asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect on the supply of clean-plucked poultry he expects the proposed Common Market regulations to have, and what steps he intends taking to ensure a continued supply of these following entry into the European Economic Community.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 18th January, and to the reply given to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, East (Sir D. Walker-Smith) on 25th January.—[Vol. 829, c. 103 and c. 379–80.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the reference number of the regulations or directives of the European Economic Community that would require adjustment of Great Britain's domestic regulations concerning the quality standards of retail milk supplies.

Regulation 1411/71, which should be read with Article 89 of the Act of Accession.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what instructions were issued by his Department to fishermen in the South-West during the last month concerning the likely effect of chemicals on fish catches, and whether an emergency fishing safety zone was declared.

Fishermen were warned of the risk of trawling up drums containing chemicals and were asked to examine their hauls before taking them aboard, and to avoid handling any drums found. In the event, no drums were trawled up. It was unnecessary for an emergency fishing safety zone to be declared.As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment said in a statement to the House on 24th January, the dangerous chemicals in the "Germania's" cargo were virtually certain to have been burned before the ship sank, and the fish caught by our vessels were completely safe for human consumption.—[Vol. 829, c. 990.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the present policy of the Government on identifying individual members of the armed forces in Northern Ireland for the purpose of legal proceedings intended against them in connection with acts done in the course of their duties.

Civil legal proceedings arising from alleged actions by the armed forces can be initiated against the Ministry of Defence, and there is, therefore, no need for individuals to be identified for this purpose.

asked the Minister of State for Defence when he proposes to publish the Defence White Paper.

My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence proposes to publish the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1972 on 16th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the letter sent by the Paymaster-General to the Chairmen of the governing bodies of the national museums and galleries in December, in connection with the relationship of the Government to these bodies.

The statement issued to the Press on 17th December (and reproduced below) made clear that the primary purpose of the discussions with the museums is to give them more freedom than they have at present in the day to day management of their affairs. The letter sent in confidence in December to the chairmen of governing bodies of the national museums and galleries initiated these discussions and dealt with matters concerning the internal management of the institutions; it would not be appropriate to publish it. My noble Friend will make public the results of the discussions in due course.The statement is as follows:NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES—RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in considering the basic need element in the capital school building programme of any local authority, she will state what account she takes of premises acquired by that authority for school purposes but not requiring capital expenditure.

In determining the need for additional school places I take into account the capacity of all the accommodation likely to be available, calculated according to its age, suitability and the purpose for which it was originally provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list all the travel-to-work areas in the non-assisted parts of the North-West region and show in each case the percentage increase or decrease in unemployment for the last 12 months;(2) if he will list the travel-to-work areas in the Merseyside development area, and show in each case the percentage increase or decrease in unemployment for the last twelve months;(3) if he will list the travel-to-work areas in the North-East Lancashire intermediate area, and show in each case the percentage increase or decrease in unemployment for the last 12 months.

Following is the information:

Percentage increase between January 1971 and January, 1972 in the numbers registered as unemployed in Employment Exchange areas either singly or grouped to form travel-to-work areas.
	Percentage increase
Non-assisted areas in North-West region
Ashton-under-Lyne*	75·9
Blackpool*	21·5
Bolton*	172·0
Bury*	37·0
Buxton*	13·8
Crewe*	47·5
Lancaster*	23·4
Leigh*	79·3
Manchester*	64·4
Northwich*	51·3
Oldham and Chadderton*	84·3
Ormskirk*	55·2
Preston*	55·6
Shaw*	145·7
Warrington*	68·3
Wigan*	54·1
Chester	56·3
Clitheroe	63·6
Congleton	14·1
Macclesfield	20·8
Rochdale	118·4
Southport	20·2
Merseyside Development Area
Liverpool*	46·1
Widnes*	75·9
St. Helens	51·8
North-East Lancashire Intermediate Area
Accrington*	108·0
Blackburn*	103·6
Burnley*	74·2
Nelson*	34·5
Rawtenstall*	57·4
Barnoldswick	15·5
Todmorden	40·0
* Travel-to-work area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of vacancies registered at the central office of each travel-to-work area in the North-West region, and what percentages these constitute of the total number employed and the total number unemployed in each area.

						Notified vacancies remaining unfilled	Notified vacancies per hundred
Employment Exchange or travel-to-work area							Employees in employment	Wholly unemployed
Chester	…	…	…	…	…	289	0·6	17·7
Clitheroe	…	…	…	…	…	147	1·5	91·9
Congleton	…	…	…	…	…	20	0·2	8·5
Macclesfield	…	…	…	…	…	104	0·5	12·8
Rochdale	…	…	…	…	…	173	0·3	7·4
Southport	…	…	…	…	…	162	0·6	9·6
St. Helens	…	…	…	…	…	126	0·2	4·4
Accrington*	…	…	…	…	…	208	0·7	16·5
Ashton-under-Lyne*		…	…	…	…	324	0·4	8·2
Blackburn*	…	…	…	…	…	433	0·7	13·9
Blackpool*	…	…	…	…	…	328	0·4	5·7
Bolton*	…	…	…	…	…	293	0·3	5·6
Burnley*	…	…	…	…	…	263	0·6	15·6
Bury*	…	…	…	…	…	274	0·5	13·9
Buxton*	…	…	…	…	…	103	0·6	24·1
Crewe*	…	…	…	…	…	207	0·5	13·2
Furness*	…	…	…	…	…	195	0·5	13·0
Lancaster*	…	…	…	…	…	158	0·4	5·8
Leigh*	…	…	…	…	…	148	0·4	7·2
Liverpool*	…	…	…	…	…	2,273	0·4	4·8
Manchester*	…	…	…	…	…	3,812	0·6	12·8
Nelson*	…	…	…	…	…	106	0·4	10·9
Northwich*	…	…	…	…	…	215	0·7	13·7
Oldham and Chadderton*			…	…	…	201	0·3	6·1
Ormskirk*	…	…	…	…	…	188	0·8	12·6
Preston*	…	…	…	…	…	779	0·6	14·9
Rawtenstall*	…	…	…	…	…	109	0·5	14·8
Shaw*	…	…	…	…	…	44	0·3	11·4
Warrington*	…	…	…	…	…	293	0·4	13·5
Widnes*	…	…	…	…	…	181	0·4	7·9
Wigan*	…	…	…	…	…	245	0·4	6·6
* Travel-to-work area.

The statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the unemployment situation in Bolton as a result of his recent visit; and if he will make a statement.

The visit to Bolton was very useful because it gave me a much deeper understanding of the nature of the area's unemployment problem. But Bolton also brought into sharp focus the overall problem of unemployment in Britain. The area is suffering from the consequences of a long period of disappointingly slow growth, with the result that the new industrial and commercial activity being created over this period has been insufficient to take up the decline in other industries—such as textiles, in

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundant miners were registered as unemployed in the Kirkcaldy and Leven employment exchanges, respectively, in the month of December for each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971.

The numbers of workers affected by planned reduction in colliery manpower registered as unemployed in December in each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971 at Kirkcaldy employment exchange were 41, 34 and 113, respectively. The corresponding figures for Leven employment exchange were 206, 206 and 147.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a further statement on lead pollution at the works of the Imperial Smelting Corporation, Avonmouth.

I have now received from the Chief Inspector of Factories the report which I requested and to which I referred in my answer of 1st February—[Vol. 830, c. 95–6]. Let me say at once that I am satisfied that, from the opening of this plant, the Inspectorate made great efforts to solve the difficult problems which soon became apparent.Whilst there can be no doubt that the Imperial Smelting plant represents an important breakthrough in the technology of lead and zinc production, its development has undoubtedly been accompanied by events which have given rise to anxiety for the health of the employees. I append to this answer figures for reported cases of lead poisoning and suspensions reported under the Lead Processes (Medical Examination) Regulations, 1964. I am glad to say that, according to the medical advice I have received, none of the people affected suffered any serious or lasting illness.This incident is a particular example illustrating a general area of problems arising in modern industrial conditions. There are problems of co-ordination between the various authorities with responsibility in this field. There are also general questions not confined to this particular area in which the technology of protection is perhaps lagging behind the technology of production. There is the problem of how the law can be kept up to date with rapid technological changes.

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN THE AREA COVERED BY THE BEXLEY EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE WHICH INCLUDES WELLING, AND IN THE ERITH AND WOOLWICH EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREAS
		Bexley	Erith	Woolwich
8th June, 1970	…	502	485	1,669
7th December, 1970	…	548	789	1,500
14th June, 1971	…	588	686	1,652
10th January, 1972	…	740	698	2,162

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the numbers of registered unemployed at the Welling, Erith and Woolwich employment exchanges for the third week in June, 1970, December, 1970, June, 1971, and January, 1972.

Following is the available information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to initiate discussions with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry to consider the implications of the figures of days lost in strikes in Great Britain in 1971.

I do not think this would serve any useful purpose at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of expenditure in the national parks is rate-borne.

Government grants paid in support of the expenditure of all local authorities in England and Wales, including those responsible for national parks, amount in 1971–72 to 57½ per cent. of the forecast of total relevant expenditure. In the case of national parks, local authorities are entitled to specific grants of 75 to 100 per cent. on certain expenditure, and most of the county councils with responsibility for parks receive substantial payments of resources element of rate support grant. The percentage of expenditure in national parks which is rate-borne is, therefore, likely to be significantly below 40 per cent., but a precise figure cannot be calculated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amount of derelict land in each of the national parks.

The acreages of derelict land justifying treatment in the national parks in England at 31st December, 1970 were as follows:

National Park	Acreage justifying treatment
Exmoor	Nil
North Yorkshire Moors	15
Northumberland	73
Lake District	86
Yorkshire Dales	131
Dartmoor	240
Peak District	497

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for increasing the cost of the Ministry of Transport Industries' test certificate for motor vehicles; and whether he will make a statement.

This matter is currently under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to ensure that technical information and expertise on pollution abatement are fully reciprocated as between Common Market countries.

I acknowledge the value of exchanges with other countries of technical information and expertise. These already take place both on a bilateral basis and through international organisations, and, where appropriate, I am extending them. Further exchanges may well be appropriate within the framework of the Common Market, but we shall take care as always to employ our skilled personnel in the manner which will achieve most in the fight against pollution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the aggregate sum of taxpayer contributions pledged towards the cost of capital spending projects by British Rail and London Transport in London and the South-Eastern Planning Region since June, 1970; and what has been the corresponding figure for the rest of Great Britain.

Since June, 1970, grants amounting to about £72 million have been authorised under Section 56 of the Transport Act, 1968, towards the cost of British Rail and London Transport capital projects in London and the South East; the comparable figure for the rest of Great Britain is £11 million. Other major projects, mainly in the conurbations outside London, are currently under consideration.Additionally, under Section 32 of the Act, London Transport has received new bus grant totalling nearly £2 million in this period; payments to operators elsewhere in Great Britain have amounted to about £9 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the aggregate sum of taxpayer contributions pledged towards the cost of capital spending projects by local authorities and the nationalised industries in London and the South-Eastern Planning Region since the establishment of his Department; and what has been the corresponding figure for the rest of Great Britain.

Capital grants paid to local authorities in 1970–71 totalled £159 million; the Exchequer also contributes through the rate support grant system to the cost of financing loans raised to pay for capital expenditure. Capital grants to public corporations in the same year amounted to £47 million. An analysis of these figures by regions is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the unemployment problem in the south, if he will now announce a decision on the Channel Tunnel and indicate approximately how many men will be employed.

No. It is not yet possible to make any final decision or to forecast the numbers of men who might be employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has asked Mr. Ian Smith if the African National Council will be allowed to hold public meetings in the Tribal Trust Lands during the period that the Pearce Commission is in Rhodesia; and what answer he has received.

No. The Pearce Commission which is on the spot is the right body to satisfy itself on the general question of political activities. In a statement issued in Salisbury on 28th January Lord Pearce said:

"Our Commissioners, who have been operating throughout the length and breadth of the country … report that there has been intense political activity wherever they have been, including the Tribal Trust Lands".

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what request he has made to Mr. Ian Smith to ensure that public figures from the United Kingdom who have an interest in visiting Rhodesia during the period that the Pearce Commission is there are not prevented from doing so: and what answer he has received.

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on 31st January.—[Vol. 830, c. 43–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the precise date before Christmas on which Her Majesty's Government agreed to send out the Pearce Commission to Rhodesia: what agreement or understanding was then arrived at concerning the time of arrival or the length of time to be taken to undertake its tasks; and whether he will make a statement.

The passages on the Test of Acceptability in the proposals were of course agreed during the negotiations concluded on 24th November. There was no agreement on a timetable for the test which, since his appointment, has been entirely in the hands of Lord Pearce.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Affairs if he has asked Mr. Ian Smith if the Rhodesian régime intends to allow opponents of the settlement negotiated in November the opportunity to express their views on television; and what answer he has received.

I have looked into this and I have concluded that there are no good grounds for seeking to amend the proposals on this point. The proposals state that

"Radio and television time will be made available to political parties represented in the House of Asesmbly."

No distinction is drawn between such political parties wishing to oppose the settlement, and those wishing to accept them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what answer he has received from Mr. Ian Smith to his request to supply the evidence by which the Rhodesian régime justifies the arrest and detention of Mr. Garfield Todd, Miss Judith Todd and Mr. and Mrs. Chinamano.

The situation remains that Mr. Smith has not informed me of the evidence on which the decision to detain them was based. In his latest statement, Lord Pearce has said:

"There have been detentions, about which we have asked for details, but the Commission is not yet able to judge whether these are necessary on security grounds at a period of tension."

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the effects of Pakistan's withdrawal from the Commonwealth on the electoral registration rights of citizens of Pakistan resident in this country.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Wilkinson) on 3rd February. The rights of citizens of Pakistan to register as electors will not be affected until the British Nationality Act, 1948, is amended.—[Vol. 830, c. 186.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of national average earnings in October each year since 1938 was represented by the income tax threshold for a married man with two children; and what were the absolute figures for both national average earnings and the relevant tax threshold for each of these years.

The figures are as follows:

	Tax threshold for earned income* £	Average earnings of manual adult male† £	Tax threshold as percentage of average earnings Per cent.
1938–39	375	179	209·5
1939–40	375	Not available
1940–41	324	231	140·3
1941–42	267§	258	103·5
1942–43	267§	290	92·1
1943–44	267§	315	84·8
1944–45	267§	323	82·7
1945–46	267§	315	84-·8
1946–47	323	314	102·9
1947–48	365	333	109·6
1948–49	381	359	106·1
1949–50	383	371	103·2
1950–51	383	391	98·0
1951–52	421	432	97·5
1952–53	498	464	107·3
1953–54	498	492	101·2
1954–55	498	531	93·8
1955–56	577	580	99·5
1956–57	578	619	93·4
1957–58	578	654	88·4
1958–59	579	667	86·8
1959–60	579	704	82·2
1960–61	579	756	76·6
1961–62	589	798	73·8
1962–63	589	825	71·4
1963–64	736	871	84·5
1964–65	736	942	78·1
1965–66	733	1,019	71·9
1966–67	733	1,056	69·4
1967–68	733	1,111	66·0
1968–69	687	1,196	57·4
1969–70	724	1,291	56·1
1970–71	840	1,459	57·6
1971–72	943	l,608‡	58·6
* The children are assumed to be under 11.
† These are the annual equivalents of the average weekly earnings of males aged 21 and over in manufacturing and certain other industries at October of each year, except for the years 1940–41 to 1945–46 when the weekly earnings related to July of each year.
‡ Provisional.
§ Post War Credit Years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, in his forthcoming Budget, give consideration to removing the tax on war widows' pensions.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave on 11th November, 1971, to a similar question by the hon. Member for Heywod and Royton (Mr. Barnett).—[Vol. 825, c. 255.]

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to ensure that Ministers' chauffeur-driven cars are removed from the precincts of the Palace except when Ministers personally are entering into or alighting from them, and, in particular, that they do not wait in New Palace Yard or Speaker's Court.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I hope that the House will recognise the special needs of Ministers to have their cars available at any time with the minimum of delay.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will ensure that hon. Members are able to park their cars in Speaker's Court when attending the House or using the facilities of the Palace on days when New Palace Yard is available for the parking of cars belonging to non-Members.

The parking facilities in Speaker's Court are at the discretion of Mr. Speaker. Parking facilities in New Palace Yard are available to officers of the House at any time. At the discretion of the Serjeant at Arms, this facility may be extended to staff of the House and Members' secretaries on Fridays during Sessions and on any day when the House is not sitting.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he issued instructions to the Doncaster office of his Department, that certain persons should not be permitted to submit a formal claim for supplementary benefits.

No such instructions have been issued. A formal claim for supplementary benefit can be made at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will obtain a report from the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board on the withdrawal of accident and casualty services from Manor Hospital, Nuneaton, during the weekend of 29th–30th January; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board that the accident and emergency department was closed for 24 hours from 9 a.m. on 29th January because of shortage of medical staff. Full publicity was given to the closure, and arrangements were made for ambulance cases to be taken during that period to Coventry or Leicester. A consultant was recently appointed to take charge of the department and an additional appointment of locum medical assistant has been made with effect from 4th February; efforts to recruit senior house officers are continuing. On steps to improve staffing generally, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding) on 19th November, 1971.—[Vol. 826, c. 240–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now state the reasons given to him by the Post Office Board for the need to conduct a six-month experiment in labour-free installation of telephones, under the terms of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, before the Board will accept the offer of the Metropolitan West Branch of the Post Office Engineering Union to install such telephones in the London Borough of Ealing.

I understand that, although there are points of difficulty, the Post Office Board is willing to operate schemes, similar to the current experiment in Wales, wherever the Post Office Engineering Union offers to provide free labour and the local authority agrees to an arrangement of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims he has received for constant attendance allowance from Wales in the last six months; and how many have been granted.

Up to 25th January there were about 11,000 claimants for the new attendance allowance in Wales, including about 9,000 who claimed in the previous six months. Of these, 4,250 altogether, including 4,100 in the last six months, were initially found to satisfy the medical conditions. Separate figures are not available relating to those who were found to satisfy the conditions following an application for review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to tighten-up the administration of existing legislation or introduce new legislation to ensure that people working exclusively for an encyclopedia or other company, even though on a commission-only basis, are the responsibility of such a company so far as National Insurance stamps are concerned.

I have already written to my hon. Friend about the general position of persons paid on a commission basis, and as I said if he will let me have details I will look into any particular case he may have in mind.I have no evidence of any need for new legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet able to announce the appointment of a National Health Service ombudsman.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now take steps to initiate a wide subsidised telephone service for persons house-bound by age or illness.

Local authorities are already aware of their duty to provide telephones in such cases where they are satisfied that the need exists. We will consider what further advice to give when we have received the findings of several current studies into means of emergency communication generally.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will give a general direction to the Post Office that, since many mailing businesses depend on their ability to offer suitable prices, including postage long in advance, at least 12 months' notice should be given before there is material increase in postage rates, especially for second-class mail.

No. The Post Office already seeks to give as much advance notice as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department gave warnings to bankers of companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon, following inquiries it had instituted into such companies.

It would be wholly improper for any such warning to have been given.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department first investigated contravention of Sections 54 and 190 of the Companies Act, 1948 by companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon; what companies were involved; and what action was taken.

The possibility of action will be considered when the Inspectors have reported.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his department first considered taking civil action under Section 37 of the Companies Act, 1967, in the name of any of the companies under the influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon, for recovery of damages from him; which companies were involved; and on what date such action will commence.

The possibility of such action will be considered when the inspectors have reported.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates his Department first considered prosecuting companies under the control of Mr. Ellis Seillon; which companies were involved; and on what dates prosecutions were instituted in relation to each such company.

Prosecution in this case was by the Director of Public Prosecutions and is therefore a matter for my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department first considered using its Section 109, Companies Act, 1967, powers in relation to companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon; which companies were involved; and on what date Section 109 powers were in fact used in relation to each such company.

Consideration of the use of the Departments powers is a continuous process. The Department appointed officers to make inquiries under the provisions of Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967, into the following companies on the dates indicated:

• Nomad Holiday Camps Ltd.—27th October, 1969.
• Carton Beach Holdings Ltd.—5th March, 1970.
• Mesco Consolidated Industries (Finance) Ltd.—15th July, 1970.
• Glonor Properties Ltd.—17th December, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department first took cognisance of reports raising doubts about companies under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon in connection with the uses of its investigatory powers and its law enforcement powers, respectively.

October, 1969; we have not instituted proceedings against these companies or their directors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his officials will make appropriate reports to the court in relation to fraudulent companies now in liquidation formerly under the control or influence of Mr. Ellis Seillon, to enable the court to consider whether they are proper cases for public examination under Section 270 of the Companies Act, 1948.

The Court's jurisdiction under Section 270 of the Companies Act, 1948, is exercised, if it thinks fit, after the Official Receiver has submitted a further report under Section 236(2), stating that, in his opinon, fraud has been committed by a person who is within the terms of Section 270. Whether or not the Official Receiver submits such a report is a matter for his discretion as an officer of the Court and not as an official of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reactions he has had from industry in general and the motor industry in particular to the report of the committee on corrosion and protection; and what initiatives he proposes to take.

Although the report has aroused much interest in industry and elsewhere, there has been no common expression of view about what should be done about the committee's recommendations, not only because the extent of the problem differs from industry to industry but also because the interests of manufacturers and users do not necessarily coincide. Most of the recommendations are for industry. Discussions with the motor industry on various aspects of the problem are proceeding. The Department is at present considering how best to focus attention on this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what complaint his Department received about the Liberian-registered vessel "Golden Eagle" concerning her seaworthiness while berthed in the London Dock in October, 1971; and what action was taken thereon.

The Department was approached by the local representative of the National Union of Seamen following representations to him by members of the crew about the seaworthiness of the ship. Arrangements were made for the complaint to be investigated by an official appointed by the Liberian Government who did so in company with a Surveyor of Lloyds Register of Shipping. In the result it was arranged that the ship sailed in ballast to a repair post instead of to the West Indies for a further cargo. The union representative and crew members expressed themselves satisfied with the Department's action.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many marine superintendents are presently employed by his Department; in which ports they are employed; and how this compares with the same period five and 10 years ago, respectively.

The information is as follows:

Port	1962	1967	1972
Aberdeen.	2	2	2
Avonmouth.	5	4	4
Belfast.	3	3	2
Birkenhead	5	4	—
Cardiff	4	4	2
Falmouth	3	2	2
Garston	1	—	—
Glasgow	8	8	6
Greenock	1	1	—
Grimsby	2	1	1
Hull	6	6	4
Leith	1	1	1
Liverpool	16	14	15
London—
Dock Street	11	8	7
Poplar	3	4	—
Victoria Docks	9	9	6
Manchester	3	3	2
Middlesbrough	3	3	2
Milford Haven	1	1	1
Newcastle	6	5	—
Newport	2	1	—
North Shields	2	—	—
Southampton	10	10	9
South Shields	4	5	7
Sunderland	1	1	—
Swansea	2	2	2
Tilbury	9	7	7
Total	123	109	82

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Department intends to introduce regulations for the diving industry, controlling the safety of diving personnel working from oil rigs within British jurisdiction.

Proposals for regulations under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act, 1971, will be circulated shortly for comment by the interested parties. I shall send a copy to the hon. Member for his information.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has concluded its preliminary inquiry into the collision between the British vessel "Redthorn" and the Liberian vessel "Elphia"; and what actions have been taken thereon.

After considering the report of the preliminary inquiry into this casualty I have ordered the holding of a formal investigation under Section 466 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of the average cost per passenger movement at airports administered by the British Airports Authority in the financial year 1970–71; and how this compares at constant prices, with the corresponding costs in the years 1960–61 and 1965–66.

The traffic operating cost, excluding interest, per air transport passenger, derived from British Airports Authority data, was 71p. At 1965–66 prices, this is estimated to be about 55p. A figure for 1965–66 derived from the then airport accounts is 45p but the accounting basis used is not comparable. Between 1965–66 and 1970–71 there was a major development of airport facilities. Similar figures for 1960–61 cannot be made available without incurring disproportionate costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the law on copyright and registered designs specifically relating to industrial designs which incorporate technological ingenuity, with a view to British technologists being no less safeguarded than the best in the European Economic Community.

I am not aware that our law provides inadequate safeguards; but I will consider any points on which my hon. Friend cares to write to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a certificate has been issued to the British American Bank under Section 123 of the Companies Act, 1967, enabling it to carry on the business of banking in this country.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the light of evidence now in his possession, he will take steps to prevent a bank, the name of which has been supplied to him, opening a branch in Hope Street, Glasgow on 6th February.

I am making inquiries into the activities of this company, but I have no powers to prevent a company from opening a branch.