asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total grant to be made by his Department to the Welsh Tourist Board for the year 1971–72.

The estimated grant in aid is £434,000. Provision has also been made for advances totalling £932,000 in respect of grants and loans for hotel development.

I am grateful for that answer, which will be received with the utmost satisfaction. However, is my hon. Friend aware that under the new scheme these grants will not be available to hotels which are not within the Welsh Development Area? This constitutes yet another piece of discrimination against Flintshire, a subject on which my right hon. and learned Friend will shortly be hearing representations.

The figure for the Welsh Development Area is £200,000 out of a total of £434,000. I am aware that my hon. Friend will be seeing my right hon. and learned Friend in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has arranged for any hospital building programmes to be brought forward in the next two years; and what he estimates will be the total expenditure in Wales during that period on new hospital construction.

In the last 13 months the Government have made available an additional £3¾ million for spending on hospital building in Wales in the next two financial years. During this period, some £19 million in all, at current prices, will be spent in Wales on hospital building, including the payment of associated professional fees and equipment.

I thank my hon. Friend for that welcome news. Would he not agree that there are few higher priorities for Government expenditure? Is there any prospect of a speeding up in the construction of Withybush Hospital, which has been in the planing stage for almost as long as anyone can remember?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. It is hoped to begin work on the new Withybush Hospital in the coming financial year. The board had planned that work on the new Withybush Hospital would start in the quarter ending December, 1972, but it is now understood that it is doubtful whether that target can be attained and it is therefore improbable that that date will be advanced.

I welcome what the hon. Gentleman said. Is there any prospect of the next phase of the Neath General Hospital being developed?

I will look at that and write to the hon. Gentleman about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest assessment of the future economic prospects for Wales.

The economic prospects of Wales will improve as the wide range of measures we have adopted to stimulate investment and expand production take effect.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that a less inhibited and more coherent economic policy is needed for Wales to eliminate indecision and to offset the harmful effects over the next ten years resulting from accession to the Common Market? Is he further aware that a set of simple financial incentives is available for Welsh industry? Does he appreciate that the most expensive Christmas ever is doing nothing to remove from Wales the blighting shadow of unemployment?

I appreciate that unemployment in Wales is far too high, but I disagree with much of what the hon. Gentleman said, particularly what he said about the Common Market. The Government have done more to get the economy on the move again than have any other Government in any comparable period.

Is the Secretary of State aware that, while we note his optimism for the future, it will be cold comfort at Christmas time for the 51,000 unemployed in Wales? When does he expect a reduction in the unemployment figure?

The right hon. Gentleman knows from his own experience that one should never attempt to forecast numbers. It may be said with some degree of confidence that 1972 will see a recovery in output. I have just said that unemployment is much too high, but the seasonally adjusted figure for Wales fell this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he intends taking to protect people living adjacent to Eastern Avenue from environmental damage in terms of noise, fumes and visual intrusion.

I am very conscious of these problems. The walls, fences and railings which have been provided on Eastern Avenue, as part of the accommodation works, should help to reduce visual intrusion. Studies are currently being undertaken nationally into ways of reducing the effects of traffic noise in urban areas.

While I welcome the action that has been taken, because a thorough investigation is obviously necessary, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that sound level readings indicate noise levels far in excess of the recommendations of the Wilson Committee of 1963—that is, far in excess of the standards acceptable in London? In view of the intolerable nuisance for my constituents, will he give me an assurance that he will treat this matter with the utmost urgency?

I note what my hon. Friend says and I can certainly give him the assurance that the Government are looking at this urgently. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be making a statement after the Government's studies have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied with the functioning of the Welsh Office; and if he will make a statement.

Yes.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not think that one of the aspects of the Welsh Office at which he ought to look urgently is the provision of parliamentary time for the discharge of the functions of the Welsh Office? Does he not agree that, welcome though his appearance on television recently was, if only to prove to the people of Wales that he is still alive, the correct place to make an important statement about Welsh water is in the House of Commons, and orally, so that he may submit himself to examination by Members of Parliament?

The hon. Gentleman should know that I submit myself to examination by the Opposition much more frequently than my predecessor did. There have been many more Questions in this House, we have had morn debates and we have had more Welsh Grand Committees since I have been Secretary of State than in any comparable period beforehand. As to the other part of the hon. Gentleman's statement, I have in my period as Secretary of State had 174 official engagements in Wales.

The Secretary of State need not get so excited. Will he bear in mind that it is a grievous injury to Wales that the Welsh Office is unable even to represent the interests of Wales in a Standing Committee of the House when fair rents are being considered, because although the English Minister has no responsibility at all for housing and rents in Wales, there is not one Minister from the Welsh Office defending Welsh interests on that Committee?

We are satisfied that my hon. and right hon. Friends will defend Welsh interests in the same way as they would defend United Kingdom interests. There is no issue between us on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with local authorities, with the building and construction industries, and with the gas and electricity boards in Wales how best to ensure that new houses and flats in Wales shall not be heated by ducted air or similar central heating systems which tend to aggravate such illnesses as sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis.

I have received no representations that the use of ducted air or similar heating installations should be discouraged for health reasons, but I am always ready to explore with responsible bodies any matters which may cause them concern.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the trouble is that in many instances there are blocks of flats—whether municipal or privately owned—in which there is no alternative to ducted air? Is he aware that any medical adviser will confirm that certain respiratory diseases make living in these conditions highly unpleasant? Will he look at this again?

This matter is certainly of interest to me, but it is proper to leave the choice of the form of central heating used in local authority housing to the authority concerned because it is in the best position to judge, taking account of local needs and circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will meet the Welsh Council to discuss the 16,000 redundancies created in Wales during the past 12 months; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will next meet the Welsh Council.

I understand that the Welsh Council discussed unemployment and the general economic situation at its meeting in Bangor last week and has further work in hand. I would be glad to discuss this and any other matter at any time.

The Minister has not told us when he proposes to meet the Welsh Council to discuss the biggest single anxiety of the Welsh people. Is it not unprecedented that 16,000 redundancies should have been created in Wales in the past year? Will he show a greater sense of urgency about this?

Redundancies always create problems, and the task we have set ourselves is to create more alternative jobs. The only real solution to this is to step up the rate of economic growth, and this we are pledged to do. As for when I am to meet the Welsh Council, I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that no request has yet been received from the Council for a meeting but I understand that the Chairman of the Council will be making arrangements with us.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that it is only the abnormally mild winter which has prevented the December unemployment figures soaring far higher than the present appalling 50,000 mark in Wales? Does he realise that in February and January it is almost certain that we shall make considerable progress towards the unbelievable figure of 60,000? Is he not aware that this is directly the result of the disastrous policies for which he has been responsible? Will he therefore give the only good news he can give to the people of Wales for 1972 and, in view of the impending Cabinet reshuffle, announce that he has either resigned or been sacked?

What I am aware of is that the foundation for growth has been laid by this Government and that we are now getting out of the difficulties we inherited from the Government of which the hon. Member was a member. The economy is now set for faster and more sustained expansion than at any time since 1964.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend explain one strange phenomenon, namely, that while there are undoubtedly many unemployed people, there is also a marked shortage of available personnel in several industries? Will he look into the failure of communications which makes for this strange inconsistency?

It is true that there are shortages in many places, but it is only right to say that the level of unemployment in Wales is too high at the moment, and we are pledged to see that it is reduced.

Will the Secretary of State confirm that the only jobs which have been brought about by Government policy and which are immediately in prospect in Wales are jobs brought about by the expansion of the Civil Service, particularly by the Treasury? Could he tell us where those jobs will be and how many of them there will be in the next 12 months?

With respect, it is wrong to suppose that no development is taking place in Wales. New projects and major expansions approved or announced in the last three months promise a significant number of jobs—about 3,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to make an official visit to Merthyr.

I have no plans at present to visit Merthyr.

If the Secretary of State did visit this famous town, would he not feel at least a prick of guilt and shame at having put his hand to this heartless policy of abolishing free primary school milk? Is it not possible for him to tell the House now or at some later stage that he is having severe conscience about the matter? Will he think again and denounce the Government's policy?

I wondered what the supplementary question would be. The hon. Gentleman should know that I have had discussions with the Merthyr Council, and I have made the Government's position perfectly clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now make a Ministerial television broadcast to the people of Wales.

I have no plans to do so.

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that he has a lot of explaining to do to the people of Wales, for example about why the Government are taking milk from children in schools, let alone creating over 51,000 unemployed? Does he appreciate that the style of this Government is so reminiscent of the 'thirties that television would be out of place and that it would be more appropriate if he used the magic lantern?

I give frequent radio and television broadcasts in Wales and I have often explained to the people of Wales the difficulties that we inherited from the previous Administration and the many things that have been done in Wales in the last 18 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total amount of derelict land to date authorised for clearance since the setting up of the Derelict Land Unit by the Welsh Office; what is the latest estimated amount of land still awaiting clearance; and if he will increase the staff of the unit to deal with the matter.

134 local authority schemes covering over 3,400 acres have so far been approved for grant. At 31st December, 1969, there were estimated to be nearly 19,000 acres of derelict land in Wales, roughly two-thirds of which were thought to justify treatment: but a further study of the extent of dereliction is currently being undertaken by local planning authorities in consultation with my Department. The adequacy of the staffing of the Derelict Land Unit is kept under constant review.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for those details, but is he aware that, despite the undoubted success of the Derelict Land Unit, which is a credit to the Welsh Office, it has taken four years to complete the 3,400 acres, which means that it will take 24 years to complete all the land considered to be derelict? Therefore, will he consider taking special measures to speed up the work and, incidentally, in the light of previous questions, help to solve the unemployment problem? I am sure that the local authorities would give him every help in the matter. Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider the issue?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he said. He will be aware that there has been a great acceleration. Now, in 1971, we have 39 authorised schemes on the books, whereas last year there were only 33. We have already stepped up our efforts. We have increased the complement in the unit by one, and the provision of an extra engineering post is being considered.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is unfair discrimination against those areas which do not come within the development area definition and that in Flintshire, in particular, there are areas of potentially derelict land which could be cleared? Will he give an undertaking that the unit will consider this matter?

I am happy to say that in a recent visit to North Wales, very close to my hon. Friend's constituency, I say a lot of land reclamation going on. I am prepared to look into the matter.

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that one of the problems is continuing dereliction and how much of it is taking place? When will the Welsh Office study on this aspect of derelict land be complete?

I cannot give an authoritative answer at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has circulated all local authorities and nationalised industries with regard to releasing any land they have surplus to requirements for house-building purposes; and whether he will make a statement.

No, Sir. I have no evidence that there is a general shortage of land for house building in Wales.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why the Department of the Environment, which I would not hold out as the perfect example to other Government Departments, has twice circularised local authorities to see whether they could release more land for building? Is he aware that in many parts of Wales, even in Mid-Wales, there is a grave shortage of building land which is forcing up house prices even in small towns like Aberystwyth and Dolgellau to unacceptable levels when a great deal of land in the control of local authorities and nationalised industries is available?

The hon. Gentleman's information is different from mine. It is not accepted that there is a shortage of building land in Wales, except in South-East Glamorgan. Officials of the Welsh Office recently met representatives of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers and of Glamorgan County Council and the Cardiff City Council and they discussed whether the councils could release more building land.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is an attempt to take over common land in Swansea for building purposes? Will he give a guarantee and make a positive statement of Government policy that in no circumstances will common land in Wales be released for speculative house building?

What the hon. Gentleman says is news to me, but if he would like to write to me about it I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from local authority employees in Wales regarding the effect of local government reorganisation on their security of employment; and what assurances he was able to give.

I have received representations from N.A.L.G.O. and four individuals. The Local Government Bill provides comprehensive safeguards for staff and I have undertaken that a Welsh Local Government Staff Committee should be set up on an informal basis next spring.

I am most grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for that reassuring reply. However, is he aware that the anxieties, in particular, of the district councils are compounded by the fact that the Housing Finance Bill will possibly oblige them to take on additional staff in order to deal with rent questions 18 months before the streamlining which is to take place under the Local Government Bill? Will he consult the Secretary of State for the Environment to see whether there is some possibility of so rephasing matters that the Housing Finance Bill and the Local Government Bill come into operation at about the same time?

The reorganisation of local government is unlikely to give any scope for easing the pressure on local authority staff until well after 1st April, 1974. The main burden of work caused by the reorganisation of housing finance will arise from the fixing of fair rents, and this work cannot be held back until April, 1974.

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that it was Members on this side of the House who pressed the then Labour Government for a staffing commission to be set up in accordance with their local government proposals? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman ensure that the local government trade unions are equally represented on the committee?

I am required to consult the staff and local authority associations before appointing the commission. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I intend to appoint a committee next year in advance of the appointment of the committee.

In view of the undoubted anxiety which any local government change is bound to cause among people who are uncertain of their future, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman endeavour not merely to consult the trade unions concerned but to seek their agreement on the personnel who will guide him in this matter?

I do not think that it would be right to say that I will do that. I will certainly consult the trade unions, and I hope that those appointed to the committee will be considered to be appropriate by all those who might consult it.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he estimates local authority house construction will increase in Wales on the Housing Finance Bill becoming law.

The provisions of the Bill will enable local authorities to increase their house building programmes wherever there is a lack of housing for rent. It is too early to estimate what their response will be.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, as a member of the Standing Committee considering the Housing Finance Bill, I have become convinced that its provisions will reduce local authority house building? This is an important matter as housing construction now provides more jobs than modern road-making methods. Therefore, the failure of the Secretary of State for Wales and of the hon. Gentleman to accept a place on the Standing Committee seems to me and to the people of Wales an indication of their inability to fight for local authority tenants and prospective local authority tenants who, because of the Housing Finance Bill, will be priced out of the homes which they have every right to expect.

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State took part in the Second Reading debate on the Housing Finance Bill. I cannot accept what the hon. Gentleman said about the Bill. The proposals in it are intended to stimulate house building in the areas of greatest need, and, while the Government can provide the incentive, the final responsibility rests, by law, with each local authority.

Will the hon. Gentleman come to Swansea and explain to a mass meeting of council tenants why the Government are determined to push through legislation which will, in the next few years, increase the rents of many council tenants in Swansea by £2 or more a week?

I always enjoy going to Swansea, but I do not accept what at the hon. Gentleman says.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to settle the principles on which the Welsh National Water Authority will finance its operations.

Consultations on the basic principles set out in the Explanatory Memorandum on Reorganisation of Water Services in Wales should be completed by the late spring.

May I take this opportunity of congratulating the Secretary of State on setting up the Welsh National Water Authority, which has been widely welcomed? Will the authority have an opportunity to revise charges for existing water installations?

There are wide variations in the charges imposed for water and sewerage services in Wales. Clearly the authority will want to work towards an equalisation of charges so that there is fairness between similar categories of customer.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are his plans for further improvement of the North to South Wales route via Llangurig, following completion of the Cardiff to Merthyr section; and what section or sections of the route are to be improved next.

My plans for the improvement of this route North of Merthyr do not need to await completion of the Cardiff—Merthyr section. They already include 20 major schemes under construction or being prepared at a cost of some £8 million.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend look very carefully at some of the difficult stretches there are between Merthyr and Llangurig, some of which are still rather tortuous?

Yes, indeed. As my hon. Friend knows, because I referred to this in the last Welsh Grand Committee meeting, feasibility studies are taking place on the whole of this area; it is now being studied and a lot of work is already in progress and in the firm programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he has taken in connection with the Merthyr borough corporation's decision to continue supplying free school milk to children aged seven years of age.

I personally met representatives of the Council last month and pointed out to them the serious implications of breaking the law. On 2nd December, in the absence of any indication that the Council would reconsider their attitude, I agreed to the application made to me last September by the District Auditor for a direction under Section 236(1) of the Local Government Act for an extraordinary audit to be held of the accounts relating to the provision of milk in schools.

Is the Secretary of State aware that this is another example of where Whitehall does not know best? Is he aware that the whole population of Merthyr are united in resentment at the Government's insisting that their young children should not have milk in the schools in the morning, and is he prepared to pursue his policy to the end till he makes Merthyr councillors go to gaol in defence of this principle?

With respect, I am surprised at the right lion. Gentleman, because this matter has been debated in this House and the Act has been passed. The central issue of this case is not whether or not the Act is acceptable to everyone; it is the observance of law. When legislation, however controversial it may have been, is passed into the law of the land we are entitled, in a responsible democracy, to expect that responsible individual citizens and all public authorities will observe it, and I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will use his influence to emphasise that.

The right hon. and learned Gentleman may know at once that my influence will be in the opposite direction. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes, it will. Is he aware that what the Government have done is an affront to natural justice? Will he answer my question? Is he prepared to see these councillors go to gaol rather than deny our children free milk?

Answer.

I am doubly surprised at the right hon. Gentleman. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."] It is a sadly irresponsible and dangerous thing if elected councillors charged with important areas of our system of government deliberately defy the law. If I may say so, it is a deplorably irresponsible and dangerous thing for Members of the Mother of Parliaments, in particular Privy Councillors, to give any encouragement to deliberate defiance of the law.

I am prepared to go to gaol myself.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that the people of Wales are completely united? Is he further aware of the Early Day Motion on the Paper in my name, No. 96, calling for the repeal or amendment of the Act? Is he further aware that the slur he has cast on the very fine councillors of Merthyr, who are completely responsible men, will be deeply resented in Wales? Is he further aware that they regard this as a moral issue and that he should bring pressure to bear on the Secretary of State for Education and Science to see that the Act is amended or repealed and that if he does not the whole of Wales will be united behind the Merthyr borough councillors in resistance to this attack on children?

The hon. Gentleman obviously has not got the point. It is perfectly permissible in a democracy for people to campaign against a particular law and to suggest that it should be changed, but it is a dangerous thing in a democracy such as ours if people encourage local authorities and other responsible bodies deliberately to break the law.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to make an official visit to Broughton, Flintshire.

I have no immediate plans to visit Broughton.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that if he did visit Broughton he would realise that 250 aircraft workers at Hawker Siddeley were made redundant earlier this year? Would he not agree, therefore, that it would be a good thing for the district of Broughton and for the 5,000 employees of Hawker Siddeley if he would urge his Cabinet colleagues to put an order to Hawker Siddeley for, say, two squadrons of Nimrod aircraft?

Certainly I am very much aware of the importance of Hawker Siddeley to Chester and the Broughton area. Questions about aircraft production ought to be directed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. All I can say is that the Hawker Siddeley factory at the moment appears to be going very well.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to ensure that adequate parking facilities are provided at the new Heath Hospital.

I understand that the hospital authorities are planning to provide 940 parking spaces. They consider this will be adequate for all their needs including those of visitors.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the additional money recently announced to be spent on primary and nursery schools in Wales has been allocated to each of the counties of Mid-Wales; and whether he will make a statement.

Since December, 1970, I have allocated £1·6 million to the five Mid-Wales counties for school building of which £740,000 was for primary and nursery schools. I am circulating details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain why in the additional programme which was announced in order to boost employment by the building of schools, a county like Merioneth, which has a 10 per cent. unemployment rate, is not allocated a new primary school for a town like Blaenau Ffestiniog?

The major schools replacement programme announced so far covers projects of high priority on an all-Wales basis. I take it the hon. Member was talking about the Maenofferen primary schools at Blaenau Ffestiniog. I fully accept that it should be replaced and I hope to be able to include this in an early programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made by local authorities in Wales in establishing caravan sites for gypsies under the Caravan Sites Act, 1968, Part II; and which authorities have now provided properly equipped sites.

Sites have been established in Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire. Other authorities are seeking suitable locations.

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I have no wish to see gypsies persecuted. Nevertheless, when caravans are parked near people's homes, inevitably tensions arise. May I, therefore, urge him to press the local authorities to implement the legislation already on the Statute Book?

I would like to say to the hon. Member that I consider that gypsy problems can best be solved by the speedy provision of sites, followed by designation under the Act.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of us are deeply disturbed by the inability of local authorities so far adequately to meet the provisions of the Act? Does he not think that it is about time that his Department began pressing local authorities on this matter?

I am certain that the local authorities concerned will note what my hon. Friend said today.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had about the rising unemployment situation in Wales; and with whom.

The question of unemployment, and the economic situation generally arises in many of my discussions. It would not be practicable to list all these.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I am obliged for the information he has apparently not given to the House this afternoon? Is he aware that we on this side of the House are concerned about the productiveness of the discussions which Ministers of this Government have about unemployment? Can he say whether, in the discussions which he has with his right hon. Friends, he will urge upon them the need to restore the inducement policies of the Labour Government so that the workers at Rheola Works, and Wern Works and the Vale of Neath Brewery, who will shortly lose their jobs, will be able to have some future?

In my discussions with my right hon. Friends I greatly support the moves which have taken place in order to introduce growth in this country and the reflationary measures which have taken place over the last few months. As far as the Resolven question is concerned, as the hon. Member knows, I am meeting him and trade union representatives from his area tomorrow.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether a tenant has been found for the 25,000 sq. ft. factory being constructed in my constituency of Swansea, East, or whether any further inquiries have been made, in view of the serious level of unemployment in Swansea?

I cannot give a detailed answer without notice, but I will look into this and white to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Confederation of British Industry in Wales seeking a relaxation in the regulations governing the issue of industrial development certificates.

I have had no recent representations.

Is the Secretary of State aware that certain sections of the C.B.I. are actively canvassing for a relaxation of these regulations? Will he assure us that he and his right hon. Friends will withstand and not give way to this pressure?

The operation of I.D.C. control, which is a potent factor in the movement of industry, calls for fine judgment. An excessively ruthless approach simply frustrates development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the research and development relating to the shipping industry being conducted within his responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir; I am satisfied that there is an effective research and development programme in relation to the needs of this industry, but this is kept under continuous review.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is in the Clyde waters a ship engaged in the carrying of passengers between ports which sits almost on its side and which is seen to be sailing in that position? Does he know anything about this vessel, which is in the public eye, and will he say how a ship sailing in that peculiar position can be certified and allowed to continue to carry passengers, even in stormy waters?

I will look into the hon. Gentleman's point. This supplementary question would seem to have something to do with safety. The research and development matters to which the hon. Gentleman referred in his Question are the subject of a report, which the Department has only just received and which is under careful study.

To what extent are research and development being carried out and Government finance being provided to help the British shipping and marine engineering industries to produce a main engine to power British ships, instead of our having to keep building them at home on licence from abroad?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on the lime growers of Jamaica, Trinidad and Dominica of the inclusion of lime oil in the Import Duties (Developing Countries) Order 1971 (S.I., 1971, No. 1882).

I cannot assess in advance how their trade to the United Kingdom may be affected, but lime oil is also to be admitted duty free into other markets.

Is the Minister aware that there is very great concern in Commonwealth countries about the effect of cheap lime oil coming into this country from Mexico and elsewhere? Will he please bear in mind that 12,000 jobs are at stake in Jamaica and 5,000 in Trinidad? Therefore, will he keep a close watch on the situation and do all he can to minimise the adverse effects of the Order on the developing countries of the Commonwealth, for which we have special responsibility?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the anxieties in this respect, but it is fair to point out that the West Indies Government were fully consulted in 1969 and 1970 by the present Government as well as by the previous Labour Government about our proposals, including the offer of duty-free entry for lime oil. However, we are looking into ways in which we might assist the lime growers in facing the increased competition from the other suppliers to which my hon. Friend referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now give details of the alternative to the Regional Employment Premium that he proposes to introduce to assist development areas.

I have at present nothing to add to what was said on 2nd November by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the Debate on the Address.

Are we not entitled to a clear and definite answer in view of the fact that only recently it was said that the Government have every intention of replacing R.E.P. by an alternative which was said to be very much better? Is it not time that we had a clear declaration of what that alternative is?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, R.E.P. was originally introduced for seven years. There is still time in which to complete the studies on which we are engaged and to make an announcement about what will take place thereafter. We have undertaken to do this in good time.

Will my hon. Friend discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the possibility of the introduction of regional variations in income tax and corporation tax?

A general study of regional policy is now being carried out. However, we must bear in mind that R.E.P. costs £100 million a year and clearly does not yield value for money.

When will the Government's review of regional policy be completed and announced to the House?

As soon as we have completed the discussions and studies which are now taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will investigate the business activities of B.M.R. United Publications Limited, of 62 Oxford Circus House, London, publishers of Town and Country Trades Guide and British Commercial Classified Business Guide, with a view to instigating prosecutions under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act.

The enforcement of this Act is a matter for the police to whom my hon. Friend will no doubt give any evidence in his possession of the commission of an offence under it.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that I am almost embarrassed to have to admit that my own wife, who runs a hairdressing business, has been conned into making two subscriptions to one of these bogus trade directory firms, neither of which she wanted and both of which were worthless, and that she is now being pursued for money for a further subscription for which she has not asked? Could we now have some sort of enforcement so that this type of firm will no longer be able to extract money from the innocent small trader against her will?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for having given me information about this case, and I am sorry that it has involved a member of his own family. However, enforcement rests with the police, and I must rest on my substantive reply.

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether, since the advent of this excellent Act, complaints about the activities of seedy and disreputable directory firms have decreased; and whether he will give a public warning that the provisions of the Act will be rigorously enforced?

I am sure the House will understand that I cannot become involved in individual prosecutions. However, I am naturally concerned to see that the Act is effective in restraining the abuses at which it is directed. I believe that its directory provisions are successfully restraining abuses.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the date when the building of the new advance factory, in the Mexborough Employment Exchange area, will be completed.

I expect completion by early June, 1972.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that unemployment in this area totals 8 per cent., and could he say how many males and females will be employed in this factory? Has any employer applied to take over the factory? Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that the delay which is being experienced is helping to create more unemployment in the Dearne Valley district, which is an important part of the South Yorkshire coalfield, and that the Government are doing their best to hamper and hinder the miners in their application for a decent wage?

The reason for delay in building the site was that, on investigation, the original site was found to be unsuitable and an alternative site had to be found. There have been seven inquiries for this site and it has been suggested to those inquiring that a unit of this size would normally be expected to employ about 60 people.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were allocated in the special development areas in each year ended June, 1968 to 1971; how many were granted in the Northern Region; what was the total floor area involved; and how many jobs were estimated to accrue.

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the Under-Secretary agree that in all probability the figures, which obviously I have not yet seen, will starkly reveal the complete failure of the Government's policies for the special development areas and will confirm that the decision taken earlier this year to make additional special development areas was nothing more than an empty gesture, as since then there has been little or no development?

The hon. Gentleman must study the figures. They reveal that the decline in the number of I.D.C.s started in about mid-1969 when the previous Administration ran away from industrial relations reform and at about the time when the hon. Gentleman became the Minister responsible for regional policy.

In the midst of all this to-ing and fro-ing argument about the North-East coast, may I ask the Under-Secretary when we shall have an answer to the proposals made some time ago by the North-East Development Council, because those proposals would deal with many of the problems to which hon. Members on both sides who represent constituencies on the North-East Coast want answers? So when shall we have the answer?

So far as I am aware, the representations of the North-East Development Council have been very carefully considered by my Department and replies have been given.