asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study his Department has made of the problem of market power used by large firms through their buying policies to the detriment of small firms; and whether he will refer this matter to the Monopolies Commission.

The Bolton Committee considered this problem, and I am keeping its recommendation in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to safeguard electrical power supplies to the wool textile industry.

So far as has been possible Department of Trade and Industry regional offices in consultation with area electricity boards have assisted all industry, including wool textile firms, in the flexible operation of the restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the independent feasibility study on Govan Shipbuilders estimated was needed to establish the new firm; and how much this represents for each job saved.

I hope very soon to have assembled all the elements necessary to allow me to make announcements on this and allied matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding Government assistance to the new Govan Shipbuilders Limited.

I hope very soon to have assembled all the elements necessary to allow me to make announcements on this and allied matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of foreign visitors to the United Kingdom in the latest month in which figures are available compared with the comparable month for the preceding year; and whether he will make a statement.

The information is published monthly in "Trade and Industry". The issue of 17th February showed that there were 256,000 foreign visitors in December, 1971, an increase of 9 per cent. over December, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much machine tool deliveries were worth in the export market in the first nine months of 1971 compared with the same period in 1970; and whether he will make a statement.

Information on the deliveries of machine tools is published monthly in Business Monitor P64, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Provisional figures indicate that export deliveries in the first nine months of 1971 were 10 per cent. above the comparable period of 1970 at current prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list the various types of projects under which support is given by his Department to the machine tool industry.

Support is given by means of pre-production orders, work placed at various institutions, grants to research associations, and research and development contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new vehicles were sold in the latest month in which figures are available compared with the comparable month for the preceding year; and whether he will make a statement.

Vehicle registration figures have been published in a Press notice, a copy of which is in the Library. Total new vehicle registrations in January, 1972, were 29 per cent. higher than in January, 1971. Registrations in the year 1971 reached a new record level and a further increase is expected in 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated value of lost production due to the imposition of restrictions on the use of electricity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further estimates he has now made of the effect of the coal dispute on the level of output in manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.

This cannot be estimated at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce a decision relating to the production by Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited of an up-rated version of the RB211 engine.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace gave on this subject on 7th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the additional cost of the RB211 as a result of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited having to re-negotiate the sub-contracts entered into by the old company.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace to my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby) on 25th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a detailed break- down of the sum of £1 million per year which the Government are spending on engine noise research.

The estimated breakdown of direct Government expenditure on general engine noise research during the financial year 1971–72 is approximately as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the fact that the new generation of civil aircraft are likely to be considerably quieter than existing aircraft, and of the adverse effect of noise on health and on the quality of the environment, if he will now support the research and development necessary to produce quieter versions of the Spey and other British engines so as to enable British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation to keep their existing fleet operating at much lower noise levels; and if he will make a statement.

Without waiting for the outcome of international discussions on reducing the noise of existing aero-engines, the Government are urgently considering a programme of work, aimed at possible development of saleable hardware, for the United Kingdom engines involved, and the extent to which support is desirable from public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Metrication Board receive and consider complaints from consumers about the implementation of metrication.

Complaints about Government policy on metrication would normally be referred to the appropriate Government Department, but the Metrication Board, in accordance with its terms of reference, deals with those connected with the implementation of metrication programmes throughout the economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what electricity generation megawatts-installed was derived from, respectively, coal, oil, nuclear and miscellaneous sources on 1st January, 1972, or latest convenient date, under four headings; and what generation changes will occur in the Central Electricity Generating Board's arrangements for 1972–73 as authorised by him.

The C.E.G.B. informs me that on 1st January, 1972, its maximum output capacity was:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest generating capacity of the British electricity industry; and if he will break this capacity down into coal fired, coal or oil fired, oil fired, nuclear, hydroelectric, and miscellaneous gas turbine and stated by capacity owned by industry, and express this breakdown as a percentage of the total capacity, respectively, indicating how this compares with the capacity and breakdown in the European Economic Community.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now report the findings of the Vintner Committee on the choice of thermo-nuclear reactors for further development.

I have nothing to add to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 7th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will extend further export credit facilities to British manufacturers of telecommunication and television systems especially to capture the markets which are emerging in the countries which have gained their independence since 1945.

The full range of E.C.G.D.'s facilities is available for exports to these markets of these goods as for others, subject to normal underwriting criteria and acceptable credit terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to start discussions to determine what year's level of textile imports should be regarded as the base year on entry to the European Economic Community.

We expect to have discussions shortly with the European Economic Community about textile imports into the enlarged community from 1973 onwards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to restrict imports of cloth and made-up textile goods arranged prior to the announcement by the Government that textile quotas would be continued for a further 12 months.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Normanton) on 25th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he hopes to complete his consideration of the problems of overland flight by Concorde in the United Kingdom.

Commercial flights by supersonic aircraft are two or three years away. Consideration will be completed and a decision taken well before then.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what efforts he is making to secure international agreement on overland flights by Concorde.

I have nothing to add to the replies my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins) on 17th January and to the right hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 18th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to prohibit airlines from making a charge for disabled persons needing an ambulance to take them from terminal buildings to aircraft.

I do not think such legislation is practicable. The matter is best left to the judgment of the airlines concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will dismiss or suspend Mr. Christopher Jardine from his position with) the Monopolies Commission, in view of the Report on the Vehicle and General Insurance affair.

No. In his statement on 16th February my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made it clear that the officials concerned and their staff associations should have an adequate opportunity to consider the Report and to make observations to me before any further statement was made by the Government. This stage has not yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the implications for exports of the Post Office introducing a telephone system based on the TXE 4.

This is one of the factors that will be taken into account when my right hon. Friend the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications receives the proposals from the Post Office Corporation to which he referred in his answer to Questions on 9th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were granted by his Department for the Hamilton constituency area in the past 12 months.

Only one but the many measures taken by the Government to stimulate investment, particularly in the assisted areas, should bring about a general improvement including the hon. Member's constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were granted in the West Midlands conurbation during 1971.

203.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish a report of his Department's review of regional policy; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a supplementary question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Kenneth Baker) on 7th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the total amounts expended by his Department on all aspects of regional policy in 1969, 1970 and 1971.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he can now state whether or when he expects to publish the results of his review of regional policies.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to a supplementary question from my hon. Friend the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Kenneth Baker), on 7th February.—[Vol. 830, c. 969–71.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those trades unions which he has invited to his Department since 18th June, 1970, to meet him for general discussions about the problems of their respective industries.

My right hon. and hon. Friends and I have extended invitations to the Trades Union Congress, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and unions to meet us on many occasions, for both general and particular discussions. Amongst others, we have had useful discussions with the Transport and General Workers Union, the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, the Electrical Electronic and Telecommunications Union—Plumbing Trades Union and the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the recent power crisis, he will now authorise the Central Electricity Generating Board to order a new nuclear power station with a reactor of the type developed at Winfrith Heath, Dorset.

No; this must await conclusions based on the current review of the available reactor types.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the effects of corrosion on the advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power station programme and, in particular, why his Department authorised the Central Electricity Generating Board to proceed with this programme prior to the completion of laboratory tests on the effects of carbon dioxide gas on chrome steel.

The C.E.G.B. has advised me that laboratory tests commenced in 1964 now indicate that a potential corrosion problem concerning 9 per cent. chrome steel might arise in the boilers of the A.G.R. nuclear power stations before their 25 year design life is complete. Laboratory investigations are continuing and, pending these, the possible extent and any economic implications of the problem remain uncertain. Responsibility for the choice and testing of materials used in nuclear power stations rests with the generating boards and their suppliers, subject ultimately to the reactors meeting my Department's safety standards before commissioning and during operation. The Central Electricity Generating Board has four A.G.R. stations under construction and the South of Scotland Electricity Board one. None of the A.G.R. stations is commissioned or will be commissioned until safety requirements are fully met.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what special steps he is now taking to deal with the shortage of orders facing Upper Cylde Shipbuilders.

I hope very soon to have assembled all the elements neces- sary to allow me to make announcements Nuclear Power Stations on this and allied matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of all the measures taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement the resolutions adopted by the Second United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

A Command Paper will be presented on the Third Session of the Conference, as was done following the first and second Sessions. Measures to benefit the developing countries are laid before Parliament for approval as the occasion arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation empowering the National Coal Board to draw up a register of land and houses owned by it under the Coal Nationalisation Act, 1947; and if he will make a statement.

Legislation is not necessary. If the hon. Member requires more detailed information than is given in Volume I of the National Coal Board's Annual Report, I am sure the Board will be glad to do its best to help him.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, as a result of the Wiberforce Inquiry and the need to inject public money into the National Coal Board, he will now seek to rescind the hiving-off Section of the Coal Industry Act, 1971.

No. As I made clear in the House on 21st February, the financial position of the Board is to be considered urgently. In any exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 of the Coal Industry Act, 1971, I should of course pay full regard to the effect on the Board's finances but that is a separate issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the present losses of the National Coal Board; and what steps he is taking to avoid them exceeding the statutory deficit before March, 1972.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to his Question of 17th February by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry.—[Vol 831, c. 153.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has in mind to help the National Coal Board with a financial reconstruction of their present financial position, especially writing down their capital debt;(2) whether he will give consideration to helping the National Coal Board in its present financial difficulties by introducing public dividend capital in a similar fashion to the financial assistance afforded the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British Steel Corporation.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the right hon. Member for Newton (Mr. Frederick Lee) on 21st February.—[Vol. 831, c. 909–10]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the placing of exploratory engineering contracts by his Department with the British aircraft industry for a new short/medium haul airliner.

Specific contracts ale now being negotiated with the British aircraft industry. These concern exploratory engineering studies necessary before considering the desirability of committing public resources to any particular project for quiet short or medium haul aircraft capable of operating from short runways.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the proposals which he intends to submit to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member nations on support of the shipbuilding industry.

Discussions in O.E.C.D. on dealing with factors which distort competition in the shipbuilding in- dustry are continuing, but the proceedings have not yet reached a stage at which I can report to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total instalment debt owing to the finance houses and retailers seasonally adjusted in December, 1971, as against December, 1970; and whether he will make a statement.

The total at the end of December, 1971, was £1,628 million, which was £244 million more than at the end of December, 1970. The figures for debt outstanding are not seasonally adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average weekly rate of car production in the first nine months of 1970 and of 1971; and whether he will make a statement.

30,350 and 32,500 cars per week respectively. Car production figures have been published in a Press notice, a copy of which is in the Library. Prospects for further marked growth in production this year are favourable.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to place the capital structures of British European Airways and British Overseas Airways Corporation on a similar footing.

There are no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will reconsider the withdrawal of the £12½ million support to British European Airways to encourage them to operate the Trident aircraft, in view of the need of the British aircraft industry for financial assistance from the Government to retain the technology available in this country, to sustain higher employment levels in this industry and to enable it to compete financially with its competitors; and if he will make a statement.

As a result of the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 1971, I now have no power to give the further support suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he now intends to take to assist the Greater London area overcome unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member will be aware of the many measures the Government have taken to secure faster economic growth and consequently greater employment for the country generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has commenced, and when he expects it to complete, a survey of the impact of entry to the European Economic Community on small firms, as was recommended by the Bolton Committee.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave earlier today in reply to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. John Hannam).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further penalties Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited will have incurred through slowing down of production owing to the electricity cuts during the month of February; and if he will make a statement.

Production of the RB211 has not been significantly delayed by the present electricity cuts. No contractual penalties would apply for delay on that account.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent it has been necessary to renegotiate the sub-contracts in respect of the Rolls-Royce engine contracts for existing engines in development or production as a result of forming Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited.

It is for Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited as part of its commercial operations to look after sub-contracts. It has not advised the Department of any general re-negotiation following its formation as a new company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the full text of the agreement between the Government and the Receiver of Rolls-Royce Limited, under which the Receiver agreed to assign all the Rolls-Royce patents to the Government.

No. It is not customary to publish Government contracts or agreements of a contractual nature of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were coal stocks at power stations on 26th February, 1972, or the latest convenient date.

Information on coal stocks is shown on the Weekly Statistical Statements issued by the Department of Trade and Industry and available in the Library of the House. The returns for the latest statement show that total stocks at power stations—including Scotland—were 5·4 million tons on 19th February, 1972. There has been a further small reduction since then.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action under the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, to ensure that tinned fruit and vegetables are marked with their drained weight.

I accept that such a declaration would be useful to the consumer but measurement and enforcement raise serious technical problems, for which we are still trying to find a solution.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of the export guarantees available to exporters of machine tools, electronic and engineering products.

I have arranged for copies of the standard E.C.G.D. guarantees suitable for covering exports of the type mentioned to be available in the Library. The precise terms applicable to particular orders are settled case by case.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of Government-owned factories in the North-East Development Area which have been sold since 1945, the total cost in valuation on transfer to the Government and their total selling price.

Fifty-three factories owned by the Department were sold. Their cost of acquisition or construction totalled £8,054,730 and their sale realised £9,305,631.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give the number of companies and details of same, for the longest convenient period, where his Department has been requested to take action under the Companies Acts; and what action was taken in each instance.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for encouraging new industrial development in South Wales.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his similar Question on 21st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement following his meeting with a delegation from Bolton on 21st February, 1972.

I assured the deputation of hon. Members and representa- tives of local authorities that the views expressed would be taken fully into account in the Government's review of regional policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new financial criteria he proposes to establish for the nationalised industries, in the light of the Wilberforce Report on the coal industry dispute, in order that social costs incurred may be fully acknowledged.

I have already said that I should be reviewing the whole financial position of the N.C.B. in the light of the implementation of the Wilberforce conclusions. However, the existing criteria provide a basis on which to consider the financial treatment of the social objectives to which Lord Wilberforce referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT lists setting out the average price of the commodities produced by the nationalised industries from 1964–65 to the present time, namely, coal, pithead proceeds, per ton, gas, revenue, pence per therm, and electricity, revenue, pence per kilowatt.

The information for coal, gas and electricity—England and Wales only—is published in the 1970–71 Reports and Accounts of the National Coal Board, Gas Council and Electricity Council respectively. The 1971 Digest of Energy Statistics gives information on electricity for the whole of Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is now the pithead price of coal per ton and the price at which it is made available to the Electricity Generating Board; and if he will tabulate how this compares with the price of coal, coke and leading smokeless fuels to the domestic consumer.

The pithead price is represented by the average proceeds per ton at pithead is published in the Annual Report and Accounts of the National Coal Board; for the latest year, 1970–71, it was £5·84 per ton.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the estimated additional costs of the coal strike and the wage increases, following the Wilberforce Report, and negotiated between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers were to fall on the consumer, what estimate he has made of the average price of coal per ton, and if he will quantify the increase to the user if the National Coal Board is to meet the profit obligations of nationalised industries.

Urgent consideration is being given to the financial consequences for the N.C.B. of the miners' strike and the Wilberforce recommendations. I cannot anticipate the results of this examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost to public funds of the storage of crude oil over each of the past five years; and what is the estimated cost for the year 1972–73.

I am unable to add to the information about oil storage shown in the Civil Appropriation Accounts for the Ministry of Power 1966–67 Class IV Vote 18, 1967–70, Class IV Vote 17 and the Department of Trade and Industry (Industrial Services) 1970–71, Class IV Vote 15. That for the year 1972–73 will be shown in Supply Estimates, Department of Trade and Industry (Industrial Services) Class IV Vote 5, to be published shortly.The storage of commercial oil is not a charge on public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when permission was sought by the Central Elec- tricity Generating Board to convert the coal-fired stations of Ferrybridge "C", Thorpe Marsh, Eggborough in Yorkshire and the Blyth station in Northumberland to oil burning; when consent was granted; what annual amount of coal sales is lost to the National Coal Board as a result; whether these conversions are permanent; and if he will make a statement.

No such permission has been sought and none of the stations in question is being converted from coal-firing to oil-firing. However, as a purely temporary measure, while coal stocks are being built up, substantial quantities of lighting-up oil are being burned in these stations to supplement the coal burn.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many authorisations have been sought by the Central Electricity Generating Board in the last six months to convert coal-burning stations to other fuels; and how many have been granted.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent proposals have been submitted to him by the Central Electricity Generating Board to convert, wholly or in part, existing coal-fired power stations to other fuels.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what criteria he assesses the commercial potential of international horicultural and agricultural exhibitions; and if he will make a statement.

The Department bases its assessment of the commercial potential of international trade exhibitions on the market prospects for the types of products to be displayed. In 1971 we helped British firms to participate in a number of international horticultural and agricultural exhibitions overseas and we shall continue to do so provided there are good market prospects for the products to be displayed and British firms themselves judge it to be in their best commercial interests to participate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the fact that the Midland Electrical Manufacturing Company Limited has announced that it will not be opening its new factory in Washington, County Durham, when it is completed, at which 500 people were expected to be employed when in full production, and in the light of the concern that this has caused in an area of high unemployment, what action he proposes to take to assist the company concerned.

The Department is assisting the company in its efforts to find a purchaser to whom assistance under the Local Employment Acts would be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the recent joint declaration by the United States of America and the European Economic Community on world trade negotiations.

We welcome this agreement, which demonstrates the spirit of co-operation in which the United States and the Community are approaching the current problems of world trade. We were fully consulted during the course of the discussions. We support the objective of initiating negotiations in 1973 within the framework of G.A.T.T. for the further liberalisation of world trade, covering agricultural as well as industrial trade. We intend fully to associate ourselves with the Community in the Declaration which has now been communicated to the G.A.T.T. We hope that other major trading countries will also associate themselves with it.The full text of the Declaration is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent, under the existing rules and regulations of the European Economic Community, Great Britain on entry will be permitted to maintain the duty on the import of fuel oil as a means of protecting coal.

The existing rules and regulations of the Community do not exclude such a duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain why, during the recent miners' strike, candles were being sold by as much as 500 per cent. above the normal retail price and coal for retirement pensioners and those on priority cost more than was the case just prior to the strike.

No. There is insufficient evidence available to me to justify such an investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent he estimates the power cuts during the recent miners' strike will reduce the revenue to the electricity supply industry; to what extent, in addition to adjustments due to the rise in the price of coal, he estimates there will have to be a rise in the cost of electricity to consumers; and to what extent the Government will assist in grants to relieve such costs to the general public.

The full implications of the miners' strike for the electricity supply industry's finances cannot yet be determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will have immediate consultations with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers concerning the position regarding supplies of fuel for power stations.

I have already had discussions with both the N.C.B. and N.U.M., and will continue to do so as the need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now authorise the Central Electricity Generating Board to burn natural gas in the corporation's power stations and leave it to the discretion of that body to reach its decision upon which plants to convert upon commercial considerations.

Any proposals submitted by the C.E.G.B. will be considered on their merits within the overall framework of energy policy.

asked the Secretary of State far Trade and Industry what is his policy regarding the future of the coal industry, and its rôle in British industry.

There will continue to be a significant demand for coal in this country and overseas, the exact level of which will depend primarily upon the industry's competitive efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will postpone further allocation of North Sea mineral exploration licences until such time as the regulations regarding exploitation of resources discovered have been completely reviewed.

No. The fourth round of petroleum production licensing on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, which was announced last June, is now virtually complete and I shall be announcing the final awards very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware of the worsening economic and employment situation in the Borough of Denbigh, as evidenced by the recent closure of two factories; and what proposals he has in mind for the attraction of alternative industries to the town.

I am well aware of the likely effects of recent redundancies and those expected from the announced closure of a second firm in Denbigh. An official of the Department's Office for Wales has visited this firm and the premises, which are privately owned, have been suggested to an enquirer. The Department will continue to bring to the attention of suitable industrialists the financial incentives which the Government make available in the development area and the availability both of factory space and sites on the local authority's Colomendy Trading and Industrial Estate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek powers to authorise the Survey Control Unit of the Central Statistical Office to veto all statistical surveys not meeting with its approval on grounds of expense, necessity, coverage or design.

The Government are considering the recommendation of the Committee of Inquiry on Small Firms on the rôle of the Survey Control Unit and an early statement will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the probable changes in the balance of trade between Japan and the United Kingdom in the light of the recent agreement about exchanges.

It is too soon to assess the effects of revaluation of the yen on the balance of trade between the two countries, but other factors such as the level of domestic activity in Japan may well prove to be more significant

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the gross figure for imports from Japan over the last three years, and the figures for each category of goods that make up the whole.

Figures in total and by sections are published for 1969 and 1970 in the appropriate Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom and for 1971 in the December, 1971, issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total amount paid in investment grants in all development areas from October, 1968, to October, 1969, and from October, 1969, to October, 1970; and what were the figures for Scotland, Wales and the Northern Region.

I regret that this information is not readily available for these periods. For annual figures relating to periods ended 31st March I would refer the hon. Member to published Annual Reports under the Industrial Development Act, 1966, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the reclamation of industrial land at Nine Mile Point, Monmouthshire, he will extend the existing special development area to encourage prospective developers of this site.

I have no statement to make on changes in assisted area boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries his Department has received to date concerning the advance factory at Cleator Moor; and whether any of these have been followed by firm applications which have subsequently been refused.

This factory has been suggested to 28 enquirers of whom 12 visited it. Applications were received from five but all were subsequently withdrawn by the applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects work to commence on the proposed advance factory in Millom.

The contract has been let and work should start shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now give an assurance that, in the disposal of Thomas Cook and Son Limited, no part of the business will come under the control of any of the competitors of the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

I have been asked to reply. No.

asked the Secretary State for Trade and Industry want are the most recent estimates of undistributed coal stocks.

The latest published statistics of undistributed stocks are those for 1st January, 1972, shown on the weekly statistical statement issued by the Department. No exact figures for the level of undistributed stocks will be available until normal working is resumed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce regulations requiring the quantity of wine sold in carafes to be publicly displayed.

We are actively considering the introduction of regulations. We have had preliminary talks with trade and consumer organisations, and we shall shortly be having consultations, as required by the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, on our proposals that such sales should be by capacity measurement. We expect that the quantity of sale would usually be shown on the menu or wine list.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the unemployment existing in the Chester-le-Street constituency area, and of his inability to find a tenant for the unoccupied advance factory at Barley Mow, Birtley, County Durham, he will seek to take over this factory as a Government concern.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with current motor insurance regulations in respect of foreign nationals in view of the experience of many United Kingdom citizens who find themselves unable to recover their uninsured losses and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Visiting foreign motorists have to insure against the same liabilities as British motorists.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a White Paper on his policies to reduce industrial pollution.

Not at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he expects the Midland Road Construction Unit to have completed its inquiries into the Worksop Inner Ring Road; and, in view of the planning blight on the area for the last three years and delay to residential and industrial development, if he will make an early decision.

This scheme is at an early stage and considerable investigations are needed, but my right hon. Friend appreciates the position and will take a decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to improve lane discipline on motorways.

This matter is being brought to public attention through various channels of publicity. I am considering whether any other measures would be useful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following the gift of £150,000 towards a national clinic for the conservation and restoration of works of art in public and private collections, he will designate a part of Somerset House as a building where first aid could be carried out, restorers trained and research conducted.

I am considering proposals for a more appropriate use for the seven fine rooms in the North Block and will include this suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total annual extraction of water from the River Severn by water authorities in England.

Abstraction varies between wet and dry years, but I understand from the Severn River Authority that in 1971 it amounted to 28,591 million gallons.