asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, following his announcement on 27th July regarding rural bus services, what proportion of local authorities is now proposing to provide financial support for their rural bus services.

Local authorities in about three-quarters of English counties. For Scotland and Wales for which my right hon. Friend and my right hon. and learned Friend are responsible the corresponding proportions are, I understand, about one-half and two-thirds respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement detailing his proposals for the removal of licensing restrictions on bus services in rural areas.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Fox), on 29th July, 1971. Further details were contained in a consultation letter of which copies are available in the Library.—[Vol. 822, c. 170.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are promoting the use of allotments as leisure gardens.

Comprehensive information is not available but a number of local authorities have already acted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the volume of domestic refuse disposed of for the years, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

I regret that information in the form requested is not available. The Department's Working Party on Refuse Disposal estimated in its report, which was published in April, that in England in 1970 house refuse, including trade refuse collected with it, would amount to about 14 million tons. They estimated the average annual increase in the weight of such refuse at not more than 1 per cent. per head between 1970 and 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations have been sponsored by his Department into the possibility of reducing domestic refuse to make compost.

Composting of house refuse is dealt with in the report, published last April, of the Department's Working Party on Refuse Disposal, who had the benefit of expert advice on this subject. The Working Party concluded that the composted refuse required a high rate of application involving high rates of transport and handling costs; that the processes were costly; and that some substances found in it, such as toxic metals, can be harmful to soil.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the capacity of the standard British dustbin; and what is the average family's weekly volume of refuse.

The capacity of a British standard dustbin is 1, 2½ or 3¼ cubic feet. The estimated volume of refuse from an average family is 2½ to 3 cubic feet per week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the response to the increased level of improvement grants available in development areas since 23rd June, 1971; and if he will make a statement.

Many authorities report a sharp rise in applications received and all the indications are that private owners and local authorities intend to take full advantage of the higher rates of grants provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many standard improvement grants and discretionary grants respectively have been made in the last year; what proportion of money spent on improvement grants has gone on installing baths, hot water and inside water closets in houses lacking them; and if he will develop this side of improvement rather than grants for luxury purposes.

In the twelve months ended 31st August, 1971, 50,064 standard and 42,983 discretionary grants were paid to private owners.The information required in the second part of the Question is not available in the form required. However, of the total of £28·3 million paid in grants £7·9 million related to standard grants.As the hon. Member knows, I want to see as many as possible of our older houses improved to good modern standards and I welcome the trend towards the greater use of discretionary grants in helping to achieve this. I have no evidence that luxury is being grant-aided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses were built in the period 18th June, 1970 to 18th June, 1971.

350,256 permanent dwellings were completed in Great Britain in the year from 1st July, 1970 to the end of June, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has calculated the cost of the suggested road connected with a barrage across the Dee; and what would be the likely toll charge to meet this cost.

Not yet. The proposal for such a road, its cost and the possible use of tolls, are all aspects of this complex problem which I am now considering.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the expenditure incurred by local authorities during the last three years in arranging for or advertising the sale of council houses; and what is the sum this represents for each council house sold.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take, and why, to require local authorities to sell council properties.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy regarding local authorities building houses for direct sale to the public; and if he will make a statement.

I regard private enterprise as the most efficient medium for building houses for owner-occupation, but I would agree to a local authority building for sale where there is a demand for owner-occupation which cannot or is not being met by private builders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for improving the railway infrastructure in Scotland, in view of his responsibilities under the Transport Act, 1968.

It is for the Railways Board to formulate and carry out rail investment projects. In so doing, the Board will no doubt now take into account the wider availability of infrastructure grant as announced by my right hon. Friend on 30th September.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has discussed with the Greater London Council for the compulsory acquisition by the latter of blocks of private owner-occupied land in residential areas of Barkingside, Newbury Park, Aldborough Hatch, Chadwell Heath and elsewhere in the Borough of Redbridge, for the erection of tower blocks for re-housing slum clearance families from Tower Hamlets.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will intiate discussions with food, drink and cigarette firms with a view to encouraging the return to manufacturers of cans, bottles, and wrappings which otherwise create a litter problem.

Discussions about containers and wrappings have been opened with some of the industries concerned, in the light of the Report of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of homes in the London Borough of Brent without a bath, the number where a bath is shared and the number sharing toilet facilities.

The hon. Member should apply for this information direct to the London Borough of Brent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to legislate to reform the law relating to property affected by planning blight; and if he will make a statement.

We are carrying out a comprehensive review of the compensation code and my right hon. Friend has promised to make a statement when this review is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now able to announce the results of the review of arrangements for compensation for those affected by planning blight.

We are carrying out a comprehensive review of the compensation code and my right hon. Friend has promised to make a statement when this review is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reach a decision on the reconstruction or rebuilding of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is considering the problem, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the difficulties in recruiting staff for valuation panels and the concern expressed both by chairmen and staff of the panels at the unsatisfactory pay and promotion structure; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this situation.

I recently met a deputation from the chairmen of the Local Valuation Panels at which these matters were fully discussed, and I hope to have further discussions with them. Major recruitment of staff to this service will not be needed until nearer the 1973 revaluation. In the meantime, current pay scales are under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the number of serious accidents on the Kingston bypass, he will impose a speed limit no higher than 50 miles per hour on the whole of this road.

Parts of the Kingston Bypass are already subject to 30 m.p.h. and 40 m.p.h. speed limits. A 50 m.p.h. limit would not be justified on the remainder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is now taking to prevent pollution from motor cars.

After 31st December, new cars must have devices to prevent fumes escaping from the crankcase. From October, 1972, diesel-engined vehicles must be constructed to comply with a stricter smoke emission limit than is now in force elsewhere in Europe or in America. But I do not propose to rest content with what we have done. I hope to announce further measures shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what increases have been made in the amount of local authority mortgage advances given during the period April, 1969–70 and April, 1970–71.

The total amount advanced in England and Wales rose from £45·0 million in 1969–70 to £131·1 million in 1970–71.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will authorise forthwith the building of a bypass round the village of Broadway, Worcestershire, on the A44, having regard to acute vehicular congestion and damage to the amenities of Broadway.

Year			Number of Reports of vehicles observed on Public Roads without a Valid Excise Licence	Number of Prosecutions for Unlicensed Use	Number of Cases dealt with by Mitigated Penalty	Total Fines and Arrears of Duty imposed by Courts
						£
1967	…	…	348,053	111,715	90,108	750,408
1968	…	…	345,954	110,832	70,509	977,745
1969	…	…	395,995	144,747	93,925	1,545,579
1970	…	…	399,865	157,866	88,046	1,785,710
Total for mitigated penalties not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations have been held to date between officials of his Department and the European Commission in Brussels about drivers' hours, gross vehicle weights and bilateral vehicle quotas; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government are seeking a transitional period on drivers' hours. I intend shortly to send my comments on vehicle weights and dimensions to the Community. A number of the Commission's other proposals, including the all in accordance with the provisional village plan for Broadway, issued by the Worcestershire County Council in 1970; what would be the cost of such bypass proposed; and whether he will make a statement.

A proposal recently put forward by the highway authority, Worcestershire County Council, for a Broadway bypass is among schemes being considered for inclusion in the next extension to the Principal Road Preparation List.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the total number of vehicles and their owners reported to the authorities which act as his agents for the enforcement of the ownership and display of a current road fund licence; and on the basis of these figures, how many prosecutions ensued and with what results.

Following is the information:gradual removal of bilateral restrictions on road haulage will, it is expected, be discussed shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what authority, having regard to the Hainault (Lambourne Fox Burrows and Grange Hill) Act, 1903, he sanctioned that part of the new road B174 which infringes Hainault Forest; what representations he has received from the Latchford Place residents and other bodies and individuals; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon Friend gave his consent under Article 17 of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation (Greater London Parks and Open Spaces) Act, 1967, to the proposed alienation of this open space land for highway purposes on 27th May, 1971. No representations were made against the proposal. But as I informed my hon. Friend on 28th July, 1971, 32 residents made representations at a later date against the road scheme. I have nothing to add to the statement my hon. Friend made then.—[Vol. 822, c. 99–100.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further action he intends to take about the nuisance caused by chalk lorries engaged on M3 construction work.

I shall encourage continued co-operation between the contractor, the local traffic authorities and the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will reconsider his decision not to receive a deputation from the Winchester Rural District Council and the Winchester City Council and other local authorities concerning the future of the Mid Hants Railway.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage water authorities to provide for access to reservoirs for fishing, sailing and for the use of slow silent electrically-powered boats for bird watching.

Last year I wrote to water undertakings in England asking them to review the recreational use of their reservoirs. A substantial number have now made or plan to make increased provision. It is for the undertakings themselves to decide what forms of recreation should be developed, but they have been advised to consult Regional Sports Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the forms of assistance he gives to maintain and improve public transport services, both direct and indirect.

Rebate of fuel tax to buses, new bus grants, grants for unremunerative railway passenger services and infrastructure grants for improving urban public transport. Indirect assistance includes grants to local authorities which support bus services and grants for research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the proposal of the Manchester Corporation to dump sewage effluent off the coast of North Wales; and what steps he is proposing to take to prevent the consequent pollution of the sea and beaches in this tourist area.

Manchester and Salford Corporations have been dumping treated sewage sludge, not raw sewage, about 14 miles out in Liverpool Bay for over 70 years without any apparent ill-effects.Last year I set up a Working Party of scientific experts to consider the effects of extending this practice including the effect on the beaches. It is expected that the Working Party's Report will be published about the middle of next year, and any proposals made will be considered in the light of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to modify parking meters for the acceptance of decimal coins owing to the shortage of 6d. pieces at the present time; and whether he will consider a short-term moratorium until the supply of sixpences becomes freer.

Meter charges are a matter for local authorities some of whom already have converted their meters to decimal coinage. I do not consider a moratorium necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will intervene to assist British Rail and the London Borough of Ealing in an endeavour to resolve the problem of surplus railway land at Rockware Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex.

No. This is a matter for the Ealing Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a general direction to British Rail forbidding them to enter into any arrangements with private firms to enable their trading losses to offset their tax liabilities.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the special financial provisions he has recently allocated to the Northern Region to stimulate employment, and the objectives to which the finance refers.

The Northern Region is benefitting under the Government's extra provision for infrastructure works and so far over £25 million of extra work has been arranged. This is almost as much as the previous Government provided for all the development areas together in the largest of their Winter Works Programmes.My hon. Friend will also recall that higher improvement grants are now available for older houses in the Northern Region. There has been a very encouraging response to the scheme; local authorities have plans to improve 50,000 of their houses between now and June, 1973, and there is also a marked increase in the grants provided to the private sector.In addition to these special programmes, very substantial investment is being made in water and sewerage, roads, and the reclamation of derelict land. Provision has already been made under these programmes to spend over £160 million in the regions over the next three years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present position with regard to the pensions of railway superannuitants.

The Railways Board have increased the pensions of railway super-annuitants by amounts similar to those of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can give a precise starting date for the building of the Humber bridge; and whether he will make a statement.

The project is the responsibility of the Humber Bridge Board. I understand that they have as yet no precise date for a starting but that they hope it will be in the Autumn of 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of planning for the Humber Bridge and associated road network.

The bridge and the immediate approach roads are the responsibility of the Humber Bridge Board. I understand that they intend to start building next year and complete by 1976. Improvements in the main road network to the north and south of the river are either programmed or accepted for preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council dwellings in Greater London were vacant at the most recent available date, and how many were vacant at the comparable date in 1967; and what proportions these represented of the total council housing stock in Greater London.

This information is not available in the Department and the hon. Member may wish to approach the G.L.C. and the London boroughs direct. I am, however, concerned that local authorities, particularly in London, should make temporary use, wherever possible, of empty housing awaiting redevelopment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities and advice he will make available to local education authorities to further encourage road safety and provide preliminary instruction before the age of 17 years on road sense, the motor vehicle, driving instruction on a simulator and off-street driving.

My Department already gives every encouragement by information, training and advice, parti-

		Derelict land 31st December, 1970					Local Planning Authorities' estimate of acreage which may be cleared during 1971
Administrative County		Total acreage	Acreage justifying treatment	Derelict land restored (acreage)
				1968	1969	1970
Lancashire	…	10,527	8,413	117	265	185	678
West Riding	…	7,726	5,092	91	103	537	684
Durham	…	10,375	7,623	529	231	398	644
Northumberland	…	6,515	4,863	22	327	197	419
Staffordshire	…	3,546	3,223	142	176	191	48
Totals	…	38,689	29,214	901	1,102	1,508	2,473

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement about accurate means of estimating the amount of derelict land.

A survey on a wider basis than that used hitherto is being tested by four county councils. The results are expected this autumn. We shall then consider with the local authority associations whether all authorities should go over to this basis for future surveys.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of land in England and Wales became derelict in 1968, 1969 and 1970.

The total acreage shown in the annual surveys made by English local authorities increased by 1,277 acres in 1968, 1,802 acres in 1969 and 975 acres in 1970. These increases reflect colliery and railway closures and tougher survey criteria. Figures for Wales are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total area of derelict land in Lancashire, West Riding of Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland and Staffordshire; how much was cleared in each county in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971; and how much will be cleared in 1972.

The following figures disclose that in the West Riding the area to be cleared in 1971 alone is more than three times that cleared in 1968 and 1969 put together.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the average cost per acre of improving derelict land.

The average gross cost per acre of derelict land reclamation schemes in England approved by the Department in 1970–71 was £1,685, including land acquisition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are creating or have created urban nature trails.

My Department does not keep records of nature trails, but I am aware of eight local authorities who have nature trails in urban areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received relating to the proposed route of the A5111 trunk road through the outer suburbs of Derby.

77, including a petition by 556 people, in favour of the proposals and 292 against them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings of the Sports Council have taken place in the last three months; how many he has attended; and if he will state the dates and places of all official engagements at sports meetings or functions of the Minister responsible for Sport between July and September, 1971.

There has been one meeting of the former Sports Council and one of the new Council since mid-July. My engagements at sporting functions are to numerous and diverse to list but I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities urging greater use to be made of temporarily vacant property as short-term accommodation for homeless families.

My right hon. Friend urged boroughs to take this course in a speech earlier this year and a circular letter to this effect had already been sent to all housing authorities in London, where the problem is particularly important, in 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to establish local valuation courts to improve the methods of assessing compensation for property compulsorily acquired by local authorities.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when his special inquiry into lead pollution is expected to report; and if it will take into account the recent studies of Dr. Tsaihwa T. Chow of California into world lead pollution, details of which are in his possession.

I intend to make a statement about lead emissions from vehicles shortly. Dr. Chow's work is being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered names for independent chairman and members of the Advisory Committee to help him on general problems which may arise in connection with determination of fair rents in the local authority section; and if he will make a statement.

It would be premature to make these appointments before the relevant legislation has been passed by Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in appropriate form details of all current light railway orders, the location of each and length of line entailed.

This information is not available to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to establish an index of house prices on the lines of other price indexes by Her Majesty's Government.

I will consider the hon Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the statistics published by his Department on air and water pollution.

Various statistics of air pollution are published in the Handbook of Statistics, the annual reports of the Chief Alkali and Clean Air Inspector and the Road Research Laboratory's report on Air Pollution from Road Traffic.Statistics of water pollution will be published in the report of the River Pollution Survey, the first volume of which should appear by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what study he has made of the effect of urban motorways on the extent of use of cars in city centres.

The use of cars in city centres and urban areas generally depends on a wide variety of factors of which motorways are but one. We are encouraging urban authorities to carry out comprehensive studies of the transportation problems of their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the difficulties of short-term financial borrowing by major British seaports; what help he is proposing in the future; and if he will make a statement, with particular reference to the port of Hull.

I would refer the hon. Member to the recent White Paper, "Financial Policy for Ports". This explains that Government loans would be available should any port with sound financial prospects nevertheless encounter difficulties over debt renewal. Hull is owned by the British Transport Docks Board, which already has access to Government loans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on the response by local planning authorities to his request in Circular 10/70 for more building land to be released.

I am not able to do so at present, but I hope to be ready to make a statement very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the response so far of local housing authorities to the provisions of Section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; what action he him- self is taking to improve the stock of housing accommodation suitable to the needs of severely disabled persons and their families; and if he will make a statement.

85 local authorities in England have submitted proposals for 327 dwellings for the disabled in 93 housing schemes between 29th August, 1970, the date of the coming into force of Section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, and 30th September, 1971. In drawing attention to the provision of the Section my right hon. Friends advised housing authorities that where a local authority could not provide specially designed housing for the disabled within the yardstick published under the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967 an ad hoc yardstick figure could be assessed.My Department, with the co-operation of the Department of Health and Social Security, are carrying out a study of the extent to which the housing needs of the disabled can best be met by adaptation of the person's existing dwelling, by the provision of new housing to Parker Morris standards, or by the provision of new housing specially designed for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has given to proposals submitted to him for restoring part of the remainder canals for amenity purposes.

On receiving the recent report of the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council, my right hon. Friend replied that it must first be considered by the British Waterways Board, in the light of their financial position and their discussions with local authorities and other interested bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has now taken in this country and with international organisations to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in its first Report in February, 1971.

Since the publication of the Commission's Report we have tightened our grip on the pollution problem. To quote a few examples, my Department has:made arrangements for expenditure of over £700 million on sewage treatment in the next five years, an increase of 50 per cent. in real terms over the past five years;agreed to a capital programme for some £30 million on a scheme to improve tidal parts of the Tyne; accepted an invitation to give technical assistance to a joint working party of local authorities, the Mersey and Weaver River Authority and local industrialists which has been set up to organise a progressive cleaning-up programme for the Mersey Estuary; begun consideration of a £20 million scheme for sewerage and sewage disposal on Teesside;begun close co-operation with the French and German Ministers responsible for anti-pollution policies;taken part in a continuing series of international meetings of experts aimed at reaching agreement on the control of pollution of the North Sea;made regulations requiring new cars sold after 1st January, 1972 to be fittted with a "crank case breather", reducing the emission of hydrocarbons by 25–30 per cent;decided to make regulations requiring diesel engines to meet the new British Standard Specification AU 141, as regards the emission of smoke, and reducing the maximum noise levels for all new motor vehicles;set in train urgently a number of new studies on the effects on the environment of lead in petrol;made arrangements to overcome the shortage of solid smokeless fuel, enabling the clean air programme to go forward again;played a full part in the preparatory work for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many local authorities at present discharging untreated effluent into tidal rivers or the open sea have submitted schemes for full or partial treatment works, respectively, to be completed during the next five years;(2) how many, and which, local authorities are at present discharging untreated sewage into tidal rivers or the open sea.

Coastal authorities are being asked for comprehensive information about their present methods of sewage disposal, including particulars of siting and lengths of outfalls, and about their plans for the future. The report of the River Pollution Survey will show in its second part, to be published early next year, how many local authorities discharge untreated sewage to tidal rivers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were opened in each of the years 1965 to 1970; and how many miles he now expects to be opened in 1971 and 1972.

Year	Miles
1965	74·9
1966	50·5
1967	74·6
1968	32·1
1969	41·3
1970	97·0
1971 (to date)	110·7

A further 160 miles are due to be completed by the end of 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representions he has received from the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme to provide a ramp instead of 79 steps at Longbridge Hayes, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Following discussions with the Council, a ramp will be provided in addition to the steps.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of teh development of the new Hull-Beverley trunk road and the Beverley South-West bypass.

Detailed design work is proceeding but it will be some time before the stage is reached at which a programming decision can be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he is discussing with the Greater London Council to build council housing estates on Green Belt land in Ilford.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many, and which, local authorities in England and Wales do not use the independent district valuers employed by the Board of Inland Revenue when assessing the compensation to be paid to home-owners when compulsory purchasing their property, and instead decide the compensation on the basis of valuations made by their valuation offices in their own paid employment.

From such information as I have been able to obtain it seems likely that at present some 40–50 local authorities do not employ the District Valuer for negotiating compensation claims and a further 90–100 do not make use of his services for some negotiations. But because practices vary from one authority to another and from time to time I would see no useful purpose in giving names.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many road accidents have been reported during the first half of 1971 involving bicycles of the chopper variety; and what proportion this figure is of the total number of accidents involving bicycles which have been reported.

Information on accidents involving particular types of bicycle is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why his Department has discontinued the voluntary system of endorsing the log books of wrecked vehicles.

The scheme had serious disadvantages and has been suspended while alternative arrangements are examined.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the views of many local authorities that the passenger transport executives should be under the control of elected representatives when the new local authorities are established; and what steps he will take to satisfy this wish.

We intend to provide for the new Metropolitan County Councils to become the Passenger Transport Authorities. The Passenger Transport Executives will thus come under the direct control of elected representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to obtain information, based on the total number of vehicle accidents in 1970 and in each of the previous 10 years, showing to what extent guilty parties were owner-drivers paying an insurance premium and enjoying a non-claim discount, fleet drivers and drivers driving for employers, respectively.

No. This would involve motor insurers examining every claim record. The potential value of the resulting information would not justify this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the Ipswich Land Use Transportation Study; and whether he will make a statement.

It is expected that the Ipswich Corporation will receive the report of the Ipswich Land Use Transportation Study early in 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken by his Regional Consultative Councils to monitor progress in their areas in response to Circular 10/70; whether each Region takes note of specific cases of f action in response to the Circular; and what follow-up action is being taken to increase the response.

The job of monitoring is for the local authorities. My regional officers keep in close touch with progress in tackling the problems of land shortage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new steps are being taken to reduce pollution of the Firth of Forth.

Local authorities in the area are at present undertaking six schemes, costing in all about £20 million, for improving the quality of effluent discharged to the Forth.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now institute an investigation into the operation of the regulations of 1958 concerning children's transport to and from school at primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member is presumably referring to the arrangements for free school transport made by Lanarkshire Education Authority in November, 1958. Any revision is entirely a matter for the Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider giving grants to Scottish zoos on the same basis as those given to zoos in London and Blackpool; and if will make a statement.

I have offered the Royal Scottish Zoological Society a grant of £2,500 for 1971–72 to assist them to employ an education officer. I am not aware of any Government grants to zoos in London or Blackpool apart from the special assistance given to the Zoological Society of London in 1970 in view of their serious financial difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the public inquiry into the future of Rossend Castle, Burnt-island; and if he will make a statement.

I expect to receive the report soon and I will study it immediately when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to arrest the spread of derelict land since the publication of the First Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

The Royal Commission identified the spread of derelict land as one of three factors, besides "straightforward pollution", affecting the quality of the environment and calling for adequate planning. The exercise of planning powers is in the first instance for local planning authorities, but I seek to ensure that the environment is protected when considering regional strategies, local development plans and individual planning cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his policy for reducing pollution caused by the dumping of motor cars, no longer fit for use on the roads;(2) what is his policy for reducing pollution caused by the dumping of massive and durable pieces of junk, such as abandoned kitchen equipment; and what discussions he has had with local authorities about this problem.

The Civic Amenities Act, 1967 places on local authorities a duty to remove and dispose of motor vehicles which are abandoned without lawful authority on any land in the open air or forming part of a highway, and empowers local authorities to remove and dispose of other refuse similarly abandoned. The Act also requires local authorities to provide places where residents may dispose free of charge any refuse (except business refuse), including vehicles, and it provides penalties for unauthorised dumping. The provisions of the Act have been drawn to the attention of the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the publication of a map of Scotland, delineating the areas with the greatest pollution problems; and whether in particular he will instruct the cartographer to insert a black cross on those map references where there is a particularly serious source of pollution, such as that caused by untreated sewage outflow from the City of Edinburgh.

Information of this kind about water pollution is already publicly available in the reports of the River Purification Boards and a report (including a Scottish section) is at present being prepared giving the results of a national survey of smoke and sulphur dioxide.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to the problem of pollution caused by the increasing use of plastic containers.

My Department is associated with the work in this field described by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd) on 27th July.—[Vol. 822, c. 62.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he is having with the North of Scotland Hydro Board, and other public bodies, as to the extent to which the costs of pollution, caused by them, could be covered in the price of their product; and if he will make a statement.

Public bodies, including the Electricity Boards, are required by various statutes to take measures to minimise pollution of the environment by their operations, and the cost of these measures is already reflected in the price of their products.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he is making of the long-term ecological effects of various kinds of pollution in Scotland, together with an analysis of their short-term impact.

The effects in both the short and the long term of marine pollution are being studied by my Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Laboratories, and the Government are sponsoring research into the ecological effects in the United Kingdom of other aspects of pollution.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he is making of side-effects of anti-pollution measures.

Studies are being made by or on behalf of various Government Departments of the economic, social and ecological side-effects of anti-pollution measures.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of his responsibilities for the environment, what discussions he has had with manufacturers in Scotland, whose production gives rise to pollution, and who make greater profits than they would if they were obliged to bear the full social costs of their production, and with consumers associations who buy goods at a lower price than they would if the price had to cover the full social costs involved.

I have had no such discussions with individual manufacturers, but I am in touch with the Confederation of British Industries about pollution problems. Firms whose processes might cause pollution are already required under various statutes to take counter-measures, the cost of which is no doubt reflected in the price of their products.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what policy he has to encourage the reclamation of valuable materials from domestic and industrial waste;(2) what discussions he is having with local authorities in Scotland about ways of salvaging some ingredients from domestic and industrial waste, such as metals and paper, and the extent to which the incineration of residue can be used as a source of energy.

The recommendation of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal on this matter have been brought to the attention of all Scottish local authorities. As its Report stated, re-use of materials depends on economic factors related to supply and demand in particular industries. The extent to which incineration of refuse can be used as a source of energy depends on local circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will seek powers to offer economic inducements to farmers to use manure from intensive farming, as suggested by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

The treatment and disposal of manure from intensive farming raises scientific and practical problems on which much work is at present being done by the agricultural departments, research establishments and other interested bodies. It is not clear, at this stage, what economic inducements, if any, would be practicable or appropriate. The construction of slurry ponds and tanks is already eligible for grant under the Farm Capital Grant Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will approve immediately an early start for the proposed nuclear power station in Scotland because of the high unemployment in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot give approval until the type of station has been chosen and the necessary statutory procedures have subsequently been completed. Studies leading to the important question of the choice of station have been taking place and will be completed as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the works programme estimated to yield £33 million of additional work in Scotland.

The estimate of £33 million announced by me on 13th July was made in advance of consultation with local authorities and other spending authorities. There has been a willing response by local authoriteis to the invitation to undertake projects and as a result I now estimate that schemes to be undertaken which can be substantially completed by 31st March, 1973 will result in expenditure of over £60 million in Scotland, divided as follows:

Services for which the Scottish Departments are responsible
	£ million
Education	29·3
Social work	3·7
Health	4·5
Roads	14·5
Miscellaneous local services	4·0
Other items	4·0
	60·0
Expenditure in Scotland by other Government Departments is estimated at	3·0
	63·0

asked the Secretary a State for Scotland what proposals he has for the future staffing of primary schools.

In view of the forecast increase in teacher supply I am consulting local authority and teachers' associations about a further improvement in primary staffing standards which I expect should he capable of achievement by Session 1974–75. The effect of applying the standards that I am now proposing to a traditionally organised school would be to produce an average class size of at most 30, compared with 35 under the standards whose adoption I announced in December, 1970 (Circular 773).

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications on what dates he now expects BBC2 transmissions and colour transmissions from the British Broadcasting Corporation and independent television to be available in the counties of Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles.

The B.B.C. and the I.T.A., who are primarily responsible for the extension of their services, tell me that U.H.F. transmissions in colour of I.T.V. programmes are expected to start from the Selkirk station in 1972. Those of B.B.C.1 and B.B.C.2 are planned to begin during 1973. These new transmissions will reach parts of the counties of Roxburgh and Selkirk but not into Peebles.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office not to impose a redirection charge on mail redirected privately and posted later than the day after delivery.

No. This is a matter for the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what action he proposes in the light of the request in the Post Office Report and Accounts 1970–71 for an early statement of Government support for Giro and Government readiness to use the service for its own purposes in appropriate circumstances.

I have nothing yet to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Bootle (Mr. Simon Mahon), Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) and Islington, East (Mr. John D. Grant) on 20th October.—[Vol. 823, c. 711.]

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications by what percentage the interest paid on capital borrowed for the expansion of the telephone service has increased in each year since 1964.

According to the Post-Office Accounts for the years in question, the interest on capital borrowed for the telecommunications business was as follows:

	£'000	Annual increase per cent.
1964–65	43,741	—
1965–66	48,521	10·9
1966–67	55,506	14·4
1967–68	65,811	18·6
1968–69	80,492	22·3
1969–70	97,569	21·2
1970–71	117,016	19·9

The bulk of the capital borrowed was used for the expansion of the telephone service, but the amounts are not separately identified in the Accounts.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what increase in the cost of first-class post is being considered by the Post Office.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) on 20th October.—[Vol. 823, c. 704.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the 1970 Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer to his Department contains no mention of the cytology screening of women.

I am not responsible for what the Chief Medical Officer decides to write in his Report, but there was a full Report in 1969 dealing with the first five years of the screening service.As the figures are not otherwise regularly available the Chief Medical Officer is arranging for them to appear in Health Trends and in future reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number, and the percentage, of people entitled to claim the family income supplement who have claimed and been awarded a supplement, respectively.

Awards of Family Income Supplement have been made to over 58,000 families where the head is in fulltime work. This is 35 per cent. of the estimate of such families which I gave with a warning that it was subject to wide margins of error on the second reading of the Family Income Supplement Bill last November. About another 25,000 families who are or would otherwise be wage-stopped are benefiting under the Family Income Supplements Act. The two figures together make up 44 per cent. of the estimate of 188,000 eligible families altogether which I then gave. This of course was subject to similar reservations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reports he has received that the limitation of work by members of the Association of Scientific Technical and Managerial Staffs has affected patients; how many times patients have been affected, in emergency and non-emergency cases, respectively, and what action he is taking to bring this dispute to an end.

At many hospitals pathological investigations have been delayed, causing inconvenience to patients, but I know of no cases where urgent work has not been undertaken. We have encouraged representatives of the Association to pursue any grievances constitutionally; I understand the members of the Association are not currently imposing any limitations on work in hospital laboratories.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many miners, certified as suffering from pneumoconiosis were found, following post mortems, not to have had the disease; and how many miners, who were not certified as having pneumoconiosis were, after post mortems, certified as having died from the disease or that it had been a contributory factor of death in the years 1948 to 1970.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates tax relief granted on mortgage interest payments will rise over the next 10 years.

Such estimates would depend on many factors and could not be reliable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long it is anticipated firms will have to keep records of sales under value-added tax to meet the requirements of the Customs and Excise; and whether a storage allowance will be provided for a long period of record keeping.

As a result of the publication of the Green Paper, Customs and Excise have received representations on a number of points concerning the administration of V.A.T. These are being given careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken, or intends taking, to advertise the fact that it is now an automatic ticket offence for a road vehicle to be on the road without the display of a current road fund licence, even where such a licence is in being; and whether such advertising will include television advertising.

It is for each chief officer of police to decide whether the fixed penalty system shall be applied to the offence in his area and, if so, whether and how to give publicity to the decision.