asked the Minister of State for Defence whether the Commanding Officer of the First Royal Anglian Regiment gave evidence at an inquest in Londonderry on 22nd July; whether he produced a document purporting to be a log book of that regiment; and whether this allegedly described a sequence of events occurring in the city of Londonderry on 8th July.

The Commanding Officer of the First Royal Anglian Regiment gave evidence at the recent inquest at Londonderry, and produced the log-sheet of that regiment which described certain events which occurred there on 8th July.

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was attacked in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, on or around Monday, 26th July; what damage was done; and what arrests were made.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on 29th July.—[Vol. 822, c. 155.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances a solider was shot and injured in the city of Londonderry on or around Monday, 26th July; what type of gun was used; whether the fire was returned; and what arrests were made.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on 26th July a group of youths appeared in Rossville Street and threw two petrol bombs. The youths were gradually dispersed and they moved into other streets in the area; but over the next 1½ hours stones were thrown and a number of shots were fired. One of these, apparently from a high-velocity ·22 rifle, wounded a soldier in the leg. As the gunman responsible could not be clearly seen the troops did not return the fire. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now give orders to the Army to shoot Irish Republican Army terrorists in the act of preparing booby traps to murder security forces in Northern Ireland when they attempt to escape into the Irish Republic.

I have nothing to add to the statement of my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence on 26th May regarding the circumstances in which troops may open fire.—Vol. 818, c. 375.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence why he gave orders that a member of the Armed Forces should give testimony on oath to an inquiry while dressed in a beret, wearing dark glasses and having his collar obscuring a portion of his face.

I have given no orders but certain Army witnesses at the recent inquest held in Londonderry into the death of George Beattie were advised to disguise themselves in the manner described by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether a person identified as Mr. A, who is a member of the Armed Forces in the North of Ireland, gave testimony to an inquiry held in Londonderry on 21st July, 1971; whether this person had made statements on the subject matter of the inquest to the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and on what date, at what time and in the company of what other persons.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to Northern Ireland. A member of the Armed Forces referred to as Mr. A. gave evidence on 21st July, 1971, at a coroner's inquest at Londonderry which was held to determine the cause of death of George Beattie. As regards the investigations by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Army is cooperating with the civil authorities in making evidence available but I am not responsible for the procedures followed by the latter in carrying out their inquiries, or the manner and nature of evidence taken from individuals.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what legal advice is available to members of the armed forces who have been involved in fatal incidents in the North of Ireland prior to communicating details of their activities to the civil authorities; what legal advice was made available to the soldiers described as Mr. A. and Mr. B. testifying at an inquest in Londonderry on 21st and 22nd of this month; what other advice was available to them; whether prior information on their testimony was received by his Department; and whether he will make a statement.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to Northern Ireland. Like any private individual, a member of the Armed Forces may obtain legal advice in any way which he considers appropriate. He is at liberty to seek the advice of the military authorities if he so wishes. This is a matter for the judgment of the individuals concerned and it is not for me to comment on the arrangements they choose to make. In the case referred to, my Department was aware of the contents of the preliminary statements made by the soldiers concerned.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has made to invite units of the Greek Navy to visit the United Kingdom; and what consideration he has given in that regard to the decisions of the Council of Europe about the state of affairs in Greece.

Two Greek frigates will shortly be visiting London as part of their summer training cruise for naval cadets. Such visits help to maintain the good relationships which are necessary between N.A.T.O. navies.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is taking to withdraw the British Admiralty charts covering the English Channel presently available for purchase and use by mariners which show the arrowed recommended west-bound separation route passing through the wreck mark of the Varne shoal.

No action will be taken to withdraw these charts. The arrows show only the general direction of traffic flow through the route, which is 2½ miles wide, and provides ample room for avoiding the wrecks. So long as the route continues to be recommended for use by westbound traffic, it will continue to be shown as such on the charts. The route and the arrows marking it will be deleted from the charts only if it should be decided to suspend it as a recommended route.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what action he is taking to adopt the recent International Maritime Consultative Organisation recommendation that the use of single line arrowed separation route systems as used in the British Admiralty charts covering the English Channel should be replaced by the dispersal of arrows indicating separation routes.

Minor modifications to increase the dispersal of arrows will be made to the charts where this is practicable. In the critical area off Folkestone advance notice of these modifications will be promulgated by Notice to Mariners

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the criteria she uses in determining how much of the total sum requested by local education authorities for major projects of improvement in primary and secondary schools shall be authorised, in respect of global total and in each category of school.

Resources available for the improvement of schools in 1972–73 and 1973–74 will be devoted to primary schools. They are allocated to local authorities mainly by reference to the number of children in obsolete pre-1903 schools for which there is a continuing need.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the total sum of the requests she has received from local education authorities for authorised starts for major projects of improvement or replacement for primary and secondary schools, respectively, for each of the years 1970 to 1974, indicating their relationship to the sums she has authorised.

Information in this form cannot be provided without disproportionate expenditure of time and money.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether imports of canned foodstuffs from Commonwealth countries are classified as agricultural produce or manufactured goods for the purposes of protective measures under Article 226 of the Treaty of Rome.

Canned foodstuffs are classified as agricultural products for the purposes of the Treaty of Rome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the expansion of tourism throughout the world, he will consider initiating a world international conference on tourism in order to lay down agreed acceptable recognisable standards for tourist accommodation; if he will further consider the advisability of a world code of conduct for tour operators and hoteliers; and if he will make a statement.

No. There are a number of organisations already in existence to deal with the various aspects of tourism at the international levels. The organisations include the International Union of Official Travel Organisations, the Universal Federation of Travel Agents Associations and the International Hotel Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers were declared redundant in manufacturing industry in each of the development areas in 1969, 1970 and to the latest available date in 1971; how many manufacturing works closed; and how many contracted labour forces in each development area in the same period.

The information required is not readily available and could only be obtained by a disproportionate charge on public funds.However, the numbers of workpeople recorded as having been made redundant in manufacturing industry in each of the departmental regions which contain development areas were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider the establishment of a sheltered workshop for the mentally handicapped with special training facilities and equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Sheltered work is generally best provided in workshops catering for all kinds of severely disabled people. At present there are over 800 mentally handicapped employees in workshops financially assisted by my Department, including some 600 in Remploy factories. Although our usual policy is to avoid segregation, we assist some organisations which provide remunerative work for special classes of the disabled, including the mentally handicapped, and I am ready to consider any specific project that is put to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's current review of arrangements for people who are bona fide students at the time of their convictions so as to ensure that, wherever appropriate, they can continue their studies during their sentences.

The review has been completed. Further guidance has been given to those concerned in the prison service; it is intended to ensure that the needs of students are established quickly and met so far as is reasonable and practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Category A prisoners have been given parole since the Category A system came into operation; and how many such prisoners have applied for and been refused parole.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "None". But some prisoners originally in Category A have been granted parole after being put in another category. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish statistics of all Category A prisoners with details of their offences and sentences.

On 30th June, 1971, there were 215 prisoners in England and Wales in Category A after sentence and allocation. Their offences and sentences were as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in respect of the countries in the European Economic Community which have a value-added tax, he will publish a table showing at what levels it is set, in particular in respect of food and clothing.

Following is the information:exempting from vehicle excise duty those invalid persons who cannot afford permanent and conspicuous adaptations to their vehicles, in view of his recent acceptance in principle of new Clause 29 of the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the principle accepted in new Clause 29 of the Finance Bill, he will consider exemption or some relief from excise duty to invalid persons who are unable to defray the expense for material adaptations to their vehicles.

I do not think that I would be justified in extending the exemptions beyond the scope of the new Clause as it stands.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he proposes to allow the Post Office to introduce differential postal rates for letters not bearing postal codes.

This would be a matter for the Post Office in the first instance, but I understand that it has no present plan to introduce such differential rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that many self-employed people whose incomes will entitle them to family income supplement from 2nd August onwards do not know that family income supplement is payable to self-employed persons as well as to employed persons; and whether he will take exceptional action to publicise this.

We have made it clear in our leaflet and in Press advertisements that self-employed people are included, but I will certainly consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which quarterly return of the Registrar General will contain the figures for April, 1970 to March, 1971 corresponding to those in Annex A to Appendix E to Return No. 487 for the third quarter of 1970; whether any previous quarterly return will contain such figures for any part of the period April, 1970 to March, 1971; and what he expects to be the approximate dates of publication of such reports.

The Registrar General intends that future publication of the detailed analysis of births by birthplace of parents should be on a calendar year basis as with other detailed analyses of births and deaths. The figures for 1970 corresponding to those referred to in the Question will be published in his return for the second quarter of 1971, due out in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many fatal accidents have occurred in hospitals during each of the last five years.

I regret that this information is not centrally available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the preliminary returns from the 1971 Census, excepted about the middle of July, will now be published, in view of their importance to local authorities in East Sussex in relation to local government reorganisation.

Before the end of August. Discussions with local authorities on the preliminary figures will begin during the process of printing and I will ensure that East Sussex is included.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the rate of the present annual allowance paid to users of invalid tricycles supplied by his Department to offset the tax on petrol; and when it was last fixed.

£5; 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to provide an immediate increase in the allowance paid to users of invalid tricycles supplied by his Department to offset the tax on petrol, in view of the rise in the tax since the rate was last fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the additional costs falling upon them since the allowance paid to users of invalid tricycles was fixed, whether he will now increase this allowance.

Any changes in the conditions for supply of vehicles to severely disabled people must await the outcome of the review which is approaching completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give immediate consideration to assisting disabled persons to purchase their own cars rather than using invalid tricycles by granting a maintenance allowance comparable to that provided to service pensioners and National Health Service patients who are eligible for cars, but who choose to buy their own vehicles.

The possibility of paying a maintenance allowance to disabled persons eligible for invalid three-wheelers from the Department but who prefer instead to use their own cars is one of the many suggestions being considered in the current review of the vehicle service which we hope to conclude by the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has read the policy statement by the Disabled Drivers' Association calling for a more flexible scheme of mobility assistance, a copy of which is in his possession; and if he will now provide suitably adapted small cars for disabled mothers with children under 15 years of age.

The current review of the vehicle service will have full regard to the views expressed by all responsible interested persons and bodies, including the Disabled Drivers' Association. Any changes in the arrangements must await completion of this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for providing adapted cars for disabled mothers with young children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will adopt some scheme which will assist in the provision of adapted cars for disabled mothers with young children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take in the light of the proposals made by the Disabled Drivers' Association, a copy of which is in his possession, in particular in regard to a more flexible scheme of mobility assistance, and for the provision of small cars for disabled mothers with young children.

Any proposals for changes in the invalid vehicle service depend upon completion of the current review of the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to make inter-departmental arrangements whereby two-seater instruction invalid tricycles are available at repairers approved by his Department.

No. There are over 50 basic variants in the layout of controls of the three-wheelers to suit individual needs and the proposal in the Question would require a large fleet of instructional vehicles of limited benefit. Moreover the learner would be using a machine with controls rearranged because of the change in the position of the seat. The automatic three-wheeler now being introduced is much simpler to drive than the old models.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied, having studied the details of the case sent to him, that the chronic medical case, in the Norwich area, who develops an acute social problem is able to obtain the necessary nursing care without delay or hardship; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that in this particular instance the local authority provided such domicilary services as were required without delay and at an adequate level while admission to hospital was being arranged. I understand that a relative had been called in to stay with the patient. I have no reason to believe that domiciliary services would not be provided similarly in other comparable cases.The patient was placed at the head of the waiting list for geriatric beds and admitted to the first bed which became available, after a waiting period of six days.I shall reply to my hon. Friend's letter in more detail when I have received a full report from the hospital authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will set up an inquiry into the question of corporate responsibility in relation to the working of the Trade Descriptions Act, the Weights and Measures Act, the Food and Drugs Act and other consumer protection legislation, with a view to establishing principles upon which employers should, in appropriate circumstances, be held liable in law and on a consistent basis for the defaults of their employees.

No. There is no reason to suppose that the provision as regards the employers' position which Parliament has made, after proper consideration, in recent Acts to protect the consumer is either unclear in its application or inappropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the number of cases noted under Section 172 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958, and which represented applications under Section 172(3);(2) what was the number of appointments of inspectors under Section 172 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958; and which Section 172(3) applications were rejected;(3) what was the number of cases noted under Section 172 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to private companies in each year since 1958; and which represented applications under Section 172(3);(4) what was the number of appointments of inspectors under Section 172 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to private companies in each year since 1958; and which Section 172(3) applications were rejected;

Some of these questions ask for information which is not available, and others ask for information which could be given only after undue expenditure of time and money. I will answer the remainder as soon as possible, but I regret it cannot be before the summer adjournment. I am therefore writing to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will itemise and quantify the rises in costs to his Department which have occasioned it to raise its charges for marine surveys by up to 96 per cent.

As my right hon. Friend announced yesterday, we have now decided to reduce by half for a period of 12 months the charges which were brought in from 1st May, 1971. Increased costs, mainly higher salaries, only partly explain the increases. The main factor is the decision to charge the full cost of providing the services, whereas previously only a fraction of costs was recovered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes his Department has instituted in the standards required to be met by manufacturers of lifeboats since 1967.

The requirements for ships' lifeboats are set out in the Merchant Shipping (Life-saving Appliances Rules, 1965, which have not been amended in this respect. Interpretation of the Rules is subject to adaptation with the introduction of new materials and other developments but the standards have not changed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the names of all British boatbuilders, licensed by his Department, specialising in the construction of lifeboats for British ships, indicating which firms are solely engaged in this form of business.

Four firms licensed by the Department are understood to specialise:

• Lambie (Wallsend) Ltd.
• Hugh McLean & Sons Ltd.
• Viking Marine Ltd. Watercraft Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the six vacant factories in the borough of Bacup, of which he has been told, were built prior to 1871; and what were the respective years in which the remainder were constructed.

I understand that five were built before 1871, but two of these were extended in the 1920s. One was built in the 1920s in replacement of much older premises on the site.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of industrial premises in the borough of Rawtenstall which are currently vacant and which would fulfil his criteria for the issue of industrial development certificates.

The Department has been told of two vacant facories available in Rawtenstall. Existing factories can be occupied without an industrial development certificate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been refused by his Department between 1st July, 1970, and 30th July, 1971, to persons or firms wishing to bring new or diversified industries to the borough of Rawtenstall.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether nation States may nationalise sections of industry and de-nationalise sections of industry under the Treaty of Paris which set up the European Coal and Steel Community.

Yes, both processes are possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the importance of tourism to the United Kingdom balance of payments, he will take steps to establish a classification of accommodation scheme in terms of accommodation, food and price; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive a report on this matter from the Tourist Boards before very long. He will then decide whether to proceed with an Order under Section 17 of the Development of Tourism Act, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if, in view of the contribution made to the United Kingdom's invisible earnings by tourism, he will undertake a complete survey of overnight accommodation and services for tourists in London; and if he will make a statement;(2) if, in view of the contribution made to the United Kingdom's invisible earnings by tourism, he will undertake a complete survey of overnight accommodation and services in tourist areas of Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

It is for the statutory Tourist Boards in the first instance to consider whether there is a need for more information on tourist accommodation to supplement that already available and, if so, how it might be obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the discussions he has had with representatives of France, the Netherlands and Belgium about measures necessary to improve safety, navigation and prevention of pollution in the English Channel.

I described these discussions during the Adjournment debate on safety of shipping in the English Channel on Wednesday, 28th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been applied for, and how many have been granted, for extension of present established firms, or for new industries, in the Hamilton constituency area.

From 1st January, 1970, to 30th June, 1971, six industrial development certificates were approved for the employment exchange areas of Blantyre, Hamilton and Larkhall which most nearly correspond to the Hamilton constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the British computer industry is in a position to take advantage of the opportunities which would be opened up by entry into the Common Market.

The Government fully recognise the key importance of the computer industry and the vital part it has to play in the industrial economic and social life of the country, and believe that the British industry would gain considerable advantage from close co-operation with the European industry within the Common Market. The starting point for this co-operation, however, is a competitive British industry, and within it a strong British-owned element in which I.C.L. will have the major part to play.The Government recognise the importance to the economy of the continued growth of I.C.L., and will continue to adopt a range of measures in support of its activities. As we have already stated, we shall pursue a procurement policy for computers for Government use which is deliberately designed to strengthen I.C.L.'s position in the market-place, and we have urged the nationalised industries and other bodies in the public sector to follow a similar policy. We shall retain our shareholding in the company, and will pay the outstanding balance of the share price next year when it is due. We have also decided to continue the Advanced Computer Technology Project, which has been an important re-enforcement to the industry's research and development programme, and will additionally be prepared to place contracts to assist the development of new products and applications. I.C.L. will be a major beneficiary of both these forms of support. The Government are considering whether, in the light of the financial assistance being given to their computer industries by other Governments, any further measures of support for the company's research and development are desirable.Another important matter is the continued availability of adequate finance to Computer Leasings Ltd. for leasing I.C.L. computers in the home market. The company is at present at an advanced stage in discussion of the renewal of the agreement for these facilities with the institutions concerned. I have authorised the company to make it clear to the institutions that in this it has the full support of the Government, which would be prepared to assist I.C.L. in fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.By these measures, and with the continuing support which the company has from E.C.G.D. in the financing of its overseas business, the Government believe that I.C.L., the largest and most successful nationally owned computer company outside the United States, will further strengthen its position.In Europe, the company has already established close links with the French company,

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a statement giving details of the allocations to the various services out of the public works programme.

I have asked local authorities to submit suitable schemes to me. Until these have been received and examined I am not able to give a full breakdown of the allocations. That for the hospital service was given in my reply of 27th July to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Gwynoro Jones).—[Vol. 822, c. 87.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a general direction to British Rail to provide free transport for vehicles of disabled drivers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide for free rail transport for disabled drivers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a general direction to British Rail to provide free travel for disabled persons.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the interests of disabled drivers of singleseater invalid tricycles and road safety in general, he will consult with the Secretary of State for Social Services so as to arrange for two-seater instruction invalid tricycles to be available at repairers approved by his Department for instructional purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Social Services about instruction provisions for two-seater invalid tricycles.

No. I am content to leave matters of instruction to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Social Services, arrange that instruction be provided in respect of two-seater invalid carriages.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further progress has been made in the development of the Government's policy for the ports.

The Government have decided that the port modernisation grants scheme is no longer necessary or appropriate. Transitional arrangements will provide for grants to be paid for three more years only where contracts have been concluded before today's date, but the qualifying period before payment is normally made will be reduced from nine to six months. Grants will nevertheless continue to be paid on contracts still to be let as an integral part of the present Seaforth dock scheme on the Mersey.Loans under Section 11 of the Harbours Act, 1964, for harbour works, etc. will continue to be available in appropriate cases to harbour authorities. In future, authorities will be able to apply for loans to cover such amounts as they would previously have received by way of grant.The Government propose that the limit for the control of schemes of harbour development under Section 9 of the Harbours Act, 1964, should be increased from £500,000 to £1 million. The necessary order will be laid before Parliament after the Recess.I am considering other means of forwarding the Government's policies for the ports and will be making an announcement as soon as possible. The National Ports Council will have an important rôle in any such measures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet made any decision on the application by the Port of Bristol for a grant under Section 12 of the Harbours Act, 1964, in respect of its proposed West Dock scheme.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Fox) today. Under the arrangements announced, the proposed Bristol West Dock scheme will not qualify for a port modernisation grant. Bristol will, however, be able to apply for loans under Section 11 of the Harbours Act, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it was announced that it was intended to raise the speed limits applicable to vehicles towing caravans and light trailers; and when he expects to implement this proposal.

Proposals for this in association with weight ratio requirements were announced in April, 1970.Revised proposals taking account of objections received will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities in England and Wales are currently employing private estate agents to assist them in selling council properties to private purchasers.

The information is not available to the Department, since local authorities are free to make their own selling arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the new Public Record Office is being built in Defoe Road, Kew; what effect he estimates the new building will have on traffic congestion; and whether the location conforms with the Government's general policy on the siting of official buildings.

This building needs to be readily accessible from Central London, and the Government-owned site at Kew is the most suitable one available to meet this requirement and to provide space for expansion. The location conforms with the Government's policy on the siting of offices, which acknowledges the need for some establishments to remain in London. It is not thought that the proposal will have a significant effect on traffic congestion, but my Department is studying ways in which any increase could be alleviated until long-term plans for the roads in the area can be implemented.