asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has now made of the number of tenants in Wales likely to face rent increases as a consequence of the policies announced in Fair Deal for Housing, Command Paper No. 4728; and what estimate he has made of the extent of the average increase.

No reliable estimate can be made at present, but the Government's proposals include a national rent rebates and allowances scheme which will help those tenants who need assistance in paying their rents.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Wales if he will now publish as detailed a statement as possible giving details of the allocations to various services out of the public works programme.

I have today circulated this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The figures represent the best estimates at the present time, but are liable to minor changes as final details on individual projects are agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the banks about the provision of additional finance for orders placed in United Kingdom shipyards.

The banks under arrangements made with the Bank of England have agreed to provide the additional finance which will be required for the proposed new limit of £1,000 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in the reorganisation of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders; and whether he will make a statement.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the United States Government on the introduction of a 7½ per cent, investment allowance that applies only to capital equipment manufactured in the United States of America and not to capital equipment that is imported.

Representations were made to the U.S. authorities on 13th September and on 4th October. We released the text of the first aide-memoire on 6th October and are circulating it together with the aide-memoire of 4th October in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on British exports to the United States of America of the 10 per cent. import surcharge imposed by the American Government.

I prefer not to venture an estimate which could be misleading but if the surcharge lasts for any length of time it is bound to have a marked effect on some of our exports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many textile mills have notified him of their closing in Lancashire in 1971; what action he proposes to take to assist the industry; and if he will make a statement.

Firms are under no obligation to notify me of mill closures, although some do. Lancashire textiles, like other industries, will benefit from the reflationary measures already taken by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on the crash of the British European Airways Vanguard aircraft in Belgium.

The B.E.A. Vanguard which crashed in Belgium on 2nd October was making a scheduled flight from Heathrow Airport to Salzburg. Shortly after crossing the Belgian coast, in good weather conditions, the crew put out a Mayday call and said "We are going down". The aircraft descended out of control and struck the ground partially inverted. It disintegrated completely on impact and all the occupants, 55 passengers and eight crew members, were killed instantly.The Belgian authorities have set up a technical commission of inquiry, which includes members of the Accidents Investigation Branch of the Department of Trade and Industry. Experts from British European Airways and the aircraft manufacturers are assisting the commission. Examination of the rear pressure bulkhead has shown that there was corrosion below a position where the flying control mechanism passes through a pressure seal. The possibility that the bulkhead ruptured at this point, with consequent disruption of the flying controls causing the aircraft to go out of control, is being vigorously pursued. The flight recorder was recovered and played back within 24 hours of the accident but the recording terminated while the aircraft was in normal cruising flight at 19,000 feet.The investigation is continuing with a high degree of co-operation between all the parties concerned.I know the House will wish to join me in expressing our sympathy with those who have been bereaved in this disaster, and I would like to acknowledge particularly the work of the young people in the Belgian Red Cross at the accident site.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his calculation to date of any falling off in the interests of industrialists in developing in Wales, due to the cancellation of investment grants.

I know of only two projects where the change in incentives was said to have contributed to a decision not to proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures of imports of parts and accessories of safety glass for motor vehicles for the last current period.

Following is the information:—

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware of the difficulties of some members of the public in differentiating between obtaining goods on hire or through hire purchase; and if he will issue a Press statement for publication setting out clearly the difference between these two transactions and the obligation of the person concerned in each case.

In its Report, which the Government are now considering, the Committee on Consumer Credit drew attention to the difficulties of concern to my hon. Friend and proposed new legislation to help in protecting the consumer. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular instance of difficulty, perhaps he would send me the details so that we may take them into account. I do not consider that issuing a Press notice would have any continuing effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to implement the proposals circulated by the Board of Trade in January, 1970, including the proposal to bring sherry and other wines within the requirements for marking capacity on the bottles.

I cannot yet say when I will be able to implement the proposed changes to the provisions of the schedules to the Weights and Measures Act, 1963. In the past few months we have had a series of talks with organisations whose members would be affected by the proposed changes. In the case of wine we are keeping in touch with E.E.C. officials to ensure that any requirements we introduce are consistent with those introduced by the Community, from which, as my right hon. Friend is well aware, a large part of our supplies is drawn.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the value and volume of honey imports during the past three years; and what proportion of these imports comes from countries where foulbrood is endemic.

Figures for natural honey are given in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade for the relevant years. Foulbrood is believed to be endemic in most countries where beekeeping is practised.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of an unemployment rate of 7·2 per cent. in Middlesbrough, and the fact that 567 boys and girls who left school in the summer are still without jobs, he will reconsider his decision and designate Teesside as a special development area.

I recognise the difficulties of Teesside but the addition of special development area benefits to the considerable development area benefits already available there could not be justified in relation to the more deep-seated problems of existing special development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that there will be full consumer choice for oil and other products sold in the forecourts of garages in the interests of free competition and consumer protection.

The variety of lubricating oils and other non-petrol products on sale in the forecourts of garages is a matter for the individual retailer. The undertakings not to restrict this freedom, which the petrol companies gave following the Monopolies Commission report on petrol, remain in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has received from tourist boards for the implementation of Part III of the Development of Tourism Act, 1969, relating to the registration of tourist accommodation; and what decisions he has taken thereon.

I have had no formal requests from the tourist boards in this sense but I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-East (Mr. Adley), earlier this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average price of gas per therm charged to domestic consumers in Scotland in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what was the comparable price charged to domestic consumers in England and Wales in the same period.

Average domestic revenue per therm in Scotland in 1970–71 was 13·08p, compared with an average for England and Wales of 10·43p.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for grant were received in respect of machine tools in Wales in the year 1969–70; and how many applications have been made in the year 1970–71, or the last year for which returns are available.

This information is not available and it could not be provided without disproportionate expenditure of time and money.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries have been received concerning the letting of the advance factory at Blaenau Ffestiniog; how many of these inquiries were firm inquiries; and whether he will make a statement.

The factory has been suggested to 19 manufacturing concerns inquiring for space in Wales. So far no firm application has been made for it. We shall continue our efforts to attract a suitable occupant.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries have been received for factory space in mid-Wales during the course of the last 12 months; and how many new factories have commenced operation in this area during the same time.

The five mid-Wales counties have been suggested by the Department to 52 firms from outside the Principality inquiring for factory space. We know of six manufacturing establishments which have started production.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect the proposal to raise the age limit for motor-cycle driving licences to 17 years of age is expected to have on the home market for motor cycle group vehicles and the retail trade generally.

No precise estimate can be made. About 10 per cent. of motor cycles, other than mopeds, are operated by 16-year-olds, and initially the home and retail markets might be expected to decrease accordingly. The longer-term effect will depend on the choice of vehicle made by 17-year-olds when they become eligible for driving licences.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) why, in view of his Department's duty to report to Parliament under Section 451 of the Companies Act, 1948, it has not for the past decade informed Parliament of the difficulties which have confronted it in the administration of its Companies Acts responsibilities, and of any steps that ought to be taken to remedy this position;(2) why his Department does not provide information or estimates for Parliament in its Annual Reports as to how many public and how many private companies contravene each of the various provisions of the Companies Acts which it is his duty to enforce;(3) if he is satisfied with the operation of the Companies Acts, particularly in regard to their enforcement; and if he will make a statement.

Section 451 of the Companies Act, 1948, merely states that a general annual report of matters within the Act shall be prepared and laid before Parliament. The information included in the report is that which has been thought likely to be of sufficient use to justify the labour and cost of collection, and to be of interest to the public. The experience gained in administering this complex body of legislation is being taken into account in the current review of company law.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) why, despite the recommendations of the Jenkins Committee in paragraph 234 of its report, and despite increasing company failures to the detriment of the public unprotected by his Department, it is his policy that he does not need the help and guidance of the Companies Acts Consultative Committee;(2) what consideration and, on what dates, has the Department devoted since the Jenkins Committee reported, specifically to the terms and context of its recommendations for the reconvening and strengthening of the Companies Act Consultative Committee;(3) if he is satisfied with the manner in which his insurance and companies branch has administered its duties and responsibilities since 1962 without the guidance of the Companies Act Consultative Committee; and if he will make a statement;(4) on how many matters the advice of the Companies Act Consultative Committee has so far not been implemented; and what decision was taken at its last meeting as to when it should meet again.

The Companies Act Consultative Committee is not a statutory body, and it has not met since 1956. Though the Jenkins Committee on Company Law recommended that the Committee should be reconvened, the recommendation was made in the context of proposals for increased control over prospectuses and take-overs which were not incorporated in the Companies Act, 1967. As stated by my hon. Friend on 23rd July, I do not intend to reconvene the Committee.—[Vol. 821, c. 374.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all public companies in which inspectors have ever been appointed under Sections 164 and 165 of the Companies Act, 1948, and state in relation to each the date of the first representation received by his Department, the source of such representation, viz., the public, the Press, the police, the Inland Revenue, &c., the total number of representations received subsequently, and the date of the appointment of inspectors.

A list of public companies to which inspectors have been appointed since 1st January, 1968, is appended.Information in relation to earlier years is contained in the Companies General Annual Report. I am not prepared to disclose information about representations in individual cases.Following is list:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in how many cases his Department has had names of companies passed to it since 1948 by the police for investigation; in how many of these cases it has finally appointed inspectors; and what has been the average length of time before such appointment.

It is not possible without a detailed examination of a large number of departmental files to answer this question. During 1970 there were 14 authorisations under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, and two appointments under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948, upon information wholly or partially supplied by the police. The average length of time before such appointments were made after the decision that there was good reason to appoint was 35 days.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will specify the action, and dates thereof, which his Department has taken since the beginning of 1970 in relation to the affairs of Hartley Baird Limited;(2) whether he accepts the finding of counsel, made available to his Department in the Hartley Baird case, as to the inapplicability of the Jenkins Committee's reservations about the use of his Department's investigatory powers when shareholders have sufficient facts, to the position of public shareholders in complex public company cases.

A complaint has been made to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration about the Department's conduct in relation to Hartley Baird Limited. While the complaint is under consideration it would not be proper for me to answer these questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to provide that his Department's annual reports on companies be audited by independent experts, with the duty of stating whether, in their opinion, such reports represent a true and fair view of the matters they must by Statute cover, and also whether the conduct of his Department's responsibilities revealed in such reports has been in accordance with the relevant Statutes.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to strengthen the penalties for contraventions of the Companies Acts.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 28th July, 1971.—[Vol. 822, c. 114.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is his policy that his Department should only use its companies investigatory powers where there is a case for criminal proceedings or where a company is insolvent.

No. The Department's policy is to use its investigatory powers where circumstances appear to be appropriate. The majority of appointments of inspectors are under Section 165(b) of the Companies Act, 1948, which is mainly concerned with matters of fraud or near fraud. Inquiries made under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, are for the purposes mentioned in Section 111 of that Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, having regard to the Department's reaction to the recommendations of the Jenkins Committee in paragraphs 228 to 234 of its report, in view of the experience of other advanced commercial nations in setting up professionally manned securities commissions, he will introduce legislation to set up such a commission in the United Kingdom to relieve his Department of the duty of securities policing and the protection of investors.

I will keep this possibility in mind, during our current review of company law.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will use his Department's investigatory, interventionist and enforcement powers under the Companies Acts in relation to public companies in such a way as to protect the public in relation to managerial wrongdoing and negligence, even when the company concerned is not on the point of collapse, rather than for the conduct of post mortems when it has collapsed or is about to.

The powers are exercised with this consideration in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will set up a tribunal of inquiry to investigate negligence and incompetence by his Department in the conduct of its regulatory duties, in failing to inspect or investigate the affairs of Rolls-Royce Limited in January, 1970, when the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation issued its report, and in failing to insist on seeing a complete copy of the said report.

No, and the imputation is not accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy in relation to co-operation with police fraud squads on the part of the companies investigation branch of his Department.

The policy is to co-operate fully with police fraud squads in the investigation of companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases have been passed by police fraud squads to the companies and insurance branches of his Department for investigation; and how many of these cases have resulted in the appointment of inspectors.

It is not possible without a detailed examination of a large number of departmental files to answer this question. During 1970 there were 61 authorisations under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, and 15 appointments under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948. Fourteen of the former and two of the latter were made wholly or partly as the result of information supplied by the police.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in how many cases of companies, about which information has been passed to his department by the police, no action has been taken.

It is not possible without a detailed examination of a large number of departmental files to answer this question. When information is received from the police, the matter is considered and appropriate action is taken. In cases where no action is taken, the decision is arrived at after consultation with the police.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the evidence given to the Expenditure Committee relating to the Report of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation on Rolls-Royce Limited, he will ensure that the Companies Branch of his department fully utilises its powers under Section 165(b)(i) and 165(b)(iii) of the Companies Act, 1948, and Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, to protect shareholders and avoid charges of gross negligence.

I consider that the inquiry now taking place under Section 165(a)(i) of the Companies Act, 1948, is the appropriate procedure in the circumstances of Rolls-Royce Limited.

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.

No inspectors were appointed under section 172 in 1968, 1969 or 1970. During the same period, the only case noted or application received was one under Section 172(3); this was rejected on the grounds that it was vexatious. Information for earlier years is contained in the Companies General Annual Reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many times powers under Section 169 of the Companies Act, 1948, have been used in relation to public companies in each year since 1958;(2) how many times powers under Section 169 of the Companies Act, 1948, have been used in relation to private companies in each year since 1958.

Section 169 of the Companies Act, 1948, was repealed by the Companies Act, 1967, with effect from 27th July, 1967. Since 1958, winding-up petitions have been presented against six public companies and 23 private companies under Section 169 of the Companies Act, 1948, or Section 35 of the Companies Act, 1967. Other proceedings have been taken in relation to public companies on 26 occasions, and in relation to private companies on 21 occasions; it is not possible to give separate figures for each year as proceedings usually extend over a longer period.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times powers under Section 37 of the Companies Act, 1967, have been used in relation to public companies in each year since 1958.

Powers under Section 37 of the Companies Act, 1967, have not been invoked in relation to a public company.Civil actions brought by the Board of Trade in the names of such companies under section 169(4) of the Companies Act, 1948 (the predecessor of Section 37 of the 1967 Act) are:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times powers under Section 37 of the Companies Act, 1967, have been used in relation to private companies in each year since 1958.

Powers under Section 37 of the Companies Act, 1967, or under Section 169(4) of the Companies Act, 1948, have not been invoked since 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of cases noted under Section 173 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958.

One case in 1968, three in 1969 and one in 1971. Information for earlier years is contained in the Companies General Annual Reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the number of cases noted under Section 173 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to private companies in each years since 1958;(2) what was the number of inspections made under Section 173 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to private companies in each year since 1958.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of inspections made under Section 173 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958.

One in 1968, two in 1969, and one in 1971. Information for earlier years is contained in the Companies General Annual Reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the number of cases noted under Section 14(1) of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958;(2) what was the number of cases noted under Section 14(1) of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, in relation to private companies in each year since 1958;(3) what was the number of inspections made under Section 14(1) of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958;(4) what was the number of inspections made under Section 14(1) of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, in relation to private companies in each year since 1958;(5) what was the number of appointments of inspectors under Section 14(2) of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958;(6) what was the number of appointments of inspectors under Section 14(2) of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, in relation to private companies in each year since 1958.

Section 112 of the Companies Act, 1967, provided that Section 14 of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, should no longer be invoked after the passing of the Companies Act 1967. Inspectors were appointed under Section 14(2) of the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, in three cases:

• 1959 Pilot Assurance Co. Ltd.
• 1962 American Military International Insurance Association (and its subsidiary, First General Assurance & Guarantee Co. Ltd.).
• 1967 Gibraltar Insurance Co. Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out in a table each Section of the Companies Acts, the Insurance Companies Acts, the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963, and the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act, 1958, under which prosecutions are possible, and list how many public and how many private companies have been prosecuted under each such section since 1958, and with what results.

It would not be possible to provide all the information sought without undue expenditure of time and money. Information about prosecutions under some Sections of the Companies Acts and the Insurance Companies Acts is provided in the Companies Annual Report and the Insurance Business Annual Report. The figures below relate to prosecutions by the Department under the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963, and the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act, 1958:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many public companies and how many private companies since 1958 have had exercised upon them his Department's powers under Section 5 of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act, 1958; in how many cases such action was followed by a Section 6 tribunal; and what were the results.

The powers have been exercised against private companies on 18 occasions since 1958. They have also been exercised against foreign companies on two occasions, and against individuals on three occasions. In three cases there were appeals to the tribunal established by Section 6 of the Act. The tribunal

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many wind-

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many cases were noted under Section 18 of the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963, in relation to public companies in each year since 1958; and how many of these resulted in inspections;(2) how many cases were noted under Section 18 of the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963, in relation to private companies in each year since 1958; and how many of these resulted in inspections.

Following is the information:ing-up petitions were presented by his Department in relation to public companies and private companies, respectively, in each year since 1958; and under what statute such petitions was brought in each case.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times his Department has exercised its powers under Section 210 of the Companies Act, 1948, in relation to public companies and in relation to private companies, respectively.

No application to the court has been made under Section 210 of the Companies Act, 1948, in respect of any public or private company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times the Accountancy Advisory Committee has met in each year since its inception; what matters it has advised upon; and on how many such matters its advice has so far not been wholly implemented.

The committee has met on some 20 occasions. Its proceedings are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times the Insurance Consultative Committee has met in each year since its inception; what matters it has advised upon; and on how many such matters its advice has so far not been wholly implemented.

As the advice offered by members of the Insurance Consultative Committee is given in confidence it would not be right to disclose it.Information about the number of meetings is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the names, terms of reference, functions, and composition of all advisory committees set up to give guidance to the Insurance and Companies Branch, including the Registrar of Companies and the Official Receiver.

(1) the Companies Act Accountancy Advisory Committee advises the Department on matters arising from the provisions of the Companies Acts relating to accounts. The composition of the Committee is:Chairman: Sir Ronald Leach, C.B.E.Members:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the number of applications relating to public companies under Section 164 of the Companies Act, 1948, in each year since 1958; and how many of these were respectively, initially and finally rejected;(2) if he will give the number of cases noted relating to public companies under Section 165(

I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 26th July, 1971. Further information is not readily available. Complaints received from members of the public do not usually refer to specific Sections of the Compaines Acts.—[Vol. 822, c. 3–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of public and the number of private company liquidations commenced in each year since 1958; and how many of these were voluntary.

Following is the information:Liquidations of companies registered in Great Britain notified to the Registrars of Companies:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of reports made by the Official Receiver in relation to public companies each year under Section 236(1) of the Companies Act, 1948, and the number in relation to private companies.

The Official Receiver is obliged to report to the court under Section 236(1) of the Companies Act, 1948, in every compulsory winding-up. In 1969, five reports were submitted in respect of public companies and 1,227 in respect of private companies. The numbers in 1970 were 10 and 1,397 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of reports made by the Official Receiver in relation to public companies each year under Section 236(2) of the Companies Act, 1948, and the number of these which stated that in the opinion of the Official Receiver fraud has been committed; and if he will give similar statistics for private companies.

The Official Receiver has a discretion whether or not to submit a further report to the court under Section 236(2) of the Companies Act, 1948. In 1969, one report was submitted in respect of a public company and 30 in respect of private companies. The numbers in 1970 were one and 23 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of public examinations relating to public companies that have taken place under Section 270 of the Companies Act, 1948, since 1958; and if he will give similar statistics for private companies.

No public examinations under Section 270 of the Companies Act, 1948, have taken place since 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in relation to public companies and to private companies, respectively, how many cases were noted and how many were acted upon in each year since 1958, under each Section of the Companies Acts, the Insurance Companies Acts, the Protection of Depositors' Act and the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act which gives his Department discretionary powers.

It would not be possible to answer without disproportionate expenditure in view of the volume of business to which the question refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the estimated number of contraventions during 1970 by private companies and by public companies, respectively, of each Section of the following Statutes which is capable of being contravened, namely, the Companies Act, 1948, the Companies Act, 1967, the Insurance Companies Act, 1958, the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act, 1958, and the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963.

The information is not available. Information as to prosecutions is published in the Companies General Annual Reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) under which Sections of the Companies Acts, the Insurance Companies Acts, the Protection of Depositors Act, and the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act his Department considers that it has discretionary powers;

As the answers to these questions are lengthy, I have written to the hon. Member, and have placed a copy of the information in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what consideration he gives each year to the affairs of all quoted public companies to determine whether they give rise to the need for the exercise of his powers to protect investors, to safeguard the public interest and to enforce the law;(2) what consideration he gives each year to the affairs of all large unquoted companies, to determine whether they give rise to the need for the exercise of his powers under the Companies Acts and other like legislation to safeguard the public interest and to enforce the law.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 5th August, 1971. The Department naturally examines all evidence brought to its attention which suggests a possible breach of the Companies Acts or a possible case for the exercise of its powers. Each case is considered on its merits, and appropriate action is taken whenever in the opinion of the Department the circumstances justify such a course.—[Vol. 882, c. 453.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he gives each year to the affairs of all insurance companies to determine whether they give rise to the need for the exercise of his power to protect policyholders and investors, to safeguard the public interest, and to enforce the law.

The returns required at least once a year from all companies carrying on insurance business in Great Britain are examined. In addition, extra information is called for as required: and the affairs of all insurance companies are kept under close scrutiny.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he gives each year to the affairs of all deposit taking companies to determine whether they give rise to the need for the exercise of his powers to protect depositors and investors, to safeguard the public interest and to enforce the law.

The accounts of deposit-taking companies which are subject to the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963, are examined by the Department at six-monthly intervals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, according to available information, is the cause of the large and steady increase that has taken place since 1958 in the number of cases of public companies noted under Section 164 and 165(b) of the Companies Act, 1948, and what is the cause of the same trend in relation to private companies.

I have no information as to the cause of the increase.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he considers to be the main sources, particularly as between applications from the public, from the Inland Revenue, from the police, etc. of public and private company cases respectively, noted under Sections 164 and 165 of the Companies Act, 1948; and which of these sources have accounted for the bulk of cases noted since 1958.

Applications mainly come from the public and their advisers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take legal action against the second auditors of the Pinnock Finance Company (Great Britain) Limited in the name of the company, under Section 37 of the Companies Act, 1967, in the public interest.

No.

asked the Attorney-General why Mr. James Doyle, a former employee with the British Aircraft Corporation, engaged on work connected with Concorde, who has voluntarily admitted selling secrets to the Russians was not prosecuted.

The Director of Public Prosecutions consulted me about the possibility of a prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. We decided that, on the evidence which was placed before us, a prosecution would be unlikely to succeed and that criminal proceedings should not be instituted.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he has now received from the Director of Public Prosecutions the report on the case of Mr. Oleg Lyalin charged with drunken driving; what action he has taken, or intends taking, on this report; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will make a statement on the reference to the Director of Public Prosecutions of the case of a drink and driving charge against Mr. Oleg Lyalin; in how many cases during the past 12 months similar cases have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what action was taken in each instance;(3) when legal proceedings for drunken driving against Mr. Oleg Lyalin, and for offences contrary to the Road Traffic Acts, details and

Mr. Oleg Lyalin, although accredited to the United Kingdom as a member of the Soviet Trade Mission, was an intelligence officer holding an official post of importance in that department of the K.G.B. whose duties and functions included the organisation of sabotage within the United Kingdom. After Mr. Lyalin sought asylum there were substantial grounds for anxiety over his personal safety, enhanced by the fact that the duties of his department of the K.G.B. also included the elimination of individuals judged to be enemies of the U.S.S.R. These anxieties remain.I was advised that were Mr. Lyalin to attend court at a fixed time and date, there would be grave difficulties about protecting him and, in particular, in concealing his movements and whereabouts before attending the court and after he had left it. Even if the court bad consented to try his case summarily in his absence whatever his plea, these circumstances would have deprived him of options as to mode of trial and he would have been unable to give evidence either in explanation of the facts or to challenge the evidence. All this in my opinion precluded his receiving a full and fair trial. Accordingly, I decided that in the public interest the charges should be withdrawn.This decision was made in direct consultation with the Security Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions who has authority under the Prosecution of Offences Acts, 1879–1908 to take over any prosecution which he is satisfied requires his intervention. I have neither spoken with nor received any message at any time from any Minister nor from any other Department of Government concerning Mr. Lyalin.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take the necessary action and have withdrawn all proceedings against all motorists resident in the London Borough of Newham who have been charged with drunken driving where such charges arose between 1st August, 1971, and 1st October, 1971.

No.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take the necessary action to have withdrawn all proceedings against all motorists who have between 1st August and 1st October, 1971, been charged with drunken driving.

No.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of the correspondence which he has received from Mr. F. McAllen of Paynesfield Road, alleging maladministration and neglect upon the Attorney-General and his Department, the dates of such communications and the dates of his replies; and whether each communication had been answered.

Replies have been sent to Mr. McAllen on my behalf where appropriate, and so far as the publication of the correspondence is concerned I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 6th July, last.—[Vol. 820, c. 349.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement of the progress of talks with the Rhodesian Government.

As a result of Lord Goodman's latest visit to Rhodesia further useful progress has been made. Exploratory discussions are continuing. Officials will be visiting Rhodesia again shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about future British relations with the Gulf States.

I am glad to say that Treaties of Friendship have been signed between the United Kingdom and Bahrain and Qatar. I look forward to close relations with them. On 18th July six of the Trucial States Rulers agreed on a Union Constitution and preparations for the establishment of this Union are proceeding. The offers made to a Union in my statement of 1st March are under active discussion with the Rulers concerned.—[Vol. 812, col. 1227–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Rhodesian Africans are in custody or on bail in Zambia; with what offences they have been charged; what have been the periods in custody in each case; what representations have been made; and with what result.

Nine Africans detained in Zambia under public security or immigration regulations have been identified as Rhodesian citizens. Representations have been made on behalf of two in custody since 1969. Inquiries are continuing about the other seven, who have been detained in recent months. None of these has yet been tried or released.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the West German Government regarding the proposals of the Icelandic Government to cancel the 12-mile limit agreement of 1961; and if he will make a statement;(2) what action he has taken to safeguard the interests of the British fishing industry during his negotiations with the Icelandic Government regarding their proposals to extend their fishing limits to 50 nautical miles from the baseline: whether Iceland has given formal notification that she is cancelling the 12-mile limit agreement; and if he will make a statement.

We have not held formal negotiations with the Icelandic Government, nor has Iceland formally denounced the 1961 Agreement. There have, however, been preliminary exchanges between the two Governments, in which we have made clear our view that such an extension of Iceland's fishing limits would have no basis in international law. We have also been in close touch with the Federal German Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, Commonwealth citizens wishing to be included as community workers will be required to renounce their own citizenship and become citizens of Great Britain.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Lady on 21st June.—[Vol. 819, c. 972–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether East African Asians with British passports will be accepted as community workers on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

I have nothing to add at present to the answer I gave to the hon. Lady on 14th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 177.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the television authorities refused to show the film made at a cost of £2,500 for publicising the availability of the factsheets on Britain and Europe; on how many occasions it has been shown to date and to whom; and whether he will make a statement.

The Independent Television Authority took the view that the purpose of the film was contrary to paragraph 8, Schedule 2, of the Television Act. With regard to the cost of the film and the fact that it was not used, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 3rd August.—[Vol. 822, c. 295–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in issuing his Department's Fact Sheets on Europe, in future he will include one on methods by which the public will be enabled to indicate their attitude to entry to the European Economic Community.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication has been received from the Government of Libya in reply to representations from Her Majesty's Government relating to the forced landing of a British Overseas Airways Corporation VC10 in Libya, and the removal of Sudanese citizens; and if he will make a statement.

The Government of Libya have furnished explanations of their action both here and in Tripoli. I cannot say that these explanations were altogether satisfactory. A delegation from the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations visited Libya recently to discuss the incident with the Libyan authorities. I understand that it was satisfied with the assurances given them and it for its part now regards the incident as closed.The question of preventing incidents of this kind has been raised with the International Civil Aviation Organisation. In these circumstances we need not pursue this matter further with the Libyan Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a statement on the expulsion from the United Kingdom of members of the Russian Embassy and other Russian officials involved in espionage.

The purpose of our action was to rectify a situation which had become intolerable for our national security. This has now been done. We shall continue to play a full and constructive part in East/West negotiations and, when the Berlin settlement is completed, in the preparations for a security conference, and to work for better relations with the Soviet Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, on his recent visit to Egypt, he discussed with the Egyptian Government the necessity for direct negotiations between the Arab States and Israel, the forward movement by Egypt of SAM missiles during the cease-fire, and the involvement of Soviet military personnel in the Egyptian armed forces; and what was the Egyptian attitude on each of the above matters.

During my right hon. Friend's recent visit to Cairo he had wide-ranging discussions with members of the Egyptian Government on a number of bilateral and international questions including the Middle East situation. It is not normal practice to disclose the content of confidential discussions between Governments, but my right hon. Friend made no secret of his view that, as he told the General Assembly on 29th September, "dialogue must supplant confrontation". Copies of the speech are available in the Library of the House. My right hon. Friend's visit confirmed his impression that the Egyptian Government are genuinely interested in a peaceful settlement of the Middle East dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he took during his recent visit to Egypt to discuss the Khartoum formula of "No Peace, No Recognition, No Negotiation", with a view to altering the Egyptian position.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Greville Janner). I have nothing to add to this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish estimates of the net cost of the overseas aid programme at constant prices from 1970–71 to 1974–75 and define the term "net" used in the reply.

The figures requested are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent discussions in the United States of America with the Foreign Minister of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and whether during these discussions he raised the question of the treatment of Jews in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

My right hon. Friend met Mr. Gromyko in New York as he does every year. They talked about Anglo-Soviet relations and discussed a number of international questions of current interest. My right hon. Friend did not on this occasion raise the question of Soviet Jews.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will initiate inquiries through diplomatic channels of the Australian authorities and otherwise in Australia in relation to reports during the past three years that at least at some stage during the period Mr. William Ross Wright, formerly of the Pinnock Finance Company Limited, had returned to Australia.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why special defence aid for Malaysia and Singapore is listed under the heading of Overseas Aid and not Defence in public expenditure estimates.

Special aid is provided for both economic development and defence purposes and it has been convenient to include the total in one heading when the division was not known in advance. The defence element has been carried on Foreign and Commonwealth Office Votes, and is not counted as part of the aid programme or as an aid flow for U.N.C.T.A.D. purposes. To avoid any risk of confusion, the defence element will in future not be included under the Overseas Aid heading.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the approximate cost to public funds of the British week in San Francisco.

I have been asked to reply.Subject to final accounting, the operational cost to public funds was £300,000 and the staff cost £100,000, making a total of £400,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many additional industrial tribunals will be created as a result of the industrial relations legislation; and when such tribunals will be created.

In England and Wales new regional offices of the tribunals will be set up in seven towns, an increase from six to 13. In Scotland new offices will be set up in three cities. Tribunals will also sit in other places as circumstances require. The tribunals will take over their new jurisdictions—except for jurisdiction over breaches of contracts of employment—early in 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies have been declared in Wales in 1971 to the latest available date; and how the figures compare with the comparable period in 1970.

Not all redundancies are notified to my Department and it is not the practice to keep records of every minor redundancy. However, our records show that redundancies involving about 15,200 people were declared in the period 1st January to 30th September, 1971, as compared with about 6,900 in the corresponding period in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present male unemployment rate at Blaenavon and at Pontypool; what is the projected male unemployment rate at Pontypool on the closure of G.K.N. Cwmbran Limited; and what plans are in existence for retraining centres in these areas.

On 11th October the male unemployment rate for the Pontypool travel-to-work area, which includes Blaenavon, was 6.5 per cent. While the closure of the G.K.N. foundry is likely to have an appreciable effect on unemployment in the area, I am not able to make a precise estimate. A new Government training centre was opened at Pontllanfraith in March to meet the training needs of the Pontypool area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what special measures he proposes to find jobs for school leavers currently unemployed in Wales.

Grant aid is being provided for three extra careers officer posts in Wales. My Department is meeting half the cost of industrial training board schemes, under which 170 extra training places for school leavers have been made available in Wales. The Government's recent economic measures will. in time, lead to more jobs for both young people and adults.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the incidence of bronchitis among foundrymen; and whether this is higher or lower than for workers generally.

My Department published in May this year a report of a survey on "Respiratory Disease in Foundrymen", which compared a group of foundrymen aged 35–64 with a carefully matched control group employed in engineering factories. The survey showed an incidence of bronchitis of 10·9 per cent. in fettlers and 10·5 per cent. in foundry floor men, compared with 7·2 per cent. in the control group. "Bronchitis" was defined for this purpose as a syndrome involving production of sputum for at least three months each year, associated with one or more chest illnesses during the previous three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the incidence of pneumoconiosis among foundry floor men and fettlers, respectively; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department published in May this year a report of a survey on "Respiratory Disease in Foundrymen", which was designed to determine the incidence of respiratory symptoms in foundrymen and which included a study of the incidence of pneumoconiosis among foundry floor men and fettlers. X-rays showed that 14 per cent. of foundry floor men and 34 per cent. of fettlers had pneumoconiosis. As soon as the first draft of the report was available in October, 1968, it was referred to and was fully discussed by my Industrial Health Advisory Committee and my Joint Standing Committee on Safety, Health and Welfare in Foundries.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of persons unemployed in the West Midlands at the latest possible date.

At 13th September there were 128,772 people registered as unemployed in the West Midlands region of whom 52,328 were temporarily stopped. Provisional regional totals for 11th October will be available later this week.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will launch a television advertising campaign concerned with the prevention of industrial accidents.

My right hon. Friend has no plans for launching a television advertising campaign on the lines suggested. However, I would point

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the figures for unemployed in the greater Manchester area in September 1970, and September, 1971; how many vacancies existed; and whether he can give a breakdown of these figures in terms of age and sex.

The figures relate to the Manchester travel-to-work area which comprises the Manchester, Altrincham, Eccles, Irlam, Levenshulme, Marple, Middleton, Newton Heath, Openshaw, Prestwich, Salford, Stockport, Stretford, Swinton, Wilmslow, Withington, Worsley and Wythenshaw EE Areas.Following is the information:A detailed age analysis of the numbers registered as wholly unemployed, except casual workers, is made in January and July but there is no corresponding analysis of the vacancy statistics.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the purchasing power of, respectively, £6 and £9.70 now, taking them as 600p. and 970p in November 1969.

Taking the values as 600p and 970p in mid-November 1969, their purchasing power in mid-August 1971, the latest date for which information is available, is estimated at 516p and 834p respectively. These estimates are based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices.