asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many qualified veterinary staff are employed in Wales on the brucellosis eradication scheme; what increase is anticipated in the next three years; and what are the comparable figures for laboratory staff.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. David Clark) on 22nd June.—[Vol. 819, c. 240–1.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has followed his undertaking fully to consult the Fisheries Organisation Society before making up his mind finally on the common fisheries policy of the European Economic Community and its effect upon the United Kingdom's fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.

I met representatives of the Fisheries Organisation Society on 15th June and again today in order to keep them fully in touch with the negotiations, which are still in progress, on the fisheries policy in the enlarged Community.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the total cost in the latest year for which figures are available of free and concessionary public transport to members of Her Majesty's Forces.

The last full year of operation of the concessionary fare scheme whereby Servicemen and their dependants were able to travel by British Rail Services at 75 per cent. of the public fare was 1969–70. The cost of the scheme to Defence Votes in that year was broadly £700,000 for personnel of all three Ser- vices and their families. The concession was withdrawn in May, 1970.Servicemen and Servicewomen continue to be allowed a number of warrants for free travel by public transport while on leave. This entitlement was increased in April, 1970, and for the financial year 1970–71 the total cost was approximately £6 million.

asked the Minister for State for Defence what was the most recent date on which CS gas was used by Her Majesty's Forces in Northern Ireland.

CS smoke was last used on 13th June, 1971.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he can give an assurance that the CS gas as used by Her Majesty's Forces in Northern Ireland has no adverse effect on children, bronchial persons and those suffering from heart diseases.

A Committee chaired by Sir Harold Himsworth is examining the possible long-term medical effects of CS. His first report on the medical effects of CS was published as Cmnd. 4173 in October, 1969. Part II is expected shortly.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will instruct Her Majesty's Forces to refrain from use of CS gas until a public inquiry into its effects has been held.

No.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Forces have recently been equipped with new devices designed to discharge CS gas in profusion; in what circumstances these launchers will be used; and whether it is envisaged that CS gas will be so discharged against the enemies of Her Majesty's Government in time of war.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the CS bursting grenade with which our forces in Northern Ireland are now equipped. This grenade is designed to provide a rapid dispersion of CS over a small area when the smoke has to be used. As regards the use in war of CS I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the Adjournment debate on 21st May.—[Vol. 817, c. 1768.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence to what extent members of Her Majesty's Forces in Northern Ireland have been accorded the status of civil authority under the provisions of the Special Powers Acts there in force; on what occasions and by what persons; and if he will make a statement.

Members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces do not act as the civil authority under the provisions of the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland), 1922.

asked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been on duty in urban areas of the North of Ireland; in what circumstances; and under what control.

On many occasions, as a normal part of their duties, members of the U.D.R. undertake guard duties on key points and installations which are situated either within or on the edge of urban areas. They also frequently establish check points and road blocks on the margin of urban areas. When travelling on duty either for training or when going on duty members of the regiment also may frequently have to pass through urban areas. On all these occasions they are subject to military discipline and appropriate military command.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the number of foreign students in further and higher education in England and Wales, and her estimate of those receiving financial assistance from Government funds.

In autumn, 1970, about 31,000 students from outside the United Kingdom were enrolled in full-time courses of further and higher education in England and Wales. Complete information is not readily available on the number receiving financial assistance from the various central Government Departments involved; in 1970 about 100 students from overseas were in receipt of full-value awards from local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the church authorities have agreed to the erection of a nursery unit at St. Luke's Church of England School, Beeston Hill, Leeds, for which Government approval was given in January, 1971.

I understand from the local education authority that it still awaits a firm decision from the church authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list those parts of the City of Leeds which have been designated an educational priority area.

The Department has not designated educational priority areas. Local education authorities have been invited to identify the districts within their own areas which suffer from the kind of social and physical deficiencies which the Plowden Council described in chapter 5 of its Report. On the basis of proposals submitted by the Leeds local education authority, several districts of the city have benefited as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to improve the employment service given by his Department in the Greater London area; and whether he will make a statement.

Within recent months my Department has started operating a computer job bank in the area to improve the circulation of employers' vacancies between local offices and it has established an employment information centre to help deal with demands for categories of jobs or workers which cannot be readily met by the local exchange. Arrangements have also been made for all local offices in Greater London to stay open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings to help cater for people who have difficulty in calling during normal opening hours.I believe that these improvements in my Department's services will help to give the industrial and business community in Greater London more efficient means of bringing together the employer requiring labour and the job seeker. I hope that both employers and people seeking work will make increasing use of our services so that they become more effective in satisfying firms' demands for labour and the individual employee's desire for a better job.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that crash barriers are erected in the central reservation areas of the recently opened sections on the M3, since deaths have already occurred.

Safety barriers are being erected on motorways in accordance with the phased programme which my hon. Friend announced on 16th December, 1970. as amended. The barriers will be provided on the Black-water—Lightwater section of M3 this financial year and other sections in 1973–74. There have been no deaths or serious injuries on the motor carriageways to date, although there has been a fatal accident on a slip road.—[Vol, 808, c. 353–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government will take consequent upon the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the illegal presence of South Africa in Namibia.

The full text of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice has only just reached the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I cannot make any comment upon it until it has been carefully studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Her Majesty's Ambassador in Katmandu of a threat of famine in Nepal owing to heavy rains and ruin of crops; and whether, having regard to the military and other historic links between that kingdom and the United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Government will seek to assist any necessary schemes of relief.

In April and May reports were received from Her Majesty's Ambassador in Katmandu that, owing to exceptional rain, there had been some damage to the wheat crop. An early but normal monsoon has now broken, and a normal rice crop should be harvested. I understand that the Nepalese Government are taking action to avoid any unfortunate consequences of the wheat shortfall. Her Majesty's Government have received no request for assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will carry out a survey among general practitioners in the area covered by the Leeds Regional Hospital Board with a view to finding out the adequacy of the gynaecological services in the region.

No. It is for the regional hospital board to plan services in its area and I would look to the board to maintain contact with the general practitioners in its area. My Department has requested all regional hospital boards to continue to keep their gynaecological and abortion services under close review and develop them as necessary to the extent that resources permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the continuing evidence that certain gynaecologists are refusing to terminate pregnancies because of their own religious or other views, in cases referred to them by the patient's own family doctors, he will advise all consultant gynaecologists that such patients are entitled to an immediate second opinion and that they should advise such patients accordingly.

The question of obtaining a second opinion is essentially a professional matter for the doctors involved. I understand that doctors who have a conscientious objection to abortion would regard it as normal practice to consult colleagues who have no such objections whenever this is necessary in the patient's interest.I would expect this matter to be among those to be considered by Mrs. Justice Lane's Committee in its review of the operation of the Abortion Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the provisional 1971 Census figures to be published in July will include statistics relating to country of birth.

No. This information may not be available until the first half of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek powers to permit £5 of wives' earnings to be disregarded in the calculation of benefits paid to men over 58 years of age who are unemployed as a consequence of redundancy.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will inquire into the causes of the current outbreak of meningitis in the Bolton area; and what steps have been taken to contain it.

The outbreak of meningitis in Bolton was due to a meningitis organism. It began in January, 1971, and comprised 19 cases, the last in May. All patients were admitted to hospital, and the medical officer of health approached general practitioners about examination of contacts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will have placed in the Library the written evidence from bodies and individuals submitted to the Committee which produced the report on "The Functions of the District General Hospital".

No. This evidence was presented not to my Department but to a committee of the Central Health Services Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the eight members appointed to the sub-committee reconstituted in October, 1968, by the South-West Regional Hospital Board to report on the hospital services in the Bristol clinical area were connected with Bristol University, the United Bristol Hospitals, and both, respectively.

Seven with the university, six with the United Bristol Hospitals and six with both. In addition to the members appointed in October, 1968, as given in my reply to the hon. Member on 18th June, the Medical Officer of Health for Bristol nominated by the regional hospital board, and a general practitioner nominated by the Bristol Local Medical Committee, became members in April, 1970. Neither was connected with the United Bristol Hospitals. The Medical Officer of Health was connected with the university.—[Vol. 819, c. 159.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the reasons for the disbanding on 22nd March, 1971, of the sub-committee of the South-West Regional Hospital Board considering the hospital services in the Bristol clinical area; on whose authority this sub-committee was disbanded; and when the decison was taken.

It was disbanded, having completed its task on submitting its final report, by the decision on 22nd March, 1971, of the executive committee of the regional hospital board, which was ratified by the board on 16th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there are no leaflets available on social benefits, including industrial injuries, from his Department at the office in Stockport; and if he will take steps to see that this is put right without delay.

Such leaflets have always been available at both offices of my Department in Stockport.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of appellants in industrial injuries benefit cases, in each of the last five years for which figures are available, who were unsuccessful before the local tribunal or before the National Insurance Commissioner; and whether he can estimate the saving to public funds by way of benefit withheld which this involved.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of appellants in industrial injuries benefit cases, in each of the last five years for which figures are available, who were successful before the local tribunal or before the National Insurance Commissioner; and what extra cost to public funds by way of benefit this involved.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the sum disbursed by way of industrial injuries benefit, in each of the last five years for which figures are available, and the number of beneficiaries who were involved.

Information is not available precisely in the form requested, but the following table shows the disbursements of injury benefit for the five financial years up to 1969–70 and the number of spells of injury benefit which began in the five corresponding statistical years:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of claimants for industrial injuries benefit, in each of the last five years for which figures are available, who took their case to appeal from the decision of the insurance officer and subsequently from the decision of the local tribunal.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has studied the report by Dr. Harold Johnstone of the University of California on the effects of supersonic transport exhaust in the stratosphere, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will arrange for the subject to be examined in this country and for a report to be published, having regard to the nature of Dr. Johnstone's conclusions.

Dr. Johnstone's report, which considered the effect of nitrogen oxides from S.S.T.s' exhaust, has been examined in the light of similar analyses made in this country and taking account of the known composition of Concorde's engine exhaust. Our studies indicate that the effect of operating even a large fleet of Concorde aircraft will be less than the range of normal changes from natural variations and will not lead to the harmful effects suggested by Dr. Johnstone. I will inform the House if we find any cause to modify our view.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total of the cost of drugs from China in each of the last three years.

For medicines and pharmaceutical products:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list projects on which the Committee on Marine Technology is working, and the estimated completion date of these studies;(2) if he will make a statement on the work, the total expenditure, and the future of the Committee on Marine Technology.

The Committee on Marine Technology is an interdepartmental advisory Committee. It incurs no expenditure other than incidental staff costs. Projects arising out of the Committee's activities are being considered by industry in association with the Department of Trade and Industry, largely on a confidential basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been applied for in the Halifax employment exchange area since June, 1970; how many of these were issued; and what number of jobs is expected to result from them.

In the period 1st July, 1970, to 31st May, 1971, three industrial development certificates were issued in the Halifax employment exchange area for projects estimated by the applicants to provide 200 additional jobs when fully manned. There were no refusals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions of the Treaty of Paris or regulations of the European Coal and Steel Community would prevent the expansion of production by the British Steel Corporation within an enlarged European Economic Community from 26 million to 45 million tons as proposed by the Corporation.

The provisions of the Treaty of Paris and its supplementary regulations would not prevent the British Steel Corporation from expanding its production capacity provided this does not involve aid or assistance contrary to the treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect he estimates the larger market of the European Free Trade Association has had on the United Kingdom growth rate.

Our exports to the other members of E.F.T.A. increased by 9½ per cent. per annum between 1960 and 1970. The many variables involved make it impossible to gauge accurately the influence of this increase on the United Kingdom growth rate but the general effect has undoubtedly been beneficial.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of United Kingdom exports at present receives preferences in Commonwealth markets; and what proportion of United Kingdom exports goes to European Free Trade Association countries not seeking full membership of the European Economic Community.

Recent information is not available on the proportion of exports to the Commonwealth which receives preference but it has been estimated to be roughly a half; 11 per cent. of exports in 1970 went to the E.F.T.A. countries specified.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to all the proposals submitted to him to safeguard the jobs of the 4,300 men at the Irlam Steel Works threatened with redundancy as a result of its proposed closure by the British Steel Corporation.

One company has told me of its wish to acquire Irlam Works, and I have referred it to the British Steel Corporation, which is responsible for decisions on the future of individual works. My hon. Friend told the House on 24th May that he would expect the Corporation to view sympathetically any proposals which would assure continued employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that the Report of the Monopolies Commission on the Professional Services published last October recommended, inter alia, that the sex of an applicant should not be a condition of entry unless there were particular circumstances affording grounds for confining it to one sex, and that the professions should examine their restrictive practices with a view to abolishing them or amending them; and if he will inform the profession of stock brokerage that unless it amends its rules in the light of the Monopolies Commission's Report he will refer the matter to the Commission.

I sympathise with the view expressed by the Monopolies Commission on the subject of sex discrimination in the professions. In the light of this, I shall be considering carefully the implications of the recent vote by members of the London Stock Exchange against the admission of women.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he carried out his declared intention of 28th October last to write to the professional organisations inviting them to examine their restrictive practices, which included sexual discrimination; what replies he has received; and if he will make a statement.

Letters were sent to the professional organisations on 16th November, 1970. Most have now replied, including those representing the London Stock Exchange and midwifery—the only professions in which the Monopolies Commission found that restrictions existed as to the sex of the practitioner. It is likely to be some time before I reach a conclusion on any further action that may be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Her Majesty's Government intend to introduce legislation safeguarding the employment prospects of persons living in areas of heavy unemployment in England, Scotland and Wales.

A substantial body of legislation already exists under which the Government help to provide employment in the assisted areas. If however the hon. Member has any specific and practical proposals to make for improving that legislation, I would be happy to examine them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total value of imports of safety glass used in the car industry in each of the last five years.

Figures of imports of shaped safety glass are shown for 1965–69 in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade and for 1970 in Table VII of Overseas Trade Statistics for December, 1970. Figures for imports of other parts and accessories of safety glass in 1970 are published in the Overseas Trade Statistics, but were not separately distinguished for earlier years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will clarify the statement in Fact Sheet No. 8 (Community Finance) concerning value-added tax; and whether, if Great Britain enters the European Economic Community, food will be relieved of value-added tax.

The statement concerning value-added tax in Fact Sheet No. 8 (Community Finance) reflects what my right hon. Friend said in his Budget Speech and requires no clarification. The E.E.C. has not yet decided on a harmonised coverage for value-added tax and until it does member States are free to determine their own individual coverage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the confusion created in the commercial world by the recent ruling of the Special Commissioners which calls into question the basic principle underlying short-term sale and lease back agreements; and whether he will clarify, as a matter of urgency, the legal and tax position of such agreements.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) and Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) on 22nd June.—[Vol. 819, c. 250.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the locations of the Stationery Office printing works.

The printing works of Her Majesty's Stationery Office are located as follows:I.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now reduce the rate of purchase tax on toothpaste, in view of the need to encourage its greater use in the interest of dental health.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but there are difficulties about a special concession for toothpaste.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if, in order to propagate the further use of the Welsh language, he will provide a grant to the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority in Wales to improve the quality of Welsh language programmes for young children.

No, the provision and quality of these programmes are the responsibility of the broadcasting authorities, which are well equipped to discharge it.