asked the Sectary of State for Wales when he proposes to reply to the memorandum on unemployment in Caernarvonshire forwarded to him by the clerk of the county council.

I wrote fully to the clerk of the county council on this matter last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement indicating the Government's long-term intentions regarding rail communications in Wales.

I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment about the future of the railway services in Wales. A statement about the continuation of grant aid for services for which the present undertakings expire at the end of the year will be made soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of children aged 7 to 11 years in schools in Wales who are receiving free school milk following recommendations by his medical advisers.

Four hundred and eight-two in October, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much additional money has he made available to Welsh local authorities for improving rural roads.

No amount has been made available specifically for improving rural roads, but the improvement of local authority non-principal roads is included in the range of additional expenditure covered by the £21 million infrastructure programme for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what grants are now available for hotel and other tourist projects in Wales; by whom are these grants administered; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government have allocated £200,000 to the Wales Tourist Board this year for grants and other help to tourist projects in the development area. Certain service industry projects, including hotels, may qualify for building grants under the Local Employment Acts. These and other forms of assistance available should encourage both tourism and employment in the areas concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will introduce legislation to give local authorities power to enforce the provision of recreational amenities during the development of private building sites.

Local authorities already have powers to provide land for public open space and recreation. Where necessary they can also ensure through planning control powers that land is made available for these purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will bring in a Bill to amend the Town and Country Planning Act in relation to Wales to ensure that parish councils are consulted with regard to detailed planning applications.

I am considering in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment the whole question of publicity for planning applications. Arrangements between planning authorities and parish councils are being looked at in this context.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to refer the proposed merger of Beechams and Glaxo to the Monopolies Commission.

I have nothing at present to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Bilston on 8th December.—[Vol. 827, c. 324.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects an announcement will be made about the construction of a new coal-fired power station.

It is primarily for the C.E.G.B. to determine the proposed construction dates for particular power stations. The board reviews the situation annually in the light of updated estimates of electricity demand six winters ahead and its estimates of future relative fuel prices and generating costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the new power station recently announced will use oil and not indigenous coal.

In the C.E.G.B.'s view the proposed power station, Ince B, which was specifically designed to burn oil, offers advantages in costs, design and location which make it at this point in time the preferred station for advancement within the overall context of the C.E.G.B.'s system and possible additions to it. It is also the station which can

I.D.C.S APPROVED FOR SCHEMES OF 10,000 SQ. FT. AND ABOVE
			Area	Additional Employment*
	Year	Number	('000 sq.ft.)	Male	Total
S.D.A.s created 18.2.71* of which	1st March, 1971–30th November, 1971	95	6,230	4,580	8,580
Northern S.D.A.s created 18.2.71	1st March, 1971–30th November, 1971	38	1,702	1,340	2,150
* Consisting of the following Employment Exchange Areas—Cumbernauld, Dunbarton Group, Glasgow Group, Greenock Group, Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire Group, Paisley Group, Irvine Group (excluding Isle of Arran), Hartlepool Group, Pcterlee Group, Tyneside Group, Wearside Group, Aberdare Group, Merthyr Tydfil Group, (part of) Pontypridd Group.
* Estimates by the applicants for industrial development certificates of the employment expected to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of each year ended June, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971, how many successful applicants for industrial development certificates have subsequently notified his Department of their intention not to proceed with development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for industrial development certificates are being considered by his Department at the moment.

I regret that this information is not available as statistics are collected only of industrial development certificates approved and refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been granted to firms to develop in Hartlepool since he designated it a special development area.

Five.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been granted to the new special development areas created in March, 1971; what was the total floor space and how many new jobs are estimated to arise; and whether he will provide separate figures for the Northern Region.

Following is the information:

I regret that the information is not available and could not be produced without undue expenditure of time and money.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many industrial development certificates were granted in each of the planning regions in each year ended June, 1968 to 1971; what was the total floor area involved; and how many new jobs were estimated to arise;

		Industrial Development Certificates approved (schemes of 10,000 sq. ft. and over)		Estimated Additional Employment (thousands)		Industrial Development Certificates refused (all schemes)
		Number	Area ('000 sq. ft.)	Male	Total	Number
Northern:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	174	8,925	12·7	18·0	1
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	197	11,765	13·5	19·4	Nil
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	168	8,314	12·5	17·9	Nil
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	139	5,827	5·6	7·6	Nil
Yorkshire and Humberside:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	236	6,879	3·9	6·4	1
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	286	8,227	6·0	11·0	Nil
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	253	12,311	5·8	10·7	Nil
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	212	7,094	5·3	7·7	3
East Midlands:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	198	6,012	3·0	5·5	23
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	230	6,984	5·2	8·1	18
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	216	5,782	5·5	7·9	24
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	162	4,447	3·4	5·0	12
East Anglia:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	124	4,081	2·6	4·0	2
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	192	5,370	6·1	9·4	4
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	137	3,758	3·8	5·6	5
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	96	2,273	2·4	4·2	4
South East:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	578	16,589	8·9	11·7	131
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	823	23,466	15·2	21·3	97
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	756	19,472	15·9	21·5	124
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	618	17,909	16·3	23·1	76
South West:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	169	5,354	4·5	7·3	5
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	200	5,786	5·1	9·5	5
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	184	4,860	5·2	7·8	5
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	133	4,649	4·0	6·2	1
Wales:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	152	4,897	7·8	11·4	Nil
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	192	9,669	13·9	20·4	Nil
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	182	8,002	10·6	15·1	Nil
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	139	5,598	7·0	10·7	Nil
West Midlands:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	237	7,285	2·1	3·5	86
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	328	9,438	5·3	7·3	38
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	309	8,219	5·0	7·0	51
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	230	6,863	3·8	5·3	55
North West:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	319	10,523	10·8	16·9	4
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	439	18,375	17·1	27·5	1
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	342	14,272	12·0	17·4	3
1st July, 1970–30th June, 1971	…	296	10,383	7·6	10·4	1
Scotland:
1st July, 1967–30th June, 1968	…	167	8,981	10·3	16·3	Nil
1st July, 1968–30th June, 1969	…	238	9,561	11·0	19·1	Nil
1st July, 1969–30th June, 1970	…	196	8,186	6·7	11·7	Nil
1st July. 1970–30th June, 1971	…	176	10,650	9·6	14·0	Nil

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the aggregate number of new jobs estimated to arise from the issue of industrial development certificates in each planning

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT RESULTING FROM I.D.C.S APPROVED* FOR SCHEMES OF 10,000 SQ. FT. AND OVER
Region				1.6.70–30.6.70		1.6.71–30.6.71		1.11.71–30.11.71
				Males	Total	Males	Total	Males	Total
North	…	…	…	2,650	4,080	420	540	40	80
Yorkshire and Humberside			…	620	850	50	80	150	230
East Midlands	…	…	…	580	1,030	50	50	360	440
East Anglia	…	…	…	120	320	160	220	140	200
South-East	…	…	…	1,510	2,380	820	1,100	1,220	1,680
South-West	…	…	…	730	870	400	640	520	790
Wales	…	…	…	1,540	1,670	140	240	120	190
West Midlands	…	…	…	280	400	260	450	290	390
North-West	…	…	…	820	1,260	1,090	1,250	240	350
Scotland	…	…	…	150	250	980	1,540	310	520
*Applicants' estimate of the additional employment expected to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes in view of the concern of international business organisations over the effect of the United Kingdom change back from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time during the winter months, which reduces to hours per day the time when offices in Great Britain and on the Continent are working simultaneously.

I have received no representations from industry on this score.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to study the results of the retrofitting of engine smoke suppressors on civil jet aircraft in the United States of America.

My Department is well aware of the American work. The techniques they have employed in reducing smoke formation in one of their types of civil engine are already well understood by the National Gas Turbine Establishment and by industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions since June, 1970 he has region in June,1970 and in June, 1971; and what is the estimated figure at the latest available date.

Following is the information requested:operated the contracts preference scheme to the advantage of firms in the development areas; what was the total value of the contracts; and which areas benefited.

From the formation of the Department in October, 1970, until 30th November, 1971, 228 contracts valued at £168,099, were placed with firms in Development Areas. Without undue expenditure it is not possible to say which were placed under the provisions of the Contracts Preference Scheme.Details are as follows:

CONTRACTS PLACED IN DEVELOPMENT AREAS BETWEEN 1ST OCTOBER, 1970 AND 30TH NOVEMBER, 1971
Development Area	Number of Contracts	Value (£)
Northern	40	4,142
Merseyside	103	132,054
South-West	2	2,771
Scotland	63	16,646
Wales	17	8,336
Northern Ireland	3	4,150
TOTALS	228	168,099

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now in a position to announce the results of the review of the over-55s miners' redundancy scheme.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 6th December, 1971.—[Vol. 827, c. 931.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent consultations he has had with the National Coal Board regarding imported coal.

The board has given me its views which I will take into account in the review of coal imports' policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the European Coal and Steel Treaty will affect his intention to review coal imports before March, 1972; what estimate he has made of the future need for the import of special coals; if he will list their types; and if he will make a statement.

The need to ensure supplies of special coals will be taken into account in the review of coal imports policy, on which an announcement will be made not later than March. The timing of the review will not be affected by our membership of the Community, but no restrictions will be imposed on Community coal.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what notice he intends to give to coal importers that when the ban on coal imports is imposed no more coal will be allowed to enter the country after the stated date and no compensation will be paid for frustrated coal imports;(2) what estimate he has made, in connection with his review, of the extent to which there is stockpiling of contracted imports of coal in Rotterdam and Amsterdam; what stocking charges are being imposed upon the initial contract prices; and whether these coals will be allowed to be imported into Great Britain after the coal import ban has been re-imposed.

I do not propose to prejudge the decision on the future of coal imports policy, but importers should not assume that, if restrictions are imposed, existing contracts would be exempted. The terms of contracts are a matter for the importers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal miners' jobs have been lost as a result of the contracted coal imports of three million tons by the Central Electricity Generating Board and how many coal mines have been prematurely closed.

No coal mines have been closed prematurely or coal miners' jobs lost as a result of coal imports. The imports of coal by the Central Electricity Generating Board ensured supplies for coal-burning power stations last winter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to all nationalised industries for which he is responsible that they should at ail times fully use postal codes on all correspondence.

No; that is a matter for the management of the boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the advice being offered by his Department to Govan Shipbuilders regarding the appointment of the new chairman of the company.

I have discussed with the board of the company the names of people who might be invited by the board to become chairman of the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the approved policy put forward by his Department to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development regarding shipbuilding subsidies.

The Government's policy is to support efforts within O.E.C.D. to reach international agreement on proposals for a progressive reduction of all forms of Government assistance to the industry which distort competition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the position of shipbuilding in Upper Clydeside.

The establishment, through Govan Shipbuilders Ltd., of a viable merchant shipbuilding undertaking remains the Government's aim. Studies which I have commissioned from consultants into the conditions for setting up such an undertaking covering the Govan, Linthouse and possibly Scotstoun yards are continuing and I hope to have the results early in the New Year. I will take them into account in the proposals which I expect Govan Shipbuilders Ltd. to put to me. The study I have commissioned into the future potential of Clydebank should also be completed in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to help speed up the establishment of major industrial firms on the new industrial estates at Pontardawe and Gorseinon within the Gower constituency to combat the unemployment problems.

The Department will continue to draw these estates to the attention of all suitable firms seeking locations in South Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the effect upon the present policy for the use of industrial development certificates of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community.

I know of no reason why the I.D.C. system should not continue, after entry, to play an important part in persuading industry to consider locations in the assisted areas.

asked the Secretary of Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on the price of Concorde.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a full statement on the agreement concerning the selling price of Concorde reached between his right hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace and M. Jean Chamant, in view of the disclosure of new information in Paris on 15th December.

At our meeting on 7th December, M. Chamant and I agreed on the pricing formula to be adopted by the manufacturers in their negotiations with the first three option holding airlines. We agreed not to reveal this formula in order not to prejudice the outcome of the negotiations. I have not yet been able to ascertain precisely what transpired but I will inform the House at the first opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether the noise produced by Concorde aircraft at take-off and at landing will be less than that produced under similar conditions by jumbo jets;(2) what estimates have been made of the noise nuisance produced by Concorde aircraft on take-off and at landing; and how these estimates compare with the noise levels experienced with the latest versions of the VC10, Boeing 707 and Boeing 747.

The manufacturers estimate that the noise levels of Concorde on entry into service will compare as follows (figures in E.P.N.D.b. on the basis of the requirements of I.C.A.O. Annex 16):

	Lateral noise on take-off	Flyover noise after take-off	Approach noise on landing	Total
Boeing 707–320C	108	114	120	342
VC10	113	110	115	338
Boeing 747–100	102	115	113	330
Boeing 747–200B	98	108	109	315
Concorde	111	114	115	340

The figures for the Boeing 747 are, respectively, for the aircraft on initial entry into service—747–100—and estimates for the latest version, the -200B with new air inlet, which is now going into production.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the levels of acceptable noise laid down for subsonic jets at take-off will be exceeded by the version of Concorde which is intended for commercial airline service.

The design aim is that Concorde's noise should be comparable to that of existing jet aircraft, and on this basis it should be able to meet airport noise standards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if aircraft performance and maintenance guarantees are being offered to prospective customers of the Concorde.

The manufacturers are currently in discussion with airlines about their requirements and the guarantees necessary to negotiate sales contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total labour force employed on the Concorde directly and indirectly, respectively.

Approximately 26,000 people are at present directly dependent on the Concorde project. It is estimated that about 10.000 of these are direct workers, and 16.000 indirect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take in respect of the recommendations contained in the report of the inspection into the Cynheidre Colliery accident.

A full meeting of the enlarged Joint Committee on Outbursts of Coal and Firedamp will take place early in the New Year to discuss the recommendations. Informal discussions have been in progress for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he had with the producers of ferro-alloys before he made the Import Duties (Developing Countries) Order, Statutory Instrument No. 1882; and if he is aware of the difficulties that it will cause such producers.

Industry generally has been kept informed about the scheme during the last three years while the details were being worked out. Detailed consultations on specific products would not have been appropriate since our offer had to be considered on a broad basis, having, regard to the offers of other countries. If any serious difficulties arise, industry can have recourse to the safeguard arrangements described by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade in the House on 8th December during the debate on the order.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the negotiations of the RB211 contract by Her Majesty's Government included any obligation for orders to be placed by Great Britain for products of the United States aircraft industry.

No such obligation was sought or accepted in the Government's discussions with the United States Government or the negotiations with Lockheed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce a new fuel policy making the maximum use of oil and gas from the North Sea and home-produced coal.

The fuel oil duty already gives a measure of preference to other indigenous fuels, but use of fuels depends largely on their respective prices. My right hon. Friend continues to review all aspects of fuel use.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board to allocate at least half of its future building programme to coal-fired stations, thus helping to maintain employment in the coal-mining industry.

No. A policy having no regard to relative fuel price estimates would be inappropriate. In 1970–71 coal accounted for 71·5 per cent. of the primary fuel used by the C.E.G.B. and the board will need considerable quantities of coal for as far ahead as can be foreseen.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the size of the staff of the Monopolies Commission on 1st December, 1971, and 1st December, 1970, respectively.

64, including four part-time staff, on 1st December, 1971, and 41, including six part-time staff, on 1st December, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has had any inquiries for tenancy of the empty factory in Carfin Industrial Estate; and what he has done to publicise this factory.

No. The factory is widely advertised and the Department will lose no opportunity of drawing it to the attention of suitable industrial enquirers. Renovation now in hand will improve its attractiveness.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the quotas for imported Japanese wool cloth for each of the last eight years; and how much of these quotas was taken up in each of these years.

These quotas are administered by the Japanese Government through the issues of export certificates. Following is the information available to date:

	Quota ('000 sq. yds.)	Export certificates issued ('000 sq. yds.)
1963	400	8
1964	500	89
1965	600	22
1966	600	56
1967	800	106
1968	1,000	71
1969	1,200	56
1970	1,440	not yet available

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to find a tenant for the empty advance factory on the Houghton-le-Spring Industrial Estate.

We now have a prospective tenant for this factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the compulsory assay and hallmarking of valuable metals.

We are now considering how a reformed compulsory hallmarking system could best be administered and enforced, and hope to publish a consultative document at some time in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Civil Aviation Authority Board will include an airline pilot as a member.

I am still considering the composition of the authority. I hope to announce the initial appointments shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, showing that before his official announcement of the appointment of the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority these details were published and subsequently confirmed by his official announcement, he will now agree to have an inquiry into this matter.

No. I was aware when I answered the hon. Member's Question on 10th December that there had been reports in the Press before the official announcement of the name of the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority. I see no reason to depart from the reply I gave then.—[Vol. 827, c 420.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new jobs have been provided in new firms in Hartlepool established since June, 1970.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future prospects in Hartlepool.

Statistics are not available of jobs in prospect in the non-maufacturing sector or of jobs resulting from expansions of which do not involve new industrial building. Nearly 600 new jobs in manufacturing industry are in prospect. The measures that the Government have already taken will encourage industrial expansion and provide more manufacturing projects to take advantage of the wide range of special development area incentives now available in Hartlepool.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the number of occasions when he has been requested to take action against companies for failing to carry out provisions of the Companies Act; and what action he took in each instance.

This information could not be compiled without undue expenditure of staff resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest annual rate of imports from and exports to Israel; how these figures compare with a year earlier; and for the longest stated period of time, what has been the annual balance of trade between the two countries.

Imports and exports in January to November, 1971, at an annual rate were £53 million and £114 million respectively compared with £45 million and £96 million in 1970. Figures for the trade balance are not available for individual countries. Figures of imports c.i.f. and exports f.o.b. are published, but the difference between them is not a good measure of the visible trade balance because, inter alia, of the difference in the bases of valuation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a grant to the National Federa- tion of Consumer Groups equal to the proposed reduction in the grant paid to that body by the Consumer Association.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will request the Pearce Commission to make a preliminary report to Parliament outlining the procedure which they propose to adopt in testing Rhodesian opinion in regard to suggested constitutional changes.

I do not think this would be appropriate or practicable. As is clear from the terms of reference for the Pearce Commission, of which the House was informed on 1st December, its task is to report to my right honourable Friend. It will no doubt release information about the procedures it will adopt when it has taken the relevant decisions.—[Vol. 827, c. 475.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now announce the names of the additional members of the Pearce Commission which is to test Rhodesian opinion.

As the House is aware, two additional deputy chairmen have been appointed; Sir Glyn Jones and Sir Frederick Pedler.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he intends to take following his representation on behalf of the Dean of Johannesburg made to the Government of South Africa.

I have nothing to add at this stage to what my right hon. Friend told the House on 4th November.—[Vol. 825, c. 354–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what agreement has been reached on fisheries between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community relating to the situation where no common fisheries policy is agreed in 1982; and, in particular, whether it has been agreed that each country will, in that event, revert to its pre-existing fishery limits, or that the 10-year fisheries policy will continue indefinitely, or that the present European Economic Community common fisheries regulations in force will revive.

The details of the agreement on arrangements for fisheries were set out in my statement on 13th December, and fully explained to the House in the debate on 16th December. [Vol. 828, c. 51–4, c. 725–37.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further exchanges have taken place in the Brussels Conference on the subject of the European Coal and Steel Community; and if he will make a statement.

As I told the House on 24th June we were able at Luxembourg to settle the major issues concerning the Coal and Steel Community. But certain points were left over for the Deputies. They have now been able to settle the question of provision for our membership of the European Coal and Steel Community Consultative Committee, of the submission of agreements to the Commission under Article 65 of the Treaty of Paris, of the inclusion of a safeguard clause in the Treaty of Accession on the lines of Articles 2(4) of the Transitional Provisions Convention of the Treaty of Paris and of the establishment of half-yearly tariff quotas for steel imports into the enlarged Community. The Community have also notified us, and we have accepted, that the agreement between the British Steel Corporation, the British Independent Steel Producers' Association and the British Scrap Federation should lapse as from the date of our accession.—[Vol. 819, c. 1604–10.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes that Great Britain should contribute to the European Economic Communities' budget for nuclear research, at present totalling £100,000,000; and whether Great Britain's contribution to this budget will be in addition to the expenditure already being undertaken in this country on the same objects.

The arrangements for financing the Communities' expenditure including the budget for nuclear research and investment were set out in paragraphs 91 to 96 and Annex A of the White Paper, The United Kingdom and the European Communities—Cmnd. 4715. The Euratom research and investment programme in 1971 together totalled £28 million as is made clear in Annex A. paragraph 6 of the White Paper.The Communities' future research programme is currently being discussed by the Council of Ministers and the United Kingdom will be fully consulted under the arrangements described in paragraph 76 of the White Paper to ensure that due account is taken of our interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes further expenditure on publicity in favour of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community; how much further expenditure is planned; and for what precise purpose.

No such further expenditure is proposed at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether proposals for safeguarding the interests of Commonwealth sugar producers have yet been put forward by the European Economic Community; and, in particular, whether there are plans for sugar beet production within the Community to be reduced.

The European Economic Community's proposals for Commonwealth sugar after 1974 were set out in my statements of 17th May and 9th JuneSugar beet production in the Community is restricted by quota until the end of 1974. We will participate as a member of the enlarged Community in re-negotiating arrangements for 1975 onwards.—[Vol. 817, c. 885–6; Vol. 818, c. 1043].

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with Ministers of the European Economic Community about the extension of co-operation in economic and other fields to the countries of Eastern Europe.

East-West relations were among the subjects discussed by the Ten Foreign Ministers at the meeting my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary attended in Rome on 6th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now publish the most recent estimate of the rise in the cost of living of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, using as the basis the known prices of the commodities as used in his cost of living index figure in Great Britain, compared with the prices charged for such items within the European Economic Community.

I have been asked to reply.The latest official estimate of the effect of entry on the cost of living is set out in paragraph 88 of the White Paper "The United Kingdom and the European Communities" (Cmnd. 4715).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government's undertaking that they regard the inshore fisheries of the United Kingdom as a vital national interest is a continuing undertaking which it is their present intention to honour in 10 years' time.

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. Wolrige-Gordon) on 13th December I assured the House that the United Kingdom would be able adequately to safeguard our vital fishing interests in the future and, in my statement earlier, I expressed confidence that the Government of the day would do so.—[Vol. 828, c. 52–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the protests made to Her Majesty's Gov- ernment by the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen concerning alleged overflights and bombing attacks by the Royal Air Force in the Sixth Governorate of the Republic.

The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen have protested on several occasions about alleged overflights of and bombing attacks on the Sixth Governorate of the Republic by British military aircraft. The latest protest was made on 27th September this year. On this as on previous occasions the allegations were unfounded and the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen was so informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many further members the Lord Chancellor proposes to appoint to the Commission on Industrial Relations.

Appointments to the Commission on Industrial Relations are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Employment. My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to appoint further members.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the total numbers of employment in Scotland at the latest available date; and what was the equivalent figure for June, 1970.

The estimated numbers of employees in employment in Scotland at June, 1970, and at March, 1971, the latest date for which information is available, were 2,077,000 and 2,042,000, respectively. The figure for March, 1971. is provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what are the present figures for unemployment in respect of the Newburn Urban District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West constituency, and the comparable figures for 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966 and 1965; and if he will also give vacancies for the same periods;(2) what are the present figures for unemployment in respect of that part of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West constituency within the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and the comparable figures for the previous six years; and if he will give vacancies for the same periods.

The Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West constituency covers the greater part of the Newburn-on-Tyne and Elswick employment exchange areas

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND NOTIFIED VACANCIES REMAINING UNFILLED
		Newburn-on-Tyne (males and females)			Elswick (men aged 18 years and over)
		Total registered unemployed	Registered wholly unemployed	Unfilled vacancies	Total registered unemployed	Registered wholly unemployed	Unfilled vacancies
December, 1971 (provisional)		488	481	20	2,201	2,171	18
December, 1970	…	394	390	52	1,628	1,628	52
December, 1969	…	473	470	16	1,816	1,809	43
December, 1968	…	417	417	39	1,771	1,769	20
December, 1967	…	235	228	23	1,942	1,932	28
December, 1966	…	155	155	12	1,433	1,427	64
December, 1965	…	131	118	34	1,415	1,376	307
The vacancy statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what the yardstick is for registration as a blind person fit for employment in open industry; and how many registered blind persons in the City of Leeds are certified as suitable for open industry.

All disabled people, including the blind, are considered for employment in open industry, commerce or in the professions, and rehabilitation and training facilities are available as necessary. In deciding whether some people are unlikely to be able to work satisfactorily except under special conditions, account has to be taken of each person's residual capacity, general health, past employment record and aptitude for training.About 80 registered blind people are employed in ordinary employment in the City of Leeds. Of the 15 blind people who are registered as unemployed at local offices of my Department, 12 are considered suitable for open employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men were employed in the steel industry in Hartlepool on 18th June, 1970; and how many were employed at the latest available date.

At June, 1970, the latest date for which information is available, the estimated number of male employees in employment in the Hartlepool and Hartlepool Headland employment exchange areas in the iron and steel industry was 6,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give the p148rovisional unemployment figure for December, 1971, in Birkenhead, and the December figures in each year as far back as records go.

Figures on a comparable basis are available from 1948 and in the following table information is shown for December of each year from that date:—

Numbers registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Birkenhead Employment Exchange.
December 1971 (provisional)	4,704
December 1970	2,568
December 1968	1,980
December 1969	2,363
December 1967	1,567
December 1966	1,542
December 1965	1,244
December 1964	1,867
December 1963	2,948
December 1962	3,428
December 1961	1,919
December 1960	2,300
December 1959	2,532
December 1958	2,618
December 1957	1,733
December 1956	1,467
December 1955	1,055
December 1954	1,566
December 1953	1,995
December 1952	1,958
December 1951	1,051
December 1950	1,494
December 1949	2,029
December 1948	2,178

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will announce his plans with regard to the future of the Redundancy Payments Scheme before 23rd December.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the numbers of unfilled employment vacancies in manufacturing industry in Wales.

At 3rd November, there were in Wales 1,308 notified vacancies remaining unfilled for employment in the manufacturing industries. As there is no obligation on employers to notify their vacancies to my Department, the figures do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour in these industries in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many males are unemployed in the Newport, Monmouthshire, employment exchange area; and how many male vacancies exist at the latest available date;(2) how many young persons are unemployed in the Newport, Monmouth- shire, employment exchange area; and how many vacancies exist at the latest available date;(3) how many males are unemployed in the County of Monmouthshire; and how many male vacancies exist at the latest available date;(4) how many young persons are unemployed in the County of Monmouthshire; and how many vacancies exist at the latest available date.

Provisional figures for December, 1971, indicate that 6,543 men, 435 boys, 1,307 women and 369 girls were registered as wholly unemployed in the County of Monmouthshire and that 202 notified vacancies for men, 36 for boys, 88 for women and 47 for girls remained unfilled. In the area covered by the Newport Employment Exchange 2,251 men and 352 women were registered as wholly unemployed and there were 56 vacancies for men and 26 for women. Figures for young persons are not available for this precise area but in the rather wider area covered by the Newport County Borough and Cross Keys careers offices, 182 boys and 140 girls were registered as wholly unemployed and there were 14 vacancies for boys and 12 for girls. The vacancy figures relate only to notified vacancies which remained unfilled on 1st December and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he agreed in Brussels to the demand made by the European Economic Community that British home-produced wine should cease to be so-called by 1976; what discussions he had with the representatives of the British wine growers before agreeing to this; and whether he will arrange to discuss this matter with the industry.

Producers of wine from grapes grown in this country are not affected by the agreement in Brussels, which concerns certain types of wine made in ways which do not conform with the Community's regulations. The Community has accepted the British case, put forward in the course of consultations with the trade association concerned, that these British wines are outside the scope of the regulations. This allows the continued production of all these products, and their marketing throughout the enlarged Community, subject only to the requirement that the word "wine" should cease to be used in their names where this conflicts with Community rules. For the United Kingdom Market, the Community has allowed a reasonable transitional period of adjustment. Exports to countries outside the enlarged Community are not affected at all.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of processed potatoes has been imported into the United Kingdom this year; and what requests he has received to restrict imports, in view of the record home crop of potatoes.

The quantities of processed potatoes imported into the United Kingdom between January and October, 1971, were as follows:

	Tons
Frozen potato products	1,200
Dried potatoes	1,645
Potato granules	2,964
Potato flakes	4,221
Potato flour and meal other than granules and flake	1,101
Canned potatoes	11,334
Potato crisps	472

My right hon. Friend has received requests on behalf of potato producers and processors of certain forms of processed potato for some restriction of imports of processed potato and particularly granules. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry informed the House on 16th November, the Department of Trade and Industry is considering an application for the imposition of anti-dumping duties on potato granules imported from Canada.—[Vol. 826, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about action to be taken on the recommendation of the committee of inquiry on rabies.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have today laid the Rabies (Importation of Mammals) Order, 1971, which will come into effect on 10th January, 1972. The main effects of this order will be to permit the resumption of imports of certain mammals at present banned, except for research purposes, by the Exotic Animals (Importation) Order, 1969, and to subject these and some other species of animals to six months' quarantine and other rabies prevention measures. These measures will apply to all of the 10 orders of mammals which the committee of inquiry recommended should be subject to quarantine.Consultations have been taking place with the interested organisations on other aspects of the committee's report and further measures arising out of the recommendations will be taken as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when, following his acceptance of the Report of the Fowl Pest Review Panel, he will introduce the revised arrangements for dealing with flocks infested with Newcastle disease; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have made the Newcastle Disease (England and Wales) Order, 1971, which will come into operation on 1st January, 1972.This order introduces new arrangements for dealing with poultry in England and Wales which are suspected of having become infected with Newcastle disease. The disease will continue to be subject to compulsory notification, so that flock owners or other persons in charge of poultry and veterinary surgeons will be required to notify a police constable or a Ministry veterinary official if they suspect the presence of the disease. A Ministry veterinary inspector will then visit the flock to confirm whether or not the disease is present and until his visit is made the flock must not be moved. If the disease has been found to be present the flock owner will not be subject to detailed restrictions, as was previously the case, but will be given advice by the veterinary inspector and will be asked to follow a code of practice designed to minimise the spread of infection. This voluntary code of practice will thus replace the previous Form A restrictions.The order also continues the existing prohibition on the use of vaccines unless they have been licensed, but in accordance with the recommendations of the panel, it drops the provision for slaughter and compensation which has until now been used in peracute cases of the disease.A separate order will later be made incorporating the requirements in respect of fowl plague in Great Britain and consideration is also being given to the arrangements for dealing with Newcastle disease in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the strength of local feeling against the proposal for opencast coalmining at Woorgreens in the Forest of Dean; and what action he proposes to take to allay it.

After full consideration of the circumstances I have come to the conclusion that it would not be consistent with my obligations under Section 11 of the Countryside Act, 1968, to grant a lease for opencast coal mining on this site.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer in a full year of permitting occupiers of rented accommodation to deduct their rent from their gross income for tax purposes.

No estimate is possible but the cost would be considerable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many extra jobs will be created in Wales by the engagement of staff to enable the forthcoming repayment of post-war credits, and what will be the duration of such jobs.

As my right hon. Friend said in his statement of 14th December, there is a great deal of planning and organisation to be done by the Inland Revenue. It is not yet possible to say where staff will be recruited and located for this task. Most of the work will be completed by October, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his proposals for ward boundaries within the proposed reformed local government system.

Proposals for some new authorities have already been sent to existing authorities for publication locally. Proposals for the remaining new authorities, including those in Wales, will be sent out during the next five to six weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards have been negotiated to ensure that the same rights of mobility within the European Economic Community will be accorded to Commonwealth immigrants legally established in this country as to other United Kingdom citizens.

Commonwealth citizens who are registered as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies will come within the definition of a "United Kingdom national" which has been notified to the Community for E.E.C. membership purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the definition of United Kingdom national given by Her Majesty's Government to the European Economic Community on 29th November differs from that used in the Immigration Acts.

The definition given to the European Economic Community includes all citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who are patrial under the Immigration Act, 1971, but not citizens of an independent Commonwealth country who are patrial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT what proposals in the report, Fair Deal for the Fair Sex, details of which are in his

Recommendation number	Recommendation on which action has been taken
1	Electors overseas on business (and their spouses) to be entitled to vote by proxy.
5	Damages awarded to widows under Fatal Accidents Acts: courts not to take account of remarriage or prospects of remarriage of the widow of the deceased.
6(b)	Damages awarded under Fatal Accidents Acts: abolition of court's power to control widow's share.
11	Attachment of earnings order to be recorded on P45 tax form. (Alternative approach in Attachment of Earnings Act 1971 requiring debtors to notify court of changes of employment.)
12	Payment of maintenance order to be made by post.
15	Damages for adultery to be abolished.
16–22	Some of the recommendations concerning property in marriage were overtaken by the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act 1970. The Law Commission are at present studying the whole field of family property law, and have recently published a working paper on the subject.
23	Women not to be required to give marital status when signing a deed or being a party to litigation.
24*	Married women to be treated for tax purposes as if single. (Earned income only—with effect from 1972–73.)
27*	Women not to be required to be in full-time employment or completely incapacitated as a condition of claiming housekeeper allowance. Relief should be available on the same terms to both sexes. (Where there are resident children housekeeper allowance has been largely superseded by additional personal allowance.)
28*	Husband's gross income to be considered when maintenance is awarded.
29	Aggregation of children's income with that of parents to be abolished.
31*	Post-war credits to be payable to women at same age as men (all post-war credits to be paid out irrespective of age in 1972).
* Indicates implemented in part.

In addition, legislation is to be introduced to provide in England and Wales for equal rights of guardianship over their children by husband and wife (recommendation 10) and legislation on affiliation proceedings (recommendations 13 and 14, which the Government accept) has been introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers). Consideration continues to be given to other recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he has taken to implement his assurance of 29th November to the House of Commons that he would discuss detailed suggestions about internment with Mr. Faulkner; and what has been the result of such discussions;(2) if he can now state the result of the examination which he announced to the House of Commons on 29th November, 1971, that he had set in hand

The following recommendations have been substantially implemented:about changing the present system of internment in Northern Ireland.

I have discussed internment procedures with Mr. Faulkner but am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet completed his study of the book published by David Yallop concerning Derek Bentley, entitled,To Encourage the Others, a copy of which is in his possession; and whether he is yet ready to reach any conclusions about it.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish the Home Office Research Unit study of a sample of 1.000 men given suspended sentences in 1968; and whether meanwhile he will give in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of the findings of the study.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to publish the results of this research in due course; and I shall write to the right hon. Member when the study has been more fully considered within the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department

Persons acquitted*
		Persons	Males aged 17 and over		Females aged 17 and over		Juveniles aged under 17		Total		Col. (8) as percentage
		proceeded against	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	of Col. (1)
Year		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)	(10)
1960	…	17,815							527	100·0	3·0
1961	…	21,663	The figures for these years						636	100·0	2·9
1962	…	25,731	are not available						719	100·0	2·8
1963	…	25,506							860	100·0	3·4
1964	…	27,626	233	24·8	494	52·5	213	22·7	940	100·0	3·4
1965	…	31,497	280	24·9	590	52·4	255	22·7	1,125	100·0	3·6
1966	…	30,971	295	26·1	574	50·8	261	23·1	1,130	100·0	3·6
1967	…	32,857	374	26·8	742	53·1	281	20·1	1,397	100·0	4·3
1968	…	34,524	391	26·4	819	55·3	270	18·3	1,480	100·0	4·3
1969	…	40,181	528	29·5	974	54·5	286	16·0	1,788	100·0	4·4
1970	…	43,477	682	32·7	1,090	52·3	314	15·0	2,086	100·0	4·8

Persons found guilty
		Males aged 17 and over		Females aged 17 and over		Juveniles aged under 17		Total
		Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.
Year		(11)	(12)	(13)	(14)	(15)	(16)	(17)	(18)
1960	…	4,036	23·5	6,273	36·4	6,908	40·1	17,217	100·0
1961	…	4,540	21·6	8,161	38·9	8,284	39·5	20,985	100·0
1962	…	5,732	230	10,661	42·7	8,550	34·3	24,943	100·0
1963	…	5,996	24·4	10,470	42·7	8,079	32·9	24,545	100·0
1964	…	6,337	23·9	11,319	42·7	8,860	33·4	26,516	100·0
1965	…	7,124	23·7	12,988	43·1	9,985	33·2	30,097	100·0
1966	…	7,743	26·1	12,602	42·6	9,272	31·3	29,617	100·0
1967	…	8,657	27·8	13,813	44·3	8,701	27·9	31,171	100·0
1968	…	9,761	29·9	14,468	44·3	8,447	25·8	32,676	100·0
1969	…	12,086	31·9	17,444	46·0	8,354	22·1	37,884	100·0
1970	…	13,872	34·2	18,336	45·2	8,384	20·6	40,592	100·0
* Includes persons discharged under section 7 of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1952, and those whose charge was withdrawn or dismissed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute an inquiry into the need for the protection of shoppers against wrongful prosecution for shop- lifting with a view to the introduction of legislation.

The problem of shoplifting is kept under review but my right hon. Friend has no plans for such an inquiry.

The following table gives the available details of persons proceeded against for shoplifting under Section 2 of the Larceny Act, 1916, or Section 1 of the Theft Act, 1968:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with the discussions between his Department and the British Insurance Association about the implications of the Holroyd Report published in May, 1971; and to what extent arrangements have been made for British insurance companies to provide greater financial incentives to industrial firms for the improvement of fire precautions and prevention measures.