asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a survey of the conditions in which children eat sandwich lunches in local authority schools in Wales.

No. We have already issued guidance to local education authorities on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to publish the Report of the Water Resources Board on its study of water supplies in Wales.

I understand that the Water Resources Board hope to publish their Report on the Wales and Midland Study towards the end of the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on what date his Department will set up a study group to examine the problems of the Welsh economy and of unemployment in Wales; and if he will make a statement as to the composition of the proposed group.

These matters are already continuously under review through existing machinery, which includes the Welsh Council and the Welsh Planning Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many new advance factories have been built in the last two years or are scheduled to be built in the mid-Wales area, apart from Newtown, Montgomeryshire.

Two advance factories have been completed in the last two years. A further six are in various stages of planning or construction, including two Nursery factories, at Lampeter and Cardigan.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the income and expenditure accounts for Wales, prepared on behalf of his Department, are to be published.

I understand that the first part of the work being undertaken at Bangor by Professor Revell and his colleagues, covering the Income and Expenditure Accounts of Wales in the years 1965 to 1968 is nearing completion; it will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many autistic children there are in Wales; and what proposals there are for their treatment and education.

Information on this matter is lacking and I have asked all Welsh authorities to let me know by October the number of autistic children for whose education they are responsible and the arrangements proposed for their education.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average daily consumption of school welfare milk during the Christmas holiday 1970–71 in the County Boroughs of Swansea and Merthyr; and how this compares with the latest figures for average daily consumption of milk during the school term.

School milk is not provided during school holidays. In the Autumn, 1970, term 14,213 children in Swansea and 4,985 in Merthyr were supplied with milk at the rate of ⅓ pint each per day.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has for the improvement of the A4048 between Newport and Pontllanfraith;(2) what plans he has for the improvement of the A4048 between Pontllanfraith and Tredegar;(3) what plans he has for the improvement of the A472 between Pontllanfraith and Pontypool.

These are principal roads and the planning of schemes for their improvement is the responsibility of Monmouthshire County Council as local highway authority. I have been in touch with the Council who have promised to write to the hon. Member giving the information he asks for.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he has given to the proposals that the pattern of hospital development in Wales should include a hospital to serve West Monmouthshire at a location to be selected; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no firm proposals from the Welsh Hospital Board for a hospital sited in West Monmouthshire. The District General Hospitals serving the area at present are the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what conclusions he has reached about the functions of a district general hospital from his study of the Central Health Services Council committee report on that subject.

The Report is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many housing improvement grants have been approved from 1st January up to the latest convenient date; and how many were approved during the similar period of 1970.

3,455 grants for house improvement were approved in Wales in the first four months of 1971. The corresponding figure for 1970 was 2,892.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state the number of industrialists who made firm inquiries following the Welsh Development Corporation's Industrial Promotion at the Hilton Hotel, and specify the number of potential jobs which he expects will arise from these inquiries.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Gwynoro Jones) on 1st February.—[Vol. 810, c. 1232–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of mentally handicapped children in Wales who are awaiting admission to local authority care.

No mentally handicapped child should be awaiting admission generally to local authority care since it is the responsibility of the child health and social services to identify such children and to assume their care. Of the 1,412 mentally handicapped children in Wales under local authority care at 31st December, 1970, 91 were awaiting entry to more specialised forms of care.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of mentally handicapped persons in Wales awaiting admission to hospital care; and whether he will make a statement.

298. It is my constant aim to improve the services for the mentally handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of dwelling houses situated within 200 yards of the proposed route of the M4 between Capel Llanillterne and Pencoed; and what is the corresponding number on the alternative route surveyed by his Department passing south of Hensol.

There are 338 houses within 200 yards of the centre line of the proposed route and 69 houses within 200 yards of the centre line of the southern route.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the results to date of making the West Central area of Scotland a special development area; and how many new jobs, male and female, respectively, are expected to be created there in the next two years.

It is still far too soon to make any detailed assessment, but there are some encouraging signs. It is not feasible to predict jobs likely to arise within a period as short as two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the number of motor vehicles manufactured in the period June, 1970, to June, 1971.

Yes. United Kingdom production figures are published monthly in the Department's publication "Trade and Industry" and copies of the relevant official Press Notices are placed in the Library of the House. Figures for June, 1971, will be published in early August.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Bolton Report on small firms will be published.

I expect to receive the Report in a month or so and will arrange forthwith for its publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he is making with his inquiry into aspects of company law.

The work is still in its early stages but we are pressing ahead as far as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a statement on the shipbuilding industry.

Inflation and labour relations continue to make for difficulties, but plenty of scope and opportunity remains for efficient companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made to find a formula for holders of worker's shares in Rolls-Royce Limited to participate in the equity of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited.

The possibility of affording some form of special treatment to the holders of workers' shares in Rolls-Royce Ltd. is still being explored.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has read, The Price of Air Travel, by Michael Cooper and Alan Maynard and published by the Institute of Economic Affairs, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement on its proposals in the light of the Conference of International Air Transport Association which opens at Montreal on 28th June.

I am aware of this pamphlet, which makes proposals that I could not accept. B.O.A.C. has my full support in pressing for lower fares at the forthcoming conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to publish new regulations to avoid excessive fatigue of air crews.

The Department has recently reviewed the regulations and guidance on the avoidance of excessive fatigue in aircraft crews and is about to write to interested parties inviting comments on proposed amendmens.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now require that a flight recorder capable of surviving accident should be carried on all public transport flights.

No. While I am considering possible changes, such an extension to the requirements, which already call for the carriage of crash-protected flight recorders on all turbine-engined transport aeroplanes over 12,500 lbs. and piston-engined transport aeroplanes over 60,000 lbs., would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will extend legislation beyond 30th November, 1971, for the marking of the country of origin of imports of domestic pottery, tiles and sanitary ware.

I am still considering the industry's proposals for origin marking orders in respect of domestic pottery, tiles and sanitary ware.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the letter dated 3rd May, 1971, written by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited to his Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of all the documents sent to him with the last four-weekly report by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited, received by his Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimates of cash flow were included in the reports his Department received from Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited; on what basis; and for what periods;(2) if he will state the dates from 1st November, 1970, up to the present on which he received financial and other reports from Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a pro forma copy of the financial and other reports which he was receiving from Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited before 14th June, 1971; and how frequently these reports were being received.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what matters were covered in the regular reports received by his Department from Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

U.C.S. provided monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts, profit projections and net assets projections, and weekly production statistics, as prepared for the company's Board. Other financial informtion was received from them from time to time. The monthly accounts for the period ending 18th December, 1970 were sent on 22nd March, 1971, the monthly returns for the three months ended 12th March, 1971 were sent on 3rd May and the monthly accounts for the period 9th April were sent on 11th June. The Information sent on 3rd May did not disclose any serious deterioration in the position previously notified to me. On 8th June, the Company provided for the firet time a statement showing the extreme seriousness of their net assets and cash position. The monthly accounts contain information which is commercially confidential to other firms.Following is a more detailed reply, together with the text of the letter of 3rd May which commented on the returns sent on that day:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total amount of shipbuilding credit guarantees refused by his Department over the period November, 1970, to March, 1971, in respect of ships being built by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the date on which shipbuilding credit guarantees for ships being built at Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited were suspended; and on what date the company were so informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the total amounts of shipbuilding credit guarantees in respect of ships being built by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited which were suspended over the period November, 1970, to March, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the date on which the suspension of shipbuilding credit guarantees in respect of ships being built by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited was lifted; what were the factors which led him to lift the suspensions; and what was the date on which the first guarantees were given after the lifting of the suspension.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reasons he gave to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited for the suspension of credit guarantees in November, 1970, on ships being built by them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he informed the shipowners concerned that shipbuilding credit guarantees in respect of ships being built by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders were being suspended; and what reasons he gave them for the suspension.

When the S.I.B. director on the Board of U.C.S. told the Department on 14th October, 1970, that there were serious doubts about the viability of U.C.S., he was at once told that the Department would have to consider carefully the position on further credit guarantees. At that time there were applications for credit guarantees involving a potential liability of £53 million in various stages of consideration of which applications in respect of five owners were approaching finalisation. The company was told on 27th October that no further guarantees could be given until the doubts on viability had been resolved. The giving of guarantees was resumed on 19th February immediately after shipowner customers of U.C.S. had formally agreed to make a substantial financial contribution to the company additional to the original contract prices for their ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the dates of all official meetings from 1st October, 1970, between him or other Ministers in his Department and representatives of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited; and if he will state the purposes of and the matters discussed at these meetings.

On 27th October, 1970, the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry told the Chairman of the company that no further credit guarantees could be given until doubts on viability expressed by a director of the company had been resolved. On 19th November, 1970, the Chairman gave the Under-Secretary information on its financial position. He was told that the Government would examine the information and if satisfied would resume the issue of guarantees. Between that date and 3rd February there were discussions in cluding a number of meetings with the company on the steps they were taking to strengthen their financial position. On 3rd February the company was told by me that on the basis of the arrangements it proposed to make the issue of guarantees would be resumed. There were no further meetings between Ministers and representatives of the company until I saw the Chairman on 9th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much financial assistance he is giving to the provisional liquidator to enable him to give assurances that ships at present being built by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited will be completed; and whether he will give an assurance that all necessary help will be given;(2) what financial assistance he is giving to the provisional liquidator of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited to enable him to keep supplies coming to the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the upper limit of public money he is willing to put into a reconstruction of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now in a position to make a further statement about Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the liquidator of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited; and what has been the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money, and over what period, he is prepared to make available to the provisional liquidator of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited to pay the wages and keep the work going.

The provisional liquidator is continuing work on those ships where he considers this is justified in the interests of the company's creditors. To hold the position while the Government are considering the possibilities of reconstructing shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde the Government have agreed to provide funds to enable the provisional liquidator to keep all the employees of the company on the payroll until 6th August. The best estimate I can give at present is that his total requirement from the Government for this period will be £3 million. An estimate will be submitted to the House shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the relationship between his Department and the three financial experts he has appointed to look into a reconstruction of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited; and what is the relationship of the Shipbuilding Industry Board to the three experts.

The experts will advise me on possibilities of reconstructing shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde so as to secure a healthy and prosperous industry there. They will be free to consult whomsoever they wish including the Shipbuilding Industry Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will write-off all claims by the Government and the Shipbuilding Industry Board against the provisional liquidator of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited arising before his appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will arrange to renounce the secured loans granted to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited by his Department and the Shipbuilding Industry Board in favour of unsecured creditors.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he made of the cost to public funds of redundancy pay, unemployment benefit, assistance to a reconstructed undertaking, and costs of providing alternative employment before he decided not to allow the board of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited the £6 million additional financial assistance it asked for; and by how much the estimate exceeded £6 million.

No estimate is possible until a scheme of reconstruction has been worked out.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what arrangements he is making to consult the management executives concerned in any reconstruction of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited;(2) what arrangements he is making to consult the trade unions concerned in any reconstruction of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

The group of experts who will advise me on the reconstruction of shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde hope to consult both management and unions. When I have received their report I will consider what further consultations are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with trade union representatives about Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited; and what assurances he has given them about continued employment.

I was with the Prime Minister when he met the Scottish Trade Union Congress on 21st June. The Minister for Industry met the Scottish T.U.C. on 14th June and was with the Prime Minister when he met representatives of U.C.S. shop stewards on 16th June. The Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met representatives of the T.U.C. and of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions on 17th June. Trade union representatives were told of the arrangements the Government have made to avoid redundancies in the yards until 6th August.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the capital reconstruction of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited which he announced to the House of Commons on 11th February, 1971, was not carried out.

It was not possible to do this before the company petitioned for liquidation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has about redundancies or prospective redundancies among the suppliers of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited; and what action he is taking to save the jobs concerned.

I have received no reports of redundancies among U.C.S. suppliers. The Government are seeking means to reconstruct shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde on a prosperous and viable basis. That would be the best method of maintaining employment among shipbuilding suppliers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what approaches have been made to his department by prospective purchasers of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

Some interest is being shown. The prospective purchasers are being advised to approach the provisional liquidator and the group of experts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will appoint a public inquiry to look into the relationship between Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited and the Government since the establishment of the company.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will outline the rôle of Government directors on the boards of public companies, the parameters of their responsibility, in reference to the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, whether the Government appointee through the Shipbuilding Industry Board was given special instructions.

A Government-appointed director, like all directors of public companies, has a duty to serve the interests of all the company's shareholders. His rôle therefore is primarily to make an effective contribution to the running of the company. Part of his job is to satisfy himself as far as possible that the company is being properly and efficiently run and that the Government's investment is safeguarded.The director nominated to the board of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd. by the Shipbuilding Industry Board was not a Government-appointed director. I understand that he had no formal instructions as to his duties but had regular discussions with the Shipbuilding Industry Board about the company's affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government have a nominee on the Board of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited; what is the nominee's name; for how long the nominee has occupied this position; when the nominee last attended a meeting of this board; when he last received a report from this nominee; and what was its sense.

No directors of this company have been appointed directly by the Government. Under the terms of their Loan Agreement with the company the Shipbuilding Industry Board appointed Mr. A. I. Mackenzie as a director of the company in March, 1968. Mr. Mackenzie attended meetings of the company's Board on 7th, 12th and 14th June. He accompanied the Chairman of the company when the Chairman told the Shipbuilding Industry Board on 8th June of the results of their latest review of the company's financial position.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has now been made in restructuring Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.

The experts I have appointed to advise me on reconstructing shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde have begun their investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many householders in England and Wales had their gas or electricity supply discontinued for non-payment of accounts during the quarter ended 31st March, 1971; and in how many of these cases were there people over 65 years of age and dependent children, respectively.

Information will be available to the industries on the first point, and I am asking the Chairmen concerned to write to the hon. Member. I understand there is no information available on the second point.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to prevent firms in the travel trade from causing holiday-makers to suffer loss from cancellation of holiday through action taken by travel agents or tour operators after deposits or moneys have been paid, and for these firms to be liable for full compensation for all losses to holidaymakers arising from such action.

I do not consider that legislation would be appropriate. Cancellations are usually due to circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator and alternatives or refunds are normally offered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons living in the Wigan area will become redundant because of the proposed closing of the Irlam Steel Works; and what plans he has for bringing new industries to the Wigan area.

About 10 per cent. of the labour force of the Irlam works lives in Wigan. Redundancies will be spread over several years if the closure is confirmed and their number will be considerably reduced by redeployment, retirement and natural wastage. The industrial development certificate policy is operated liberally in Wigan and certificates will continue to be available both for the expansion of existing firms and for new projects suited to the town's needs and resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to introduce a Companies Bill.

We hope to propose companies legislation in the present Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make further representations to the British Insurance Association arising out of its failure speedily to set up its special fund in respect of passenger claims involving policy holders in the Vehicle and General Insurance Group.

There are certain legal problems to be overcome in setting up the special fund to deal with passenger claims. I understand that the B.I.A. is well on the way to overcoming these.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in light of the discretion given to management under the Companies Act, 1967, he will seek to amend that Act to make mandatory disclosure of all matters listed in Sections 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21.

Directors have discretion only in relation to Section 17 and parts of Section 16. We shall consider whether any change is desirable in the course of our review of company law.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give an assurance that his proposals for the restructuring of the aircraft industry in Belfast will not adversely affect the employment prospects of the area.

The Government's very considerable support for Short Brothers has, of course, been based to a large measure on the Company's contribution to employment in Northern Ireland and the present proposals for reconstruction continue to reflect this.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent his Department are continually checking the movements of the independent airlines to ascertain when and to what extent they are avoiding his Department's regulations governing group charter or flights and the regulations governing air fares.

The Department is exercising continuing surveillance and making checks as circumstances dictate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what increase in flight movements have taken place at Southend Airport by independent airlines in the last 12 months; and to what extent this airport is being used to by-pass his Department's regulations governing charter flights to far eastern destinations by taking passengers to Brussels for the start of the flight.

The most recent available figures shew a decline of about 6½ per cent. I do not have information to indicate how many passengers, if any, are now being carried between Southend and Brussels as the first part of a longer journey by air.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the British United Airways-Caledonian Airline, the Far East Travel Centre Limited, the Australasian Society and the Anglo Chinese Families Association are not complying with his regulations covering group charter flights; and if he will institute proceedings against them.

I must await the outcome of an application now before the Air Transport Licensing Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what percentage of world trade was represented by the United Kingdom's external trade in 1960, 1965 and 1970, respectively;(2) what information he has received from international sources on the external trade of the European Economic Community as a percentage of world trade in 1960, 1965 and 1970, respectively.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the proportion which exports from New Zealand of butter, cheese, lamb, mutton and beef to the United Kingdom in 1969–70 bore to the total exports by New Zealand of each of those commodities, respectively, to all parts of the world.

90 per cent., 74 per cent., 86 per cent., 16 per cent. and 7 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he estimates to be the total investment transferred, in the last 10 years, by British companies from the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community area.

Estimates of investment transferred are not available, but total direct investment (excluding oil) from 1961 to 1970 amounted to about £500 million, including about £200 million of reinvested profits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has reached any conclusions as to which research associations justify continued public support; and if he will make a statement.

Our review of the research and development work directly carried out or supported by the Department is still in progress, and the question of grant to Research Associations is a part of this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, for the year ending 18th June, 1970, was the number of firms and businesses which collapsed and went into voluntary or compulsory liquidation; in how many of these were government money or finance involved; and to what extent jobs were affected and redundancies and unemployment notified to him as being caused by such liquidations; and what were the similar details for the year ending 18th June, 1971.

In the twelve-month periods ending on May, 1970 and May, 1971, the numbers were approximately 7,160 and 7,040, respectively, including four and five, respectively, in which the Government held shares or which had received loans for which the Department of Trade and Industry are responsible. Information about consequent numbers of redundancies, so far as it is available, could not be compiled without undue expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, enclosing a communication from the Sunday Mirror stating that the file of papers and documents which he has returned have not been received; and whether he will investigate this matter further and ensure the safe return of these documents.

I have received the hon. Member's letter and would refer him to the answer given him on 14th June, 1971. The documents were sent to Mrs. Duveen on 10th October, 1969, at 33, Holborn, E.C.I.—[Vol 819, c. 9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he will not prosecute the directors of Dollar Land Company Limited, who falsely proclaim themselves as directors without the necessary shareholdings.

I have no evidence that any of the present directors are in breach of Section 182(5) of the Companies Act, 1948. And I do not think there is justification for prosecuting any of the company's former directors under this provision.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the future of the National Film Finance Corporation.

The aim of the Government is gradually to withdraw from the financing of the production of films. We

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions during 1969, 1970 and 1971 he has been in communication with the Dollar Land Company for the publication of their 1969 accounts.

The 1969 accounts did not become due until the end of 1970. Since then the company has been approached about publication on several occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by British livestock exporters in obtaining British ships for transportation abroad, particularly to China and Japan, he will take steps to stimulate the building of suitable vessels in British yards for this purpose.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were applied for in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newburn Urban District Council area and the Northern Region in the periods January to April, 1971 and January to April, 1970, respectively.

Figures for industrial development certificates approved are given in the following table. There were no refusals.have therefore welcomed the proposal of the N.F.F.C. to seek to set up a consortium in co-operation with private interests whose policy would be the new lending policy of the N.F.F.C. To help in this we have agreed to advance loans of up to a maximum of £1 million under the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Acts, 1949 to 1970 on condition that the private sector will put up £3 for every £1 from public funds. The Corporation would propose to confine its attention in future to projects financed under these arrangements and its aim would be to achieve independence of Government financial support. In the meantime with the Government's backing the Corporation will negotiate medium-term private loans for the financing of certain films to which it is already committed. These loans will be repaid from receipts arising from previous investments by the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he has discussed the effect on United Kingdom regional development policies of United Kingdom entry to the European Economic Community.

Regional policy has not developed far on a Community basis, and was not therefore an issue in the negotiations. A wide range of regional policies are implemented by the Six and Her Majesty's Government have no reason to expect that their regional aid policies will encounter any fundamental difficulties arising from membership of the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the negotiations with the European Economic Community.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made to the House on 24th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 1604–10.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will include in the White Paper on the proposed entry to the European Economic Community a statement setting out the interpretation given to the term nationals in Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome in each of the countries of the European Economic Community and the consequent liabilities which Great Britain would on entry assume as to permitted entry and employment.

It would not be appropriate to include these interpretations in the White Paper. Her Majesty's Government's liabilities are set out in Articles 48–51 of the Treaty of Rome and in Community legislation under these Articles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will include in the White Paper on the proposed entry to the European Economic Community a statement setting out the position arrived at in the negotiations as to the interpretation and application of the phrase nationals in Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome by reference to the provisions of the British Nationality Act, 1948.

The precise categories of British subject who would be regarded as falling within a definition of nationality within the terms of Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome are still under discussion with the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a detailed statement showing to what extent adverse effects on the countries of the Commonwealth of Great Britain joining the Common Market will be revised or ameliorated by operating these conditions on a spreadover period of five to 10 years as against being applied immediately on the date of Great Britain's entry.

In the negotiations with the European Economic Community Her Majesty's Government have reached agreement on arrangements, including transitional arrangements for up to five years, which take full account of the need to provide satisfactory protection for Commonwealth interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community and the interchangeability of labour within the Community will affect Members of Parliament; whether Members of national Parliaments of each of the countries of the enlarged Community will be allowed to move freely within those countries and claim the same wages and conditions of employment; and how this will operate in practice.

I am not aware of any European Economic Community provision which would enable hon. Members to claim membership of any other national Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the monthly pay and allowances given to members of the European Parliament, and how many British Members of Parliament will qualify for these emoluments when Great Britain is a member of the Common Market.

Members of the European Parliament receive salaries and allowances from their own national Parliaments. For their activities in the European Parliament they receive from Community sources travel expenses at fixed rates, and a daily allowance of B.frs. 2,000 for attendance at sessions of the Parliament and its Committees. In the event of membership it is contemplated that we would nominate 36 members to the European Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now seek to initiate a United Nations agency, as a matter of urgency, to help deal with malnutrition and disease inside East Bengal.

The United Nations Secretary General has already established machinery to co-ordinate an international relief effort in East Pakistan, and a United Nations presence is being established in Dacca to be associated with the distribution of supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the international importance of the World Hunting Exhibition at Budapest in 1971 which justifies a contribution of up to £7,000 by Her Majesty's Government; and what advantages will accrue to British taxpayers from this expenditure.

The international importance of the World Hunting Exhibition is attested by the participation of 47 countries from all parts of the world including West Germany, France, the United States and most of our other Western European allies. It is to the advantage of the British taxpayer that our commercial prospects in Hungary should be maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now recognise the State of Bangla Desh.

There is no State of Bangla Desh which fulfils our normal criteria for recognition.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he had an official meeting with Doctor A. Roux, President of the South African Atomic Energy Board, on his recent visit to this country.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the British Government put to the Anguillan leaders; and what reply he received.

The basis of the proposals I have made to the Government of the Associated State and to the Anguilla Council is that Her Majesty's Commissioner should be given adequate powers to establish a satisfactory administration for a period of years in Anguilla, in consultation and co-operation with the people of Anguilla. The Anguilla Council have accepted these proposals. The State Government have not felt able to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new action he proposes to take to seek the release of Mr. Jackson, who has been held in Uruguay for the past eight months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning the welfare of the British Ambassador in Uruguay who was kidnapped.

A Press interview on 27th March, which is undoubtedly authentic but was not published until May, showed Mr. Jackson to be in good health and spirits. I regret that there has been no direct news of him since, although unconfirmed reports have within recent weeks repeated that he is well.Her Majesty's Government remain extremely concerned at Mr. Jackson's prolonged captivity. We are continuing to do all we can to secure his release. We remain in close touch with the Uruguayan authorities; and we have asked the President of Chile if he would use his good offices to help in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the Pakistan High Commission concerning the release of political prisoners in Pakistan.

No. We have made clear to the Pakistan Government our view that there should be a political settlement and the restoration of normal conditions in Pakistan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full and complete details showing to what extent at present the Council of Europe and the Western European Union Assemblies have power to alter and amend, or reject any proposals, or make legally binding statutes, or whether their powers are of a debating and advisory character.

The Assembly of Western European Union and the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe have the right to pass Recommendations, Resolutions and Opinions for consideration by member Govern ments, but do not possess legislative power.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek to ensure a balance of arms supplies in the Middle East, following the threat of a new war by President Sadat and the 15 year pact between Egypt and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Our policy towards the supply of military equipment to countries in the Middle East is to consider all applications carefully on their merits. In making individual decisions, we take account of the prevailing military balance in the region and of the balance in the supply of arms.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of Botswana beef supplies to this country in the event of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community; and if the arrangements suggested have proved acceptable to the Government of Botswana.

If Britain joins the European Economic Community the future of beef supplies from Botswana to the enlarged Community will depend upon the outcome of negotiations between Botswana and the enlarged Community on whichever of the options of the Community's 1963 Declaration of Intent is chosen by Botswana. Her Majesty's Government would, as a member of an enlarged Community, take part in these negotiations. Until then, the Community has agreed to the maintenance of status quo in the United Kingdom's trading relations with the developing Commonwealth countries eligible for the options of the Community's 1963 Declaration of Intent.The Community is unlikely to achieve self-sufficiency in beef in the foreseeable future. Provided the Botswana authorities can comply with Community requirements on animal health and possibly on origin, it is reasonable to expect that exemption from the Common External Tariff of the Community enjoyed by present Yaounde Convention associates might be extended to Botswana if this form of association is chosen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the White Paper on the Fifth Commonwealth Education Conference.

The Conference Report will be published as a White Paper on 30th June and copies will be available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now, as a matter of urgency, seek to end all aid to the Government of Pakistan at the meeting of the Pakistan aid consortium in Paris, pending the withdrawal of forces from East Bengal.

At the meeting in Paris on 21st June members of the Consortium heard reports from World Bank and International Monetary Fund representatives who had been visiting Pakistan. No pledges for future aid were asked for or made. My right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary explained the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the statement he made on 23rd June.—[Vol. 819, c. 1436–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in considering the inclusion of the West Cross Route, Holland Park to Chelsea, in the road programme, he will take into account the road's value for money, in terms of its costs and benefits, including its effect on the environment and on the development of London, its implications for the south-east generally and the allocation of resources between competing claimants, both in the transport sector and beyond; and if he will publish a statement justifying his decision.

In considering the inclusion of this road in the programme, I will take into account the factors referred to. It would not be practicable to publish the justification for every individual investment decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, when he announces his decision whether or not to to give an infrastructure grant for the construction of the Fleet Line, he will publish an account of how his chosen criteria took into account all other factors that he considers to be relevant.

I will fully explain the reasons for my decision when it is made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate exists of the total extent of derelict land in Northamptonshire; how many acres were restored in 1969–70 and 1970–71; and what area has been programmed for the current year.

The county council estimates that there were 361 acres of derelict land in Northamptonshire on 31st December, 1970. In the calendar years 1969 and 1970 the amount of derelict land restored was nil and 11 acres, respectively. The county council expects 17 acres to be restored in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of disused railway track have been converted to roadways in each county of the United Kingdom; and what prospects there are of further conversion.

The information is not readily available. Disused railway track will continue to be used in road schemes whenever it is practicable and economic to do so. I expect to reach agreement shortly on a circular to local authorities about the procedure for deciding the best use of disused railway lines in the countryside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the new Inland Revenue buildings in Bootle will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Because of continuing difficulties on the site I cannot say at this stage when building, which is now nearly 40 per cent. completed, will be finished. I am glad to say, however, that arrangements have been made by Inland Revenue for setting up the centre in temporary accommodation, and it is planned that the computer which has been installed in premises in Liverpool will begin taking on work in January next.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange to co-ordinate the time on all the clocks in the Palace of Westminster.

This has been done; I regret there was recently a temporary lapse in the normal arrangements for co-ordination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities advising them to honour existing negotiations and allow council tenants who had agreed to purchase their homes to complete the purchase contract.

No. Local authorities should themselves be the judges of the extent to which the public faith has been committed by their predecessors in office and act accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider the policy of requiring all public sector and local authorities to seek tenders from the construction industry on a firm price basis regardless of the duration of the building contract.

The pre-requisites for a firm price tender are that the project should be thoroughly preplanned and the construction period no more than two years. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of my statement of 17th March, 1971, to the National Consultative Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries. In this I explained why the Government decided to retain the firm price tendering policy but offered to re view the situation if circumstances showed this to be necessary. I have nothing to add to this statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of car drivers killed or injured in 1970 was under the age of 25 years; and what were the corresponding figures for each of the previous 10 years.

Following is the information for deaths and serious injuries:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ensure the preservation of the existing negotiating machinery for contracts of service for general practitioners in preparing his plans for reorganisation of the National Health Service.

My proposals do not involve any change in the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when consultations take place with executive councils on the consultative document on reorganisation of the National Health Service, if he will ensure that such consultations include representatives from local elected professional committees such as local medical committees, before publication of a White Paper.

I have consulted the Executive Councils Association, which includes representatives of the professions providing family practitioner services, and have also consulted the professions' own organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail comprehensively the changes that have been made in the standard control procedures under the four-week and three-month rules as a result of rising unemployment.

None. The control arrangements contain built-in safeguards which adapt them to the situation in each area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the refusal of a gynaecologist employed by the Leeds Regional Hospital Board to terminate the pregnancy of a 12-year-old girl, he will advise the board to appoint additional gynaecologists at the hospital concerned.

No. There are four gynaecological consultants serving the Bradford area, including an additional appointment made in January, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied that the Medicines Commission is adequately fulfilling its function of controlling the advertising of prescription medicines; and if he will make a statement.

Under the Medicines Act, 1968, the Medicines Commission is not responsible for the control of the advertising of medicines, but some provisions of the Act are relevant. With effect from 1st September, 1971, which as I have recently announced, is to be the first appointed day for the purposes of Part II of the Act, no new product may be promoted or advertised to practitioners unless they have been supplied within a specified period with a data sheet. (For products which will be entitled to licences of right there are transitional exemptions which terminate six months after the end of the transitional period of exemption from licensing. These data sheets are required to be consistent with the terms of the relevant product licences and regulations will be made to ensure that they are limited to moderate and sober statements of fact. Other provisions of Part VI of the Act relate to false and misleading advertisements.—[Vol. 819, c. 308.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make leaflets FIS 1, FB 11, W 11, PC 11, F 11, forms FID (Rev. 71) and FI (Rev. 71) and school meal application forms all available in post offices, social security offices, education offices and employment exchanges to encourage full knowledge of entitlements.

All these leaflets except school meal application forms, are available in Social Security offices and leaflets FIS 1, FB 11, W 11 and PC 11, are available in Post Offices. I will write to the hon. Member on the suggestion made in the Question that these leaflets should be made more widely available.