asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations his Department has had, and will be having, on the European Economic Community's draft directives concerning the veterinary profession and their implications for veterinarians in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry's Chief Veterinary Officer is and will continue to be in close touch with the views of both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association. He is a member of the councils of both bodies, and their observers regularly attend meetings of the E.E.C. Veterinary Liaison Committee. The Community would consult us if they proposed to enact these directives between the signing of the Treaty of Accession and the actual date of our entry in the E.E.C.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his estimates of United Kingdom-grown cereal stocks on United Kingdom farms at present, listing wheat, barley and oats separately.

Estimates are not available on a United Kingdom basis. Estimates of total cereals stocks on farms in England and Wales at the end of September were published on 10th November, 1971. The estimates were as follows:

	'000 tons
Wheat	3,820
Barley	5,660
Oats	820

Estimates for Great Britain will be published at the beginning of December and subsequently at monthly intervals until July. Cereals production in Northern Ireland is marginal in relation to total

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider the application in the United Kingdom of the widespread continental practice of marking the constituents of manufactured or processed animal feedingstuffs on the wrapper, or container.

Regulations under the Fertiliser and Feedingstuffs Act. 1926, require that a seller of a scheduled feedingstuff provides a statutory statement which in the case of a compound feeding- stuff must show the percentages of protein, oil, fibre and specified additives in the feed. It is not practicable to require full details of all ingredients to be given statutorily, as inspectors and analysts cannot check such statements quantitatively owing to the wide range and complex nature of the materials involved. The Act makes it an offence to supply feedingstuffs containing deleterious ingredients and requires that compounds should be fit for use as feedingstuffs.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what areas have been searched by the Army in the past four weeks in Northern Ireland; how many Royal Ulster Constabulary men have joined with the Army in these searches; what amounts of arms and ammunition have been discovered; in what areas these have been found; and how many persons were arrested.

In the four week period up to 10th November, the security forces conducted a large number of searches, including 2,234 houses, 8,818 cars and 312 quarries. 255 members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary participated in search operations. Items found in the searches included seven machine guns, 20 rifles, 11 shotguns, 29 pistols and revolvers, 17,809 rounds of ammunition, 39 grenades and 381 lbs. of explosive.

9th November	…	Ardoyne	…	…	8 arrests—198 rounds of ammunition.
8th November	…	Springfield	…	…	11 bombs and 439 rounds of ammunition.
8th November	…	Turf Lodge	…	…	1 machine gun, 2 rifles, 2 pistols, 3 shotguns and 850 rounds of ammunition.
6th November	…	Carrickmore	…	…	1 machine gun, 1 shotgun, 87 rounds of ammunition, 75 lbs. of explosive, 366 detonators and 2,900 feet of fuse.
4th November	…	Andersonstown		…	18 arrests—1 shotgun, 20 grenades.
3rd November	…	Ross/Raglan Street		…	1 machine gun, 3 rifles, 2 pistols and 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
2nd November	…	Gracehill Street		…	4 rifles, 3 pistols and 200 rounds of ammunition.
1st November	…	Andersonstown		…	1 shotgun, 8 bombs, 17 grenades.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what action the Army took following the bombing of the Royal Ulster Constabulary station at Toome Bridge, County Antrim; and what report was made to him.

At about 2 a.m. on 18th May, 1971, an explosion outside the building caused superficial damage, such as the breaking of windows. No injuries were sustained by the occupants of the building. Army ammunition technical officers investigated the incident but were unable to identify what type of device had been used. I regret that my reply to the hon. Member on 4th November, while making clear that there was no link between the death of Sergeant Dodds and any attack on the police station, overlooked this earlier incident. The station has been covered by Army patrols since the beginning of 1970: since 9th August this year there has been a static guard on a part-time basis.—[Vol. 825, c. 7-8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will show in table form those boroughs or county boroughs with a population of 50,000 or more where the number of Commonwealth immigrant children exceeds 2 pet cent. of all pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools; and if she will differentiate between the two types of schools at the latest available dates.

Information for January, 1971 is not yet available in this 416 people were arrested by the Army during the period. Recent significant finds and arrests have included the following —except for Carrickmore, all in Belfast: detail. I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she has to set up an institute specifically devoted to the development of alternative methods of research not requiring the use of living animals.

As I made clear on previous occasions, I am advised that the development of alternative techniques in this field is best undertaken in the context of specific research problems and I do not therefore think that the establishment of a separate institute for this purpose would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of pre-school children attends maintained nursery schools.

In January, 1971 there were 98,000 full-time and part-time pupils aged 3 and 4 in maintained nursery schools and classes, representing 6 per cent. of the total numbers in the two age groups.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the numbers of maintained nursery schools in 1955, 1969, and the latest available date.

There were 464 maintained nursery schools in England and Wales in January, 1955, 470 in 1969 and 498 in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the numbers of school classes over 40 and the number of school pupils attending such classes in the county borough of Sunderland at the latest available date.

In January, 1970 there were 76 classes of over 40 in maintained primary schools in Sunderland, with 3,217 pupils on the registers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of sixth-form colleges and the number of pupils attending them at the latest available date; and what proposals have been made for further sixth-form colleges.

In January, 1971 there were 12 sixth form colleges with a total of 5,281 pupils. 33 local education authorities have plans for a further 53 colleges.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the total numbers of people in Great Britain who had been wholly unemployed for more than six months and for more than 12 months in October, 1971; and what were the corresponding figures in 1970, 1969, 1968 and 1967.

Following is the information:NUMBERS REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED IN GREAT BRITAIN

	More than 26 weeks	More than 52 weeks (included in previous column)
October, 1971	238,024,	129,909
October, 1970	171,841,	101,669
October, 1969	157,174,	95,504
October, 1968	157,545,	88,353
October, 1967	143,902,	72,277

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been made redundant in Carmarthenshire since 18th June, 1970, according to the notification received by his Department; and how many firms were involved.

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 in the period 18th June, 1970 to 31st October, 1971 redundancies in Carmarthenshire involving about 1,730 workpeople in 27 firms were notified to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how the figures for unemployment among women in the Petersfield constituency compare with the corresponding figures for last year, and two years ago, to the nearest convenient date.

In the area covered by the Petersfield and Alton Employment Exchanges, the numbers of females registered as unemployed at October, 1971, October, 1970 and October, 1969 were 62, 65 and 53, respectively.

ask the Secretary of State for Employment what the present level of unemployment among school leavers in the Petersfield constituncy now is; and how it compares with the figures for one year ago, and two years ago, for boys and girls, to the nearest convenient date.

Following is the available information:

School-leavers registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Basingstoke Careers Office
	Boys	Girls
October, 1971	13	7
October, 1970	19	8
October, 1969	2	12

Information about the numbers of unemployed school-leavers is available only for the whole of the Basingstoke Careers Office area, part of which is within the Petersfield constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what the level of unemployment in the Petersfield constituency now is; and how it compares with the figures for one year ago, and two years ago, to the nearest convenient date.

In the area covered by the Petersfield and Alton Employment Exchanges, the percentages rates of unemployment at October, 1971, October, 1970 and October, 1969 were 2·5 2·3 and 2·3 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many building workers are now registered as unemployed in the Greater London area; and how this figure compares with the same period in 1970.

The total numbers of people registered as unemployed in Greater London at October, 1971 and October, 1970 who last worked in the construction industry were 8,912 and 7,364, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons employed in the mining industry in Scotland, with separate figures to show those employed below and above ground.

I understand from the National Coal Board that at the end of October, 24,300 underground workers and 5,250 surface workers were on colliery books in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what increases have been negotiated in the past month in bakers' pay.

The Federation of Bakers and the Bakers' Union reached agreement on 5th November, 1971 for increases of £2 per week for men and £1·75 per week for women to come into force on 28th November, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has been given of future redundancies in the paper industry in Scotland; and what assistance his Department has offered.

Not all redundancies are notified to my Department, but our records show that 239 workpeople are due to become redundant in the paper industry in Scotland. All the resources of this Department, including job teams, special canvassing for vacancies and opportunities for training, are being made available, as appropriate, to help the redundant workers secure alternative employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons employed in the paper industry in Scotland with separate figures for male and female.

At June, 1970 the estimated number of employees in employment in Scotland in the paper and board industry (minimum list heading 481 of the Standard Industrial Classification) was 16,100 of which 11,700 were male and 4,400 were female.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give the percentage change in unemployment of registered disabled persons, nationally and in Newcastle-under-Lyme, for the year beginning 18th June, 1970.

During the period 8th June, 1970 to 14th June, 1971 the number of unemployed registered disabled persons in Newcastle-under-Lyme fell by 6·6 per cent. During the same period the national total of unemployed registered disabled persons rose by 15·2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish the average weekly earnings, average hours worked and average hourly earnings at October, 1970 and 1971, for pottery, mining, baking, electrical engineering, respectively, and manufacturing industry generally.

Full details for October, 1970 were published in the February, 1971 issue of the Department of Employment Gazette. Similar figures for October, 1971 are not yet available but it is planned to publish them in the February, 1972 issue of the Gazette.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to replace the Traffic Commissioners by a system de- signed more effectively to prevent bus fare increases.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report received by him from a study group of officials on long-term population distribution matters will be published.

This report has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take in regard to the proposed tour of Rhodesia by the Cardiff Rugby Football Club.

None. But Her Majesty's Government are not in favour of sporting exchanges with Rhodesia at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the amount of land surplus to operational needs held by British Rail, regional hospital boards, the Metropolitan Water Board, electricity boards, gas boards, the Post Office and Government Departments in Greater London; and if he will list the acreages according to ownership in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am unable to give figures but the Under-Secretary of State's Action Group on London Housing are taking urgent action with other departments, local authorities and the nationalised industries with a view to the release for other purposes, particularly housing, of land in Greater London which is surplus to their requirements. We are also directly in touch with British Rail, who are reviewing their land holdings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average price paid by a local authority for a council house priced at £2,500 in 1960 over a 25-year period.

On the assumption that the house was financed by a 25-year loan at 6 per cent., approximately the aver- age Public Works Loan Board rate in 1960, repayable in 50 equal instalments of principal and interest, the total amount payable would have been £4,858.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the increasing number of vehicle fires, he will seek to make the carrying of an extinguisher in road vehicles compulsory.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many industrial firms are registered with his Department under the Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act, 1906; and whether and where this list is available for public inspection.

The Act requires the registration of works rather than firms. The present number registered is 1,832 and the register may be inspected upon request at the Department of the Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many firms or individuals have been prosecuted for the creation of a nuisance by the emission of noxious gases from their premises or the disposal of alkali waste contrary to the Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act, 1906, during each of the last five years; and what has been the average fine imposed.

Following is the information:

1966	None
1967	One
1968	One
1969	Two
1970	Two

The average fine was £58 9s. 2d., with average costs of £15 Is. 2d.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many firms or individuals have been prosecuted for emitting dust and effluvia prejudicial to health in contravention of Part III of the Public Health Act, 1936, during each of the last five years; how many nuisance orders have been made during that period; and how many fines have been imposed for failure to comply with such nuisance orders.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many firms or individuals have been prosecuted for discharging effluent in contravention of the Public Health (Drainage of Trade Premises) Act, 1937, during each of the last five years; and what was the aver- age fine imposed.

Sewerage authorities are not required to inform my Department of the prosecutions they undertake, or of their outcome, and I understand from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, that no separate statistics are kept in respect of this offence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to make grants towards the cost of the establishment by local authorities of instruction and training areas for learner drivers.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of geriatric patients on waiting lists for admission to hospital in Glasgow and Ayrshire respectively; and if he will provide details of the geriatric beds under construction in each area in the current financial year.

There are 266 geriatric patients on the waiting list of Glasgow hospitals, and 210 in Ayrshire but I understand that owing to differences in method of compilation these figures do not accurately reflect the comparative need. The following schemes to provide geriatric beds have been completed since 1st April, 1971, or are under construction or are planned to start before 31st March 1972:

Glasgow

Southern General Hospital, Department of Geriatric Medicine, 25 geriatric beds.

Gartnavel District General Hospital, including 50 geriatric assessment beds.

Glasgow Victoria Geriatric Unit, 256 geriatric beds. Blawarthill Hospital, 60 geriatric beds.

Ayrshire

Holmhead Hospital, Cumnock, 30 geriatric beds.

North Ayrshire District General Hospital, including 60 geriatric assessment beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total expenditure in the public works programme as it affects Ayrshire; and what is the Government's contribution towards this expenditure.

Over £5£3 million has so far been approved and the final figure may approach £6 million. Direct Government expenditure within the £5·3 million is about £750,000. In addition very substantial indirect contributions will be made through grants related to loan charges over a period of years but these cannot yet be calculated precisely.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects to receive the study, announced by him on 23rd July, 1970, designed to identify the main technical questions of broadcasting.

I expect to receive a first report from the Television Advisory Committee early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes he plans in the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, to permit young persons still at school to be employed, in view of the raising of the school-leaving age.

Last November the Government sought the views of a wide range of interested bodies about the general efficacy of this branch of the law and the possible need for changes, with particular reference to the raising of the school-leaving age. We are now considering, in the light of the many comments received, what changes, if any, should be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Bourne- mouth and East Dorset Hospital Management Committee concerning conditions in geriatric and other hospital facilities in Bournemouth and Christchurch; and what proposals he has for bringing about an improvement.

None. The Hospital Advisory Service has recently reported to my right hon. Friend on the geriatric services in this area and the Wessex Regional Hospital Board is at present considering the advice in that report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of hospitals with diagnostic facilities in the area of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board and the number of those where general practitioners have open access to these facilities.

Sixty-three hospitals have pathology laboratories and 99 X-ray facilities, including the teaching hospitals. Of these 38 and 36 respectively offer open access to general practitioners, that is, at least one hospital in each general hospital group or teaching hospital area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the optimum size of a site intended to accommodate a hospital of 600 to 800 beds.

The optimum size of site will depend on its characteristics, the content of the hospital and the extent of sup- porting facilities but in general a 600-800 bed district general hospital could best be accommodated on 30-35 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds are now provided nationally and in North Staffordshire per 1,000 population.

The following is the information:

	Hospital Beds per 1,000 population*
England	9·282
North Staffordshire Hospital Management Committee area	7·812
*Number of beds allocated on 31st December, 1970: estimated population on 30th June, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider issuing to general practitioners information concerning new developments in the treatment of rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis.

Information on drug treatment of rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis is included from time to time in "Prescribers' Journal", an independent journal which is issued free to general practitioners by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take additional steps to publicise the statement in the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health at his Department to the effect that cigarette smoking is the cause of at least one death in eight among men aged between 35 and 44 years, one death in four among men aged between 45 and 64 years, and one death in five in the deaths of men aged between 65 and 74 years, in England and Wales.

These figures, which relate to the three main causes of smoking-induced deaths, have already been given considerable publicity. The Chief Medical Officer has discussed them in detail with medical correspondents, and the figures and other information about the consequences of smoking will doubtless be used in future health education campaigns.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost of paying National Insurance retirement pensions in each year from 1960 to 1970.

The cost of retirement pensions was as follows:

Financial Year Ending 31st March	£ million
1961	677
1962	784
1963	807
1964	959
1965	1,015
1966	1,238
1967	1,272
1968	1,385
1969	1,543
1970	1,627
1971	1,778

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research he is undertaking into the incidence of tuberculosis among persons born outside the United Kingdom now residing here, and the causes of it; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is supporting a study, by the British Thoracic and Tuberculosis Association, of the countries of origin of persons notified as suffering from tuberculosis. The aim is to discover the significance of the place of birth of newly notified cases of tuberculosis in the early months of 1971. The results of this survey will be studied to see whether it is possible to identify aspects of the problem which require further attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the maximum distance considered acceptable for patients to travel in order to receive residential treatment from general medicine, paediatric, general surgery, ear, nose and throat, traumatic and orthopaedic, radiotherapy, gynaecology, and obstetric specialities.

This must vary with circumstances such as transport facilities and the distribution of the population. The siting of each hospital must be deter- mined on the individual merits of the case. As my right hon. Friend indicated in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Conway (Mr. Wyn Roberts) on 9th November, 1971, current operational research studies will include consideration of the possible cost of access to hospitals for patients, visitors and staff in terms of money, time and social hardship.—[Vol. 825, c. 108-9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons have received financial help from the Supplementary Benefits Commission in respect of telephone rental or installation.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) on 9th November.— [Vol. 825, c. 105.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated current annual cost of administering prescription charges; and what total sums are being recovered from patients not entitled to exemption.

For Great Britain annual administrative costs, including payments to chemists, are about £1½ million; prescription charges are currently yielding about £26½ million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appeals have been registered against the disallowance of attendance allowance; and how many of these have been successful.

Up to 9th November nearly 6,000 claimants had applied to the Attendance Allowance Board to have the original determination of their claim reviewed. Of the 3,500 applications dealt with, 3,070 had resulted in a review in the applicant's favour.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting period for admission to the ear, nose and throat wards of the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and the City General Hospital, Harbhill.

The latest available figures are as follows:

	Weeks
North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary	14·2
City General Hospital, Hartshill	19·1

Emergencies are admitted without delay. Admissions from the waiting list are determined by clinical priority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the average waiting period for the admission of general surgical patients into the North Staffordshire hospitals; (2) what is the average waiting period for admission of gynaecology patients to North Staffordshire hospitals.

The latest available figures show that the average waiting periods for hospitals covered by the North Staffordshire Hospital Management Committee are as follows:

	Weeks
General surgical	19·1
Gynaecology	12·7

Emergencies are admitted without delay and admissions from the waiting list are determined by clinical priority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting period for admission to Bucknall hospital; and how many persons are on the waiting list.

Figures for geriatric patients are available only in respect of the North Staffordshire Hospital Group as a whole. The average waiting period for admission was 3·2 weeks during 1970, There were 525 patients awaiting admission to the 725 geriatric beds in the Group on 30th September, 1971, the latest date for which figures are available. Figures for other specialties at Bucknall Hospital are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many kidney machines are at present being used outside hospitals in this country; how many patients are waiting for a kidney machine; how many renal transplants were carried out in the last 12 months; how many patients he estimates might benefit from a transplant if this operation was more easily available; how many centres carry out renal transplants; and whether these centres could carry out a higher number of transplants if suitable donors were available.

Information about the number of patients on or awaiting dialysis treatment is not available. The services for chronic renal failure continue to develop within available resources and, at 30th June, 1971, 560 patients were maintained on home dialysis and a further 431 treated in hospital. Some 200 renal transplants are carried out anually. Estimates of the number of patients who would benefit from a transplant would depend on judgments about the prefer-ability of transplant over dialysis, which can be made only by clinicians responsible for individual patients. Twelve major centres carry out renal transplants. Lack of donor kidneys is a major factor limiting the availability of renal trans- plantation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the continuing public concern over the hazard presented to the town of Sheerness, by the wreck of the ammunition ship s.s. "Richard Montgomery"; and if he will make a statement describing the results and recommendations of the recent survey and the precautions to be taken on land to minimise the impact of an exposion of the wreck.

Grant: The risk of explosion of the wreck is small and is decreasing with the passage of time. The results of the recent review of the situation regarding the wreck are being announced today, and I have written to my hon. Friend. I understand that essential local services have contingency plans to cover emergencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have indicated their intention of establishing factories in Carmarthen- shire since 18th June, 1970; and what is the figure for the first nine months of 1971.

One since 18th June, 1970, and none in the first nine months of 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that the records and accounts of all motor insurance companies are in such a condition that should any of them go into liquidation policyholders can obtain verification to their entitlement and qualification to a no-claims bonus; and if he will make a statement.

The Insurance Companies Acts do not give me power to regulate policy conditions, such as those dealing with entitlement to a no-claims bonus. I do not therefore possess information about the records of no-claims bonuses kept by motor insurance companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to announce the result of the Central Electricity Generating Board's application to build a nuclear power station at Connah's Quay, Flintshire; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot say at present. The inspectors who held the public inquiry to consider the C.E.G.B.'s proposal to construct a nuclear station at Connah's Quay have not yet completed their report. When it is received it will need to be studied, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales consulted, before a decision on the board's application can be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to find suitable tenants for the two unoccupied advance factories on the Crook Industrial Estate; and how many inquiries have been received since the factories were completed.

The two factories have been suggested to a total of 31 firms and have been visited by 13. We are continuing to make every effort to find suitable tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many men and women, respectively, were employed in Government-owned factories in Sunderland at the latest available date.

The figures, at September, 1971, were 5,638 men and 4,134 women.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy towards oil exploration off the Welsh coast.

I am anxious to promote the most rapid and effective exploration for petroleum in the United Kingdom sector of the Continental Shelf, off the Welsh coast in the same way as other coasts of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the average cost per ton of British coal at the pithead; and what is the average retail cost per ton of British coal; (2) what is the average retail cost per ton to industry and domestic consumers of coal imported to the United Kingdom.

The average cost per ton of British coal at the pithead is published in the Annual Reports and Accounts of the National Coal Board. Prices to consumers are matters for the trade and will depend on many factors including the competition between imported and indigenous coal and other forms of energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average weekly value and volume of coal currently imported to the United Kingdom; and what are the figures for the last 10 years.

Following is the information:

	Weekly averages
	Tons	£ thousands
1961*	767	6·1
1962*	421	3·5
1963	21	0·2
1964	7	0·1
1965	49	0·4
1966	570	4·9
1967	130	1·2
1968	37	0·4
1969	39	0·4
1970	1,497	17·5
January-September, 1971	83,916	786·5
*Figures include lignite.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further progress has been made in the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation on measures to prevent pollution of the sea, and to improve safety at sea.

The Seventh Assembly of the Organisation, meeting in London from 5th to 15th October, took a range of decisions for the improvement of safety at sea and the reduction of marine pollution. Several were of particular importance to this country.The Assembly adopted an amendment to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, which will limit the size of cargo tanks in tankers in order to limit the quantity of oil likely to be spilt if the ship is damaged in a casualty. The limitation will affect new tankers ordered on or after 1st January, 1972, and the Assembly recommended Governments to implement it as soon as possible without awaiting formal entry into force.Secondly, the Assembly adopted amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1960, which render mandatory the observance of traffic routeing schemes approved by I.M.C.O., including the scheme in the Dover Straits. Here too the Assembly recommended Governments to implement the requirement for their own flag ships as soon as possible. This step arose from the United Kingdom proposal which I described in the Adjournment Debate on 28th July.Thirdly, the Assembly decided that the International Conference on Marine Pollution to be held in 1973 should have as its main objective to achieve by 1975 if possible, but certainly by the end of the decade, the complete elimination of wilful and intentional pollution of the sea by oil and other noxious substances and to minimise accidental spills. The Organisation will now give priority to the preparations for this Conference The Assembly urged Governments meanwhile to implement the 1969 amendments to the 1954 Oil Pollution Convention with- out delay.Finally, in addressing the Assembly I criticised the long delays before Governments bring into force the important agreements reached through the Organisation. Other delegations shared this view and the Assembly decided to initiate work on the revision of the procedures for bringing decisions into force with a view to reducing these delays.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the flight, type, and operator of the aircraft that made a low and loud crossing of inner London at 03.20 hours on Friday, 5th November approaching London Airport.

A Pan American Boeing 707 on flight number 166 crossed central London on approach to Heathrow where it landed at 03.23 hours. I am making inquiries about the height at which it made its approach and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish all the representations he has received on the proposed value-added tax ;(2) if he will list the industries that have made representations seeking exemption or zero rating in the proposed value-added tax ;(3) if he will list the representations he has received suggesting delaying the commencement of the proposed value-added tax.

No. The process of consultations with trade and industry since the Budget is still continuing. A great many representations have been made in writing and orally at meetings, and some of the representations have subsequently been modified after discussion. Repre-

Industry		Objective
National Coal Board	…	…	To be not less than sufficient for meeting all their outgoings properly chargeable to revenue account on an average of good and bad years
Electricity Boards (England and Wales)	…	…	7 per cent. net.*
North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board	…	...	6 per cent. net.*
South of Scotland Electricity Board	…	…	7 per cent. net.*
Gas Boards	…	...	7 per cent. net.*
British Steel Corporation	…	…	Under discussion in the context of the current review of B.S.C's financial position.
Post Office:
(i) Postal Services (including the Giro)		…	To achieve a surplus equal to 2 per cent. of total expenditure as defined in Statement A on the 1966–67 Accounts.
(ii) Telecommunications	...	...	10 per cent. net.*
(iii) National Data Processing Service		…	8 per cent. net.*
British Overseas Airways Corporation		...	12½ per cent. net.*
British European Airways Corporation		…	8 per cent. net.*
British Airports Authority	…	…	14 per cent. net.*
British Railways Board	…	...	Target surplus of £17 million over and above interest on capital and historic depreciation.
British Waterways Board	…	...	Each of these bodies has the statutory obligation to secure that the combined revenues of the authority and of its subsidiaries taken together are not less than sufficient to meet their combined charges properly chargeable to revenue account, taking one year with another. Currently under consideration.
Transport Holding Company	…	...
National Freight Corporation	…	...
Scottish Transport Group	...	…
British Transport Docks Board	…	...
National Bus Company	...	…	To earn an average surplus of £8 million a year after providing for depreciation on a historic cost basis but before interest and taxation and before providing for the difference between depreciation charged on the historic cost basis and the current cost of replacing its assets.
* Income before interest but after depreciation at historic cost, expressed as a percentage of average net assets.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of mortgagors whose tax relief on mortgage interest amounts to less than £50 per year, to between £51 and £100 per year, to between £101 and £150 per year, to between £151 and £200 per year, and to more than £200 per year, respectively, and the total amount of tax relief given to each group.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the rate of return on capital required of each of the nationalised industries for the cur- rent year.

The existing financial objectives for the nationalised industries are as follows:

The information is not available on which to base estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) which Welsh local authorities provide public toilets with one or more compartments for disabled people in wheelchairs, and how many; (2) which Welsh local authorities have disabled people co-opted on to committees and sub-committees concerned with their problems, and how many; (3) which Welsh local authorities have erected signs in their areas pointing to facilities for the disabled, and how many.

These matters are the responsibility of local authorities which do not submit returns to me on these points under the Chronically Sick and D isabled Persons Act, 1970. Welsh Office Circular 85/70, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, drew local authorities' attention to, and gave guidance on, the relevant provisions of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many public buildings in Wales have ramps and handrails to allow access for the disabled; and which authorities provide them.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind buildings covered by Section 4 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, which relates to any buildings or premises to which the public are to be admitted. I regret that the information asked for is not available. The attention of local authorities has, however, been drawn to the provisions of the Sec- tion in Welsh Office Circular 85/70 and they have also been asked to take appropriate action to draw developers' attention to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many kerbs have been dropped in various Welsh local authority areas to allow easy crossing for the disabled in wheelchairs.

The information is not readily available. This is essentially a matter for the local authorities. Advice on it has been issued by the Welsh Office to highway authorities and I am considering whether further guidance may be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he has given to the practicability of applying the recommendations of the Central Health Services Council report, The Functions of a District General Hospital. to Wales, as far as catchment areas for hospitals is concerned.

The report on "The Functions of a District General Hospital" is still under consideration. I am awaiting the results of operational research studies bearing on the size of district general hospitals.