asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will initiate a study by his Department into the causes of the decline in activity in the Welsh economy.

The economic situation in Wales is continuously under study by the Welsh Office and other Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to provide an effective barrier between Eastern Avenue, Cardiff and the adjacent gardens of Ennerdale Close.

I shall be providing a crash barrier where the new road is above, or level with, the adjacent gardens.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if, in view of his decision to commission a scientific survey of atmospheric pollution in South-West Wales, he will now establish a similar investigation into heavy metal contamination in the atmosphere of South-East Wales.

In addition to the detailed survey in the Swansea-Neath-Port Talbot areas, a team from University College, Swansea, will be undertaking tests to measure the level of heavy metal pollution of the atmosphere throughout the whole of South Wales, including South-East Wales. That is designed to show whether above-average levels of heavy metals in the atmosphere occur elsewhere. It will enable a comparison to be made with the findings of the more detailed survey in the Swansea-Neath-Port Talbot areas. I am writing to the hon. Member to give him further details of the project.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements have been made for the training of speech therapists in Wales; how many applications have been received; and how many will be trained through the medium of the Welsh language.

This is a matter for the Department of Education and Science. I understand that the position is that the Cardiff local education authority has put forward a proposal to start a course for the training of speech therapists at the Llandaff College of Technology, under the auspices of the Welsh Joint Education Committee, in September 1972. It it intended that a proportion of places on this course will be for therapists proposing to work through the medium of Welsh. Detailed arrangements for the course have still to be agreed with the College of Speech Therapists. Applications for enrolment have not yet been invited.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning proposals by the Welsh Hospital Board, as approved by him, that most outpatient hospital services for Barry and district shall be maintained at Barry, until alternative provision for such outpatient services shall be made available at the Llandough hospital; and what approximate time-scales he has in mind.

The proposed changes are necessarily some years off. They depend on the time taken to plan and execute, within the capital resources available, the work needed at Llandough. This is a matter for the Welsh Hospital Board, which will be submitting its proposals to me in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a further statement concerning the proposals of the Welsh Hospital Board, as approved by him, for the maintenance of a general accident hospital service at Barry, including the assistance of general medical practitioners of Barry and district.

I am awaiting the recommendations of the Welsh Hospital Board, following its discussions with general practitioners in Barry.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in view of the Government's policy for amenities, he will increase the grant available to the Mid-Wales Development Corporation at Newtown for amenity purpose from the present allowance of £4 per head of incoming population.

No grants are payable to development corporations for amenity purposes, but repayable advances up to a total of £4 per head of the planned intake population are available to enable the corporations to contribute towards major amenities provided by the local authority. There are no proposals for increasing this amount, but I would be prepared to consider applications for additional funds to enable contributions to be made towards specific projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department has considered the fact that between 1961 and 1971 the population of the five Mid-Wales counties fell by 4,457 to a total of 174,089; and what steps his Department intends to take to reverse this trend.

Yes. The census figures indicate continuing depopulation, though on a reduced scale, accompanied by increases in population in six of the seven growth towns in the area. Our policies will take into account the need to stem depopulation.

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the remarks of Mr. Ian McLean, magistrate of Old Street Court, in the case of Mr. Costa and Mr. Andrews, referring to the defendants as foreign rogues and deploring Parliament's failure to pass certain legislation; and what action he proposes to take.

The Magistrate to whom the hon. Member refers has explained to my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor that his use of the words "foreign rogues" relately solely to the two persons on trial before him and were not intended as a reflection on foreigners in general. Magistrates, and others holding judicial office, are entitled if they think fit to draw attention to what they regard as defects in the existing law. My noble Friend has decided that no further action would be appropriate in this case.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will initiate proceedings for murder of a Luton postmaster against Mr. Alfred Mathews, alias Elliott.

No.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give a detailed explanation of the changes which he is considering to simplify legal procedure so as to reduce the costs of litigation in particular, and legal costs in general.

The County Court Rule Committee is being invited to approve a number of procedural changes, one of the effects of which would be to reduce costs.

asked the Attorney-General why he will not recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate all matters pertaining to the legal and judicial system, with particular reference to the need for, and methods of, reducing legal costs involved in litigation.

Because, as I informed the hon. Member on 5th April, this is an issue which requires to be kept, and is kept, under constant review.—[Vol. 815, c. 51.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what efforts he is making to find tenants for the two advance factories which are standing empty at Leadgate, Consett, Co. Durham.

Since the beginning of the year the factories have been suggested to 22 firms of whom eight have visited the area. We will continue our efforts to find suitable occupants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will expedite the completion of the advance factory at Cwmgorse in the Pontardawe special development district, in view of the unemployment position.

Building work should begin in January and the factory completed by mid-1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates for projects of 10,000 square feet and over were issued in the North-East Development Area in 1971 to the latest available date; and how this compares with the corresponding figure for the previous year.

During the period 1st January, 1971 to 31st October, 1971, 84 industrial development certificates were issued for projects of 10,000 square feet and over in Northumberland, Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire. The comparative figure for 1970 is 139.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the 3,600 jobs he expected, on 30th September, 1970, to arise in the Sunderland area within the next few years have arisen in the past 12 months; and what is his present estimate of the number of new jobs expected to arise in the Sunderland area.

2,600 jobs are expected to arise in the Sunderland area over the next four years in authorised new industrial buildings and in existing buildings taken over by manufacturing industry. I regret it is not possible to estimate how many jobs have arisen in a given period.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the position of the shipyards in Upper Clyde-side.

The House will have learned with regret of the sudden death of Mr. Hugh Stenhouse, the Chairman of Govan Shipbuilders Ltd. Mr. Stenhouse has made an outstanding contribution to the task of setting up the new company in difficult circumstances and his death will be a sad loss to all concerned. For its part, the Government will continue to work towards the establishment through Govan Shipbuilders Ltd., of a viable merchant shipbuilding industry on the Upper Clyde.Negotiations on the guarantees concerning an order for four ships for Irish Shipping Ltd. have been completed and the Liquidator is starting work on these ships at Govan forthwith. I am publishing details of financial commitments entered into in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Discussions have started between the unions and Govan Shipbuilders Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has arrived at a decision on the investment plans submitted to him by the British Steel Corporation.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 8th November.—[Vol. 825, c. 48.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his attention has been drawn to the continuing difficulties of the machine tool industry; and what action he is taking to promote its expansion.

I am very conscious of the difficulties now being faced by the industry. The measures introduced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor to encourage capital investment should, as their effects are felt, stimulate an increased demand for machine tools.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement about the prospects of Palmers Hebburn Shiprepairing Yard being reopened; and if he will make a statement.

The future of Palmers Hebburn Shiprepairing Yard is a matter for Vickers Ltd. I understand that they have advertised the Yard for sale and have said that they will, if they can, favour a purchaser who will provide employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support he is giving to research into quieter jet aero engines.

The Government are spending I million per year on general research; they are supporting the development of the RB211 and the M45H engines and are giving high priority to Concorde noise suppression.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of current difficulties in the coal industry, he is satisfied that coal stocks are sufficient for the country's needs, no matter how severe the coming winter; and if he will make a statement.

Undistributed stocks at 11 million tons are higher than last year. Stocks in consumers' hands are at the highest autumn level since the war and this should secure supplies if severe weather makes for difficulty in transporting supplies from the pits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he was informed by the British Steel Corporation of its intention to close the Glasgow sales office of its Tubes Division; what subsequent discussions took place with the Corporation; and what was the nature of these discussions.

Discussions took place in the context of the Iron and Steel Act, 1967 but I concluded that this was a matter entirely for the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will impose a ban on the take-off of jet aircraft from East Midlands Airport between the hours of 23.30 and 06.00 from 1st April to 31st October next year and in subsequent years.

No. The local authorities jointly responsible for the operation of the airport embrace the area likely to be disturbed by aircraft noise and they are, therefore, well able to maintain a reasonable balance between the air transport needs of the area and disturbance to the local population.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make an announcement designating Cwmbran New Town as a development area.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes) on 19th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he is satisfied with the way in which all motor insurance companies are carrying out their statutory responsibilities; and if he will make a statement;(2) what checks he makes of all motor insurance companies to satisfy himself that they are complying with all Sections of the Companies Acts; and what form these checks take.

I use my powers under the Insurance and Companies Acts as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry whether he intends to employ independent consultants to advise him of the levels of cost at which a small firms advisory service would meet the criteria of paragraph 10.40 of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Small Firms; or by what other method he intends to assess whether the economic benefit to the nation from such a service will be greater than the cost.

In considering the Committee's recommendation for setting up an advisory service I may or may not decide to use consultants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to secure the views of small firms on the future of the Industrial Liaison Service; whether he intends to commission further independent assessments of the work of the Industrial Liaison Service; and what judgment he has made of the extent to which the economic benefit to the nation from the Industrial Liaison Service has been greater than its cost.

Careful study of the Bolton Committee's recommendation is proceeding. The matters raised by the right hon. Gentleman are among those which will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date he expects to be able to announce his decision regarding future Government financial support for the Industrial Liaison Service; and to what date existing Government financial support is now guaranteed.

As soon as possible; the further year's support is for the financial year 1972–73.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he has now considered the recommendation of the Bolton Committee on Small Firms (Command Paper Number 4811) that the Industrial Liaison Service should be replaced by a network of small firms advisory bureaux; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is his estimate of the cost of replacing the Industrial Liaison Service by advisory bureaux, as recommended in the Bolton Report (Command Paper Number 4811).

I do not interpret the Committee's recommendations as envisaging a mere replacement of the Industrial Liaison Service by the proposed Bureaux. My right hon. Friend announced on 3rd November that provision to support the Industrial Liaison Service had been extended for a further year to give time for full consideration of the recommendation. That consideration is now proceeding. No estimate of the cost of the proposed Bureaux has yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will examine the assessment of the cost effectiveness of the Industrial Liaison Service made for the Ministry of Technology by Associated Industrial Consultants Limited in 1969; and if he will take this into consideration before replacing the service.

I am aware of the assessment; it will be taken into account as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what checks he makes of public companies in general to determine whether they are complying with Section 147(2) of the Companies Act, 1948;(2) what steps he takes to protect policy holders in motor insurance companies against contraventions by such companies of Section 147(2) of the Companies Act, 1948.

I rely on the auditors of a company under Section 14(4) to qualify the accounts if Section 147(2) is not satisfied by a company. A closer control is exercised over insurance companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) why he has not satisfied himself that all motor insurance companies keep such books as are necessary to show a true and fair view of the state of their affairs and to explain their transactions;(2) whether he will exercise his powers under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, to make preliminary inquiry into all motor insurance companies in relation to which he is not satisfied that proper books are being kept pursuant to Section 147(2) of the Companies Act, 1948.

In the first instance, it is for the auditors of a company to satisfy themselves about the books of a company, and to report if they are not so satisfied. I also use where appropriate the powers conferred by the Insurance Companies Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many letters he has received complaining about the census of retailers, for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

A total of 223 letters of complaint have been received, following despatch of letters to over 500,000 retailers telling them of the questions they would be called upon to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the amount of coal imported per month since January 1971 to the nearest available date; where it came from; what was the price paid per ton and its calorific value; and what was the price paid in Great Britain for the same type of indigenous coal.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to set up a Scottish Steel Corporation separate from, and competitive with, the British Steel Corporation.

No. But I am prepared to authorise the establishment of iron and steel production facilities by private interests in Scotland under Section 15 of the Iron and Steel Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the licence was granted to Berkley Petroleum (United Kingdom) Limited to search and bore for and get petroleum in an area of 461 square kilometres; and if he will define precisely this area of 461 square kilometres.

The licence was granted on 16th February, 1970 for an area in Somerset and Dorset. In the London Gazette of 24th February the boundaries were indicated as the straight lines or low water marks between National Grid points: ST 40002500, 50002500, 50001000, SY 55008512 along L.W.M.M.T. to 40009200.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sums have been received by him in respect of licences granted to search, bore and get mineral deposits in the United Kingdom since June 1970.

£11,000, by way of application fees and annual payments.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences to search, bore and get mineral deposits in areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks he has granted since June, 1970.

Eighteen licences have been issued covering territory some of which is in such areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences to search, bore, and get mineral deposits in the United Kingdom he has granted since June, 1970; and if he will list the names of those to whom such licences have been granted and the mineral in which they are interested.

In this country most minerals are privately owned and exploration rights and granted by the owner. I grant licences to search for petroleum. Thirty licences to search, bore for and get petroleum including natural gas have been granted to the following companies either individually or in groups.

• Trend Exploration (U.K.) Limited.
• Bralorne Exploration (Canada) Limited.
• Peninsula Petroleum (G.B.) Limited.
• Western Warner (U.K.) Limited.
• Texas Western (U.K.) Limited.
• Anco Exploration (U.K.) Limited.
• Teck Resources (U.K.) Limited.
• Consolidated Oil & Gas (U.K.) Limited.
• Texaco North Sea U.K. Limited.
• Ultramar Exploration Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what quantity of malt has been imported into the United Kingdom in each of the months of July, August, September and October, 1971; how each figure compares with imports in these months in 1970; and what was the cost of these imports;(2) what quantity of maize has been imported into the United Kingdom in each of the months of July, August, September and October, 1971; how each figure compares with imports in these months in 1970; and what was the cost of these imports;(3) what quantity of barley has been imported into the United Kingdom in each of the months of July, August, September and October, 1971; how each figure compares with imports in these months in 1970; and what was the cost of these imports.

Information is given in Table III of the monthly Overseas Trade Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he is having with British European Airways about the use of its helicopters stationed at Dyce in future for mountain rescue operations, and whether his Department will reimburse it for expenses incurred in such operations; and if he will make a statement.

I am not engaged currently in any such discussions but I am willing to consider the implications of the wider use of helicopters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the manning and certificate of navigation competency required by the Board of Trade for the abandoned British vessel "Festivity"; and whether the abandoning crew met those requirements.

There are at present no specific requirements as to manning and certification of personnel for this ship while operating within home trade limits. However there is a general requirement that ships should not proceed to sea in an unseaworthy state by reason of under-manning. The adequacy of the crew on this occasion will be examined when the full facts are obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the certificate of navigation competency, years of sea experience and jobs held by the abandoning crew of the British vessel "Festivity".

The crew comprised a master, mate and deck boy, none of whom held a certificate of competency in navigation. We shall be looking into the experience of the crew in the course of our enquiries but meanwhile I understand that they have served at sea for eight years, four years and five weeks respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will prosecute the owner of the abandoned British vessel "Festivity" for a breach of Section 458 of the Merchant Shipping Act.

I am making inquiries to establish the facts before deciding what further action should be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now accept and implement the recommendation of the Rochdale Committee of Inquiry into Shipping on manning of British register home trade and foreign going vessels and their inspection.

These recommendations have alrealy been accepted in principle. They will be taken fully into account in our consultations with the shipping industry in formulating regulations to govern safe manning and certification which the Government intend to make under the provisions of Section 43 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what organisation will be responsible for the lighthouse on the Scottish island of Rockall.

By arrangement with the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses and Trinity House, the navigational light on the island of Rockall will be installed and maintained by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the result of the recent Diplomatic Conference in Geneva on the protection of gramophone records and tapes against piracy, at which his Department was represented; and if he will make a statement.

This Convention should be a great help for British recording companies, performing artists and composers, in protecting their records in foreign markets. The British delegation to the Conference is to be congratulated, particularly Mr. William Wallace, Assistant Comptroller at the Patent Office, for the part he played in initiating the negotiations and in seeing them through as chairman of the main commission at the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to ban or to render void clauses in contracts with garages or car parks which seek to exclude liability for loss of or damage to vehicles or to their contents.

Exclusion of liability in contracts for the supply of services is at present being studied by the Law Commissions. Consideration of legislation must await their advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to produce his new plans for regional development incentives.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to a supplementary question by the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Varley) on 15th November.—[Vol. 826, c. 22.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with the British Steel Corporation about the position of the Glasgow office of the Tubes Division of the Corporation.

No. I have considered my hon. Friend's representations in consultation with the Corporation and have decided that this is a matter for them. I have asked the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent he estimates Great Britain's entry into the Common Market and the changeover to the metric system will affect the cost of cars and lorries, spares and maintenance; and whether he will publish his estimates in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

These policies will affect the costs of the motor industry's products and services in many different ways. It is not realistic to attempt to isolate these effects from the many other factors that affect costs. Nevertheless I expect costs will be less than otherwise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give an assurance that on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, he will be able to maintain his power to ban the importation of coal from any of the countries of the Six, if he should so desire.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community is preparing to harmonise hire-purchase legislation in the countries of the Six; whether he will obtain details of these proposed directives and publish the same in the OFFICIAL REPORT; and to what extent Great Britain will be bound to implement them on entry into the Community.

The Community has only just started preparing a proposal for a directive. Before entry, we shall be consulted on all new proposals. The publication of Commission proposals is a matter for the Commission. Community directives are binding on member States.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community are proposing to establish a pattern of tariff preferences, the abandonment of import quantity restrictions, restructuring of industry, and the phasing out of production so far as the textile industry is concerned; whether he will obtain details of these proposals and publish them in the OFFICIAL REPORT; and to what extent on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community she will have to implement these proposals.

I am aware of the contents of the document by the E.E.C. Commission on "Sectoral policy for the textile industry" which does not in any way commit member States and which is already public. I believe the textile industry expects to benefit from membership of the E.E.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community have adopted directives regarding the marketing and labelling on an identical basis of textile products including wool, silk, linen and artificial fibres; and to what extent he has implemented or intends following these directives.

I am aware of this directive. There is no obligation on us to implement it before accession, but I have in mind the possibility that fibre content labelling might in any event be imposed in the interest of consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Council of Ministers have issued seven directives on measuring instruments dealing with European Economic Community inspection procedures, units of measurements, weights used with scales in any type of store, domestic and industrial gas meters, meters for all liquids other than water, gauging ships' tanks, and bulk measuring of grain in hectolitres; and what action he has taken, or intends taking, to operate a similar system in this country.

I am so aware. The action needed to implement these directives and its timing will vary from case to case. Some may require legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects have been arrested by the South African Government during the past year.

There have been 71 since 1st December, 1970, of which nine were for drug offences and 55 on criminal charges. Seven have been detained on charges connected with political activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions with the Maltese Government on economic and defence matters.

Since my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence answered my hon. Friend's Question on 21st October, a third round of talks at official level has been held in Malta on a new defence arrangement. The next stage is under consideration by the two Governments.—[Vol. 823, c. 870–72.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the state of proposals to restore relations between Great Britain and Rhodesia.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement my right hon. Friend made to the House on 25th November; and to the White Paper published on the following day.—[Vol. 826, c. 1536–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent negotiations with Mr. Ian Smith.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 25th November.—[Vol. 826, c. 1536–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions during each of the last 10 years the methods of interrogation in depth disclosed in the Compton Report have been used by British officers dealing with emergencies in areas for which be had responsibility.

The information is not readily available in the form requested, but the interrogation methods described in the Compton Report were used by British officers in February-March, 1963, in Brunei, and in Aden in January-February, 1964, and between September, 1964, and September, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the outcome of the discussions in the European Economic Community referred to in paragraph 143 of Command Paper Number 4715, concerning questions arising in respect of the definition of nationality in the Community's Regulations; and if he will make a statement as to their effect.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is today making a statement on this matter in Brussels, and will report to the House on his return.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that a strike is at present in process in the European Economic Community among the staff and officials of the European Economic Community and that this will hold up the signing of Great Britain's accession to the Community; and what action he has taken or proposes to take to ensure the minimum delay in signing the Treaty.

I share the hon. Member's desire to avoid any delay in signing the Treaty. I hope that the dispute between the staff of the European Economic Community and the Council of Ministers will not cause such a delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the index to the Community instruments which will be binding on the United Kingdom at the time of entry into the European Economic Community to be published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office will be publicly available before the signing of any document by Her Majesty's Government with the European Economic Community.

The index will be made publicly available following publication of the texts of Community instruments which will be binding on the United Kingdom on accession and which will be made available to Parliament before the legislation consequent on signature of the instruments of accession to the Communities is presented to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he now expects to sign the first formal agreement with the European Economic Community on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

It remains our aim to sign the instruments of accession before Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community have officially announced that the economic measures introduced by the United States Government will reduce the Community's trade balance by $2,000 million, and cut the annual growth rate of European Economic Community exports from the current 8 per cent. to 4·5 per cent., and that 87 per cent of the Community's exports will be affected, wiping out most of the Dillon and Kennedy rounds of tariff cutting negotiations; and to what extent this will affect Great Britain's terms of entry into the European Economic Community.

I am aware that the Commission of the European Communities published a working paper in September giving these estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has fined a Belgian company $4,000 for providing inadequate information about its trading practices; and to what extent on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community firms of sugar refiners will be liable to similar action.

I am aware that a fine of this order has been imposed on a Belgium firm under Articles 11 to 14 of European Economic Community Regulation No. 17 of 1962. The closest contact has been maintained with the sugar industry on matters relating to their observance of the enlarged Community's legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Dublin Government about the incursion into Strabane of a riotous crowd from the Irish Republic on the night of Tuesday, 23rd November.

No. I would refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 26th November.—[Vol. 826, c. 460.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it a condition of the annual grant in aid made to the United Nations Association that it should not permit the United Nations Association youth movement to continue to spend money on propaganda with regard to Rhodesia, South Africa and Portugal.

The 5-year grant-in-aid to the United Nations Association announced by the previous Administration on 20th November, 1967, ends with an instalment of £5,000 to be made during the current financial year.Her Majesty's Government have made no further undertaking to give aid to the Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present position of international discussions on the banning of chemical and biological warfare.

During the past year, a draft convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological—biological—and toxic weapons and on their destruction, has been negotiated in the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva. The draft convention has now been referred to the United Nations General Assembly. We hope that it will be endorsed by the General Assembly and opened for signature at an early date.Under Article IX of this convention, States Parties will affirm the recognised objective of effective prohibition of chemical weapons and will undertake to continue negotiations in good faith with a view to reaching early agremeent on effective measures to this end. Discussions, which have already been going on for some time in the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, will be resumed when the Committee reassembles in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether agreement has been reached between Sharjah and Iran about the island of Abu Musa.

I am glad to confirm that agreement has been reached between the Ruler of Sharjah and the Imperial Iranian Government, through the good offices of Her Majesty's Government, over future arrangements in respect of the Island of Abu Musa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate an inquiry into the number and nature of offences against the person committed over the last five years which were found to be directly related to drinking in licensed premises or clubs after the permitted hours.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what tests he has made to determine the toxicity of a lemon liquid detergent, the name of which has been sent to him.

None, but my right hon. Friend's medical advisers, who are aware of the formula and of tests carried out by the manufacturers, are satisfied that the product is only slightly toxic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what number of candidates at the local government elections on May, 1971, were qualified to stand by reason only of their ownership or occupation of land in the district as provided by the Local Government (Qualification of Councillors) Act, 1971; and what proportion of these were successful.

The information for England and Wales is not available, and cannot now be obtained because documents relating to local government elections are destroyed after six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) by what authority officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary assaulted prisoners in custody by subjecting them to high pitched noises from a noise machine in the manner described in the Compton Report;(2) by what authority officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary assaulted prisoners in custody by covering their heads with hoods in the manner described in the Compton Report;(3) by what authority officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary forced prisoners to stand against a wall in the manner described in the Compton Report.

Questions relating to the Royal Ulster Constabulary are for the Northern Ireland Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during each of the last 10 years the methods of interrogation in depth disclosed in the Compton Report have been used by officers for whom he has responsibility, or in respect of whom he undertakes to answer questions on the basis of reports from chief constables.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many qualified teachers in English, mathematics and modern studies, respectively, there are in D List schools in Scotland.

14, nine and nine respectively, of whom 18 occupy posts of headmaster, deputy headmaster or Third-in-Charge. Nine of those qualified in English are also qualified to teach Modern Studies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Registrar-General does not publish quarterly, as promised in May, 1970, statistics on births in Scotland by place of birth of parents.

In my answer to a Question by my right hon. Friend on 13th November, 1970, I indicated that the Registrar-General would publish figures for the calendar year 1970. Figures for complete years are numerically more significant than quarterly figures and avoid seasonal variations. The figures for 1971 will be published by the Registrar-General about May, 1972.—[Vol. 805, c. 280.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the closures of works in Scotland on which he has had meetings or talks with trade union negotiators, and the number of jobs lost in each case.

I have had no discussions with trade union negotiators about the closure of particular Scottish firms. Such discussions would not normally fall to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why his Department has refused grants in modernisation programmes of pre-war houses for installation of coal-fired central heating; and if he will make a statement.

Government contributions are available towards the cost of coal-fired or other central heating where its provision is part of the general improvement of a house.If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I suggest that he writes to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the next stretch of the Edinburgh—Perth motorway will be opened; and how this compares with the original completion date.

The Kinross and Milnathort Bypass will be opened on 13th December, two months in advance of the completion date provided for in the contract.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of contracts, excluding shipbuilding, placed in Scotland in each of the last three years as a result of the Government Contract Preference Scheme for development areas.

Excluding shipbuilding (and also construction because it does not come within the Preference Scheme), contracts worth £51 million were placed by Government Departments in Scotland in 1970–71, but it is not possible to give separately the value of contracts placed as a result of preference. Figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Bolton Committee that account should be taken, in determining the rate of corporation tax under the proposed new system, of the effect of a 50 per cent rate on small companies which rely on retentions for capital requirements; and if he will make a statement;(2) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Bolton Committee that shortfall assessment on the trading income of close companies should be abolished; what estimate he has made of the cost to the Revenue of such a concession; and if he will make a statement;(3) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Bolton Committee that disallowance of interest on loans for the purchase of interests in close companies as a deduction from income tax should be rescinded; what estimate he has made of the cost to the Revenue of such a concession; and if he will make a statement;(4) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Bolton Committee that unrealised capital gains on all assets other than quoted securities should be taxed on half the gain, and that this tax should be credited against liability on realisation; what estimate he has made of the cost to the Revenue of such a concession: and if he will make a statement;(5) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Bolton Committee that the 45 per cent. death duty concession should be extended to the net trading assets of, and to control ling interests in, unquoted companies; what estimate he has made of the cost of such a concession to the Revenue; and if he will make a statement;(6) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Bolton Committee that one-half of the cost of valuing assets other than quoted securities for purposes of estate duty should be treated as a deduction from liability; what estimate he has made of the cost of such a concession to the Revenue; and if he will make a statement.

We are taking full account of the recommendations of the Bolton Committee in our current review of the tax system. It is not possible to give accurate estimates of the costs for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons receive income tax relief on house mortgages; and how many of these on more than one house.

About five million. It is not possible to say how many have mortgages on more than one house.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will immediately make available, for industrial development, land in Chatham surplus to his Department's requirements.

There is no surplus Ministry of Defence land available in Chatham which is suitable for industrial development.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what arms, ammunition or explosives were discovered as a result of the interrogation in depth disclosed by the Compton Report.

For the reasons I gave in the debate on 17th November I am not prepared to give details of the results of interrogation. However, I can say that largely as a result of following up information obtained by interrogation in depth, arms, ammunition, and explosives have been discovered at a much greater rate since 9th August than before that date and lives have been saved as a result. For example, of 464 guns of all kinds discovered this year up to 24th November, 272 have been found during the last three months; similarly some 72,000 out of 112,000 rounds of ammunition and about ¾ ton out of 1¼ tons of explosives.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the cost of the Army's three electronic noise machines.

The components used by the Service workshop in manufacturing the equipment would cost about £1.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will name the manufacturer of the Army's three electronic noise machines.

The machines were made in a Service workshop.

asked the Minister of State for Defence why he will not allow Members of Parliament to see and hear the electronic noise machine referred to in the Compton Report.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, South-West (Mr. George Cunningham) on 25th November, 1971.—[Vol. 826, c. 419–20.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) if he will state to date the position of all contracts for the multi-rôle combat aircraft; and if he will give the firms' countries;(2) if all contracts have now been tendered and agreed for the multi-role combat aircraft.

My hon. Friend gave the latest contractual position on the M.R.C.A. programme in his reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on 25th November. The precise work sharing arrangements with firms in the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy are still being worked out, but British firms have been selected as prime contractors for a substantial number of equipments.—[Vol. 826, c. 1525–1527.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the present redundancies in Monmouthshire, he will create assessment facilities in addition to existing training facilities at the Government training centre at Pontlanfraith.

No. Assessment facilities already exist at the Industrial Rehabilitation Unit and the Occupational Guidance Unit at Cardiff, within daily travelling distance of the area served by the centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will refer the proposed bid by Allied Breweries for Trust Houses Forte to the Monopolies Commission.

I have been asked to reply.Any decision on the question of a reference to the Monopolies Commission will be announced as quickly as possible.

asked the Prime Minister is he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office over action following reports of unauthorised flights by military aircraft over Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army explained in his reply to the hon. Member's Question on 19th November, the Ministry of Defence received reports of three flights by Alouette helicopters similar to those used by the Army of the Republic of Ireland of which prior notification had not been received. It was originally thought these were mercy flights by the Irish Army engaged in the transfer of hospital patients. It has however been established that they were in fact flights by civil Alouettes. Authorisation would not be required for flights in either of these categories, but would be required for flights of a military nature.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that adequate amounts of lime are being applied; and if he will make a statement.

I am encouraged by what has already been achieved, although there is no room for complacency. For much of this century, farmers in this country have been facing a need not only to make good some substantial and longstanding deficiencies in the lime status of the soil, but also to consolidate any advances that are made. The Agricultural Advisory Council's recent Report on soil structure and fertility concluded that in general the position was now satisfactory in the East, the Midlands and the North; but elsewhere that occupiers need to be specially vigilant on this aspect of their husbandry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many herds are taking part in the Brucellosis Incentive Scheme; and what proportion this represents of all herds.

At the end of October 1971, 45,166 herds were taking part in the Brucellosis Incentives Scheme, representing 22·6 per cent. of the total number of herds and 30·2 per cent. of all cattle in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make immediate payments of compensation for reactors in the brucellosis eradication areas.

Yes. Payments for reactors are being made as soon as the herd owner has joined the Area Eradication Scheme now in operation and has provided evidence that the animals have been slaughtered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that experience of the Brucellosis Incentive Scheme shows that the premiums for beef and dairy cows are correctly balanced; and if he will make a statement.

The increased rates of incentives were introduced only on 1st April, 1971, but on the basis of experience since that date the proportions of dairy and beef herds now coming into the Scheme reflect very closely the proportions of these herds in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the numbers of ewes in September, 1971, and September, 1970, respectively.

Scotland and Northern Ireland do not have a sheep census in September. The figures for England and Wales are:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in his forthcoming review of the bacon stabilisation arrangements, he will take into account the declining trend in the national pig herd as evidenced in the September census.

As my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member of 18th November, 1971, made clear, all relevant factors are taken into account in each review of bacon stabilisation arrangements.—[Vol. 826, c. 216.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with the implementation of Sections 25, 26 and 27 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act; and if she will make a statement.

Information has been sought from local education authorities on children with defects of both sight and hearing, and autistic children, and on the provision for them. In the first group, 438 children have been reported, and the adequacy of the arrangements for their education is under review. A number of authorities have not yet sent returns about autistic children.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she has made, or will make, a sample study of the total expenditure of student unions under various categories; and if she will publish the results of such a study.

The inquiry carried out by my Department, in consultation with the local authority associations, covered such expenditure in a sample of further education establishments and most colleges of education. I am about to consult the associations over the results of the inquiry and the best use to be made of them. It is for the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals to consider any question of circulating the results of their inquiry into university unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice is available from her Department to education authorities on the subject of teaching machines.

Responsibility for the selection and purchase of equipment and materials rests with the local education authorities. It is open to them to seek advice from members of H.M. Inspectorate, and they frequently do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria used by his Ministry in deciding whether or not to approve 30 miles per hour speed limits in built-up areas.

The criteria are contained in Circulars Roads 10/69 and 15/70 issued to all speed limit authorities. I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications have been made to him for the imposition of a 30 miles per hour speed limit in Bramdean, Hampshire.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of slum houses and substandard houses, respectively, in England and Wales, and in Wolverhampton.

The 1967 House Condition Sample Survey for England and Wales found that there were then 1·8 million unfit houses and 2·3 million lacking one or more of the basic amenities. For estimates for Wolverhampton I would refer the hon. Member to the local authority.