asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects his committee on the technical aspects of the future of broadcasting to report; and whether he will make a statement.

I expect to receive a report from the Television Advisory Committee by the end of this year.

asked the Lord President of the Council what facilities within the Palace of Westminster were made available to the British Broadcasting Corporation on the basis of the British Broadcasting Corporation's application to make a film on Her Majesty's Opposition.

The only provision requested by the B.B.C. from the Authorities of the House was to film the first floor corridor of the Star Court, and this was granted. I understand that all other filming took place in various private rooms, for which no special permission is required under the regulations.

asked the Lord President of the Council when Lord Boyle's Committee will be available to take evidence from Members of the House of Commons and others.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is now able to state when Members of Parliament will receive the communication from the Boyle Committee requesting information with regard to Members' salaries and conditions, and whether he will give the address to which Members should send their written submissions.

Arrangements for the submission of Members' evidence will be set out fully in the letter and questionnaire which Lord Boyle proposes to send to all Members within the next few days.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make it a condition of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market that the Council of Ministers will seek to harmonise the salaries and working conditions of British Members of Parliament with those now in operation within the countries of the Six generally, and those in Germany and France in particular.

No.

asked the Lord President of the Council why second class official prepaid envelopes are not available to Members for use in the course of their parliamentary duties.

The Services Committee in its Second Report of this Session recommended that the supply of second-class official prepaid envelopes should be abandoned owing to lack of demand, which only amounted to about 7,000, compared to nearly 1,400,000 of the first-class official paid envelopes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many children of primary school age and of secondary school age, respectively, were injured while on pedestrian crossings in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Newburn Urban District Council areas, respectively, in the past 12 months.

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asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons were injured on pedestrian crossings in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and New-burn Urban District Council areas, respectively, during the last year and what were the age groups concerned.

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asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many fatalities resulted from injuries incurred on pedestrian crossings in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Newburn Urban District Council areas, respectively, during the last 12 months.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the relative safety of pedestrian crossings divided by road islands and single crossings; and if he will make a statement.

There is insufficient data to make a true comparison but past studies indicate a lower pedestrian accident risk by something of the order of 20 per cent. on zebra crossings divided by central refuges. Pedestrian crossings are normally divided by refuges where the road is wide enough—that is, about 40 ft.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about his recent overruling of the South Wales Traffic Commissioners in their refusal to grant a bus fare increase.

The reasons for my right hon. Friend's decision were fully explained in an official letter dated 27th May, 1971. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the schemes so far approved under Section 48 of the Transport Act, 1968; and how many of them allow public authorities to undertake works of construction for activities unrelated to their basic functions.

No proposals have been approved under Section 48 of the Transport Act, 1968, except those of the British Railways Board announced to the House on 8th December, 1969, by the previous Administration. These do not cover building construction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the fact that the Greater London Council have stated that the enforcement of parking regulations are being evaded by a large number of persons refusing to pay their penalties, and are requesting the introduction of owner liability for parking offences, he will initiate discussions with the council for the purposes of introducing such legal provisions.

I am already considering with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary possible measures to strengthen the enforcement of parking regulations, including some form of owner liability. Although these would have implications for a wider area than Greater London, it is there that the enforcement problem is most acute, and the G.L.C. is therefore being consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in the Government's scheme for fair rents, what advice will be given to local authorities who operate rent-pooling arrangements, whereby contributions made by older council houses help finance newer council properties.

Rent pooling is not an appropriate method of determining the fair rent because the fair rent depends on the quality of the dwelling itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the visit on 22nd June by the Minister of Housing and Construction to the launching of a scheme to provide loans for householders requiring financial help with the non-grant-aided element of house improvement schemes.

My right hon. Friend was very pleased to be present at the launching of this scheme, which will allow building firms which are members of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers to arrange for their customers to obtain loans for house improvements. This scheme will effectively supplement other sources of finance, including loans from the local authorities, and provide further useful encouragement to owners to improve their homes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the yield from selective employment tax from the construction industry during each financial year since the introduction of the tax; and what is the estimated yield for the present financial year.

It is not possible to provide actual figures for individual industries, but yields from the construction industry have been estimated as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will circularise local authorities to remind them of their freedom to disregard war disability pensions in full in formulating rent rebate schemes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Swindon Mr. David Stoddart).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the Rating Act, 1966, to exempt war disability pensions as income for purposes of the rate rebate scheme.

This point is being considered in the current review of local government finance on which we hope to publish a Green Paper before the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking by the use of modern biodegradable cleaning chemicals and detergents to reduce the pollution of the Thames by effluents from those parts of the Palace of Westminster occupied by the House of Commons.

Liquid waste at the Palace of Westminster is not discharged into the Thames but into the sewer. Detergents of the highest level of bio-degradability are purchased by my Department for the use of the direct labour force which is chiefly responsible for cleaning the Palace of Westminster.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of all Parliamentary constituencies which, in whole or in part, are covered by the provisions of the Housing Bill.

Yes. The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many actions were initiated in the London area in each of the years 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970, respectively, against landlords for harassment of tenants; and how many such actions were initiated by each of the London borough councils.

The Department does not record this information on a local authority basis, but it can be obtained from the borough councils. In the Metropolitan Police District the number of prosecutions and convictions respectively for harassment under the 1965 Rent Act for 1967 were 96 and 55; for 1968, 88 and 42; for 1969, 96 and 67; and for 1970, 54 and 39.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total capital expenditure on housing starts by local authorities for each of the years 1965 to 1970, and the figure for which he has budgeted in his public expenditure plans for 1971–72.

Capital expenditure figures are not expressed in terms of starts. On 16th December last I gave the hon. Gentleman figures on capital investment in housing by local authorities in England so far as they are now available. The current estimate of public expenditure on housing in Great Britain for 1971H72 is £1,144·4 million, as given in last January's White Paper on Public Expenditure—Cmnd. 4578.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the stench in the underground passage joining Westminister Underground Station to the Houses of Parliament; and what steps he will take to abate this public nuisance.

I understand that Westminster City Council has resumed regular cleaning of the passage which had been interrupted for a few nights because of staff shortages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the building industry regarding the latest increase in cement prices and its effect on firm-price tenders; and what reply he has sent.

I have received a number of letters from representative organisations and individual contractors. These letters are generally critical of the increase in relation to its effect on firm price tenders. In my replies I have pointed out the importance of the firm-price tendering policy in connection with the Government's aim to contain inflation. I have also drawn attention to the Cement Makers' Federation's unconditional undertaking that there will be no further increase in the price of Portland cement for twelve months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on the work of the Building Maintenance Committee since its inception.

The Committee on Building Maintenance was appointed in August, 1965, to review the problems of the maintenance of buildings, to make recommendations for improvements in the dissemination of existing knowledge, and to identify priorities for research and development. The Committee's work has

Following is the information available to the Department for the period 1st April, 1971; to 24th June, 1971:led the Department to initiate a series of practical studies on a range of topics including the economic significance of building maintenance, the effects of the present taxation arrangements on maintenance expenditure, the liabilities for defects in buildings, the relationship between design and maintenance, the occupational costs and the performance of buildings improved information systems for maintenance, maintenance technology, improved management methods including incentive schemes particularly for use by the small building contractor. The Committee published an interim report in 1968, thirteen other publications have been issued and the Committee is now preparing its final Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to prevent local authorities from obstructing the Government's policy of encouraging the sale of council houses to sitting tenants.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply given earlier today to similar questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Hampstead (Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg) and Epping (Mr. Tebbit).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is aware that, on any conditions for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, interchangeability of labour between the countries of the Community must be allowed and that persons coming to the United Kingdom from the Continent must be allowed full freedom of obtaining housing and how this will affect council housing lists;(2) to what extent the European Economic Community rules on the free availability of housing accommodation to nationals of the Six would, if applied in the United Kingdom, affect those British citizens who are on housing waiting lists.

It is for each local authority to decide for itself the criteria for admission to its waiting list. Entry into the E.E.C. would not change this situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he will not obtain a detailed list of rents and rates charged for one, two and three bed-roomed houses and flats, both private and publicly owned in each of the Common Market countries, and, on a basis of allowing for the cost of living, compare these with similar charges as made in the United Kingdom as at 16th June, 1971.

Because the information could not be obtained at reasonable expense.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further guidance he is now providing on measures required to eliminate or minimise condensation in existing housing, following from his latest studies.

My Department will be publishing Part 2 of the handbook, "Condensation in Dwellings", at the end of this month. Entitled "Remedial Measures", it deals with causes, investigation, diagnosis and ways and means of combating condensation problems in existing dwellings.The Building Research Station will also continue to provide advice in specific cases. Copies of the publication will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake a joint study with the Department of Social Services with regard to the effect of air pollution on health.

The entire subject is too wide for a single study but specific studies of various important aspects are proceeding or have recently been completed. For example, the Medical Research Council's air pollution unit is investigating the effect of various kinds of air pollution on lung function and the general effects of vehicle exhaust emissions, and last year the Royal College of Physicians published a report on air pollution and health. The Clean Air Council receives reports both from the air pollution unit and from the Interdepartmental Committee on Air Pollution Research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning his policy as to the future reconstruction of Piccadilly Circus.

I understand that the Westminster City Council has produced a revised planning brief for the owners of the sites around the Circus, which takes account of the comments made by the public at the exhibition held in July, 1968. It is hoped that the owners' architects will shortly produce a new scheme. I am sure that the local authorities concerned and I would be delighted to see progress towards presentation of an acceptable project.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he received the report of the inspector appointed by his predecessor to hold a public inquiry into the proposals for redeveloping the site of Richmond Terrace and New Scotland Yard; if he has now reached a decision on this matter; and if he will publish the inspector's report.

I received the report on 30th November, 1970. I hope to publish the report and make a statement before the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he now has for a winter works programme for the development areas.

I have already announced a £46 million housing improvement programme in the development and intermediate areas over the next two years. This is in addition to an expanded road programme and an acceleration in the clearance of derelict land and compares with only £16 million allocated for winter works programmes in the final two years of the last Administration. The Government will continue to keep the needs of the development areas under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has completed his discussions with all interested parties in examining disposal procedures regarding disused railway lines; and if he will announce his proposals.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of his Department's advertising campaign to increase the take-up of rate rebates in Islington in March/ April of this year.

£1,125.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now announce his decision concerning the A19–A66 intersection on Teesside, following the public inquiry of nine months ago.

At present I can add nothing to the reply my hon. Friend gave to his hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, West (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 12th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 363.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the working party established to look into the effects of possible contamination in the Severnside area by cadmium lead and zinc commenced its study; when he expects to receive its report; and whether he will make a statement.

The working party commenced its study on 10th November last. If its investigations show any need for special action to safeguard the public, this will be taken at once. In view of the complexity of the subject matter I cannot yet say when the report will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the studies for a Sheffield-Manchester motorway, presented to his Department in March, 1970; and if he will give urgent consideration to the inclusion of this route in the Preparation Pool.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to be in a position to respond to the Sheffield to Manchester motorway feasibility study; and what is the time he estimates will elapse between his response and the commencement of construction work;(2) if he will undertake to study and implement the means whereby the various stages preparatory to the construction contract stage of the Sheffield to Manchester motorway can be expedited.

I am still considering the results of the feasibility study. I hope to be able to announce our intentions before the end of the year. Once a scheme is included in the trunk road preparation pool, it is prepared as quickly as possible to the stage where it is ready to be considered as a candidate for the firm programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has now received concerning Moslon Brook, Manchester, from residents of the constituency of the hon. Member for Blackley or from the Corporation or Town Clerk of Manchester.

I am considering the report of the Inspector who held an Inquiry into objections to the Manchester City Council's compulsory purchase order for 13·6 acres of land at Moston Brook. I hope to be in a position to issue my decision before the end of July in the light of that Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will inquire into the possibility of constructing a road bridge across the River Orwell to carry traffic from Felixstowe Dock to London and the Midlands without having to pass through Ipswich;(2) whether he will consider building a southern ring road to carry traffic from Ipswich Dock to London and the Midlands without having to pass through the central areas of Ipswich;

I expect to receive the report of the Ipswich and Surrounding Areas Transportation Study in September. Until the report has been examined it is not possible to say how the traffic problems of Ipswich and district can best be met, nor to foresee whether a road bridge across the River Orwell and a southern ring road will be part of the pattern.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in view of the water shortage in North Devon, what steps can be taken to speed up the work of building Meldon Dam;(2) in view of the probable water shortage in North Devon in 1972, when partial filling of Meldon Dam can take place;(3) what steps he will take to ensure that no bridle path will hinder the partial filling of Meldon Dam;(4) if he will encourage the water authorities to make a clearly defined and signposted alternative bridle path at Meldon Dam so that partial filling may commence.

The North Devon Water Board is responsible for the construction of Meldon Dam and it is for it to decide whether it can be speeded up, and when, after the engineer appointed by the board in accordance with the requirements of the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act, 1930, has given his preliminary certificate, filling of the reservoir should begin.If it wishes to begin filling before a new bridle way along the crest of the dam is open for public use, it will require an order amending the North Devon (Meldon Reservoir) Water Order, 1966. The existence of a temporary alternative could well be relevant to any application which it might make. People who would be affected by an application will have a right of objection, and I cannot prejudge the outcome; but I understand that the board is considering the measures suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to ensure that adequate land is released for private housebuilding in the Home Counties pending the conclusion of his review of the South-East Joint Planning Study; and whether he will make a statement.

I am already taking steps to secure the release of adequate land in accordance with the policy set out in Circular 10/70.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, on withdrawal of

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new initiatives he is taking to expedite the clearing up of derelict industrial sites in Scotland.

I have been encouraging local authorities to press this work forward, and I am considering at present what more can be done to expedite it. Funds will be available to grant aid all the schemes we can foresee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what number of fishery protection vessels are currently available for the protection of Scottish fishing limits this year; and how many arrests have been made in the last 12 months.

No; the withdrawal of rail services would not in itself necessitate a circular from me. The action of British Rail would not, in fact, represent a material change of use.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure on private property in Glasgow to effect repairs after the great storm in January, 1968; how much was advanced by the Corporation of Glasgow out of public funds; how much has been repaid; and what has been the cost to public funds to date.

In repairing private houses damaged by the storm, Glasgow Corporation incurred a total expenditure of £6·4 million. To help the Corporation meet this expenditure, the Government made a loan of £3·9 million, and so far £500,000 of this loan has been repaid by the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of expenditure set aside for housing improvements in Scotland in the current financial year; and what are the estimates for 1972–73 and 1973–74.

Public capital expenditure on improvement is made up of grants paid by local authorities and expenditure by public authorities on their own improvement work. Allowing for the effect of the recently introduced Bill, I estimate that such capital expenditure could reach £20 million in 1971–72, and £25 million in each of the two following years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in setting up an Overseas Diplomatic Estates Board as recommended by the Duncan Committee.

The Duncan Committee recommendation has been the subject of a detailed report by officials. This is now under consideration by Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much is being spent on the British Broadcasting Corporation Overseas Services in the current financial year; how much specifically on services to Persia and Burma; and what plans there are for extending these services.

The grant-in-aid on the B.B.C. External Broadcasting Services for the current financial year is £12·9 million. The direct costs of the Persian language service amount to about £43,000 per annum and for the Burmese language service about £30,000 per annum. There are no current plans for changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Shipbuilding Industry Training Board has reduced its proposed training grants by 15 per cent.

A reduction in grants for training in the year ending 31st July, 1971, was made in order to avoid total grant expenditure exceeding income from levy available for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimate of extra revenue as a result of wage inflation which would accrue to the Distributive Industry Training Board in the next levy period if the current rate of levy remained in force.

The board has estimated the extra revenue as £460,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many building operatives are unemployed at the

Following is the information: