asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to involve the British Export Board in the marketing of Concorde.

The full range of export services provided by the Department of Trade and Industry, and now under the overall direction of the British Export Board, are already available to the manufacturers of Concorde, with whom my officials are in close touch.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what allowance has been made for the writing-off of research and development expenditure in the figure of £13 million agreed with the French Government as the pricing formula for Concorde.

It would not be in the best interests of the project to give further details of the commercial elements of the pricing formula.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much public money he intends to spend on manufacture and sale of Concorde;(2) if he will undertake that no further Government subsidy will be involved in the manufacture of production models of Concorde.

We intend to finance the manufacture of Concorde by interest-bearing loans. The amount of loans required will depend on the number of aircraft sold, and the terms of payment agreed with airlines.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much further public money he intends to spend on the further development of Concorde.

The last Anglo-French estimate of development costs was £885 million at December, 1970, prices. Of this the United Kingdom share is £440 million of which £320 million had been spent up to 31st December, 1971, leaving £120 million outstanding. This estimate is currently being reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the European Economic Community rules will permit him to sell Concorde to the British Overseas Airways Corporation below cost price or to subsidise the British Overseas Airways Corporation to enable them to purchase and to run it.

I understand the Community has no rules relating to these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, (1) if he will undertake not to subsidise British Overseas Airways Corporation purchases of Concorde;(2) at what price he proposes to permit the British Overseas Airways Corporation to purchase Concorde;(3) if he will undertake that Concorde will not be sold to the British Overseas Airways Corporation at a price below the cost of manufacture.

The price paid by B.O.A.C. will depend on its negotiations with the manufacturers. The pricing formula agreed by M. Chamant and my right hon. Friend, is intended to recover the full costs of production and normal commercial margins.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measurement has been made of the noise produced by the Concorde; and how it compares with the levels permitted at London Heathrow Airport.

On the basis of extrapolations from measurements on the production aircraft, the manufacturers expect Concorde's noise on entry into service to be comparable with that of the Boeing 707s and DC 8s, which meet the noise requirements at Heathrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the basis of the pricing formula of £13 million for Concorde includes a margin of profit; whether it also includes any return to the Government for the sums expended on the project; and if he will state the pricing formula being followed.

The answer to the first two points is "Yes". It would not be in the best interests of the project to give further details of the commercial elements of the pricing formula.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many countries have now indicated that they are prepared to allow Concorde to fly overland in their airspace.

The right of overflight of other countries by British airlines is conveyed by international agreements which do not require specific permission for any particular category of aircraft. These rights are, however, subject to the law of the State concerned and it is recognised that some States may control supersonic overflights.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the light of recent discoveries of oil in the North Sea, he will now publish a new White Paper on national fuel policy.

I have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his study on the review of regional policy will be completed; and whether he will make a statement.

The study of regional policy is continuing. I cannot yet say whether or when a statement might be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the maximum price of a ton of imported solid fuel during the last quarter of 1971.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek additional powers to protect members of the public from having their names wrongfully published in lists of alleged debt defaulters, and from the threat of such publication.

It would not be right to consider additional powers in advance of receiving the Report of the Committee on Privacy, which is considering whether any changes are desirable in the whole law relating to the disclosure of the private affairs of individuals. The individual already has the protection provided by the general law on libel and by the provisions on unlawful harassment of debtors contained in the Administration of Justice Act, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to make for the continuation of the work of the Industrial Coal Consumers Council and the Domestic Coal Consumers Council in circumstances compatible with the Treaty of Paris, should accession to the European Communities be effected.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the accession legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff in his Department have been wholly or partly employed in drafting answers to parliamentary Questions on Company Law in the last three months.

Some 43 staff in addition to a number of clerical, typing, record keeping and messengerial staff, have been partly employed in the preparation of advice in answering about 200 parliamentary Questions referring to the Companies Acts and related legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what grants will be made to British computer industry in the next year in respect of heavy research and development; what form these grants will take; and what proportion they will be of total expenditure.

These matters feature in the far-reaching recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology in its report on the Computer Industry, which is now being considered. A scheme of Government contracts to assist the development of new computer products and applications, which was foreshadowed in the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) on 30th July, 1971, is now under way.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of the recent strike at the Rolls-Royce works at Bristol.

The total cost of this strike to public funds cannot be calculated with precision. The best estimate which we can make is about £3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Chamber of Shipping about the adverse effect on investment in ships of the withdrawal of investment grants; and what reply he has sent.

We have received a letter from the Chamber of Shipping about investment incentives and this is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to deal with the problem of industrial undertakings closing down and leaving the West London area.

I would refer the hon. Member to my speech in the Adjournment debate on West London on 10th December, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the address by Air Vice Marshal E. D. Crew of the National Air Traffic Control Service given at the 12th Anglo American Aeronautical Conference at Calgary, published by the Canadian Aeronautic and Space Institute as Paper No. 72/16, was made with his authority.

The paper on the Mediator project was presented by Air Vice Marshal Crew in his capacity as Deputy Controller of the National Air Traffic Services in accordance with normal Departmental practice. No specific authority from me is required for such an address.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the financial institutions which have given him advice on the methods to be adopted in disposing of assets held by Her Majesty's Government in joint stock companies.

I have asked three merchant banks for advice in this connection—Rothschild, Schroder Wagg and Guinness Mahon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made to date in the attraction of new industry to the special development areas in Scotland; and what are the future prospects.

In addition to the jobs which will arise in existing premises and in non-manufacturing employment there are nearly 20,000 jobs, more than half of them for men, reported to be in prospect in the Scottish Development areas, etc. The expansionary measures the Government have already taken and the new opportunities afforded by our entry into Europe should increase the number of mobile industrial projects which could be attracted to Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made to date in the attraction of new industry to the special development areas at Consett and Stanley. County Durham.

Since June, 1970, locations in the Consett and Stanley area have been suggested to 52 firms, of which 19 are known to have visited the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in attracting new industry to the special development areas in North-East England.

In addition to the jobs which will arise in existing premises and in non-manufacturing employment, there are nearly 17,000 jobs, more than 11,000 of them for men, reported to be in prospect in the special development areas of North-East England within the next four years in authorised new industrial buildings and in existing buildings taken over by manufacturing firms. The expansionary measures the Government have already taken and the new opportunities afforded by our entry into Europe should increase the number of mobile industrial projects which could be attracted to North-East England.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many suggestions for formal references the Monopolies Commission has made to him.

One.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to instruct firms seeking to institute take-over bid measures to consult with the Government Department concerned, the Monopolies Commission and the firm or firms with whom they seek to merge; and if he will make a statement.

I already consider whether a reference should be made to the Monopolies Commission of any merger proposals that meet the criteria in the existing legislation, and my officials consult the firms concerned as necessary. It would not be practicable either to extend this procedure to all merger proposals or to attempt to enforce compulsory consultation between firms in merger transactions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current level of coal stocks held by the National Coal Board, and by industry generally.

The latest available information is given in the Weekly Statistical Statement issued by the Department and available in the Library of the House, a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now satisfied that existing coal stocks are sufficient to ensure reasonable supplies to consumers during the winter months; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 9th January, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are Great Britain's present coal stocks, showing household, industrial and commercial stocks, respectively.

The latest available information is given in the Weekly Statistical Statement issued by the Department and available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current stock of coal supplies in the country, domestic and industrial; and what advice he intends to give to all users.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's answer to his earlier Question today. I am keeping the situation under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now approve the starting of work on the proposed Sizewell B nuclear power station.

It is primarily for the C.E.G.B. to determine construction dates for power stations. It has announced that the Sizewell B order, which was deferred last year because of reduced demand forecasts, will be reviewed in the spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has studied the question of cosmic radiation hazards in supersonic flying with especial reference to female passengers and stewardesses of child-bearing age and the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, a copy of which is in his possession; and what advice he is tendering to possible purchasers of Concorde.

The effects of cosmic radiation have been very thoroughly examined in the light of current scientific and medical opinion. The operating procedures followed by the aircraft will ensure that passengers and crew will not be exposed to radiation in excess of the levels recommended by the I.C.R.P.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he is giving to the creation of a new central Scottish airport.

None; a study has indicated that such an airport would be more expensive to develop than Turnhouse, Abbotsinch and Prestwick.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total percentage of facilities devoted to civil research at Aldermaston Research Station during each of the last three years for which figures are available, as compared with military research facilities.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said on 5th August, 1971, in another place, about 19 per cent. of the work done at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston is civilian work and all the rest is military. The percentage was the same in 1968–69 and 1969–70.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the report of the Committee under Sir Robert Marshall, which is considering the Concorde, the long-term future of Rolls-Royce and how to find funds for short and vertical take-off development and European and United States industries; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 16th December when my right hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace confirmed his undertaking to consider whether a statement might be made on the outcome of the review in due course.—[Vol. 828, c. 177.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will approve the proposal of the National Coal Board for the building of two new coal-burning power stations.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to a Question by the hon. Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, owing to the high rates of unemployment existing in the South Yorkshire coal-mining intermediate area, if he will now give approval for the building of a new coal-burning power station in that district.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to a Question by the hon. Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that Imperial Chemical Industries and Courtaulds have been asked to join a cartel of Common Market firms to produce man-made fibres which is prevented under the British Restrictive Trade Practices legislation; and whether he can give an assurance that, on entry into the European Economic Community, such legislation in Great Britain will be permitted under the rules of the European Economic Community.

The two companies have stated that no such approach has been made to them. The E.E.C. rules of competition apply only to practices which affect trade between member States and do not prevent member States from having their own national legislation on restrictive trade practices.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the negotiations for the adoption of the European Economic Community/Israel preferential trade agreement to take account of the enlargement of the Community are expected to take place.

Negotiations for the adaptation of the E.E.C.-Israel Agreement are expected to take place during the first half of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the European Economic Community have decided that Great Britain will have to grant generalised tariff preferences to textiles from developing countries on entry into the European Economic Community; to what extent in the alignment of the United Kingdom scheme, or that applied by the Community since 1st July, 1971, technical problems are presented; how it is proposed to resolve these; and whether the decision will be taken without discussing this with the British textile industry.

A single Generalised Scheme of Preferences for the enlarged E.E.C. will not come into effect until 1st January, 1974. Nearer that time, discussions will be held both with the E.E.C. and our own industry on the details of the arrangements applying to textiles.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to commence negotiations with the European Economic Community Commission regarding the areas of Great Britain to be designated as central areas for the purpose of regional development assistance; and if he will make a statement.

No programme has been fixed, but it has been arranged with the Community that these matters will be settled in the first six months of our membership.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of providing full emergency medical facilities for the projected Foulness Airport, to the equivalent standard of those recommended for Heathrow Airport in the Report of the Working Party (CAP 356), and adequate to deal with the accident rate predicted in the Roskill Report.

This is a matter for the British Airports Authority. I understand that no estimate has yet been made, or indeed can be made, until much nearer the date of the opening of the airport.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage foreign tourists to visit the North-West Region.

Under the Development of Tourism Act, 1969, it is the responsibility of the British Tourist Authority to encourage overseas visitors to come to all parts of Great Britain and many visit the North-West.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will consult with local authorities with a view to developing tourism and providing adequate facilities for accommodation and recreation in the North-West Region;(2) whether he will assist the English Tourist Board in projecting the image of Manchester as a sporting, commercial and cultural centre with access to beauty spots, in order to increase the volume of overseas visitors to the area.

Under the Development of Tourism Act, 1969, it is the function of the English Tourist Board to encourage people to visit all parts of England. It is also the function of the board to encourage the provision of tourist amenities and to undertake appropriate consultation with local authorities and other interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has studied the British Travel Survey of 1971, a copy of which is in his possession, showing that only 3 per cent. of young visitors to Great Britain from Belgium visited the north-west of England as compared with 79 per cent. for London; and what action he is taking to assist the public and private agencies in redressing this balance.

The hon. Member is referring to an article on youth visitors from Western Europe to Great Britain, and not to the British National Travel Survey, 1971. It is the responsibility of the tourist boards to encourage overseas visitors to visit places away from London and I know that they are constantly considering ways and means of doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the growth of monopoly in the servicing of British domestic appliances.

I do not consider that a reference to the Monopolies Commission would be justified at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the statements made by the Chairman of Beecham's Limited and of Glaxo Laboratories Limited, he will now refer the Beecham take-over bid to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will reconsider his refusal to refer to the Monopolies Commission the proposed bid by the Beecham Group for a take-over of the Glaxo Group.

I have no grounds at present for changing the decision which I announced on 6th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he will not publish his reasons for his refusal to refer a proposed merger to the Monoplies Commission; and if he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT his reasons for refusing to refer the proposed merger between Glaxo and Beecham.

Decisions are taken after a careful assessment of all the evid- ence available to the Government, much of which is confidential. It would not be practicable, therefore, to give reasons in individual cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the paper and board making industry.

No, but I should be interested to know if the hon. Member has any particular point in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the findings of the Government's review of development area policies.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Kenneth Baker) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, having regard to the suicide of a lady in Coventry, who received a bill for electricity supplies, inflated by the electricity board to draw attention to her overdue account, whether he will issue a general direction to electricity boards to cease such practices forthwith.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether, in view of the death of Mrs. Ann Hemingway, an aged Coventry widow, who, following the submission to her of an inflated bill for electricity designed to expedite payment, took her own life, as was established at the coroner's inquest, he will issue a general direction to electricity boards to ensure that the practice of submitting inflated bills to customers ceases forthwith.

I fully share the hon. Members' distress at the tragic death of Mrs. Hemingway. The East Midlands Board is investigating the case and will be submitting a report to me. Also, the East Midlands Consultative Council has confirmed that, as provided for in the statutory procedures, it is discussing with the board the problems arising from esti- mated accounts. It is open to them to make representations to the Electricity Council and to me. Given the statutory procedures applicable, I doubt whether a direction would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of Japanese imports of ball and roller bearing into the United Kingdom for the period April, 1970, to March, 1971, and from April, 1971, to the latest available date.

Figures are published in Table III of the monthly Overseas Trade Statistics. For the first period they totalled £2·5 millions and for the period April, 1971, to November, 1971, £2·7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet for discussions the chairmen of the boards of the nationalised industries in view of the need to retain employment in Scotland.

I have regular meetings with chairmen of those nationalised boards for which I am responsible at which such matters can be discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were issued in the Sunderland area for the latest 12-month period; and how this compares with the previous corresponding period.

Three in 1971, estimated by the applicants to provide 370 jobs. The corresponding figure for 1970 is 12, providing 90 jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new factories were located in Wales in 1971; and how many jobs were provided.

23 firms, originating outside the Principality or entirely new to manufacturing, are known to have located new projects in Wales. They employ 1,400 and expect to employ a further 1,300 when fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what credit finance companies have lately applied for banking status; which have been granted it; what criteria have been involved; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to treatment as a banking or discount company for the purposes of the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963. Applications for this recognition are naturally treated in confidence. However, I can confirm that recognition has recently been granted to United Dominions Trust Limited, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, First National Finance Corporation Limited and Julian S. Hodge & Company Limited. All applications are considered on their merits according to the established criteria.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he is aware that seven men and one woman served as members of the British European Airways Corporation according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(2) if he is aware that eight men and no women served as members of the National Coal Board according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(3) if he is aware that 21 men and no women served as members of the Electricity Council according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(4) if he is aware that nine men and no women served as members of the Central Electricity Generating Board according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(5) if he is aware that 103 men and two women served as members of the 12 Area Electricity Boards according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(6) if he is aware that 17 men and no women served as members of the Gas Council according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(7) if he is aware that 93 men and only one woman served as members of the 12 Area Gas Boards according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(8) if he is aware that 11 men and no women served as members of the British Steel Corporation according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(9) if he is aware that nine men and no women served as members of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;(10) if he is aware that six men and no women served as members of the British Airports Authority according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); and what changes have taken place since;(11) if he is aware that nine men and no women served as members of the British Overseas Airways Corporation according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes.

I am aware of the number of men and women serving on the public boards for which I am responsible. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Civil Service notified the hon. Member on 16th December of the changes that had taken place since 1st January, 1971, and the next issue of the White Paper on Public Boards shortly to be published will show the position as at 1st January, 1972. The Government's policy in selecting people for public appointments is to choose the man or woman best qualified for the appointment, irrespective of any other consideration, and I shall continue to implement this policy in making appointments within my field of responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the recent public expenditure proposals set out in Command Paper No. 4829 what is the estimated expenditure of his Department in Lancashire, including the county boroughs, for each of the years to 1975–76; how this compares with other regions; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the information is not available. My Department's forecasts of expenditure in Cmnd. 4829 were prepared on a national basis and it is not possible to forecast how much will be spent in individual counties.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he proposes to issue guidance as to the prospects for British exporters in the event of a settlement of the Rhodesian question involving the discontinuance of sanctions.

We will certainly give guidance to British exporters when we can.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what fee or expenses are received for addresses given by departmental Ministers to conferences promoted by private profit-making bodies; and on what basis invitations to such gatherings are accepted.

Ministers do not normally receive a fee when they speak in public about the work of the Department. Travelling and subsistence allowances for Ministers are identical with those for senior civil servants.It is for individual Ministers to decide whether or not to accept speaking engagements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if his Department is officially represented on the committee directing a conference called Infofair/Infoforum, sponsored by Brintex Conferences Limited, and what proportion of the delegates' fees of £24 per day is being paid to his Department for its services;(2) if he will state the nature of any request he received to send a message to potential participants in the Infoforum Conference organised by Brintex Conferences Limited; and how many copies of his message to the Conference were supplied by his Department on departmental notepaper.

This conference follows an earlier one sponsored jointly by the then Ministry of Technology and the Thomson Organisation. I was repre- sented at planning meetings: but this would not justify any division of the conference fees with us. The message to the conference was requested and provided in the form of a letter, which was printed and distributed by the organisers without charge to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to make building grants payable in the intermediate areas without proof of the creation of new jobs.

We are keeping the regional incentives under review, but existing legislation would not permit a change on these lines.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to ensure that where packaged goods on sale at a particular price are reduced in quantity or size notification of such reduction is prominently displayed.

No. I do not think it would be practicable to enforce the powers that the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in his Department are engaged in Press and public relations; and what was the number on 20th June, 1970.

The total number of Staff on Press and publicity work on 1st December, 1971, was 125. The related numbers on 1st July, 1970, were 70 in the Board of Trade and 90 in the Ministry of Technology, but only 54 of the latter were transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware of the increasing number of redundancies in factories in Denbigh and of the slackening off in recent months of demands from industrialist for sites in the town; and whether he will make a statement as to the action which he proposes to take to remedy this staff of affairs.

I am confident that the many measures the Government have taken to secure faster growth in the economy and consequently expand employment will benefit Denbigh along with other places. In December the town's unemployment rate at 3 per cent. was one of the lowest in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons are at present on loan or secondment from industry or commerce to his Department; what is the total annual cost to the Exchequer for their services; and what extra sum is being paid to them by industry and commerce in order to meet their previous salary levels.

Eight persons were on loan or secondment from industry or commerce on 1st January; and the total annual cost to the Exchequer of their services is estimated to be £45,000, including travelling and other expenses. Detatils of supplementary amounts paid by their parent employers are a matter of confidence between the Department and those concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons are at present on loan or secondment from industry or commerce to the Aviation Supply section of his Department; what is the total annual cost to the Exchequer for their services; and what extra sum is being paid to them by industry and commerce in order to meet their previous salary levels.

There are none attached directly to the Aerospace Divisions but three of the eight persons on loan or secondment from industry or commerce to the Department are available to advise any division.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries he received in 1971 about the advance factory at Mosshill, Ayr; and if he has any current inquiries about this factory.

Two specific inquiries were received and the factory was suggested to another five inquirers. No application for occupation resulted. We shall continue our efforts to find an occupier.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the volume and value of oil imports in 1971, showing how this compares with the previous 10 years.

Information for January to November, 1971, the latest period available, is published under S.I.T.C.(R.) number 331.0 in Table III of the November issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics; comparable figures for earlier years are published in Table 122 of the Digest of Energy Statistics 1971

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give an assurance that no airlines will be allowed to use Northolt Airport as an addition to Heathrow Airport.

Northolt is a military airfield and there are no plans to allow its use for public transport air services.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place between the Government and British European Airways on the future use of Northolt as another British European Airways airport; to what extent air traffic control problems would result if this was allowed; and if he will make a statement.

There have been no such discussions concerning the use of Northolt by existing types of public transport aircraft. There would be an interaction with Heathrow traffic. B.E.A. is participating in current studies on a range of possible future aircraft and modes of operation from various possible airports, but I cannot anticipate the outcome of these studies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies are being made in his Department of possible British participation in the United States of America space shuttle project.

Preliminary economic studies have been carried out based on the limited information so far available. The Department has assisted in the funding of studies of the project definition of the shuttle programme by individual British firms in collaboration with individual American firms, who themselves have study contracts from the National Aeronautical and Space Administration. We are also participating in studies undertaken by the European Space Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to help shipping companies exploring together the possibility of forming one or two new groups for the operation of fleets of very large tankers.

No. The formation of such groups is best left to the shipowners themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to ensure that in regard to the manning of foreign-going and home trade ships regulations should not hinder shipowners from taking full advantage of present and prospective technological developments in manning new ships, should make adequate provision for frequent revision in consultation with the industry to meet changing circumstances, and should permit unannounced inspection checks on a random basis with heavy penalties for infringement.

No. Powers have already been taken in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1970, to make regulations controlling the manning of ships. Shipowners and other organisations concerned will be consulted fully before these regulations are made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the latest figures of unemployment and short-time working in the coal industry, he will expedite his review of coal import policy.

The review is in hand and I expect to announce a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the fact that his investigation into the affairs of Hartley Baird Limited was only to ascertain the persons truly able to control the company, he will initiate a further investigation to ascertain the accuracy and completeness of this company's statutory registers.

If the hon. Member has any evidence suggesting that the company's registers do not comply with the Companies Acts, I will consider it, and if necessary, make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give details of the directive from the European Economic Community regarding the adoption by the countries of the Community of a universal metric system on weights and measures by 1976; to what extent this will affect Great Britain; to what extent the Government's original estimate that metrication will cost Great Britain £500,000,000 will have to be adjusted; and whether he is now able to publish the Government's White Paper on this subject which was promised in October, 1970.

As I have told the hon. Member in reply to his earlier Question today, a translation of this directive is now published. Details of its effect on the United Kingdom will be given in the forthcoming White Paper on Metrication, but I would stress that the estimate of the cost of metrication quoted by the hon. Member does not emanate from the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list those countries which have decided to forbid supersonic transport aircraft flying over their territories;(2) if he will list the countries which have decided to forbid supersonic flying overland.

So far as I am aware, no State has enacted legislation to ban overflight of its territory by supersonic transport aircraft. Some few have, however, indicated an intention to do so as regards flights by such aircraft at supersonic speeds.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures giving the number of bankruptcies recorded in the London Bankruptcy Court for 1971 and how these figures compare with the previous year; how many Receiving Orders were made by this court for 1971 as compared with 1970 and how these compared with 1964; and whether he will give similar details on a national basis.

The proportion of cases dealt with in the High Court in London has been increasing, and though the number of Receiving and Administration Orders made there was higher in 1971 than in 1970, in England and Wales as a whole it was lower.The available figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the general practice of his Department on the use of Ministerial statements, letters and official Department-headed notepapers by private business concerns in connection with exhibitions, conferences, or discussions, in which they have a financial interest, in view of the details submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North.

The practice in these matters by my Department has not changed, as I have already indicated to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to legislate for protection to be given to holidaymakers in respect of loss caused by the cancellation of holidays at short notice.

Clauses in contracts for the supply of services which restrict the seller's common law liability to provide compensation are already being studied by the Law Commissions and any legislation in this field must await their report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has now completed his appointments to the Hearing Aid Council for the period commencing 29th December, 1971.

Yes. The following have been appointed for a period of three years from 29th December, 1971:

• Mr. J. N. Brown—trade member.
• Mr. E. F. Ward—trade member.
• Miss A. P. Guy—representing persons with impaired hearing.
• Mr. C. G. Rice (re-appointment)—member with audiological technical knowledge.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what promotions sponsored by his Department will take place in Denmark in 1972 to seek to increase British trade with that country.

The Department is giving support to some 350 firms in the following events in Denmark in 1972:

• Scandinavian Menswear Fair—17th–19th February.
• Scandinavian Fashion Fair—12th–15th March.
• Nordplast '72–11th–16th April.
• All-British Household Goods Exhibition—2nd–9th May.
• Engineering Industries Seminar and Exhibition—2nd–5th May.
• 8th International Clinical Congress Exhibition—19th–23rd June.
• Scandinavian Fashion Fair (Autumn) September.
• British Marine Equipment Forum—16th–18th October.
• Electrinik '72–30th September–6th October.
• Intertool '72–31st October–5th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet received a definitive reply to his representations to the United States Government regarding the proposed discriminatory tax credit to United States manufacturers for purchase of equipment of United States manufacture; and if he will make a statement.

No definitive reply was received but the discriminatory feature of the job development tax credit was removed when the U.S. import surcharge was withdrawn on 20th December, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which areas have now been converted to natural gas; and what is the programme for converting the remainder.

All the area boards are now carrying out conversion but no Board has yet completed the programme for its area. Five boards should complete their programmes in 1974–75 and the remainder by 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects the untenanted advance factory at Harelow, Stanley, County Durham, to be occupied; who will be the tenant; what will be manufactured there; how many male and female jobs will be provided; and when.

This factory has been allocated to Cumberland Fibres Ltd. for the throwing and knitting of nylon yarns. With full production employment is expected to reach 130, including 95 males. I understand that occupation is to start today.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations the question of the maltreatment of the Jewish community in Syria and the refusal of the Syrian Government to give access to the Red Cross or Amnesty International to investigate this matter.

It is for the countries directly concerned to take the lead in raising this matter at the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what agreement has been reached by Her Majesty's Government with the members of the European Economic Community regarding the continuance of the historic rights to fish in certain coastal waters within the United Kingdom's territorial waters enjoyed by certain countries; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the eighth and ninth paragraphs of my statement of 13th December.—[Vol. 828, c. 51–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the countries of the Six where the carrying of identity cards is legally compulsory; and whether he will give an assurance that on entry into the European Economic Community he will oppose the imposition of such arrangements in Great Britain.

Nationals of Belgium, Germany, Italy and Luxembourg are obliged by their respective laws to carry identity cards. There is no statutory requirement for Dutch or French nationals to do so.Her Majesty's Government have no intention of instituting, a compulsory national identity card for travel or any other purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that Great Britain will not sign the Treaty of Accession on entry into the European Economic Community until such time as there has been an agreement on the dispute with the Six on the question of the use of female hops in the manufacture of beer.

We expect to sign the Treaty of Accession on 22nd January.The Community has given us the specific assurance that we will be fully consulted about the application to the United Kingdom of the draft regulation on hops at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that exclusion of Israel from the benefits of the generalised preferences scheme will cause great difficulties to that country and to Great Britain's trade with that country and put at a great disadvantage their respective exports; and whether, during negotiations on the Treaty of Accession, he will endeavour to have Israel granted the same preferences as the enlarged Community of ten and similar treatment to Mexico, Greece and North Africa, in the interests of British trade with Israel.

While I am conscious of Israel's concern over the Generalised Preference Scheme, it would have been inappropriate to have discussed this question during the negotiations for Britain's entry to the European Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that the Common Market Commission have now issued a report showing that production and exports of the countries of the Six are falling off, and that 1972 is expected to see a worsening of this trend, whether he will arrange to obtain copies of this report and circulate them to Members of Parliament before signing the Treaty of Accession to the Rome Treaty.

Copies of an English translation of the First Annual Report on the Economic Situation of the Community have been placed in the Libraries of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy with regard to the representation of Eastern European States at the Stockholm Conference on Pollution; and what steps he is taking to ensure the widest possible representation.

Her Majesty's Government supported the resolution, adopted by an overwhelming majority of the United Nations General Assembly on 20th December, to enable all States members of the United Nations, of its Specialised Agencies and of the International Atomic Energy Agency to participate in the conference. Discussions continue to permit attendance by interested parties not covered by that resolution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Arab Governments concerning the visit to the United Kingdom of Mr. Menachem Begin the former Irgun Zvai Leumi leader; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to recognise the State of Bangladesh.

Her Majesty's Government have the question of recognition under constant review in the light of the developing situation. No final decision has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now extend de facto recognition to the State of Bangladesh and give official recognition to the Bangladesh mission in England.

Her Majesty's Government have the question of recognition under constant review in the light of the developing situation. No final decision has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the facilities to be offered to the Pearce Commission by the Smith régime in Rhodesia for the use of its radio network.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what guarantees he sought from the illegal Rhodesian régime that the Pearce Commission would have reasonable access to the broadcasting network in Rhodesia;(2) whether the Pearce Commission has been permitted to use the broadcasting network in Rhodesia.

Lord Pearce has told me that he has been assured by the Rhodesian authorities that the commission will be able to make use of the radio and television broadcasting networks in Rhodesia in order to explain the proposals for a settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the arrangements which are to be made for the Pearce Commission to consult African political leaders in detention, including the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole and Mr. Joshua Nkomo.

This is a matter for the Pearce Commission, which will no doubt make appropriate arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the facilities which will be provided to the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole and Mr. Joshua Nkomo for communication with the people of Rhodesia before the Pearce Commission makes its final assessment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps have been taken by him and the Pearce Commission since its formation to ensure that Rev. N. Sithole would be given a reasonable opportunity to confer with his political supporters prior to the Commission undertaking its work in determining whether the proposed Rhodesian settlement is acceptable to Rhodesian opinion;(2) what steps have been taken by him and the Pearce Commission since its formation, to ensure that Mr. Joshua Nkomo will be given a reasonable opportunity to confer with his political supporters prior to the Commission undertaking its work in determining whether the pro- posed Rhodesian settlement is acceptable to Rhodesian opinion.

The arrangements for the review of the cases of detainees are set out in Section IV of the White Paper. The proposals do not provide for those who may still remain in detention to take part in political activities. Nor do they provide for this in the case of the Rev. Sithole who is serving a prison sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the detailed arrangements which are being made for the Pearce Commission to explain to the people of Rhodesia the consequences of a settlement on the lines of the present White Paper, including the implications of that White Paper for the future of Rhodesia within the Commonwealth.

The Pearce Commission is required to explain the proposals for a settlement as set out in the White Paper. The future of Rhodesia within the Commonwealth is not covered in the White Paper. The likely consequences of a settlement are for the Rhodesian people to judge.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the detailed arrangements which are being made to ensure the safety and confidentiality of those making submissions to the Pearce Commission.

The White Paper makes clear that there will be immunity for witnesses and that all those who wish to give their views in private will be able to do so. I am sure that the Pearce Commission will satisfy itself that these two requirements are met.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the detailed arrangements which have been made for Rhodesians living outside Rhodesia, both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, to make submissions to the Pearce Commission.

On 21st December the Pearce Commission made a Press announcement inviting Rhodesians living in certain countries outside Rhodesia to make written submissions to it. The text of the announcement in London was as follows:

"The Commission on Rhodesian opinion invite Rhodesians living in Britain to state whether they regard the proposals for settlement announced in Parliament on 25th November and published as Cmnd. 4835 as acceptable as a basis for independence or not. They should send their views in writing to the Secretary-General, Commission on Rhodesian opinion, Room G64/2, Government Offices, Great George Street, London, S.W.1, preferably before the end of the first week in January when the Commission leave for Rhodesia. It would be helpful to the Commission if such statements could start by saying whether or not the writer would accept the proposals, and should also state what is the writer's connection with Rhodesia.

Persons responding to this invitation should indicate whether they would be willing for their communication to be published, or would prefer that it should be treated as confidential.

The terms of reference of the Commission which has been appointed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, with Lord Pearce as chairman, are:

'To satisfy themselves that the proposals for a settlement, as set out in Annex B to Cmnd. 4835, have been fully and properly explained to the population of Rhodesia: to ascertain by direct contact with all sections of the population whether the people of Rhodesia as a whole regard these proposals as acceptable as a basis for independence: and to report to the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary accordingly.'"

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the criteria established by Her Majesty's Government for evaluating the extent to which any findings by the Pearce Commission can be claimed to represent the views of the people of Rhodesia as a whole.

The Pearce Commission has been given clear terms of reference and its report will be considered by Her Majesty's Government when it is submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he took to as certain whether any coloured person with administrative experience was prepared to serve on the Pearce Commission.

The test of acceptability is a British responsibility. I have therefore considered it appropriate to appoint a commission comprising persons from this country well qualified to discharge it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign an Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to appoint a churchman with recent service in Rhodesia to serve on the Pearce Commission.

No. In making appointments to the Pearce Commission I have been concerned to choose people from as wide a range of current occupations as possible. At the same time I have thought it desirable to exclude from consideration anyone who has been directly involved in Rhodesian affairs and who might therefore be held to be prejudiced in one way or another.In addition to the appointments of which I have already informed the House, I have, after consultation with Lord Pearce, appointed the following 16 Commissioners: