asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1) what proportion of telephones in the United Kingdom has access to International Subscriber Dialling,(2) in what areas of the United Kingdom telephone subscribers have access to International Subscriber Dialling.

I understand from the Post Office that International Subscriber Dialling is available from the London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. This represents 34 per cent. of the country's telephone connections and accounts for 60 per cent. of all international calls.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is his estimate of the increases in all forms of postal charges if the United Kingdom enters the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

Accession would carry with it no commitment to increased postal charges of any kind.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will seek additional powers to control the broadcasting organisations in their reporting of events in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

No.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will introduce legislation to provide that, where the Post Office provides only one delivery a day, businesses can group together to provide alternative services, if need be at a higher rate of postal charge, to ensure that their correspondence reaches its destination the next day.

No. I would remind my hon. Friend that the retention of existing services at higher prices has already been put to the Post Office Users National Council as an alternative to the proposed cuts in services.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects to introduce legislation regarding commercial radio.

The House gave the Sound Broadcasting Bill a Second Reading on 11th November.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will seek powers to enable him to instruct the Independent Television Authority to take action under Section 11(4) of the Television Act, 1964 in relation to the shareholdings in television companies by other companies.

No. I think it better to leave the Authority with its responsibilities as they are.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a further statement on his rôle as sponsor of the Post Office by specifying the wide range of matters upon which consultations have taken place with him since June, 1970; and, in particular, whether these include improvements in the postal collection and delivery services.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave the hon. Member on 10th November.—[Vol. 825, c. 152.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of local housing authorities has established rent rebate schemes for their tenants; and what percentage of such authorities has established rent allowance schemes for private tenants.

At 31st March, 1971, about 64 per cent. Of local authorities in England and Wales operated rent rebate schemes for their own tenants under local Act powers.

asked the Secretary of state for the Environment if he will make an official visit to the Western Circus intersection, East Acton.

No. I visit it twice a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now review the firm price tendering conditions imposed on the construction industry for public works contracts, to permit up to a five per cent. per annum price increase on contracts extending from 12 months' to 24 months' duration.

No, this proposal would be incompatible with the two-year firm price policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of the construction of the layby on the A62 trunk road at Slant Gate, Linthwaite.

Approximately £20,500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider advising local authorities who grant planning permission for private housing development to make available some land in their schemes for social needs, such as small group homes for children, hostels for the mentally handicapped, and aged persons housing schemes with wardens.

Authorities have, of course cower to acquire land, either by agreement or compulsory purchase, for the special facilities the hon. Member has in mind. I am sure they are well aware of the need to keep watch for suitable sites when private housing development is proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the number and proportion of council houses sold in his last three years which were built either before 1939 or after 1960.

In the three years ending 30th June, 1971, 9,751 pre-war dwellings were sold by local authorities in England and Wales, representing 37 per cent. Of the total sold excluding those built for sale. Figures for those built since 1960 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to introduce legislation to deal with the question of compensation for people whose amenities have been blighted as a result of the construction of motorways and whether he will make a statement.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Mudd) on 9th November, I have promised to make a statement when we have completed our review of the compensation code.—[Vol. 825, c. 123.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is now being taken to reduce the level of unemployment in the building industry.

Activity in the building industry generally will increase as the Government's measures to stimulate demand and investment take effect. In addition the £160 million programme of infrastructure works and the provision of increased house improvement grants will help to alleviate unemployment among building workers in the development and intermediate areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, showing the mileage in respect of each, those local authority motorways or lengths of motorway in use, under construction, motorways schemes confirmed by him, and those made by the local

In Use	Local Authority Motorways										Miles
M63	Stretford-Eccles By-pass		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	6·0
	Stretford-Eccles Extension			…	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·8
	Leeds Inner Ring Road Stage I			…	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·7
	Leeds Inner Ring Stage II				…	…	…	…	…	…	0·8
M32	Bristol Parkway Stage I		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	2·8
A194(M)	Blackfell/White Mare Pool			…	…	…	…	…	…	…	3·8
	*Westway-London		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	2·7
	*West Cross Route Stage I—London				…	…	…	…	…	…	0·6
	*Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach—London						…	…	…	…	2·6
	Mancunian Way	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	1·4
M602	Eccles By-pass	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	1·8
M68	Middleton Link	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	1·2
											25·0
*Restricted to motorway classes of traffic by Greater London Council Order.

Under Construction	Local Authority Motorways									Miles
A38(M)	Aston Expressway	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	1·6
	Ringway Airport Link	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·4
M606	Bradford South Radial Motorway			…	…	…	…	…	…	2·3
M57	Liverpool Outer Ring Road Stage I			…	…	…	…	…	…	3·3
A627(M)	Broadway Extension	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	4·2
A329	Relief Road (Stage I Berkshire Section)				…	…	…	…	…	2·3
M32	Bristol Parkway Stage II		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·9
M68	East Cross Route Stage I—London			…	…	…	…	…	…	0·9
	Leeds South East Urban Motorway Stage I				…	…	…	…	…	2·5
	Leeds Inner Ring Road Stage IIA			…	…	…	…	…	…	0·4
										18·8

SCHEMES CONFIRMED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central Motorway East

…

…

…

…

1·2

East Cross Route Stage II—London

…

…

…

…

…

…

0·6

Leeds Inner Ring Road Stage III

…

…

…

…

…

…

0·7

Portsmouth City Council (M27) (Twyford Avenue Section) Motorway Schemes

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1·6

Ellesmere Port Motorway

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

5·2

A329

Relief Road (Stage II and III Berkshire Section)

…

…

…

…

3·0

Relief Road (Reading C.B.C. Section)

…

…

…

…

…

…

0·7

13·0

SHEMES MADE BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY AND SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CONFIRMATION
M57	Liverpool Outer Ring Road Stage III (Kirkby/Tarbock)						…	…	…	6·5
	Dover Radial Route	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	3·3
	West Cross Route Stage II		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	2·8
	Leeds South-West Urban Motorway			…	…	…	…	…	…	1·7
M602	Eccles Boundary—Cross Lane Section (Salford)					…	…	…	…	2·2
										16·5

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify in the OFFICIAL REPORT the obligations imposed upon house builders

Following is the information:by the Building Regulations, 1965, and the penalties which may be imposed upon builders acting in breach of the regulations.

The Building Regulations, 1965, as amended, require that any person who intends to erect a building, alter or extend a building or instal fittings, or make any material change in its use shall, if the regulations apply to what is proposed, deposit plans, sections, specifications and written particulars with the local authority. The construction is also required to comply with the instructions laid out in the regulations. Part A of the regulations sets out in detail which parts of the regulations apply to new buildings, which to alterations and extensions, which to works and fittings and which to changes of use. In addition, the local authority must be given not less than 24 hours' notice of the starting of operations and of the covering up of foundations, damp proof courses, drains, and concrete and other material laid on the site. Notices must also be given not more than seven days after the completion of drain-laying, not less than seven days before the occupation of a new building, and not more than seven days after the completion of any work. If proper notice is not given, the builder may be asked to open up or pull down work or fittings so that the local authority can check that the regulations have not been contravened.The Public Health Act, 1936, provides that if the regulations are contravened the local authority may require the owner either to pull down or remove the work or alter it to make it comply with the Regulations: if he fails to do so they may remove the work themselves and recover the expense of doing so. The Public Health Act, 1961, provides that if a person contravenes the regulations he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £100 and to a further fine not exceeding £10 a day after conviction so long as the default continues.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in which local authority it is proposed to vest ownership and management of Manchester Airport under the provisions of the Local Government Bill.

The Bill provides for the transfer of property from existing authorities to new authorities to be made by order. Before that time there will be extensive consultation with representative local government bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in his review of the Compensation Code.

Good progress is being made. I have promised to make a statement when the review is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many building firms ceased to trade in 1970; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the previous nine years.

The number of firms in the construction industry removed from the Department's statistical register in each of the last 10 years is shown below. Separate information on those which are known to have ceased trading is available only for 1969 and 1970.

Year	Removed from Register	Ceased Trading
1961	5,336	Not available
1962	6,294
1963	6,197
1964	5,216
1965	5,888
1966	5,868
1967	6,953
1968	7,148
1969	6,748	5,918
1970	6,643	5,198

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that many local authorities are refusing to make improvement grants where the approved cost exceeds £2,000; and if he will now seek to amend the Housing Act, 1971, so as to reimburse local authorities 90 per cent. of the loan charges when the approved cost exceeds £2,000, instead of 75 per cent. as at present.

I have heard of a few authorities taking this line which is I think due partly to a misunderstanding. Amending legislation is not necessary. As was explained in the Department's circular about the Act issued last August, where an authority consider that there is good reason for paying a 75 per cent. improvement grant to an amount in excess of the present cash limit of £1,500, my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider raising the limit for this particular case. Where this is approved the local authority receives the 90 per cent. Government contribution. Local authorities seeking approval of this kind should get in touch with the appropriate Regional Office of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each of the schemes involved in the Government's winter works programme.

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the £162 million infrastructure programme over two years announced in my Answer of 26th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson). Schemes already proposed for inclusion in this programme number several thousand and to prepare a comprehensive list would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort. Expenditure on the three winter works programmes of 1967–68, 1968–69 and 1969–1970 by the previous Administration totalled—50 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that unleaded gasoline produces valve recession through the absence of lubrication provided by lead, if he now proposes to conduct research designed to reconcile the requirements of the internal combustion engine with the need to abate pollution.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish, for each local authority in England and Wales, his estimates of the rise in rents before rebate of dwellings in the housing revenue account of each authority when they are placed on a fair rents basis and in a form showing both the percentage and total cash increase on rents for 1971–72.

The fair rent depends on all the circumstances and in particular the age, character and locality of the dwelling and its state of repair. Estimates of the fair rent for the dwellings of any authority are best made by the authority itself. Part V of the Housing Finance Bill proposes that each authority should provisionally assess the fair rents of their housing revenue account dwellings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice he has given to local planning authorities to help them differentiate between hotel use and normal residential use of housing accommodation;(2) what is his estimate of the amount of residential accommodation in Central London which has been transferred to hotel use; and what action he proposes to take to stop this diminution of residential accommodation.

My Department will shortly be discussing with the three central London borough councils means of preventing unauthorised changes from residential to hotel use.The rate of change was estimated, in March, 1971, at about 1,000 bed spaces a year. It has since been reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations and suggestions of alternative sites for the National Library he has received from Camden Council; and what reply he has sent.

The Council suggested an alternative site north of King's Cross station and at their request received a deputation from the council on 1st October. My right hon. Friend reminded the deputation that the Government had announced their intention in a White Paper published last January that the Library should be built on the Bloomsbury site; and that when the proposals in the White Paper were subsequently debated in Parliament, they received widespread approval. My right hon. Friend told the deputation that, in these circumstances, the question of the site for the Library could not be reopened.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total assistance for all purposes paid from national funds to assist the rate income of the country Borough of Sunderland for the years 1968–69, 196 –70, and the estimated amount for 1970–71.

The latest estimated of Exchequer grants payable to the County Borough of Sunderland for the years 1968–69 to 1970–71 are as follows:

1968–69	6,995,658
1969–70	7,897,087
1970–71	8,946,778

Other grants to the county borough during the period 1968 –69 to 1970–71 were:

	Housing Subsidies	Capital Grants
	£	£
1968–69	873,506	383,106
1969–70	1,034,192	522,738
1970–71	1,127,778	335,949

asked the Secretary of state for the Environment what plan has for changing the age qualification for a motor-cycle driving licence; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend announced proposals for raising to 17 the minimum age for riding motorcycles and scooters in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Fox) on 6th July. He is at present considering the views of interested organisations.—[Vol. 820, c. 354–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the position with regard to negotiations concerning the limits imposed by West Germany on the number of British lorries which can deliver goods from the United Kingdom into West Germany.

The 1971–72 quota was recently fixed at 3,750 journeys, an increase of approximately 20 per cent. on1970–71. In addition a co-operation quota of 500 journeys was agreed. The N.A.T.O. and road/rail quotas remain unchanged at 1,600 and 200 journeys respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what restrictions are imposed on the number of lorries entering the United Kingdom from European countries to deliver goods, and how these restrictions compare with similar restrictions imposed by each of the European countries concerned;(2) if he will provide particulars of the present number of permits allowed to British commercial vehicles to transport goods from the United Kingdom into each of the countries of Europe; whether he is satisfied with the present limitations imposed; and what steps are being taken in respect of each country to obtain greater facilities.

General quota restrictions under bilateral agreements apply reciprocally. Under current agreements, British goods vehicles are permitted into European countries as follows:

Austria	42 vehicles of one country may be in the order at any one time.
Belgium	No restrictions.
Czechoslovakia	No restrictions.
France	General—17,000 journeys per annum.
	Road/rail—3,000 journeys per annum (half convertible to general quota).
	Co-operation—2,000 journeys per annum.
Germany (Federal Republic).	General—3,750 journeys per annum.
	Road/rail—200 journeys per annum.
	NATO traffic—1,600 journeys per annum.
	Co-operation—1,500 journeys per annum.
Italy	General—3,000 journeys per annum.
	Road/rail—1,200 journeys per annum (200 convertible to general quota).
	Refrigerated vehicles—200 journeys per annum.
Netherlands	No restrictions.
Norway	No restrictions.
Rumania	No restrictions.
Sweden	No restrictions.
Yugoslavia	General—2,500 journeys per annum.

In countries where there is no bilateral agreement, British hauliers must apply to the authorities there. In general these countries are not restrictive. Similarly, foreign hauliers must obtain British short term operators' licences, which are issued without restriction as to numbers. Bilateral agreements are in various stages of negotiation with Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland.For France, Germany and Italy the quotas are seriously inadequate for British hauliers. Every opportunity is taken to press for increases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the prices of British exports to Europe are increased by the present limitations on the number of British road vehicles permitted to deliver goods in Europe.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to require that all land no longer required for a nationalised industry for their own purpose should be handed over to local authorities within three years at a valuation to be agreed or settled by arbitration.

No. Disposal of their land is a matter of management for the nationalised industries. Under arrangements agreed in 1966 land which they would otherwise offer on the open market is first offered to the local authorities in whose area it is situated. The prise is a matter for negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what, on average, is the total length of time between 6 a.m. and 12 midnight on any day that traffic on the A161 through the borough of Goole is brought to a standstill because one of the bridges along Bridge Street is closed to traffic;(2) how many accidents have been reported during each of the past five years which have occurred on the A161 road through the borough of Goole between the junctions of Airmyn Road with Booth-ferry Road and South Street with Bridge Street; and how many of these accidents involved heavy goods vehicles;(3) how many accidents have been reported during each of the past five years which have occurred on the Dutch River Bridge on the A161 through the borough of Goole; what were the results of these accidents in terms of personal injury and loss of life; and how many of these accidents involved heavy goods vehicles.

I suggest the hon. Member should seek this information from West Riding County Council, who are the highway authority for the road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those river authorities who, throughout the watercourses in their jurisdiction, maintain a quality of water equal or superior to that recommended by the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal in 1912, together with those who do not.

Although the Royal Commission did not recommend a standard for water quality in rivers, their recommended standard for sewage effluents was based on ensuring that the river below the point of discharge did not have a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in excess of four milligrams per litre (4 mg/l).The River Pollution Survey classifies lengths of river by rather different criteria of quality, but the qualification for the cleanest class depends substantially on either the absence of any significant polluting discharge or a BOD of less than 3 mg/l. I expect the first volume of the report on the survey, dealing with this aspect of it, to be published before the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of the requirements of domestic legislation of all the member States of the European Economic Community concerning quality of water in rivers and streams, indicating in each case how each standard compares with that recommended by the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal in 1912.

This information is not readily available. In some countries, the requirements vary from one locality to another.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the index numbers of regulations or directions of the Commission of the European Economic Community concerned with the control of the quality of water in rivers and streams, together with a summary of their contents or requirements.

I understand that there are no such regulations or directions in the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are currently in existence for motor insurance companies to notify his Department concerning written-off motor vehicles.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the growing practice of the owners of private cars and other vehicles having their windscreens and glass windows sprayed with dark blue and black dyes, making it almost impossible to see inside and outside of the vehicles; and whether, in the interests of road safety and to prevent criminal activities, he will take action to make this practice illegal.

My Department is assisting in the preparation of an international standard covering the drivers' field of vision, which will include a minimum light transmission figure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present position regarding delivery times for traffic signal equipment for all-purpose roads.

Following discussions with the manufacturers, delivery times for standard installations have during the past few months been reduced from 26 weeks to about 16 weeks. Provided some changes in ordering procedures recommended by a Working Group set up jointly by the Department and the manufacturers are effected, this time can be further reduced to 11–12 weeks. These recommendations are now being discussed with the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment 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.

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.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prohibit local authorities from disclaiming liability for negligence when answering planning inquiries by house purchasers.

I have been asked to reply.I am aware that this practice is causing some concern. The Law Commission are reviewing it in their work on local land charges. They will shortly consult those principally affected and they appreciate the need for an early report. Until the result of this review is known, it would be premature to consider legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the emergency public works programme to be completed by March, 1973 is expected to be undertaken by private contractors, and how much by direct labour bodies.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now give a precise date for the letting of the contract for the A7 diversion south of Galashiels already announced for 1971–72.

The design of this diversion is closely related to the proposed link road between A7 and A68. A decision on it must await the outcome of a court action over the acquisition of land, part of which is required for the link road.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will give his decision in relation to the redevelopment plan for Blantyre, and if he will make a statement.

The local planning authority is in discussion with objectors to the plan, and until these have been concluded I cannot say when a decision will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places are available for geriatric patients in the hospitals serving the Hamilton constituency area and in which hospitals.

The Hamilton constituency area forms part of the hospital catchment area covering Hamilton, Motherwell and South Lanarkshire. Beds are not allocated specifically to particular parts of the catchment area, but the following table shows the geriatric beds available for the area as a whole:

Hospital	Available geriatric beds
Cleland	194
Law	168
Roadmeetings	104
Shotts	50
Stonehouse	47
Strathclyde	114
Wishaw	68
Total	745

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that housing shortages are holding up development in various areas of Shetland; if he will consider adding special provisions for this in the winter works programme; and if he will make a statement.

Special provision for this under the public works programme is not needed. The county council is to discuss with my Department next week proposals to build a substantial number of houses in various places for industrial development, and it will be given every encouragement to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider making special additional allocations for piers and water schemes in the winter works programme.

Such schemes are already eligible if they can be started quickly and substantially completed by March, 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the capital expenditure on nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools, respectively, in each of the financial years from 1960–61 to 1971–71; and what are the capital expenditure forecasts for each financial year from 1971–72 to 1976–77, all expressed in terms of 1971 prices.

The information is not available in the form requested. I am therefore writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make a further statement on the establishment of a regional authority for the Borders as proposed in the White Paper on the reform of local government in Scotland.

I hope to make a general statement on the structure outlined in the White Paper soon after I have completed my current consultations with the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to announce a future motorway programme beyond the 10-year programme 1962–63 to 1972–73 already established.

The current motorway programme is due to be completed in 1975. On 13th July, I announced the addition of road schemes worth £40 million to the trunk road preparation pool, and further additions will be announced from time to time. Whether particular schemes are constructed as motorways, all-purpose dual carriageways, or otherwise will depend on the expected traffic demand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the town map recommendations for Bellshill; what action he has taken; and if he will make a statement.

I have not yet received the report of the public local inquiry into the objections to the Bellshill town map. I will consider it as quickly as possible when it is submitted to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the allocation of Government funds to Dunbartonshire under the Winter Aid Programme, and if he will give a breakdown into its functions.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10th November to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).—[Vol. 825, c. 177–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the likely effect upon the Welsh horticultural industry of entry by the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community.

I would not expect the effects on Welsh horticulture to differ from those on horticulture in the rest of the United Kingdom. The special transitional arrangements secured for horticulture should assist growers to adapt to the new conditions arising from our membership.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the num- ber of houses in Wales without either bathroom or indoor toilet facilities.

The best estimate I can make at present is that about 140,000 houses lack a fixed bath and about 195,000 lack an internal W.C.More accurate figures can be provided when the results of the 1971 Census of Population are known.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what general advice and guidance has been given by his Department on security measures at Heathrow Airport.

Security measures against theft at Heathrow Airport are primarily the responsibility of the airlines and of the British Airports Authority. They maintain a close and continuing liaison with the civil police in trying to deal with this serious problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will institute an inquiry into the effect on the Welsh economy of the ending of the regional employment premium in 1974.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take on the Monopolies Commission report on restrictive practices in relation to the supply of professional services; and if he will make a statement.

When the report was published, my right hon. Friend and I wrote to the large number of professional bodies concerned and invited them to reexamine their practices in the light of the report. We have now heard from nearly all of these bodies, and when their replies have been carefully considered we shall decide on any further action which may be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of grants made under the Local Employment Acts to industrialists in each of the classified regions of the United Kingdom for the first nine months of 1971; and how this compares

			Development Areas
			Northern	Merseyside	South-Western	Welsh	Scottish	Intermediate Areas
1968–69	…	…	7,986,310	2,990,362	733,563	4,188,595	7,413,332	—
1969–70	…	…	18,046,406	5,446,579	844,596	5,765,836	7,658,120	14,833
1970–71	…	…	10,016,112	6,115,055	1,120,112	6,045,907	7,505,107	3,492,576
1st April–30th September, 1971			6,941,013	3,232,714	678,592	1,852,716	3,601,368	2,427,791

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries he has received from industrialists since June, 1970, wishing to move into the area covered by the Hamilton Labour Exchange; what types of industry they represent; and what is the estimated number of jobs provided or expected to be provided thereby.

Since 1st June, 1970, the Hamilton Employment Exchange area has been suggested as a suitable location to five firms seeking locations in Scotland. The Companies are in the engineering and textile industries and the projects would, if they materialised, provide nearly 300 jobs when complete and fully manned. It is, however, too early to say whether any of these projects will locate eventually in the Hamilton area.

asked the Secretary for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a White Paper embodying his proposals for the reform of competition law.

I will certainly consider the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many men and women were employed in Government-owned factories on Merseyside at the latest available date; and how that

I regret that information in the form requested is not readily available. Since 1st April, 1968, however, offers of grant in the development and intermediate areas have been as follows:figure compares with other development areas.

In October, 1971, 1,936 men and 3,498 women were employed in factories provided under the Local Employment Acts in the Merseyside development area. Comparable figures for the other development areas are:

	Males	Females
Northern	38,983	38,933
South West	404	567
Scotland	56,703	33,555
Wales	31,795	28,677

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to improve employment opportunities on Merseyside, in view of the reduction to 20 per cent. in the differential incentive for investment.

The "reduction" to which the right hon. Member refers relates to investment in plant and machinery and has arisen through an increase in the tax depreciation allowances available in both development and non-development areas. I am sure, however, that the right hon. Member would not wish to overlook the following additional measures taken by the Government:

(i) The three-year carryback for development area tax depreciation introduced in this year's Finance Act.

(ii) The extension of free depreciation to investment in plant and machinery by service industries, also in this year's Finance Act.

(iii) The improved level of building grants available in development areas following the Investment and Building Grants Act 1971.

(iv) Merseyside's share in the infrastructure programme announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 14th July, 1971.

(v) The orders for two type 42 destroyers placed in the summer.

(vi) Merseyside's share in the housing improvement grants announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 22nd June, 1971.

(vii) The benefits Merseyside will reap from the remission of taxation, amounting to £1,400 million in a full year, which have been made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the benefits which will stem to industry in Merseyside from the relaxation of credit and hire-purchase controls.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further action he is taking following the recent publication of the outcome of the Spanish Air Ministry's inquiry into the crash of the Comet aircraft belonging to Danair Limited in the Sierra de Montseny on 3rd July, last year; and if he will now make a further statement.

A summary of the report by the Spanish Air Ministry on this accident was released on 4th November. The full text of the report will be published in this country as soon as possible. It makes certain recommendations to which the fullest consideration is being given.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will exercise his power under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, to prohibit the export of steel-toothed animal traps.

Although the use of steel-toothed animal traps is banned in England and Wales and limited in Scotland, protection against wild animals may require quite different measures in overseas countries. It is the view of the Government, as it was of the previous Government, that it is for the authorities in those countries to decide whether control on the use of these traps is necessary, rather than for us to ban exports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many steel-toothed animal traps were exported from Great Britain during the last 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he will estimate their total value.

The information is not separately distinguished in the trade statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were issued in the Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath employment exchange areas, respectively, between 18th June, 1970, and the nearest convenient date; and how many jobs these are estimated to provide.

During the period 1st July, 1970, to 31st October, 1971, three industrial development certificates were issued for the Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath Employment Exchange areas for 116,000 sq. ft. The projects when complete and fully manned were expected by the applicants to give rise to 30 jobs. I regret that, to avoid disclosure of information about individual projects, figures cannot be given separately for the two exchange areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will call a conference for all major store buyers with a view to encouraging the buying of British textiles in place of European textiles, in view of the expenditure on imports of textiles from the Continent.

Buyers have freedom of choice and Government intervention would not be consistent with our international obligations and interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will follow the practice, where possible, of purchasing textile requirements for his Department in the United Kingdom.

My Department makes only minimal purchases of textiles and will continue to follow the Government's general policy of obtaining the best value for money.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to make a decision on the question whether the country of origin he clearly stamped on all textile garments coming into the United Kingdom.

I believe that such a decision is best deferred until we have identified and dealt with the need for stronger across-the-board defences against consumer deception in this field.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make arrangements to monitor the number of divorced wives with dependent children who are not receiving regular payments of maintenance.

The legal rights of divorced women to obtain or enforce maintenance orders are exercisable through the courts, with the assistance of legal aid where appropriate. The Government are concerned to ensure that the legal rights and remedies available are as effective as possible in securing regular payment of maintenance; but it would be impracticable to keep records of those who, for whatever reason, do not pursue their remedies in the court.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis, by what criteria and on what authority compensation is assessed and paid to diplomats who have been kidnapped and released from captivity; and how such sums are treated for taxation.

There are no formal rules for the assessment of compensation for Diplomatic Service officers who have been kidnapped. Such cases are fortunately rare and the circumstances exceptional and each case has been judged on its merits. Awards are made on the authority of Ministers. Tax matters are for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed account of the proposals of the European Economic Community in relation to the Channel Islands.

The European Economic Community proposals on the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, which are still subject to acceptance by the Islands' legislatures, were set out in my statement on 11th November.—[Vol. 825, c. 1238.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will in the event of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community give an assurance to the people of Wales that he will seek to have the special national interests of Wales represented on all official bodies which now or in the future may exist in the European Economic Community.

Our representatives in the institutions of the Communities will speak for the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom, including Wales.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will arrange to have supplied to each Member of Parliament a copy of all of the orders, regulations, rules, recommendations and edicts issued by the European Economic Community which will become operative on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and what would be the total number of documents in such an issue and the costs involved.

Copies will be available to hon. Members in the usual way. It is not possible at this stage to estimate the costs involved.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give an assurance that in the case of any order, rule, regulation, or recommendation or other edict issued by the European Economic Community which is needed to be agreed to and passed by the House of Commons, at least 21 days will be allowed to lapse from the time of placing the order on the House of Commons Order Paper and the date of the debate.

The detailed arrangements for such debates must await a later stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present tariff on the import of soya oil cake into this country: what is the tariff on this product in the European Economic Community; and what steps he is taking to protect producers of animal feedingstuffs in this country if Great Britain enters the European Economic Community.

The present rate of duty on soya bean cake and meal imported from non-Commonwealth sources is 10 per cent. Imports from the Commonwealth which provides the bulk of supplies, enjoy duty-free entry. All soya bean cake and meal imported into the European Economic Community enters duty free. The last part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement about the policy for intervention centres for Northern Ireland under the European Economic Community's agricultural policy.

I have nothing to add to my reply of 8th June.—[Vol. 818, c. 290.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present position about the guarantees for Northern Ireland standards of animal health in the event of entry into the European Economic Community; and what is the present position about the guarantees for standards of hygiene in liquid milk.

We recognise that Northern Ireland faces special problems in preserving its present favourable animal health situation. We shall continue to take this factor fully into account in the remaining negotiations on animal health problems about which my right hon. Friend told the House during the debate on 21st October. While there are no Community hygiene regulations for milk we can continue our present requirements on hygiene and the protection of public health. We and other applicants would be consulted if it were proposed to introduce legislation before we join the Community.—[Vol. 823, c. 1031–2.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to the European Economic Community to allow the levy-free import of cereals for the production of whisky which is exported from the Community.

We have established that levy-free imported cereals may be and are being used for the production of grain-based spirits exported from the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action on the proposed reduction of production of bacon by British manufacturers under the Restrictive Practices Acts.

Administration of this legislation is a matter for the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will initiate a cost and benefit study into the provision of a new medical school in the West Country.

This is not needed. The University Grants Committee advises me on university developments, including the number and location of any new medical school places.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of people working short-time or temporarily stopped in the Huddersfield employment exchange area during the week ending 6th November.

Information is not available for the week ended 6th November, but at 8th November there were 766 registered unemployed people who were temporarily stopped in the Huddersfield Employment Exchange area. In addition, there were 614 people who were temporarily stopped at some other time during the week commencing 8th November who were in employment on 8th November. The figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many miners who were made redundant under the National Coal Board scheme for men aged 55 years and over originally registered for employment, following the implementation of the scheme, at the Cumnock, Ayr and Girvan Exchanges; of these men how many are still seeking employment; and how many have reached retiral age.

During the quarter ended 11th September, 1967—the quarter in which the Redundant Mineworkers Payment Scheme started—23 redundant mineworkers registered at the Cumnock, Girvan and Ayr Employment Exchanges. We have no record of how many were over the age of 55. We have no comprehensive information about the numbers in the areas referred to who qualified under the Scheme since it began or the numbers reaching retiring age. At 13th September, 1971—the latest date for which figures are available—36 former mineworkers aged 55 or over and in receipt of payments under the Redundant Mineworkers Payments Scheme were registered as unemployed at Cumnock, Girvan and Ayr.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are unemployed in the Cumnock, Ayr and Girvan Exchange areas; and of these how many have been unemployed for over 12 weeks and 26 weeks, respectively.

The most recent detailed analysis by duration of unemployment relates to October. At 11th October, 263 young persons were registered as wholly unemployed at the Cumnock, Ayr and Girvan Careers Offices. Of these, 79 had been on the registers for more than 13 weeks, including 18 who had been registered for more than 26 weeks. Information is not available for those registered for more than 12 weeks.For 8th November, the provisional results of the count indicated that 227 wholly unemployed young persons were registered at these offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends publishing the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Pine Tubes Strike; and what action he intends taking to help reach a settlement of the dispute, now in its 17th month.

The report will be published on or about 24th November and I hope that the findings will enable the parties to reach a settlement. The services of my Department will be available if required.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will carry out an investigation to establish the average number of man-hours per day which are lost as a result of delays on the way to work by employees travelling along Bridge Street, Goole, because bridges along that road are closed to traffic.

Since it is for the highway authority to decide what, if anything, needs to be done to reduce delays to traffic, I do not consider it would be appropriate for my Department to initiate an investigation of the kind proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total number of males employed in Great Britain; and how many have a guaranteed week;(2) what is the total number of females employed in Great Britain; and how many have a guaranteed week.

The estimated numbers of male and female employees in employment in Great Britain at March, 1971 were 13,579,000 and 8,391,000, respectively, but it is not known how many of these are covered by guaranteed week arrangements. In my reply to the hon. Member on 15th November, I gave a broad estimate of the proportion of manual workers covered by national collective arrangements who had guaranteed weeks, but it is not possible to make similar estimates for males and females separately.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons employed in the engineering industry; and how many have a guaranteed week.

It is provisionally estimated that at September, 1971 the number of employees in employment in Great Britain in the mechanical engineering, instrument engineering and electrical engineering industries (Orders VII, VIII and IX of the Standard Industrial Classification) was 2,122,200. Information about the numbers having a guaranteed week is not available, but it is known that manual workers employed in federated engineering firms are covered by the guaranteed week provisions of the national agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total number of males employed in the wool textile industry; and how many have a guaranteed week;(2) what is the total number employed in the wool textile industry; and how many have a guaranteed week;(3) what is the total number of females employed in the wool textile industry; and how many have a guaranteed week.

It is provisionally estimated that at September, 1971, the number of employees in employment in Great Britain in the woollen and worsted industry—minimum list heading 414 of the Standard Industrial Classification—was 120,400 of whom 66,100 were males and 54,300 were females.It is not known how many of these are covered by guaranteed week arrangements, but national agreements in the wool textile industry include guaranteed week provisions in respect of manual workers, irrespective of gender. Information about non-manual workers in the industry is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what amounts were paid in unemployment benefit in Wales in the first nine months of 1971; and how this compares with 1969 and 1970.

The amount of National Insurance unemployment benefit paid in Wales in the first nine months of 1971 was £7,367,666.In the same nine months of the previous two years the amounts paid were:

1970	£6,084,131
1969	£5,922,284

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many male vacancies are registered in the Newport. Monmouthshire, employment exchange area; and how this figure compares with the number of males unemployed at the latest available date.

At November, 1971, there were 82 notified vacancies for males remaining unfilled in the area covered by the Newport and Newport Docks Employment Exchanges. The number of males registered as unemployed was 2,339.The vacancy figure relates only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and does not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour. The figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies for young persons are registered in the Newport, Monmouthshire, employment exchange area; how this figure compares with the number seeking employment; and what was the equivalent position 12 months ago.

In the area covered by the Newport County Borough and Cross Keys Careers Offices, the provisional numbers of notified vacancies for young persons remaining unfilled at November, 1971 and November, 1970 were 49 and 55, respectively. The provisional numbers of young persons registered as unemployed at these dates were 339 and 162, respectively. The vacancy figures relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now provide information showing the number of redundancies declared in South Wales during the period October, 1970 to October, 1971.

Not all redundancies are notified to my Department, and it is not the practice to keep records of every minor redundancy. However, our records show that redundancies involving some 14,960 workpeople were declared by employers in South Wales during the period 1st October, 1970 to 31st October, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide information showing the job losses and/or gains for men and women, respectively, in the South-West Wales area, including Swansea, over the last 12 months period.

Information is not available in this precise form, but between June, 1969 and June, 1970 the number of male employees in employment in the Industrial South Wales: West South Wales sub-division, which includes Swansea, decreased by 1,200 and the number of female employees increased by 1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are unemployed in the Cumnock, Ayr and Girvan Exchange areas; and how this compares with the same period in 1970, 1969 and 1968.

The numbers of registered disabled persons registered as unemployed in the Cumnock, Ayr and Girvan Exchange areas are as follows:

11th October, 1971	254
12th October, 1970	193
13th October, 1969	235
14th October, 1968	265

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current total of youth unemployment on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

On 8th November, 1971, 4,777 young people were registered as unemployed on Merseyside. The Government's economic measures, including incentives to industry in Development Areas, and the provision of additional training opportunities should help to reduce unemployment amongst young people on Merseyside.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage change in unemployment of registered disabled persons, nationally and on Merseyside, respectively, for the period between 18th June, 1970 and 18th June, 1971.

Totals of unemployed registered disabled people are not available for those dates but during the period 8th June, 1970 to 14th June, 1971 there was an increase of 15·2 per cent. in the national total and 16·3 per cent. in the Merseyside total.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of offences under the licensing laws in each of the last five years.

Following are the numbers found guilty in England and Wales of offences (other than drunkenness) under the Licensing Acts, 1872, 1902 and 1964:

1966	7,581
1967	7,307
1968	7,815
1969	7,769
1970	8,010

Following are the numbers found guilty of offences of drunkenness under these and related Acts between which the figures cannot readily be separated:

1966	66,599
1967	71,654
1968	75,225
1969	77,021
1970	78,748