asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry having regard to the banning of night flights out of Heathrow, what alternative arrangements he is making to safeguard and ensure continuity and expansion of exports to America carried by air.

There is no need for any special measures. Ample capacity exists for the carriage of freight to the United States from Heathrow both by passenger and all-cargo aircraft. In so far as some part of the freight traffic has hitherto left Heathrow between 11.30 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the summer months the re-scheduling of flights will result in part being carried a little earlier and part a little later.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to examine and report on the social consequences of automation and allied technological advances.

Not at the present time. My Department maintains constant liaison with industry and with other Departments having responsibilities in the social and employment fields; if at some time in the future there were indications from these sources of severe adverse social changes resulting from such advances, further consideration would be given to the possibility of an inquiry in depth.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to re-impose the ban on coal from South Africa.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. George Grant) on 8th November by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to gas boards to reduce the delay between the reading of meters and the submission of accounts, thereby earning substantial additional revenue.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has now received a reply from the United States Government to his memoranda on the subject of the proposed discriminatory tax credits for the purchase of machinery of United States manufacture; and if he will make a statement.

I have received an interim reply which states that our representations have been brought to the attention both of the United States Administration and of the Congress. I await a substantive reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he intends to take to improve the current employment difficulties in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now introduce new incentives to stimulate industrial activity in the development areas.

I have at present nothing to add to what I told the House in the debate on the Address.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what results have emanated from the discussions with the 38 firms who have indicated a desire to take advantage of the special development area grants in West Central Scotland in the month of May 1971.

A full analysis of progress would require a disproportionate expenditure of time and money, but of the firms concerned, 32 have applied for assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of jobs which would be created in the development and special development areas on the basis that similar financial aids were provided to industry wishing to expand in those areas as is already available to incoming industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his earlier Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantity of steel pipes for oil pipelines have been imported into the United Kingdom from Japan in the past twelve months.

Pipes for oil pipelines are not separately distinguished in the trade statistics; but I understand that in the past 12 months there have been little or no imports of such pipes from Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a directive to the British Steel Corporation to manufacture steel pipes to the required technical specifications for use in the carrying of North Sea oil to the mainland.

No; this is a matter for the Corporation who, I understand, are discussing specifications and associated matters with a number of the oil companies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the sales of Industrial Reorganisation Corporation holdings in joint stock companies.

The statement made on 15th November showed the shareholdings remaining in the portfolio on 1st November, 1971. Since then the I.R.C. shareholding in the Laird Group has been sold to Securities Agencies Ltd. acting on behalf of the Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd. and its own group of trusts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will cause a review to be made of the experience gained from the co-operation of United Kingdom and European firms engaged in aerospace design and manufacture; and if he will publish his conclusions and recommendations.

The lessons learned from co-operative aerospace projects have been incorporated in the arrangements for later projects and I do not consider it necessary to make a special review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of national concern, how soon he expects to make known the policies of Her Majesty's Government for the future of the aerospace industry.

Any major departure from present policy would of course be announced as it was made. The House is aware that an internal review is in progress and I have undertaken to consider making a statement when the results are to hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the aerospace industries from the Council of the Air League, and what reply he has sent.

I have received the Air League's pamphlet entitled "The United Kingdom Aerospace Industry" published in October of this year.

asked the Secretary of of State for Trade and Industry what recent notification his Department has received from the Finance Houses Association and individual member companies on minimum deposit and maximum repayment period terms recommended in the industry, following the abolition of terms control in July.

I have received no communication from the Finance Houses Association or its member companies about minimum deposit or maximum repayment terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what public sector industrial projects have been approved since the Government's decision to encourage expenditure and investment in the publicly-owned industries.

Negotiations for the placing of the Ince power station order have started. And plans are being made for starting quickly the other nationalised industry work mentioned by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23rd November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has for creating employment on Merseyside; how many industrial development certificates have been granted in the area this year, and for last month; and what steps he is taking to improve the situation.

Merseyside is already a development area and is well placed to benefit from the measures taken to stimulate the economy. 50 I.D.Cs. have been granted in the area this year, four of which were in October.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs are expected in Wales as a result of industrial development certificate approvals since June, 1970.

12,300.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the recently announced prohibition of jet aeroplanes taking off during night hours at Heathrow Airport, what reductions he proposes to make at Gatwick Airport to reduce aircraft noise at night.

When I announced the ban at Heathrow I said that limits on night movements at Gatwick next summer had already been announced. I also declared my intention to consider more stringent limitation on summer night movements in subsequent years and I assure my hon. Friend that I will do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of current developments in the construction of safe helium airships, consideration is being given to seeking to amend the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act so that public service messages may be displayed from such aircraft on flights in the United Kingdom.

No. The Civil Aviation (Aerial Advertising) Regulations, 1961 already permit the use of airships for the emission or display of communications for life-saving, civil defence, military or police purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will examine the potentialities and possible public services uses of helium airships, in view of the fact that such an airship is now under construction at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Cardington.

This is an interesting project but it would be for potential operators to judge whether commercial services are a practical possibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many reports his Department has received of scale of fees agreements between estate agents since the Restrictions of Agreements (Estate Agents) Order came into force; and what action he has taken to ensure that this Order is being enforced.

I have received no such reports. But I am inquiring into recent allegations in the Press that scale of fees agreements are still operating.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the employment situation, what steps he is taking to encourage new industries to come to Rochdale.

I share the hon. Member's concern at the recent redundancies in the Rochdale area and as he has been assured in recent correspondence, we shall continue to take full account of both the actual and prospective local unemployment, when considering I.D.C. applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the investment decision of British European Airways as between the A300B and the Lockheed 1011 aircraft, and as to its timing.

We propose to wait for views of B.E.A. and the British Airways Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to encourage research into the problems of aero-engine noise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to encourage the research into, and the development and use of, quieter aircraft engines.

The Government are spending about £1 million a year on engine noise research; it is supporting the development of quieter engines such as the RB211; and it is giving high priority to Concorde noise suppression.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will consider taking steps to grade landing fees at airports under the British Airports Authority to discourage noisy aircraft and encourage quieter ones.

All measures which can significantly reduce the problem of aircraft noise are under constant consideration by the Department. At the present time in view of the international nature of the problem and its repercussions I could not recommend this as a solution.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for providing similar aid to existing industry in the development and special development areas wishing to expand as that which is available for incoming industry to those regions.

I am willing to consider any relevant evidence, but there are very real difficulties about the proposal and reliable estimates of its effects are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on employment in Shetland, directly and indirectly, of opening the airport at Sum-burgh on Sundays during the summer months; and what calculation he has made of the cost of taking on the necessary extra staff.

To open Sumburgh aerodrome for B.E.A. scheduled services during the summer months would cost about £11,000 a year for the five additional staff required. Some of them could probably be recruited locally and given the necessary training. Any effect on employment generally in Shetland is difficult to assess.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Monopolies Commission, for inquiry and report, the recent developments in the management of the Trust Houses-Fortes Hotels group, following the merger of the interests involved, particularly to consider whether the merger has led, or is likely to lead, to a more efficient conduct and expansion of the group's hotels; and whether a take-over by another company would be in the public interest.

I have no powers to make a reference of the kind suggested All merger proposals appearing to fall within the scope of the Monopolies and Mergers Act, 1965 are carefully examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North giving details of the breaking of the law by the Three Ways Nurseries Limited; what action he proposes to take in connection with this company; and when the hon. Member may expect a reply to his communication.

The hon. Member's letter has been answered today. The company is being urged to produce its 1970 accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is he doing to promote made between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China.

In the past twelve months we have taken a number of measures to assist the development of trade in both directions. These have included direct encouragement and support for inward and outward missions to China; the reduction of administrative and quantitative restrictions on imports from China; the strengthening of our commercial representation in Peking; and a proposal to stage a British Exhibition in Peking. We have also continued to support the work of the Sino-British Trade Council who play a valuable réle in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the rising unemployment in the steel supply industries, he will announce before the Christmas Recess the result of the Government's review of the British Steel Corporation's plans begun early this year; and if he will make a statement.

The review is not now likely to be completed before the Christmas Recess but a statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he accepts the recommendation of the Select Committee on Science and Technology that a Computer Research and Development Board be established;(2) whether he proposes to accept the recommendation of the Select Committee on Science and Technology that greater emphasis should be placed on direct support for the computer industry by way of grants and development contracts.

The recommendations of the Select Committee are being, carefully considered but the Government are not yet in a position to publish its reactions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to counteract the dumping of fabricated aluminium in the United Kingdom.

We are always ready to consider an application by a British industry for anti-dumping action supported by prima facie evidence that the imports are dumped and are causing or threatening material injury.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the Civil Aviation Authority to establish a national airports plan to ensure that a few airports will be intensively used, thereby reducing landing and handling charges.

The Authority, whose Chairman, I am glad to be able to say, will be my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) will formally start its work in April, 1972. There is no power to give it general directions, but Section 33(2) of the Civil Aviation Act, 1971, imposes a duty on the Authority to make recommendations on the requirements for aerodromes in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the civil airports now in use, whether owned by the Civil Airports Authority, or municipally owned, indicating the number of landings and take-offs in each case, turnover, extent of subsidy, and operating profit or loss in each case.

The following table lists the civil airports in the United Kingdom owned by local authorities at which air transport movements take place and setting out the required information in each case. Full information on airports owned by the British Airports Authority is provided in the Authority's Annual Report.

FINANCIAL YEAR 1970–71
							(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
							Movements (Landing and Take-Offs)	Income*	Profit/(Loss)*	Financial Assistance†
								£	£	£
Birmingham		…	…	…	…	…	48,755	485,136	(303,805)	207,014
Blackpool		…	…	…	…	…	59,952	95,032	(56,196)	—
Bournemouth		…	…	…	…	…	52,906	305,142	(70,077)	115,859
Bristol	…	…	…	…	…	…	30,466	272,745	(58,326)	—
Coventry	…	…	…	…	…	…	35,375	108,587	(42,865)	—
East Midlands		…	…	…	…	…	36,131	285,250	(466,380)	—
Glamorgan		…	…	…	…	…	29,260	141,333	(427,024)	191,638
Glasgow	…	…	…	…	…	…	71,216	1,513,545	(78,135)	314,344
Gloucester/Cheltenham			…	…	…	…	45,564	98,166	10,117	—
Leeds/Bradford		…	…	…	…	…	38,317	226,053	(151,589)	—
Liverpool	…	…	…	…	…	…	55,442	365,760	(660,249)	164,517
Luton	…	…	…	…	…	…	55,079	1,462,644	310,841	—
Manchester		…	…	…	…	…	56,950	3,133,353	467,772	89,022
Newcastle		…	…	…	…	…	23,650	412,571	(359,226)	—
Portsmouth	…	…	…	…	…	…	24,264	28,279	(9,404)	—
Southend	…	…	…	…	…	…	56,094	441,762	33,119	—
Swansea	…	…	…	…	…	…	14,052	24,566	(69,588)	—
Tees-Side	…	…	…	…	…	…	27,501	204,555	(167,540)	—
* The income and profit or loss figures are those supplied by the individual local authorities.
† Financial assistance refers to Government financial assistance. Apart from a capital payment of £16,798 to Birmingham Corporation, figures in this column represent the trading loss incurred by the Department in providing the aerodrome navigation services at the six airports in question. This activity is not reflected in Columns 2 and 3.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the present prospects for the Concorde aircraft.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now authorise further production funding for Concorde.

I will be discussing the future production programme, among other matters, with my French colleague M. Chamant tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many options there are for the Concorde, and what action he is taking to turn them into firm orders.

There are 74 options for Concorde. It is the manufacturers' responsibility to negotiate firm orders, and they have already started negotiations with the airlines concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will direct the gas and electricity boards to introduce a system of rebates for retirement pensioners who are in receipt of supplementary benefits.

No. The needs of retirement pensioners are fully considered within the framework of our social security system.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to conclude negotiations with the Receiver and Liquidator of Rolls-Royce Limited, so that unsecured creditors may be paid in full.

I cannot forecast when negotiations about the price payable for the assets acquired by Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. will be completed. Until this price is determined it is not possible to say how it will affect the dividend prospects of the unsecured creditors of Rolls-Royce Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in the consideration of design stresses for a short take-off and landing airliner.

I understand that the manufacturers are considering these matters as part of the normal design activity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will introduce legislation for promoting competition in the economy.

I expect to introduce this legislation as soon as consultations and other preparations have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of imports of clothing, fabrics and made-ups from Hong Kong in the period from January to September this year, compared with the same period last year.

£73 million compared with £48 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he is yet in a position to announce his new policies for the regions with exceptionally high unemployment;(2) what further new proposals he has for stimulating economic growth in Scotland by means of additional regional incentives.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his earlier Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the extent and manner in which his Department will discharge functions performed by the Shipbuilding Industry Board.

After the dissolution of the S.I.B., the home credit scheme will be administered by my Department, and a shipbuilder will no longer be required to confirm before a credit guarantee is given that he has undertaken or is undertaking a reorganisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in the re-organisation of the shipbuilding companies in Upper Clydeside.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 29th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the results of the recent visit to Brussels of the Minister for Aerospace to discuss scientific and technical co-operation with Europe.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, South-West (Mr. Torn Boardman on 25th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many factories have announced their plans to come to Wales since June, 1970.

The Department is aware of 57 firms originating outside the Principality or entirely new to manufacturing who decided to locate new projects in Wales since June 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the report and accounts of the Dollar Land Holdings Limited for 1969 were not circulated to shareholders until 23rd November, 1971, and that this is contrary to the Companies Act; what action he intends taking; and whether he will ensure that the 1970 accounts are published forthwith.

Yes, but I do not consider that it would be desirable to prosecute the company now that the accounts for 1969 have been circulated and a date fixed for a general meeting. The company is not in default with its accounts for 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the result of his investigations into the effects of the ending of the quota system upon the textile industry.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Memmer for Islington, South-West (Mr. George Cunningham) on Friday, 3rd December.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the first date when he received communications complaining of matters connected with the Dollar Land Holdings Company Limited; how many letters he has received to date and on what dates these were received; why he is keeping the hon. Member for West Ham, North waiting for a reply to his communication of 12th November, 1971; and whether he will make a statement.

The first complaint appears to have been received in February, 1967. I regret that the expenditure of time and money to ascertain the number and dates of all letters received would not be justified. A letter from the hon. Member of 12th November concerning Dollar Land Holdings Ltd. was answered by my hon. Friend on 24th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to make an official visit to Scotland.

I have paid two official visits to Scotland since last January, and propose to make another soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what facilities exist in his Department to assess the economics of the engineering industry;

My officials closely monitor the economic behaviour of the engineering industry, and carry out studies in greater depth as required. They have already made available to the industry analyses of possible effects of E.E.C. entry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider changing his present policies on the granting of development certificates in the West Midlands as long as present high levels of unemployment persist in that area.

The I.D.C. control is already operated as flexibly as possible to take account of any changes in the levels of unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage the fitting of engine smoke suppressors to aircraft using British airports.

I am advised that the most satisfactory way of reducing smoke emission from jet aircraft engines is by changes in the design of the combustion system and the Government are funding research and development work to this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that the nationalised industries under his control afford the same facilities to their women employees as are recommended in the recent Civil Service Department report, The Employment of Women in the Civil Service.

Matters of personnel policy are the responsibility of the industries themselves and I am sure that they will take note of the report and of the manner in which it is implemented by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the progress of his studies on vertical and short take-off and landing projects.

I have nothing to add to my replies to the hon. Member's question on 18th October and to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Wilkinson) on 15th November.—[Vol. 823, c. 358–59; Vol. 826, c. 10–11.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to provide persons seeking compensation under the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1957 with independent professional advice.

I see no reason to interfere with present arrangements, which enable most cases to be settled by mutual agreement and provide independent professional advice at the cost of the National Coal Board where this is necessary to reach a settlement and the claimant establishes that he has a good case.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many men and women are at present employed in Government-built advance factories in Scotland; how many such factories remain unoccupied; and if the Government now intends to build additional advance factories in Scotland.

57,000 men and 33,000 women are employed in factories owned by the Department in Scotland. 54 empty factories owned by the Department are available for immediate letting and a further seven are under construction. In addition a further four advance factories have been authorised on which work has not yet started and others will be added under the S.D.A. programme as circumstances require. The possibility of yet further authorisation is kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that the stand-by blind flying instrumentation of Viscount aircraft currently in British airline service is adequate for satisfactory let-down procedures in Instrument Meteorological Conditions following total electric failure in the aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

Total failure of all electrical services in Viscounts, as in many other aircraft, would leave insufficient instrumentation for a let-down in Instrument Meteorological Conditions but I am assured by the Air Registration Board that adequate emergency power supplies are provided to allow such a let-down should the aircraft's generated power be lost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the rates of growth over the last five years, by value of sales and by growth of capital, of the motor car industry of the United Kingdom and of the European Economic Community countries.

Information about the growth by value of sales or by capital is not available on a comparable basis.The annual rate of growth in the number of passenger cars produced between 1966 and 1970 was one-half per cent. in the United Kingdom and 6 per cent. for the European Economic Community countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the rates of growth over the last five years, by value of sales and by growth of capital, of the aircraft industry of the United Kingdom and of the European Economic Community countries.

Between 1965 and 1970 the aerospace industry of the United Kingdom increased sales by 13 per cent. at current prices. Comparable information is not available for the European Economic Community but available information suggests a growth rate of about 45 per cent. Information on the growth of capital is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the rates of growth over the last five years, by value of sales and by growth of capital, of the machine tool industry of the United Kingdom and of the European Economic Community countries.

Between 1965 and 1969 (the last year for which comparable information is available) the value of machine tools produced in the E.E.C. increased by an average of 12 per cent. per annum on current prices compared with 5½ per cent. in the United Kingdom. There are no figures available for capital.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has

			1969–70		1970–71		1st April to 31st October, 1971
			Assistance approved	Est. employment	Assistance approved	Est. employment	Assistance approved	Est. employment
England	…	…	£964,833	821	£2,947,493	8,879	£2,440,653	7,555
Wales	…	…	—	—	£527,105	1,009	£206,004	334

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was expended in each of the last three years in providing the special assistance allowed for development and for intermediate areas.

					1968–69	1969–70	1970–71
					£m.	£m.	£m.
Development Areas	…	…	…	…	50·7	58·5	59·7 (provisional)
Intermediate Areas	…	…	…	…	—	—	1·1 (provisional)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether

Information on value of sales and on capital growth is not available on a comparable basis.The average annual growth rates of output for the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community countries between 1967 and 1970, based on completions of merchant vessels by compensated tonnage, are minus 1 per cent. and plus 14 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure each year incurred in providing the special assistance allowed for each intermediate area in England and Wales, and the total number of jobs created in each area at the latest available date.

Information on expenditure is not readily available in this form, but since 1st April, 1969, the value of assistance approved under the Local Employment Acts in intermediate areas in England and Wales, and estimates of the associated employment, have been as follows:

On the assumption that the hon. Member is concerned with expenditure under the Local Employment Acts, the figures are as follows:he can give an assurance that on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community British manufacturers will be able to mark their produce as made in Great Britain, or British made; and whether imported goods of all kinds, including textiles and pottery, will have to carry the country of origin label, including such imports from the countries of the European Economic Community as well as the Commonwealth countries.

I see no reason why British manufacturers should not be able so to mark their goods. Whether imports will require origin markings will depend upon the United Kingdom regulations then in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on present known terms will adversely affect British trade with Israel; and to what extent exports of oranges and grapefruits and other items will be liable to a restrictive tariff or otherwise prevented from being freely admitted into Great Britain.

It is not possible to say how our trade with any one country will be affected by our entry into the E.E.C. In the case of Israel we shall become parties on accession to the E.E.C./Israe; preferential trade agreement, and negotiations for the adaptation of this agreement to take account of enlargement have n't yet taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the fact that the European Economic Community are preparing a proposal for a directive to harmonise hire-purchase legislation in the countries of the Six, whether, as a means of assisting in the consultations which he will have on these proposals, he will now discuss the subject with the finance house corporations and other hire-purchase organisations to ensure there views are known before accepting any directive from the European Economic Community on this subject.

When any proposal for a directive is received I will certainly wish to consult those interests which I consider likely to be substantially affected by its provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken in response to Resolution I on Greece passed at the recent meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Her Majesty's Government have noted the Resolution which was passed by the North Atlantic Assembly. The Greek Government are aware that we look forward to the restoration of democratic processes in Greece. But it is not for us to tell them how to order their internal affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that Community proposals on regional aid would restrict such aid in the greater part of the Community to 20 per cent. of the capital invested, a figure below the aid at present available to development areas in Great Britain; and whether this is acceptable to the Government after Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.

The Community have agreed that for certain "central" areas in the Six, specifically regional aid—exclusive of national tax allowances—should be limited to a ceiling of 20 per cent. This should not cause us difficulty. We are confident that we shall be able to maintain and develop vigorous and effective regional policies as members of the enlarged Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the latest Community policy on regional aid will prohibit all aids to most regions in Great Britain, including development areas, where the precise benefit is said to be opaque and therefore difficult to assess; and whether this prohibition is acceptable to the Government for application after Great Britain joins, the European Community.

Community policy on regional aid provides that aid should be "transparent". This means that the total amount of aid granted to a project should be assessable and that there should be no hidden subsidies. We believe that our present system of aid including tax allowances would be "transparent".

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether in his study of how to accomplish the harmonisation of the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community law, he will consider the extent to which Community legislation will automatically override national law; and

NON-COMMUNITY WORKERS ISSUED WITH FIRST WORK PERMITS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
			1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
Belgium	…	…	n/a	9,739	6,360	2,302	2,545	n/a
France	…	…	n/a	115,557	94,547	85,013	158,786	n/a
Germany	…	…	n/a	222,160	73,894	251,160	498,664	n/a
Italy	…	…	n/a	2,302	2,600	5,059	6,293	n/a
Luxembourg		…	n/a	1,331	386	998	2,110	n/a
Netherlands		…	n/a	30,994	12,024	15,191	23,507	n/a
(Excluding seasonal workers except in the cases of Italy and the Netherlands.)
(various E.E.C. sources)

EMPLOYED PERSONS FROM NON-COMMUNITY COUNTRIES IN CIVIL EMPLOYMENT
			1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
Belgium	…	…	n/a	n/a	78,000	n/a	n/a	n/a
France	…	…	n/a	n/a	n/a	896,000	n/a	n/a
Germany	…	…	711,000	819,000	674,000	657,000	945,000	n/a
Italy	…	…	19,000	20,000	22,000	23,000	n/a	n/a
Luxembourg		…	4,200	4,100	3,200	3,900	4,900	n/a
Netherlands		…	45,000	58,000	51,000	57,000	60,000	n/a
(Source: E.E.C. Annuaire de statistique social, 1970)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes, on Great Britain's accession to the European Economic Community, to support the proposal of France to admit Spain as a member of the Community.

I am not aware of any proposal to admit Spain as a full member of the European Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been put to the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community regarding proposed food price increases; and what

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 21–26 of the White Paper on the Legal and Constitutional Implications of United Kingdom Membership of the European Communities (Cmnd. 3301).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the numbers of non-community workers present in and entering into, respectively, each member State of the European Economic Community in each of the five years 1965 to 1970.

The figures, where available, are as follows:estimate he has made of their effect on British food prices.

In June, the Commission proposed increases in farm prices for 1972–73 averaging some two to three per cent. No revised proposals have yet been put to the Council of Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the appropriate time will be reached for producing and providing for the House of Commons translations of the European Coal and Steel Community Instruments, duly modified and agreed for accession, which will be binding on the United Kingdom at the time of accession, together with an index.

Relevant translations will be made available when they are ready.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he can give the actual or estimated date when he expects a complete index to secondary legislation of the Communities in force on 10th November, 1971, and which will still be operative at the time of accession, will be published in connection with the legislation to be introduced into Parliament.

I have nothing to add to the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to the hon. Member on 29th November.—[Vol. 827, c. 21.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that during the current negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community and matters connected with the fishing dispute Norway is asking for a permanent guarantee that their coastal waters will not be fished by vessels of the countries of the Six; and whether Her Majesty's Government will now make similar claims for exclusive fishing rights off the coast of Great Britain for British fishermen.

There is regular consultation on fisheries matters with the other applicants for membership of the Communities and I am aware of the Norwegian position. What we seek in the fisheries negotiations is a satisfactory overall balance of mutual advantage for all member countries, new and old.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in view of the French Government's policy towards the fishing limit problem, whether, during his next meeting with the French Foreign Minister, he will arrange to discuss this matter with him.

Any discussions with Monsieur Schumann would naturally cover questions of mutual interest but the problem of fisheries is a matter to be resolved with the Communities as a whole in the negotiating conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, when supplying documents for the Library of the House, he will ensure in future that more than one copy is made available, so that Members of Parliament may remove them temporarily to facilitate their work.

Documents are made available to the Library by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in quantities agreed with the Library. In the case of certain publications such as indexes, which are not official documents, only one copy may be held by the Library. The temporary removal of Library copies is a matter for the Library. Official documents supplied to or held by the Library of the House are for use in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is now able to say on what basis and in what way he expects to initiate a scheme to obtain the views of the Rhodesian people both black and white on the question of the settlement of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence dispute and the acceptance or otherwise of the agreement between the illegal regime and Her Majesty's Government.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by my right hon. Friend and by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General, in the recent debate on Rhodesia. The Commission's method of operation will be the responsibility of the Chairman and his colleagues.—[Vol. 827, c. 475–6; c. 599–600.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about United Kingdom participation in the survey and construction of a motor road between Mombasa and Lagos.

At a Conference of Ministers of Member States of the Economic Commission for Africa in February, 1971, the Commission was charged with the task of promoting and co-odinating plans for the construction of a Trans-Africa Highway in order to link the main roads between Mombasa and Lagos, passing through Uganda, Zaire, the Central African Republic and Cameroon. This project is expected to bring together some of the largest potential markets in Africa; open up areas of agricultural and mineral potential; generate employment and income; promote tourism and develop economic co-operation among the countries concerned.The British Government replied to a request made to it and to other industrialised countries by the Commission for advice and assistance in this task, by offering to undertake and finance a pre-feasibility study of the proposed route. When this offer was accepted, a London firm of consultant engineers was engaged to undertake the work. The study involves an assessment of the economic significance of the whole road, ranking alternative routes in order of economic preference, carrying out cost benefit surveys and overall cost analysis. The development plans and trade patterns of the countries affected are being studied to establish estimates of transport demands and of the construction and maintenance standards required. The projected route would be about 4,000 miles long with three-quarters of its length already classified as a roadway, but substantial improvements and some new construction, would be needed.I hope that the consultants' report will be presented to the Commission in time for it to put definite proposals and recommendations to the next meeting of its Highway Co-ordinating Committee. This is due to be held in Bangui, Central African Republic, next March when the next stages of the project will be discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy regarding the disposal of vacant houses on coastguard stations; and whether he will give priority to applicants who are former coastguard officers.

Surplus Government houses are offered to local authorities and if they do not need them are advertised for sale in the open market. Former coastguard officers, of course, have the same opportunities to buy the houses as other members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to stop the position where, until exchange of contracts in respect of a house purchase, both buyer and seller are at liberty to break any oral or written agreement made subject to contract without incurring any legal obligation.

I have been asked to reply.I am aware of this problem, but there are considerable difficulties in imposing obligations of a contractual nature on parties who have not entered into a binding contract. My noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, is referring the matter to the Law Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will permit the temporary use of No. 8 Carlton Crescent, Southampton for residential accommodation.(2) what future use his Department has for No. 8, Carlton Crescent, Southampton; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that it will not be possible to use these premises for residential accommodation. They are required to accommodate the Medical, Local and Supplementary Benefit Appeals Tribunals of the Department of Health and Social Security in Southampton and will need to be so used for the foreseeable future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial assistance the Government is prepared to give to help build the Itchen Bridge, Southampton.

Studies are in progress to determine the most suitable form of a bridge to replace the chain ferry across the River Itchen. I cannot say whether the Government would be prepared to give financial assistance until these studies are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total cost of the Southampton Itchen Bridge proposal put to him by the Southampton Corporation; what subsidy he is prepared to grant; and when he proposes to approve the project.

Studies are in progress to determine the most suitable form of a bridge to replace the chain ferry across the River Itchen. I cannot say whether the Government would be prepared to give financial assistance until these studies are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans and time schedules are being examined for a motorways to connect the industrial Midlands with the container port of Southampton.

A route from Southampton to the Midlands was included in the primary network of strategic trunk routes which, as my right hon. Friend announced on 23rd June last, are to be comprehensively improved by the early 1980s. Several sections of the A34 south of Oxford are already in the firm programme for completion by 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many deaths and injuries occurred in accidents known to involve drunken drivers, in each of the 12 months preceding the introduction of breathalyser tests, in each of the 12 months following their introduction, and in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available, respectively.

I regret that the information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to continue to provide grant aid for the Wrexham-New Brighton/Birkenhead railway service; and if he will make a statement.

The Railway Board's applications for the renewal of grant for this service and others are now being studied. I shall make a general statement early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what requirements he imposes regarding the completion of non-departmental research projects which he finances; whether he is satisfied that these requirements are adhered to; whether there is non-productive expenditure; and how much.

Extra-mural research projects commissioned by my Department are covered by negotiated contracts or agreements. Payment is conditional on the work progressing satisfactorily within the agreed time scale. Break clauses are included when appropriate. Research projects, by their nature, are not always entirely successful but I am satisfied that non-productive expenditure is kept to as low a level as possible and that contract conditions are met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently claiming rate rebate; how many have been claiming each year since the scheme's inception; and what proportion these are to the total eligible.

The numbers of rate rebates granted in England and Wales in the financial years 1966–67 to 1970–71 were as follows:

1966–67	931,759
1967–68	785,809
1968–69	791,798
1969–70	807,956
1970–71	814,220

Information about the numbers of rebates so far granted by local authorities in the current financial year is not yet available. There are insufficient data to provide a reliable estimate of the number of ratepayers eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy with regard to mandatory waiting bans on all urban road junctions and the extent to which he is prepared that individual decisions should be left to local authorities.

To be fully effective, the ban must be a uniform and therefore a national one, but I am considering what part local authorities will be called upon to play.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up an inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the collision of two goods trains at Sharmbrook, Bedfordshire, during weekend 27th-28th November, 1971, and as to how it occurred that a third train collided with the wreckage.

An inquiry into this accident was ordered on 30th November, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial objective has been given to the British Transport Docks Board, and over what period of years such objective is to be sought.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Moss Side (Mr. Frank Taylor) on 29th November.—[Vol. 827, c. 39]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to harmonise carcase classification schemes as between Great Britain and the European Economic Community countries.

The only commodity for which the European Economic Community has so far adopted a common carcase classification scheme is pigmeat. The changes needed in the E.E.C.'s scheme to take account of the circumstances of an enlarged Community have not yet been agreed.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give the reasons why he will not initiate proceedings for murder of a Luton postmaster against Mr. Alfred Mathews, alias Elliott.

Mr. Mathews gave evidence for the prosecution in the trial at which three other persons were convicted of this murder. I do not propose to take proceedings against him.