asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry had a full and constructive discussion with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce on 4th November about its proposals for stimulating growth in West-Central Scotland. These proposals are now being given careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to control prices during the next 12 months.

None. But I welcome the response by both public and private sectors of industry to the C.B.I.'s initiative for voluntary price restraint.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he is taking to bring the production of the motor industry up to full capacity.

Production is already rising rapidly to meet the demand created by the Government measures. In August and September car production was 42 per cent., and commercial vehicle production 32 per cent., above the corresponding period last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list of the suggestions for formal references made to him by the Monopolies Commission and the replies he has sent.

As I told the hon. Member on 8th November, the only proposal I have received is for the supply of primary batteries.—[Vol. 825, c. 47–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further exemptions from the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 1960, he proposes to grant to British airlines on routes to the Far East; and whether he will make a statement.

We have no such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for industrial development certificates have been made in the Bournemouth and Christchurch area during the last six months; and how many refusals have taken place.

In the period 1st May to 31st October, 1971, eight industrial development certificates were issued for the Bournemouth travel-to-work area (the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Ringwood employment exchange areas) and one application was refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were issued for the Northern Region in each of the years following 1966 to the latest available date.

Following is the information:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN THE NORTHERN REGION
	No.
1967	238
1968	278
1969	282
1970	245
1971 January-September	90

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were issued in the period following June, 1970 to the latest available date; and how this figure compares with a similar period preceding June, 1970.

From 1st July, 1970 to 30th September, 1971, 4,872 industrial development certificates were issued. The comparable figure for 1st April, 1969, to 30th June, 1970, was 7,860.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of industrial development certificates issued in Scotland between 1961 and the nearest convenient date, the number of jobs expected to arise from these at the time of industrial development certificate application, and the number of jobs actually created.

From 1st January, 1961, to 30th September, 1971, 2,335 industrial development certificates were issued in Scotland and were estimated by the applicants to provide 185,800

NUMBER OF GAS EXPLOSIONS CAUSING FATALITIES, SERIOUS INJURY OR SERIOUS DAMAGE
					1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971 (1st Half)
Town Gas	…	…	…	…	36	49	62	84	65	23
Natural Gas		…	…	…	—	—	4	13	30	10
Total		…	…	…	36	49	66	97	95	33

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement of the action taken since the Ronan Point disaster to ensure that all gas appliances are properly installed, and the action taken to prevent similar types of explosion; what action he proposes to take to prevent unqualified persons installing gas, electric and central heating plants; and whether he will take steps to initiate a registration system of qualified persons.

My hon. Friend has previously announced various measures which have been taken or are in preparation in relation to gas safety. I know of no problem with regard to safety as far as electrical heating is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure the most efficient standards possible for those who hold responsible positions in top-level management in large industrial concerns.

The best spur to top management is vigorous competition. But

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many gas explosions causing injury to persons or damage to property have been reported during each of the past five years; and how many of these were connected in any way with the use of natural gas.

The collection of full statistics began only two years ago. Figures of the more serious cases, however, are available from the Gas Council going back five years, though probably incomplete in the first few years. They are as follows:management education and training can make an important contribution.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to ensure that all imported goods are clearly marked with the country of origin.

Universal compulsory origin marking is neither necessary or practicable, but I am considering whether our defences against deception regarding origin are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the interests of the consumer and manufacturer alike, he will now take measures to continue on a permanent basis present arrangements for origin marking of textile products beyond the end of November, 1971.

The Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, does not enable me to take account of the interests of manufacturers. I am considering what would be the most suitable solution to this complicated issue, on the lines indicated in my answer of 19th October to my hon. Friends the Members for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) and for Leicester, South West (Mr. Tom Boardman).—[Vol. 823, c. 104–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the large number of applications received by him requesting that an Order should be made to continue origin marking for certain products, he will now indicate what action he proposes to take to meet the requirements of the industries concerned.

I explained in general approach to this problem in my answer on 19th October to my hon. Friends the Members for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) and for Leicester, South-West (Mr. Tom Boardman), to which I would refer my hon. Friend. I am concentrating at this stage on the possibility that we may need stronger general safeguards against the consumer being misled about origin.—[Vol. 823, c. 104–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take the initiative in encouraging new industrial development in North-East Kent, by granting more industrial development certificates, in view of the high level of local unemployment and the announcement of further redundancies in the paper industry.

The I.D.C. control is already operated flexibly in North-East Kent and full account is taken of the employment situation there.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the National Coal Board will inform him of its decision on future likely manpower requirements in the industry based on likely demand and market for coal; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware that any such decision has been taken. The N.C.B. naturally keeps these matters under regular review as part of its responsibility for running the industry, and it is in close touch with us.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding discussions involving his Department, trade unions and employers' representatives concerning the increase in the number of unemployed in Ealing and neighbouring areas.

I know of no direct discussions of this kind although there have been two meetings with deputations of shop stewards from the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total tonnage and value of imported coal from Poland, since the lifting of the ban on 12th November, 1970, to the latest available date.

84,000 tons valued at £877,000 for the period December, 1970, the month in which restrictions were removed, to September, 1971 inclusive.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on the cost of electrical generation of the higher prices being paid for coal imported under Government licences as against the lower cost of coal produced in the United Kingdom.

It is for coal importers to take account of the costs and availability of United Kingdom and imported coal. As regards the C.E.G.B.'s experiences last winter, during which coal imports were put on open general licence, I would refer the hon. Member to the board's Annual Report and Accounts for 1970–71.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost of coal imports between the raising of the coal import embargo in 1970 and the end of October, 1971, the average cost per ton of coal imported during this period, the cost per ton of coal imported during this period from Australia, Belgium, the Irish Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, the United States of America and West Germany; and how these prices compare with coal prices in the United Kingdom during the same period.

For the period December, 1970 to September, 1971, the latest month for which figures are available, total imports were valued at £31·5 million. The information involved in the rest of the Question is as follows:

	Average value per ton
	£
Total of which	9·41
Australia	9·24
Belgium	20·66
Irish Republic	8·72
Netherlands	8·81
Norway	38·67
Poland	10·43
South Africa	35·60
U.S.A.	9·34
West Germany	19·74

The average values quoted above are not true prices as they are influenced by varying qualities of coal, transport costs, and other factors. Pithead prices of U.K. produced coal varied between £4·50 and £17·50 per ton according to type and quality.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the price paid for coal imported from the United States of America, including transport charges to the port of entry, and the price per ton charged to the consumer.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. George Grant) on 8th November, 1971 and to the hon. Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) on 12th November, 1971.—[Vol. 825, c. 49, 284–51.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now able to publish his findings, or make an interim report, on his investigations into the affairs of Slingsby Aircraft Holdings Ltd.

I am not yet able to say when the inspectors' report will be received. The question of publication cannot be considered until the inspectors have submitted their report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Overseas Airways Corporation not to use its aircraft for short round-trip pleasure flights on Sundays.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to the British Airports Authority to prohibit short round-trip pleasure flights from its airports on Sundays.

Only three further flights are planned for this year. They will result in only a very small addition to the total disturbance and I do not feel justified in seeking to stop them. But I know there is some public feeling on this issue and I intend, therefore, to discuss with the organisers whether they propose to continue to seek such flights in future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories remain empty in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring and in the Northern Region; what is the total floor space involved; and how many new jobs would accrue from occupation.

Twenty-one new advance factories and three formerly occupied advance factories are empty in the Northern Region. The total floor space is 512,000 sq. ft. One, of 15,000 sq. ft., is in the Houghton-le-Spring constituency. The amount of employment which future occupants will provide depends on the nature of their business.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for an advance factory programme.

Consideration of a further general programme would be premature until more of the advanced factories already available or authorised have been taken up.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the number of jobs lost in the Northern Region by technological change during 1971; and how these losses compare with the number of jobs created by his Department's policies during the same period.

It is not possible to measure gains or losses in employment due to technological change. Additional employment from industrial development certificates approved in the Northern Region in the first nine months of this year is estimated by the applicants at 4,470 when the projects are complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories have been occupied since June 1970 in the Northern Region and in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring; and how many new jobs, male and female, have been provided.

Ten in the Northern Region, none in Houghton-le-Spring, and about 1,200 jobs, including about 850 for males, when the factories are in full production.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to enable the direction of industry to the Northern Region and other areas of high unemployment.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have left the Northern Region or curtailed industrial activity since June, 1970; and what is the total job loss to the region.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he had with the management of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited before it decided to lock out 1,500 tool-room and related workers; and whether he will make a statement on the operation of the Coventry Tool Room Agreement in relation to the company.

None, since decisions of this kind are the responsibility of the company's management. On the second part of the Question I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 11th November by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.—[Vol. 825, c. 205.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his discussions with the British Steel Corporation on the question of the Corporation's entry into the steel stockholding industry in the United Kingdom.

I am, of course, prepared to consider any proposal the B.S.C. may put before me. I should need very strong arguments to justify an extension of the public sector into this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce a decision on the British Steel Corporation's proposal for a multi-million pound new steel complex at Redcar.

The scope for major new steel development falls within our current review of the B.S.C.'s financial position and development plans. The Corporation has not yet reached the stage of making a specific proposal for a new steel complex.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the long-term investment programme submitted to him by the British Steel Corporation includes plans to reorganise the administrative structure of the Tubes Division in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

No; but I have now received the hon. Member's letter and I shall consider it in consultation with the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the regional employment implications of the proposal by the British Steel Corporation to close the Glasgow sales office of the tubes division of the Corporation with a possible loss of 450 jobs.

The future of individual offices is for the British Steel Corporation to decide, but I am well aware that any loss of jobs in the Glasgow area would be unwelcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons were employed by the British Steel Corporation on 1st June, 1970, and on 1st June, 1971, respectively.

I am advised by the British Steel Corporation that their total United Kingdom employment at end May, 1970 was 256,500 and that the corresponding figure for end May, 1971 was 246,800.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to reduce the number of outside contractors in the steel industry; and if he will make a statement.

No; this is entirely a matter for the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he now has for encouraging the expansion of industry in North Humberside.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 25th October.—[Vol. 823, c. 221.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of discussions with the Association of British Travel Agents and other representatives of the travel trade in regard to proposals for the setting up of independent arbitration bodies for the protection of the holidaymaker and dealing with complaints.

The Department has had no such discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the grantees and borrowers under the Shipbuilding Industry Act 1967, and the total amounts received by way of grants or loan, respectively, by each grantee and borrower.

Details of assistance provided up to 31st March, 1971, by the Shipbuilding Industry Board to individual firms under the Shipbuilding Industry Act, 1967, have been published in the board's four annual reports. Assistance provided in the last nine months of this year will be published in the board's final report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the most recent quarter's figures showing orders for ships from British yards.

In the period July to September, United Kingdom yards secured orders for 128,000 gross tons. The low figure appears to reflect slackening in world demand for ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking in view of the Shipbuilding Industry Board's report that there has been no development in grouping among the builders of slow speed diesel engines.

None. Any grouping is a matter in the first instance for the corn-panics themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the future of the Waterton Industrial Estate and employment prospects.

The first phase of development will be completed this year providing 120 acres of serviced sites. One advance factory is available for occupation. Future development will add a further 140 acres and ultimately the estate may provide upwards of 10,000 jobs in the locality.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what increase in imports of foreign knitted woollen goods over the previous 12 months took place to the nearest convenient date.

29 per cent. in terms of value in the period January to September, 1971, compared with the corresponding period of 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he requires the detailed information requested in form RE/70 sent out from the Business Statistics Office for the inquiry into the distributive and service trades for 1970.

The information is essential for compiling the national income and expenditure accounts and for analysing economic trends.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the impact of North Sea oil discoveries on the Scottish economy, with particular regard to fuel policy.

The impact on fuel policy needs to be considered nationally rather than regionally, and I am keeping this under close review. The debate on the Motion for the Adjournment on 8th November fully covered the effects on the Scottish economy generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the recent discoveries of oil off the North-East Coast of Scotland.

Four discoveries have been reported. It is too early to make a firm forecast, but a rate of 25 million tons per year would not be an unreasonable estimate of production in the U.K. sector by 1975, perhaps trebling by 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer cross-channel ferry charges to the Monopolies Commission.

I will keep the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries were received by his Department from firms contemplating new projects in development areas during the period January to October 1971, and during the same period last year.

I regret that the information in the form requested is not available. The general level of inquiries about assisted area benefits is, however, running at about the same level as last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will propose to the Scandinavian members of the European Free Trade Association a scheme for the limitation of newsprint imports into the United Kingdom by means of voluntary quotas.

No. The United Kingdom industry decided to follow the earlier representations made by Her Majesty's Government to Finland, Norway and Sweden with talks on an industry-to-industry basis. As indicated in the reply given today to my hon. Friend's similar Question, these have resulted in some improvement in the situation and for the present no further action is proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the United Kingdom's accession to the Treaty of Rome will enable European concerns to buy shares in the United Kingdom steel stockholding industry.

The United Kingdom's accession will not give European concerns more ready access to these shares.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries, separate from those lodged with the Scottish Office, his Department has received about industrial sites from sources within the European Economic Community; and of these how many were from West Germany.

Since 1st January, 1971 the Department has received eight inquiries from countries within the European Economic Community including three from West Germany for industrial sites in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take action to ensure that when Members of Parliament and the general public write to his Department they are not kept waiting for up to eight weeks for replies on straightforward matters.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member on 3rd May, a reply is sent to any letter as soon as practicable. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, perhaps he would let me have the details so that I can look into it.—[Vol. 816, c. 265.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what prospects he envisages for the future development of the Bridgend Industrial Estate in view of recent factory closures and redundancies.

A major programme of redevelopment is nearing completion. Besides modernising the facilities of the estate this will also release 40 acres of land for new projects and extensions of existing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if, in view of the fact that unemployment has reached the figure of 15 per cent. in the Clay Cross Labour Exchange area, he will now grant this area development or intermediate status;(2) if, when making his visit to Chesterfield on 22nd November, he will visit Clay Cross to discuss the situation regarding unemployment and location of industry.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry will be visiting Chesterfield later this month and expects to meet representatives of local authorities of North-East Derbyshire, including Clay Cross. But I am not at present convinced that there is a case for a change in the assisted area boundaries of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to protect for the nation wrecks of archaeological interest discovered in British territorial waters.

The Department is currently reviewing with the interests concerned the law on wrecks contained in Part IX of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. The review includes the question of giving protection to wrecks of historic or archaeological interest. Because of the complexity of the subject this work will take some time, but I am considering in the light of recent events whether it is desirable or practicable to propose early legislation to give some protection to specific wreck sites as a temporary measure.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the identity of the regular flights which cross central London at low altitude and high and usually increasing power output every night at 0030 and 0630 hours, with consequences for those wishing to sleep.

I regret that I have been unable to identify any regular flights of the kind described but the following westerly landings were made at Heathrow during a recent week at about the times given:

1st November	None
2nd November	0631 B.O.A.C.	VC10
3rd November	None
4th November	0036 B.O.A.C.	Boeing 707
	0634 Air Canada	DC8
	0635 Pan Am	Boeing 747
5th November	0033 K.L.M.	DC9
	0036 B.E.A.	Vanguard
	0038 Air Canada	DC8
	0040 Iberia	DC9
	0637 B.E.A.	Vanguard
6th November	0033 B.E.A.	Vanguard
	0037 K.L.M.	DC9
7th November	0037 B.E.A.	Vanguard
	0039 B.E.A.	Vanguard

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories were built or scheduled to be built between 1964 and 1970, inclusive.

Under the Local Employment Acts, 238 advance factories were authorised between 1964 and 1970, inclusive. At the end of 1970, 171 of these had been completed and 29 were under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories are not tenanted in the Northern Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to announce a further programme of advance factory building for the Northern Region.

Twenty-one new advance factories are unallocated. In addition three former advance factories await re-allocation. Until more of these and the 11 under construction or authorised are taken up, it would be premature to consider a further building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to review the effect on Her Majesty's Government's regional policies; and if he will make a statement on the Northern Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration is being given to the application of special policies to offset the high level of unemployment in West Cornwall.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new proposals he has to stimulate industrial development in the development areas.

I would refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friend to the speeches of my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State during the Debate on the Address.—[2nd November, Vol. 825, c. 44–5; 3rd November, Vol. 825, c. 185.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from the shipbuilding industry regarding the regional employment premium; and what answers he has sent.

Some shipbuilders outside the Development Areas have represented strongly that the Regional Employment Premium discriminates unfairly against them. They have been told that the Regional Employment Premium ends in 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for new industrial developments in the Houghton-le-Spring constituency to offset the job losses occurring as a result of the closure on 6th November of Silksworth Colliery.

I understand that the National Coal Board have offered alternative work to employees affected by the closure, but I recognise the need for new industry in the district and the Department will continue to bring the advantages of location in the Special Development Area of which it is a part to the attention of appropriate industrialists.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons were employed by the National Coal Board on 1st June, 1970, and on 1st June, 1971, respectively.

362,250 and 355,270 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal miners have left the coal mining industry since June, 1970; how many pit closures have taken place; and what is the latest figure of unemployed coal miners.

46,900 mineworkers left the industry between the end of June, 1970 and the end of October, 1971; five collieries closed and a sixth on 6th November. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment that on 11th October, 1971, 19,281 male workers from coal mining were registered as unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of paying the cost of concessionary coal to miners who, between 55 and 60 years of age, have been made redundant through pit closures.

Relating the Question to men in this age group benefiting from the Redundant Mineworkers' Payments Scheme, the National Coal Board estimate that the total cost would by now be running at around £250,000 a year. A figure of £500,000 a year might be reached if men made redundant before March, 1968 and after September, 1971 were included. If the costs were brought within the scope of the Coal Industry Acts, half the total annual cost would fall to be paid by the Department in 1972–73 and one-third in 1973–74.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has now completed his investigations into the allegations of bribing of civil servants concerning group charter air travel; and if he will make a statement.

The investigations are not yet complete. I will consider whether a statement is called for once I have the results of the inquiries now going on.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the occasions on which his Department has acted against illegal air travel activities; what penalties have been enforced; and what further action he intends to take against the purveyors of illegal air travel.

The Department is engaged in continuing enforcement activity in this field but I take it the right hon. Gentleman is referring particularly to affinity group charter flights. So far this year the Department has checked nine such flights by British airlines, and has refused a number of permits to foreign airlines. In addition the Department has prosecuted four travel organisers, in three cases successfully, and fines totalling £885 were imposed plus costs of £110. Two further prosecutions are pending and other cases are under investigation.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED*
							Number	Area (600 sq. ft.)	Estimated Additional Employment†
									Males	Total
Barnsley Group of Employment Exchange Areas
1970
3rd quarter	…	…	…	…	…	…	10	118	220	280
4th quarter	…	…	…	…	…	…	6	156	130	130
1971
January—September‡		…	…	…	…	…	7	195	270	370
* All schemes.
† Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.
‡ Separate figures for each quarter cannot be given owing to the risk of disclosure of details of individual projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in building the Barnsley advance factory; and when it is likely to be completed.

Site levelling and associated drainage work is in progress. Building is expected to start early in the New Year with completion by late summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industtrial development certificates have been issued for Barnsley and district since June, 1970, with the quarterly figures to the latest available date; what is the number of jobs achieved and the number of jobs in prospect; and if he will make a statement about future employment prospects in the area.

Information on Industrial development certificates issued is given in the table below. 770 jobs, including 440 for males, are expected to arise in the Barnsley area during the next four years in authorised new industrial buildings and in existing buildings taken over by manufacturing industry. Financial incentives are already available to encourage firms to move into the area, and the measures already taken to put the economy on a sound basis should lead to an early revival of investment in industry and to a reduction in unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs have been created in Carmarthenshire since 18th June, 1970; and how many jobs are envisaged from the firms who have announced their intention to locate factories in Carmarthenshire since 18th June, 1970.

320 additional jobs were expected to rise from projects for which industrial development certificates were issued in Carmarthenshire during the period 1st July, 1970 to 30th September, 1971. I regret that for reasons of commercial confidentiality I cannot disclose the number of jobs expected by the one firm which has decided to locate in Carmarthenshire since 18th June, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a statement about the inquiries instituted by his Department under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, into the affairs of the International Investors Group.

I regret I am not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the names of members of the British Airways Board.

I hope to announce further names in December.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, as Mr. David Lancaster Nicholson, the Chairman of the British Airways Board, is devoting only two-thirds of his time to this appointment, he will, in support of the Government's declared policy of controlling wage awards, reduce his salary of £13,000 per annum by one-third.

No. The amount of time Mr. Nicholson will devote to the job has already been taken into account in fixing the level of salary at £13,500 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been issued in 1971 in respect of Merseyside and of Birkenhead; how many jobs will be provided; and how these figures compare with the similar period of 1970, 1969 and 1968.

Information is given below:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED*
1st January to 30th September	Merseyside Development Area		Birkenhead Employment Exchange Area
	No.	EAE†	No.	EAE‡
1968	155	8,370	2	‡
1969	128	6,900	11	610
1970	129	5,370	7	70
1971	46	1,760	5	70
* All schemes.
† Estimated Additional Employment—applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.
‡ Details withheld to avoid disclosure of individual projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of grants and loans made under the Local Employment Acts to industrialists on Merseyside and Birkenhead since 1st January, 1971, and for the same period in 1970, 1969 and 1968.

Information is now readily available in terms of financial years. On this basis offers of loans and grants under the Acts in the Merseyside development area have been as follows:

	Loans	Grants
	£	£
1968–69	3,117,000	2,990,362
1969–70	7,571,000	5,446,579
1970–71	2,700,000	6,115,055
1st April, 1971 to 30th September, 1971	337,000	3,232,714

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that the newly designated areas for gas and oil exploration in the English Channel, westwards from the Sussex coast and in the Western approaches, will not constitute an English Channel hazard; what fresh safety precautions will be taken before drilling rigs are established; and if he will make a statement.

Although areas have been designated in the English Channel, no applications have been invited as yet for any licences in these areas. In giving consent to the siting of drilling platforms within licensed areas, full consideration is given to the needs of marine safety.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the recommendations of the Bolton Committee, he will consider referring to the Monopolies Commission the question of the market power exercised by large firms through their buying policies, and the possible damage to the competitive structure of industry through discrimination against small firms which results from it.

Yes, I am considering carefully this recommendation by the Bolton Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the recommendations of the Bolton Committee, he will take steps to encourage the setting up of informal advisory bureaux to utilise the experience and knowledge of retired executives.

In his speech in the House on 3rd November, my right hon. Friend undertook to give further careful and sympathetic study to the Bolton Committee Report. The recommendations on setting up Small Firms Advisory Bureaux and utilising the experience of retired executives will be fully considered in the course of that study.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals have been put forward at recent meetings of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade for the liberalisation of world trade.

Since the last formal Session was held in February, 1970, work has continued in the G.A.T.T. on a wide variety of international trade problems, including tariff and non-tariff barriers. The 27th Session opens in Geneva tomorrow and the Contracting Parties will no doubt be considering how to pursue the aims of furthr trade liberalisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the major shares of the United Kingdom flour milling and bread production industries already controlled by J. Lyons, the Co-operative Wholesale Society and Spillers, respectively, he will refer the proposed merger of such relevant Spiller and J. W. French interests to the Monopolies Commission.

I hope to announce shortly the result of my consideration of this proposed merger.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what increase, in total tonnage, number and size of vessels has taken place and is anticipated for merchant vessels using the Medway estuary; and if he is satisfied that the increasing us of the channel in no way increases the danger of collision with, or disturbance of, the wreck of the ammunition ship s.s. "Richard Montgomery".

Cargo carried has increased by about 17 per cent. since 1964. The annual number of ships has not increased though the largest size has doubled. Ships of 200,000 tons deadweight may well be using the Medway in 1972 and cargo tonnage may increase by 4 per cent. These changes should not increase the dangers bearing in mind the improvement in aids to navigation over the years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he proposes to take to prevent further damage to the United Kingdom paper industry through unfair pricing policies of overseas competitors.

I understand that the industry is reasonably satisfied with the outcome of recent talks with Scandinavian interests. No further action is proposed at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the latest figures for imports of newsprint and paper products, compared with domestic production, expressed in figures and percentages.

For the period January to August, 1971, inclusive, imports of newsprint were 522,000 metric tons (58 per cent of domestic consumption) and domestic production 386,000 metric tons (42 per cent.). Imports of paper products were 1,159,000 metric tons (32 per cent.) and domestic production 2,464,000 metric tons (68 per cent.).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy towards the use of Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, in which he is given authority to restrict that Section's use to the purposes specified in Section 111.

The policy is to use where appropriate the powers given by Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, to obtain information. Such information can only be disclosed for the purposes set out in Section 111 of the Companies Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will set out in a table the number of meetings of the Accountancy Advisory Committee in each year since its inception.

The Committee was set up in 1948, and information about the number of meetings in the early years is not readily available. From 1960 the number of meetings has been as follows: 1960, 1; 1961, 2; 1962, -; 1963, -; 1964, 1;1965,1;1966, -;1967, -; 1968, 1;1969, -; 1970, -;.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the Companies Act Consultative Committee has not met since 1956.

Because successive Governments have seen no need to convene it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make further efforts to trace Mr. William Ross Wright, in connection with his Department's inquiries into Pinnock Finance Limited.

This matter has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions who has consulted my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General. Further action of this nature is for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take steps to amend the Trade Descriptions Act so that a person convicted under the Act can be ordered to compensate any party which has suffered loss as a result of the action leading to the conviction.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the present level of unemployment in Hartlepool constituency area, what action he intends to take to provide more job opportunities before the end of the year.

Hartlepool, along with other areas, should benefit in the months ahead from the various measures which the Government have taken to stimulate the economy, and also from the decision taken earlier in the year to include it in the North Eastern Special Development Area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research he has conducted into the cheapness in relation to oil of nuclear propulsion for ships of 80,000 shaft horse power and over; and whether he will now give some encouragement for the building of such ships in the United Kingdom.

The Nuclear Ship Study published in April, 1971, concluded that nuclear merchant ships would not become economically viable in the foreseeable future and that no Government support should be made available for a nuclear ship project. In the relatively short time since then there has been no change sufficient to warrant re-appraisal of these conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many collisions or strandings have taken place off the coasts of Great Britain during last year.

Statistics are not available in the form requested, but those published by the Liverpool Underwriters' Association indicate that during the 12 months ending 30th September, 1971, there were four strandings and nine collisions involving vessels of 500 gross tons or more excluding incidents where there was only minor damage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to

INDUSTRIAL REORGANISATION CORPORATION INVESTMENTS TRANSFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY HOLDING AS AT 1ST NOVEMBER, 1971
Loans
Allied Textile Companies Limited				…	…	…	…	£500,000	Unsecured Loan
British Leyland Motor Corporation Limited					…	…	…	£25,000,000	Unsecured Loan
								£10,000,000	Unsecured Loan*
British Oxygen Company Limited				…	…	…	…	£2,500,000	Unsecured Loan
Chrysler (U.K.) Limited		…	…	…	…	…	…	£150,000	Unsecured Loan Stock 1981
Clarke Chapman-John Thompson Limited					…	…	…	£2,000,000	Unsecured Loan
								£5,000,000	Unsecured Loan
Davy-Ashmore Limited		…	…	…	…	…	…	£600,000	Secured Loan
Harwood Cash & Company Limited				…	…	…	…	£800,000	Secured Loan
Herbert-Ingersoll Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£475,000	Unsecured Loan
Marwin (Holding) Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£750,000	Unsecured Loan
Nuclear Enterprises Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£500,000	Unsecured Loan
Plessey Numerical Controls Limited				…	…	…	…	£3,000,000	Unsecured Loan
Qualitex Limited		…	…	…	…	…	…	£2,000,000	Unsecured Loan
Ransome Hoffmann Pollard Limited				…	…	…	…	£3,118,000	Unsecured Loan
Reed Paper Group Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£1,000,000	Unsecured Loan
Samuel-Osborn & Company Limited				…	…	…	…	£1,750,000	Secured Loan
Spirella Group Limited		…	…	…	…	…	…	£900,000	Unsecured Loan
The Laird Group Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£2,595,000	Secured Loan
The Mills Equipment Company Limited					…	…	…	£250,000	Secured Loan
The Steel Group Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£1,000,000	Unsecured Loan
The Weir Group Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£1,250,000	Unsecured Loan
Whessoe Limited	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	£3,500,000	Unsecured Loan
Loans Convertible into Equity
Marwin (Holdings) Limited			…	…	…	…	…	£750,000	8 per cent. Convertible Loan
Ransome Hoffman Pollard Limited				…	…	…	…	£6,211,004	8 per cent Convertible Unsecured Loan Stock 1984 (Subscribed at par)
Rolls-Royce Limited		…	…	…	…	…	…	£10,000,000	Unsecured Convertible Loan
Spirella Group Limited		…	…	…	…	…	…	£400,000	10 per cent. Convertible Unsecured Loan Stock 1977 (subscribed at par)

The hon. Member can be assured that I am always happy to meet him, but on this occasion it is not for me to issue invitations. I shall be at the Chesterfield Town Hall by courtesy of the Mayor and Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement about the position of the investments transferred to him on 1st May, 1971, from the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.

The list of holdings as at 1st November is given below. Separate lists show advances made during the six months since advances made during the six months since 1st May against outstanding commitments, and investments disposed of during the period.