 1970, and 1st April, 1971.

For regions, employment estimates analysed by industry are made only for each mid-year and the latest are for June, 1970. Following is the available information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to publish the Consultative Document on the Code of Industrial Relations Practice.

The Consultative Document has been issued today and copies may be obtained at the Vote Office. The document will be available free of charge at all employment exchanges and at the regional and headquarters offices of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he is unable to give the details of the effects of the rise in the cost of living and percentage rises in salaries since 1964 of executives who were then on a salary scale of £3,250 per annum.

Insufficient information is available about the pattern of expenditure of executives on a salary of £3,250 per annum in 1964 to permit the calculation of the rise in the cost of maintaining their standard of living. Also information is not available about the movements over this period in the salaries of executives with particular levels of earnings.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that on average, prices are rising at 12 per cent. per annum in the Common Market, and that the Commission and Finance Ministers of the Six are to discuss the introduction of a prices and incomes policy; and to what extent this will affect Her Majesty's Government's policy on prices and incomes.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No". The Government are not contemplating any changes in their policies for incomes or prices as a result of the meeting of finance and economics Ministers of the European Economic Community on 15th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why five British police officers were sent to Vietnam recently, paid for by the Agency for International Development; and what was the cost to the British police force in terms of lost time and salary.

None of the group of distinguished retired overseas officials which visited Vietnam is employed by Her Majesty's Government. There was, therefore, no cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received directly from Iceland, or through the United Kingdom's representative at the United Nations, concerning the Icelandic Government's desire to extend her fishing limits to a 50-mile boundary; and what reply he has sent.

No specific representations have been received from the Government of Iceland either direct or through the United Kingdom Permanent Representative at the United Nations. The Icelandic authorities have communicated to us the text of a Resolution of the Icelandic Parliament establishing a Commission to prepare legislation involving an extension of jurisdiction of the order suggested. However, no specific proposal has been put to us, and no reply has been sent. Under the 1961 Exchange of Notes settling the fisheries dispute between the two Governments, the Icelandic Government are obliged to give the United Kingdom Government six months' notice of any extension of fisheries jurisdiction and, if we so request, to join with us in referring any dispute to the International Court of Justice. We have already made it plain that we would regard any unilateral extension of fisheries jurisdiction to 50 miles as being contrary to international law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he will have discussions with vessel owners, trade unions representing fishermen and other interested parties concerning the intention of the Icelandic Government to extend Iceland's fishing limits to the 50-mile boundary.

No specific proposals from the Government of Iceland to extend their fisheries jurisdiction have been received by Her Majesty's Government. In the event of such proposals being received, Her Majesty's Government would be willing to enter into consultations with representatives of British fishing interests, as has been their practice in the past.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise in the Security Council, as a threat to world peace, the recent rocket attack by a terrorist organisation upon the Liberian tanker "Coral Sea" in international waters in the Red Sea.

As a major shipping power, we deplore acts of violence against international shipping and, on the facts available, take a most serious view of this incident. We will keep the situation under close review but are not in favour of raising it at the Security Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grant is being made by his Department to the World Hunting Exhibition at Budapest, 1971; and why it is being provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether money is being made available from public funds for the World Hunting Exhibition, 1971, in Budapest.

Her Majesty's Government are contributing up to £7,000 towards the costs of the British Wild Life Organising Committee which is preparing a British exhibit at the World Hunting Exhibition. This contribution is being made in view of the international importance of the exhibition and in the interests of our relations with Hungary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to draw the attention of the public to the series of fact sheets on Great Britain's entry into Europe.

The Government are planning to issue posters and Press advertisements in a few weeks time to make the existence of the fact sheets more widely known.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement on his plans to increase the pay of civilian employees in the Ministry of Defence, including those in Royal Navy dockyards; and to what extent they will take into account the increase in the cost of living since the introduction of the last general pay award.

An offer of 7½ per cent. on average from 1st July, 1971, was made on 7th June and rejected by the trade union side of the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Government Industrial Establishments. Negotiations are proceeding. The cost of living was one of the factors taken into account in making this offer.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if the Board of British Rail is empowered to raise the rates of existing pensions without the introduction of primary legislation by the Government.

I have been asked to reply.Yes. Although the Pensions (Increase) Bill now before Parliament does not apply to railway pensions, the British Railways Board will no doubt have in mind the provisions of the Bill in reaching decisions on railway pensions in the light of the financial resources it judges it can make available for that purpose.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what arrangements he makes to obtain discounts from British Rail in respect of the fares of civil servnts travelling by train on official business and at public expense.

There is no discount arrangement in respect of rail journeys made by civil servants travelling on official business.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the opening of the Hawley-Lightwater section of the M3 motorway, he will now institute a review of the parking restrictions at present in force on the A30 at Camberley.

Yes. In about six months to allow time for the new traffic pattern to settle.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he now has for giving stronger powers to the Metropolitan Police for removing heavy lorries and trailers that are a source of environmental pollution to the residents parked at night in residential areas.

None. The Greater London Council has adequate powers to prohbit parking on environmental grounds and the police are empowered to remove vehicles that contravene such restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake to review the periods at which drivers of public service and heavy goods vehicles have to undergo a medical check-up.

Not at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how soon he expects to be able to announce his decision on the route of the A46 in the vicinity of Newark; and if he will make a statement.

I am considering a scheme for inclusion in the next instalment of the preparation pool. I hope to be able to make a statement quite soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents have occurred on the M4 as a direct result of road works in connection with the construction of crash barriers.

This information is not readily available and to obtain it would involve much valuable police time in a detailed analysis of the accidents occurring on the M4 since work on the barriers started.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is expected that work will commence on the second phase of the Inner Ring Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

This scheme is the responsibility of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council as highway authority. Work is estimated to start in September, 1975. Subject to programming, the Department will give grant towards the cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is expected that work will commence on the Porthill Improvements Scheme, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

This scheme is the responsibility of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council as highway authority. Work is estimated to start in October, 1973. Subject to programming, the Department will give grant towards the cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the future of sire licensing.

My right hon. Friends and I have now invited the organisations particularly concerned to meet us to discuss the future of sire licensing on the basis of a consultative document, a copy of which has been placed in the library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far the recommendations in the Report of the Anderson Inquiry into Commercial Rating have been taken into account in the current quinquennial revaluation in Scotland.

The committee's recommendations related almost entirely to action which would fall to be taken by the Government, and not by the assessors who conducted the revaluation. We have them under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many copies of the consultative document Reorganisation of the National Health Service, have been sent out by his Department; to whom they were sent; and with what further instructions for distribution.

Approximately 2,500.The following is the list of national bodies to which the consultative document has been sent for consultation:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services from what source, and in what way, people who have not been sent copies of the consultative document, Reorganisation of the National Health Service, may obtain copies; and what is the delay in obtaining copies from that source.

My Department will supply a small number of copies free, on request. I am not aware of any delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) to what cause he attributes the nil prescription of Possum equipment by the Wessex Regional Hospital Board, an area which possesses a homogeneous population distribution compared with other hospital boards in the country; if he will discuss the matter with the regional hospital board; and if he will make a statement;

The variations between regions of different populations in the numbers of Possum equipments applied for and prescribed are not statistically significant and cannot be attributed to any discernible cause. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 3rd February, information about Possum has been provided throughout the country.—[Vol. 810, c. 306.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the method by which Possum equipment is prescribed for suitable patients; what is the average length of time from first approach to final delivery; where the major delays take place; if he will take steps to improve the delivery time; and if he will make a statement.

Prescription of Possum equipment depends upon assessment by the regional hospital board of an application from a patient's medical advisers. The type of installation and ancillary equipment needed is decided after a

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what restrictions have been placed upon charter operators to and from the United Kingdom on the part of foreign airlines using Boeing 747 aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients at North Staffordshire hospitals have received cosmetic treatment in each of the last five years.

Information in the form requested is not available since treatment of a cosmetic nature is not separately recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a further statement on the number of deaths from spontaneous abortions in each of the years from 1967 to 1970.

I regret that, owing to a copying mistake, the figures given for this cause in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 30th April should have read as follows:

Applications for charter flights between the United Kingdom and a country different from the country of the airline operator concerned, and which involve aircraft with a seating capacity of more than 252 passengers, are being refused for the time being.Charter flights by foreign airlines between the United Kingdom and places other than the country of the airline concerned have long been closely controlled. Some countries prohibit such flights (known as fifth freedom flights) completely; it is widely accepted that carriage of charter traffic should be primarily by the airlines of the countries directly concerned. The United Kingdom practice on fifth freedom charter flights, which are permitted in defined circumstances, under limitations, and subject to reciprocity, was based on use of narrow-bodied aircraft. The advent of the Boeing 747, with a seating capacity more than twice that of the Boeing 707 or VC10, represents a substantial change which could draw off substantially more traffic from the operators of the countries directly concerned, including our own.The foreign airline operators mainly concerned have been informed that this restriction will apply until further notification.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the accumulated losses are of the 28,365 companies which went into liquidation in the period June, 1961 to June, 1971.

It is not practicable to establish what the aggregate losses were.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the present situation where his Department is unaware of the number of policyholders covered by the motor insurance companies; and if he will make a statement.

For the purpose of assessing an insurance company's solvency our predecessors did not consider it necessary to require a return of the number of policyholders (which anyway fluctuates from day to day) but this matter is being reconsidered during the course of the current review of existing insurance legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the motor insurance companies which went into liquidation in the period June, 1961 to June, 1971, with their losses and numbers of policyholders affected.

I circulate the list below. As I stated on 14th June, the number of policyholders is not recorded, but the total for the companies listed is estimated at about 2 million. It is not practicable to state the amount of the losses.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) to what extent the Government of the Irish Republic is seeking the exclusion of certain categories of imports from the United Kingdom from the tariff cuts originally agreed under the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement; and if he will list the products concerned;(2) whether he will make a statement on the talks on the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement between officials of the United Kingdom Government and officials of the Government of the Irish Republic on 25th May in Dublin.

These talks and the items covered by them are confidential between the two Governments until conclusions have been reached and can be announced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent he expects the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement to be affected by the transitional arrangements for United Kingdom entry to the European Economic Community.

The operation of the A.I.F.T.A. during the transitional period will have to be discussed, but it is common ground between the present Community and the candidates that its enlargement should not be the occasion for abandoning progress towards free trade already agreed upon between them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further precautionary safety measures he has introduced for flight control following the inquiry into the near-miss of aircraft over Harrow-on-the-Hill earlier this year.

I assume that this Question refers to the incident which occurred on 9th January, 1970, and which was the subject of an accident report published earlier this year. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 12th May to the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy).—[Vol. 817, c. 132.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in view of the high levels of the concentration of zinc, lead, and cadmium found in the Neath

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of employment vacancies existing for colliery workers in the Northumberland and Durham division ofthe National Coal Board.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board and I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what were the annual exports to the individual member States of the European Economic Community from the United Kingdom for the latest 12-month period and for the years 1965 to 1969;(2) what were the annual imports from the individual member States of the European Economic Community to this country for the latest 12-month period and for the years 1965 to 1969.

For 1970 and later periods, the figures are published in Tables II and V of the December, 1970, and subsequent issues of Overseas Trade Statistics. Following is the information for 1965 to 1969:and Swansea valleys, he will institute a medical survey into metal-related disorders among the people who live in the area.

I am examining the report which the hon. Member has in mind and will consider the desirability of any further surveys or other research.