asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with all aspects of breathalyser and drinking laws; and if he will make a statement.

I have no reason for thinking that Part I of the Road Safety Act, 1967, is not working satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consultations he has had with the Northern Ireland Government.

The Government are at all times in close consultation with the Northern Ireland Government on matters of common concern.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the current review of the Explosives Act, 1875, with particular reference to including trace materials in gelignite and fuses.

Certain measures have already been taken which for obvious reasons it would not be helpful to disclose. Feasibility studies of other possibilities are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the number of bomb scares in the United Kingdom, not counting Northern Ireland, over the last six months, compares with the same six months a year ago.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Commonwealth immigration increased in 1971; and whether he will make a statement.

Figures for the whole of 1971 are not yet available. Up to the end of November, Commonwealth admission for settlement showed a small increase over the same period of 1970, with 34,898 admissions as compared with 33,338. Excluding United Kingdom passport holders from East Africa, the number admitted for the same months in 1970 was 27,192 and in 1971, 24,994. The increase overall is therefore attributable to the decision to increase, from 1st June, 1971, the number of vouchers for United Kingdom passport holders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the proposals made by Inner London and South-East London branches of the Magistrates' Association for expanding and improving senior attendance centres.

I have read this report with interest and my right hon. Friend will be giving careful consideration to the proposals made in it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to control the import, manufacture and sale of replica weapons and horror toys of all kinds.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the clarification and simplification of the law relating to public order.

I have no proposals at present for a general review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the attitude to Great Britain being adopted by the Prime Minister and Government of Malta, he will cease giving preferential treatment to citizens of Malta wishing to obtain permits to reside in this country.

I have no proposals for altering arrangements at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to prevent the distribution of microdot tablets of LSD under the powers given by the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The relevant parts of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971, are not yet in force, but the police are actively using the powers provided by the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1967, to enforce the general prohibition on possession of this substance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now make a statement on the premature retirements of two senior police officers from the Metropolitan Police and the Inspectorate, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will make a statement on the resignation of Mr. Frank Williamson from his position as Home Office Inspector of Constabulary;(2) whether he will make a statement on the resignation from office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, Mr. Peter Brodie.

The circumstances in which two officers have tendered their resignations are different. But in both cases the reasons are personal in character and I see no need to say more.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish whether there is a correlation between the availability of housing, rent levels, and the crime rate.

A number of studies in this and other countries have examined the complex question whether there is a relationship between crime and environmental factors of this kind but have not established with certainty that there is any correlation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated percentage of 17 to 21 year-olds who did not register as electors on the registers valid for February, 1970, to February, 1971, and February, 1971. to February, 1972.

No reliable estimate can be made, since the register identifies by age only those who become 18 during its currency. Of these, in England and Wales. about 39 per cent. were not on the 1970 register, and about 30 per cent. were not on the 1971 register.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that pay increases for probation officers from 1st April, 1971, were not paid until September, resulting in National Insurance contributions being deducted at the new and higher rate; and what steps he proposes to remedy this situation and to prevent its recurrence.

My right hon. Friend is well aware of this difficulty, but can only undertake that it will be borne in mind when any further increases in probation pay are prescribed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the statements of Ministers that the interrogation techniques described in the Compton Report are not illegal, he will issue guidance to police authorities in Great Britain that these methods should not be used.

As police officers in England and Wales do not interrogate in the circumstances discussed in the Compton Report the use of the methods referred to does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce further legislation to end discrimination against women.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Bishop) on 20th December, 1971.—[Vol. 828, c. 253–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the provisions of the law which determine the legality of the Irish Republic Army in Great Britain.

There is no provision under which a particular organisation can, as such, be declared illegal in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have lost their lives in fires, other than in industrial premises, in the past six months to the nearest convenient date, compared with the same period five years ago, and 10 years ago, excluding Northern Ireland.

The provisional figure for Great Britain for the last six months of 1971 is 278. For 1966 and 1961 annual figures only are readily available, and the relevant figures are 745 and 536.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent he has refused to give information about the operation of the National Police Computer on the grounds that to do so would be a breach of the Official Secrets Act; and whether he will make a statement.

Not at all. The Official Secrets Acts relate to unauthorised disclosure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make an official visit to Holloway Prison.

None in the immediate future. My hon. and learned Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, visited Holloway on 25th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has completed his studies on the memorandum submitted by the Law Society on appeals from the criminal jurisdiction of magistrates' courts; and if he will make a statement.

Not yet; but the comments of the Home Office on the memorandum will be sent to the Law Society shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the two working parties set up by him dealing with fire prevention and fire fighting in high-bay warehouses.

The report of the working party on fire fighting in automated high-bay warehouses should be ready for distribution in the spring. The working party on fire prevention has to consult a wider range of interests and its report is unlikely to be available before the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reveiw the operation of Section 2 of the Race Relations Act, 1968, with a view to ascertaining the extent to which the said provisions are operatinug as Parliament intended, and to the introduction of amending legislation where this appears to be called for to implement the original intentions.

My right hon. Friend keeps the working of the Race Relations Act under review but he has no present plans for any amending legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent in 1971 on advertising campaigns reminding people to check that their names are on the Electoral Register.

About £18,000 on national publicity. There was also considerable local advertising, of which no central record is kept.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to enable valid comparisons to be made between crime statistics relating to theft under the new basis with statistics of previous years.

All thefts will continue to be recorded in a way that ensures comparability with previous years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish an inquiry into the correlation between effective welfare casework and the crime rate.

One of the reasons for welfare work, in particular preventive work with families, is its value in forestalling situations which may give rise to delinquency; but I am not persuaded that a study aimed at establishing a correlation would be valuable, because of the many other factors involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from local authorities against their powers to sell electoral registers surplus to normal statutory requirements; and what reply he has sent.

Since June, 1970, representations have been received from one London borough council. They were informed that their views have been noted in connection with the consideration which I am giving to this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what machinery exists in his Department for keeping the problem of shop-lifting under review; and when reports arising from such review have been published and are to be published.

A working party is considering the problems of shop-lifting and thefts by staff employed by shops. It does not expect to report for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of the shoppers charged with shop-lifting during each of the years from 1960 to 1971 inclusive and how many and what percentage of the men, women and juveniles, respectively, who were convicted and acquitted, were prosecuted by the police; how many and what percentage were prosecuted privately; and of the private prosecutions, how many and what percentage of those which led to acquittals were brought by self-service stores or supermarkets.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the total number of hoax fire calls answered by fire crews of each of the fire authorities in England and Wales during 1971.

The figures for 1971 are not yet available. I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are in remand centres in the London area awaiting transfer to mental hospitals.

On 15th January, 1972, three persons were detained under the provisions of Section 64(1) of the Mental Health Act, 1959, in local prisons or remand centres in the London area awaiting transfer to a hospital. One person found unfit to plead was detained under Schedule 1 to the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act, 1964, pending admission to hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Criminal Justice Act, 1967, to allow committal proceedings to be freely reportable.

My right hon. Friend has no such legislation in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take action to ensure that, when Members of Parliament and the general public write to him, they are not kept waiting for periods between four to six weeks for replies which contain information and details which are readily available for despatch within 48 hours of receipt by his Department of the original communication.

I do not accept the implication in the last part of the hon. Member's Question. Members of the Home Office are well aware of the need to deal with correspondence with the least possible delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took his Department until 7th January, 1972, to reply to correspondence dated 7th October, 1971, from the hon. Member for West Ham, North on matters for which he is responsible; and whether he will expedite replies in the future.

The letter conveyed serious allegations against the police. They were carefully investigated, and the Director of Public Prosecutions was consulted, before the Commissioner decided that no action should be taken against any of the constables concerned. There was no undue delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the fact that the information contained in his reply to the letter dated 22nd November, 1971, from Mr. H. L. Hopkinson of John McLauchlan was readily available, he did not reply until 21st December, 1971; and why it took him until 7th January, 1972, to send a copy of this communication to the hon. Member for West Ham, North; and what information as contained in this communication was not available on or before 1st December, 1971.

Mr. Hopkinson's letter did not seek for information, but was a polemical statement of opinion. The hon. Member was informed on 21st December, in answer to a previous Question, that a reply had been sent to his constituent. I do not consider that there was any unreasonable delay in sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he replied to the communication dated 2nd December, 1971, from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning matters raised by Mr. Loughlan regarding the Horserace Totalisator and Betting Levy Boards Bill; and what information, as contained in this reply, was not available by 18th December, 1971.

On 25th January. It was not a question of information; the correspondence raised issues of policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Metropolitan Police took when requested to investigate the case of fraud against the directors of Mesco Laboratories Limited of Old Broad Street, Mesco Consolidated Industries Limited, the Stanley Weston Group, Mesco Properties Limited, Renclore Limited, Hestmore Limited and Corton Beaches Limited; whether all the directors connected with all or any of these ventures were prosecuted; with what results; and whether he will make a statement.

Following police investigations, two of the directors concerned were convicted on counts of forgery, uttering forged documents and fraud, and were sentenced to imprisonment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the level of minimum sentences in cases of proven large-scale fraud; and what changes he proposes to seek to make as a result of recent court sentences in this respect.

There is no minimum sentence for fraud. The penalty to be imposed by the court in a particular case is for the court to decide, within the maximum limit laid down by law. My right hon. Friend is not at present contemplating any change in the maximum penalties for fraud or related offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not introduce legislation making it illegal for the police and court officials to receive fees and payments from the Press for supplying information which may lead to Press stories.

Because my right hon. Friend has no grounds for thinking that legislation is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not ensure that in future no comment is made to persons, other than on the written request of the person breathalysed, his legal representatives, or others properly connected with the due processes of the law, when a possible charge for driving under the influence of alcohol is pending.

The practice of the Metropolitan Police is not to comment beyond confirming facts already known to the inquirer. Where confirmation could not result in prejudice nothing would be gained by denying what was already known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time which elapses between the analysis by the Metropolitan Police Laboratory of samples of blood taken from persons suspected of driving under influence of alcohol and the transmission to such persons of the results of the analysis.

I regret that the information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to publish his report into the working of the Firearms Act, 1968; and if he will make a statement.

The review has made substantial progress, but I cannot yet estimate when it will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are now unemployed in the West Midlands.

At 10th January the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the West Midlands region was 112,463 of whom 25,185 were temporarily stopped.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers and percentages of males, females, boys and girls, respectively, who were, at the latest available date, registered as unemployed at the Mexborough and Wombwell employment exchanges.

At 10th January the provisional numbers registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Mexborough Employment Exchange were 1,364 men, 263 women, 75 boys and 70 girls. The corresponding figures for Wombwell were 594, 95, 45 and 28.For the Mexborough and Goldthorpe travel-to-work area, the percentage rates of unemployment were 9·7 for males and 5·4 for females. The corresponding figures for the Barnsley travel-to-work area, which includes Wombwell, were 9·1 and 2·6. Rates of unemployment cannot be calculated separately for boys and girls.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the numbers of males, females, boys and girls, respectively, who have been registered as unemployed during the whole of the past six months.

At 11th October, 1971, the latest date for which information is available, an analysis of the numbers of registered wholly unemployed people in Great Britain indicated that 211,390 men, 23,354 women, 2,153 boys and 1,127 girls had been registered for more than 26 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of unemployed persons at the Consett and the Stanley, County Durham, employment exchanges in January, 1971, and at the most recent available date.

At January, 1971, the numbers of people registered as unemployed in the areas covered by the Consett and Stanley Employment Exchanges were 686 and 1,064 respectively. The corresponding provisional figures for January, 1972, were 1,057 and 1,267.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the percentages of unemployed men, women, boys and girls, in the Consett-Stanley-Lanchester travel-to-work area in January, 1971, and at the most recent available date.

In the Consett, Lanchester and Stanley travel-to-work area, the percentage rates of unemployment at January, 1971, were 7·2 for males and 2·9 for females. Corresponding provisional figures for January, 1972 were 9·4 and 4·2. Rates of unemployment cannot be calculated separately for men, women, boys and girls.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled persons in Sunderland were unemployed at the latest available date.

On 6th December, 1971, 807 disabled people registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act were unemployed at Sunderland employment exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of persons who will gain employment on Her Majesty's Government's approval to the request of the London Borough of Brent to build a swimming complex at Kingsbury.

The number of persons who would gain employment on this project depends upon many unknown factors, including the duration of the contract, the building methods used and the amount of spare capacity in contractors' existing labour forces. It is not, therefore, possible to make such an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is prepared to take on the International Labour Organisation's recommendation regarding three weeks' holiday, to which workers should be entitled under the International Labour Organisation convention; and if he will make a statement.

As explained to the House in Cmnd. 4607, the Government do not propose to ratify this Convention. The question of further action does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many bricklayers are currently unemployed; and what is the figure for each region;(2) how many plasterers are currently unemployed; and what is the figure for each region;(3) how many carpenters are currently unemployed; and what is the figure for each region.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement about proposed new training centres in Scotland, giving the areas concerned.

Training capacity at Government Training Centres in Scotland will be considerably increased. My right hon. Friend's proposals for the future expansion of training will be published next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the number of redundancies in Wales already announced, but due to take effect in 1972.

Not all redundancies are notified to my Department, but up to

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percertage of the registered unemployed in Great Britain as a whole in September, 1971, and in each of the regions of Eng

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of employees in employment in September, 1971, in Great Britain as a whole and in each of the regions of England and Wales was women; and what were the corresponding figures for each of the preceding 10 years.

Employment estimates for regions have been made quarterly since June, 1965, and the latest are for March, 1971. Before June, 1965, estimates were made only for each midyear. The following table shows information for each June from 1961 to 1970 and for March, 1971:land and Wales was women; and what were the corresponding figures for each of the preceding 10 years.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost in Great Britain due to absenteeism on 24th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st December, respectively.

I regret that estimates are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will issue an amended Industrial Code of Conduct advising employees and trade unions in manufacturing to conclude agreements whereby the period from 24th December to 1st January, inclusive, is deemed a winter holiday.

This is not a matter for the Code.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, on the basis of information available to him from international sources, which European countries, other than the United Kingdom, have statutory provision inhibiting the right to strike, other than in specified industries, and the right freely to negotiate wage rates.

In most European countries participation in a strike in some circumstances or in certain types of strike may render the striker liable to civil action for breach of agreement or contract. In Spain and Portugal there are statutory restrictions on the right of the individual workers to take any industrial action. In most European countries, as in the United Kingdom, there is no direct Government interference with the right of employers and unions to enter into collective agreements.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what progress has been made by the Nugent Committee reviewing the holding of land by the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.

The Committee has completed a study of the majority of the sites and is now proceeding with a detailed examination of those which are the subject of particular public interest.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what action is taken on the 10 per cent. of all reports of unidentified flying objects for which there is no explanation; and how long these reports are kept.

9·3 per cent. of the reports received at the Ministry of Defence from 1959 to 1970 remain unexplained because insufficient information was given. No further action is taken, but records of unidentified flying object reports received since 1962 are kept indefinitely.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what were the total numbers of Service and civilian personnel employed in Royal Air Force maintenance units in each of the past 10 years.

The total numbers of Service and civilian personnel employed in Royal Air Force Engineering Maintenance Units in each of the ten years from 1962 were.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he proposes to take to seek a relaxation of the restrictions imposed by the MacMahon Act on the dissemination of technical information about nuclear weapons.

None. United States legislation is a matter for the United States Government.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the current estimated annual cost of maintaining Great Britain's Polaris nuclear deterrent.

The estimated cost for 1971–72 is £34 million, as shown in Annex B, Table 3, of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1971. The estimate for 1972–73 will be given in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1972.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government will refrain from any action which would result in the further spread of nuclear weapons to European countries.

Her Majesty's Government will continue to observe the provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (Cmnd. 3683).

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether, following the proposed transfer of the nuclear weapons research establishment at Aldermaston to his Department, he envisages its use for European nuclear weapons research, with West German participation therein.

No.

asked the Minister of State for Defence on what date the 16 ponies from Malta arrived at Marchwood Dock, Southampton, on the ship "Sir Geraint"; why stables had to be specially constructed abord this ship, and at what costs; who paid for this construction; and whether lie will make a statement.

The ponies arrived on 23rd January, 1972. Since the "Sir Geraint" is not normally used for the transporting of horses, temporary stalls were constructed on deck. The stalls were constructed by Service men en route to Malta aboard the "Sir Geraint" using Service stores which were returned to the depot from which they were drawn when the stalls were dismantled; no extra costs were therefore involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Minister is responsible for the protection of the consumer.

I discharge the main responsibility for my right hon. Friend. But certain specialised aspects of consumer policy are the responsibility of other right hon. Friends.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to examine the mining industry on the 25th anniversary of the National Coal Board with a view to determining future trends in the industry and in public ownership throughout the economy.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many letters he has received since the coming into force of the Passenger Insurance Act complaining of the rates of increases of insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement.

The Motor Vehicles (Passenger Insurance) Act, 1971, does not come into force until 1st December, 1972. I understand that premiums being quoted in many current renewal notices are subject to general increases as well as to any element due to any extra cover required by this Act. I have had no complaints of the sort referred to. Matters arising directly from the Act are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, who has had, I understand, some complaints alleging unjustifiable increases for the addition of passenger cover.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what use is to be made of the Ministry of Technology vehicles which have been parked near Gatwick Airport for many months.

The Ministry of Technology vehicles parked near Gatwick Airport from April to December, 1971, are being disposed of to the public by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many scientifically-based factories have been erected in scheduled development and intermediate areas, respectively; what has been the financial cost to the Government; and what financial interests the Government intend to retain in the factories concerned.

I regret the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the fact that it is now established that the document wrongly sent to a company, details of which are in his possession, is in the possession of the legal adviser to the company in question, whether he will take steps to recover it.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the fact that it is now established that the document wrongly sent to a company, details of which are in his possession, is in the possession of the legal adviser to the company in question, whether he will take steps to seek to prevent the use by the legal adviser of information contained in the confidential document in civil actions which the company is planning.

Should I become aware that the company were planning civil action in which the information contained in the document might be called in evidence, I would consider what steps, if any, it would be appropriate for me to take to prevent such use.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has of the total number of Commonwealth immigrants at present residing in the Borough of Redbridge.

An up-to-date estimate cannot be made until data from the 1971 Census of Population become available. From the 1966 Sample Census it is estimated that some 5,160 persons born in Commonwealth countries were living in Redbridge.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to permit persons receiving less than £2 a week remuneraion from employment to be paid unemployment benefit, in view of the fact that the 33½p now permitted is of no real value.

No, although the matter will be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute an inquiry into the efficacy and hazards of aorto-coronary vein grafts.

I am aware of this new development in the treatment of coronary artery disease. The Health Departments are exploring in conjunction with the Medical Research Council the possibility of a controlled clinical study of this procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what fee is paid to the Post Office Corporation for making available in post offices, leaflets etc. concerning social security benefits and welfare rights.

It is estimated that the charge by the Post Office for these services during the year ending 31st March, 1972 will be about £70,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will seek powers to exercise supervision over the quality of privately supplied hearing aids;(2) if he will seek powers to set up within his Department a machinery for investigating complaints as to the quality of privately supplied hearing aids.

I have been asked to reply.The present range of hearing aids made available under the National Health Service meets the clinical needs of all but a small minority of those able to benefit from an aid. So far as the quality of privately supplied hearing aids is concerned, I do not have reason to believe that any question of damage to health arises. If, however, the hon. Gentleman has any particular point in mind and would write to me, I would gladly look into the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from church and political parties concerning his proposed settlement with Rhodesia.

Representatatives of a wide range of religious bodies and of some political organisations have expressed views to me about various aspects of the proposals for a settlement. It is not for me to disclose details.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many drivers of British lorries were prosecuted in Western Europe on account of their vehicles not complying with the laws relating to vehicular weight, size and condition in each of the last five years; and how many of these were successful.

I regret that this information is not readily available. The cost of obtaining it would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the European Communities' secondary legislation, rules and regulations will be amendable.

I have nothing to add to earlier answers given to the hon. Member, notably the answer on 20th July.—[Vol. 821, c. 259–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official representations have been made by the Government of Portugal to Her Majesty's Government concerning gifts of money by British political parties to violent subversive organisations working against the Portuguese Government.

We have received no formal representations from the Portuguese Government.

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend changes in the honours system, other than in relation to honours for valour.

The honours system is kept under regular review. Changes made on my recommendation since June, 1970, include the reintroduction of political honours; the admission of ladies to the Order of the Bath; the introduction of military operational awards for valour for service in Northern Ireland; the exchange of Albert and Edward Medals for the George Cross; and allowing people promoted from the Military to the Civilian Division of the Order of the British Empire or—vice versa—to retain the insignia of the lower class. I shall recommend further changes if the need arises.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take the Chair at the next meeting of the National Economic Development Council in order to initiate discussion of recent trends in income distribution.

No. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will take the chair at the next meeting, when the Council will consider manpower resources and the report of the Bolton Committee on Small Firms.

asked the Prime Minister how many letters he has received about the exercise of his responsibilities since he took office.

About 141,000.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 16th January, 1972, complaining of the fact that the hon. Member had to wait until 12th January, 1972, for a reply to his communication of 28th November, 1971; and what action he proposes to take to expedite replies to correspondence in general, and to Members of Parliament in particular;(2) on what date he received a communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, sent under date of 14th January, 1972, complaining of neglect upon the part of civil servants in dealing with Members of Parliaments' mail in general, and one case from the hon. Member in particular; and what action he has taken or intends taking to deal with this matter.

I received the hon. Member's two letters on 17th January and replied on 18th January. I have told the hon. Member that I cannot accept his allegations of widespread delays in the handling of Ministerial correspondence. The Ministers concerned have written to him about the two particular cases which he raised in his letters.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with President Nixon.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the Bermuda Conference.

I would refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer I gave on 18th January to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) and the hon. Members for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) and Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun).—[Vol. 829, c. 150–1.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he will seek to convene in London a conference of the Heads of Government of the six members, and the four potential members, of the European Economic Community.

Agreement has been reached in principle that the Heads of Government of the member countries of the Community and of the four acceding countries should meet in 1972, but a date and place have yet to be fixed.

asked the Prime Minister (1) when he next expects to meet the Prime Minister of Portugal;(2) if he will invite the Prime Minister of Portugal to visit Great Britain.

I have at present no plans for a meeting with the Prime Minister of Portugal.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now seek to arrange a meeting with Mr. Lynch, the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic.

Mr. Lynch and I met in Brussels on 23rd January, and reviewed the situation on both sides of the Border.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Malta.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Mid-Wales in the near future.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now consider proposing the establishment of a Peace Council for Northern Ireland as outlined in correspondence to him by the hon. Member for Ealing, North.

No, for the reasons set out in the reply I sent to the hon. Member on 23rd August.

asked the Prime Minister why he will not increase the number of Ministers in the Department of Trade and Industry.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to a Question from the hon. Member on 20th January.—[Vol. 829, c. 251.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the number of congratulatory messages he has received up to midnight 25th January, 1972, from national Governments, other than members of or applicants to the European Economic Community concerning his signing the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community; and if he will place the texts of any such messages in the Library of the House of Commons.

I have received messages welcoming the progress made towards British membership of the European Community from a number of Heads of Commonwealth and foreign Governments, including the President of the United States and the Prime Ministers of Canada and Malaysia. It is not for me to distribute messages received from other Heads of Government.

asked the Attorney-General how many cases have been heard by the National Industrial Relations Court since its inception.

The Court has heard 19 appeals and a preliminary hearing in a twentieth appeal under Section 114 of the Industrial Relations Act. In addition the Court has held one meeting for directions under Section 45.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will ensure that the Director of Public Prosecutions replies to correspondence sent to him by the general taxpayer; and whether he will ensure that the Director of Public Prosecutions sends a detailed reply to the communication sent to him by Mr. F. McAllen under the date of 14th January, 1972.

The Director of Public Prosecutions replies to all correspondence from taxpayers which is not frivolous or vexatious. No detailed reply will be sent to Mr. McAllen's letter of 14th January as it has already been dealt with in other correspondence.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the present facilities available in England and Wales for the education of handicapped children of all kinds; and if she will make a statement on her future policy.