asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, together with other European countries, he will now seek a joint peace initiative in the Middle East.

Her Majesty's Government remain ready to help in any way they can to promote the search for a settlement, including through a European initiative if it would help. I do not believe, however, that the time is ripe at present for such an initiative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of recent events, he will propose in the Security Council the re-establishment of the Israeli-Lebanese mixed Armistice Commission; and if he will make a statement.

We believe it is primarily for the parties immediately concerned to decide whether to take the initiative in proposing the reactivation of the Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission. We are in touch with both Governments on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for further discussions with the Australian and New Zealand Governments about the effects on their economies and foreign policies following United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement.

We are in continuing touch with both Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he will not commission an official history of British negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community.

It is not considered appropriate that an official history of con- fidential negotiations should be commissioned for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state for each of the last three years the number of decisions, regulations and directives, shown separately, issued by the European Communities.

The figures for regulations and the combined figure for directives and decisions were stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. Denzil Davies) on 9th February.—[Vol. 831, c. 383.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions are envisaged with New Zealand in view of the concern expressed in New Zealand at the outcome of aspects of Great Britain's negotiations to join the European Economic Community as they may affect that country; and if he will make a statement.

We are in continuing contact with the New Zealand Government about these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is yet in a position to make a statement about further aid to Bangladesh.

Since my answer to Questions on 14th February, discussions have taken place in Dacca, and with representatives of the World Bank and other Governments. The loan agreements for £4·8 million have now been signed, and there is reason to hope that an aid consortium for Bangladesh will be established before long.Of the £3 million already pledged for relief aid, we have made available £ 1 million in cash to the United Nations and, with its agreement, are providing help for road and water transport in Bangladesh. We have also chartered two aircraft for use there, and are now considering what further contribution we should make to the United Nation's programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, following the appointment of two extra commissioners to investigate complaints of intimidation in Rhodesia, he will make a statement on this subject.

At the request of Lord Pearce, I appointed two additional commissioners for the specific purpose of investigating allegations of intimidation, pressure and obstruction. They began work in Rhodesia on 14th February and, like all the other commissioners, are responsible to Lord Pearce.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communication he has had with Mr. Ian Smith about Mr. Garfield Todd.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State said in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis) on 14th February, representations have been made to the Rhodesian authorities on a number of occasions. The Rhodesian authorities informed us that they would hold a judicial review of Mr. Todd's case. This has been done and continued detention was recommended by the review tribunal. They also informed us, and announced publicly, that on health and humanitarian grounds they had transferred Mr. Todd from prison and detained him at his own home.—[Vol. 831, c. 7–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom representative abstained on the Security Council resolution of 28th February regarding the maintenance of sanctions on trade with Rhodesia.

The United Kingdom abstained because we consider United Nations' Resolutions on Rhodesia to be unnecessary and unhelpful pending the publication of the report of the Pearce Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether transcripts of broadcasts made by members of the Pearce Commission on Rhodesian radio are now available for placing in the Library of the House of Commons.

Copies of these transcripts were placed in the Library of the House on 3rd March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrangements being made by the Rhodesian authorities to bring Mr. Garfield Todd and his daughter before a judicial review tribunal; and if he will ensure that they are allowed legal representation.

I understand that the cases of Mr. Garfield Todd and his daughter were reviewed last week by a judicial tribunal which has recommended that they should remain in detention. It was open to Mr. Todd and his daughter to appear before the review tribunal or to be legally represented at its hearings if they wished. I understand that they elected not to appear before the tribunal and so far as I am aware they also decided against legal representation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made concerning the continued detention of Timothy Davey in Turkey and his appearance in court handcuffed, bearing in mind his age and period of detention served.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply on 2nd March to the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks). I can only add that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that, if the sentence is confirmed, Timothy Davey will be sent to a reform school and not to a prison.—[Vol. 832, c. 185–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise the case of Timothy Davey at the European Commission on Human Rights with a view to securing his release from a Turkish prison, in view of his age and period of detention and treatment.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 2nd March to the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks). The case is sub judice and we must await the conclusion of the due legal processes.—[Vol. 832, c. 185–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make formal representations to the Turkish Government on behalf of Timothy Davey, a 14-year-old Briton who has been sentenced by a Turkish court to six years' and three months' imprisonment and a large fine.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 2nd March to the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks). Formal representations would be inappropriate while the case is sub judice.—[Vol. 832, c. 185–6]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United Nations Council for Namibia over the expulsion of the Bishop of Damaraland from Namibia.

None. I am, however, endeavouring to establish the facts of the case before I decide whether representations to the South African authorities, who are in control of the territory, would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the South African Government over the expulsion of the Bishop of Damaraland from Namidia.

No representations have been made. I am endeavouring to establish the facts of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether changes in the status of Gibraltar were discussed in his recent talks with the Spanish Government; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to Spain.

I visited Madrid from 27th February to 1st March at the invitation of the Spanish Foreign Minister. In addition to bilateral questions and international matters of interest to Britain and Spain, we naturally discussed the question of Gibraltar on which we had earlier agreed to "think together"; our talks were essentially exploratory and there were no detailed proposals under discussion.Following is the Joint Communiqué:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on relations with the Irish Republic.

It is our wish to maintain good relations with the people and Government of the Irish Republic.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further orders for military equipment have been made by South Africa in the last two months.

The position remains as explained to the House by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 13th December. No orders relating to any new arms deal have been received.—[Vol. 828, c. 37.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the type of documents and other material information supplied by his Department to the European Movement during the discussions on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has answered a large number of factual questions from various organisations including the European Movement and from members of the public in connection with United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community. Only material available to the general public was provided to the European Movement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will co-ordinate with European Economic Community countries and the three applicant countries over resistance to the Icelandic claim to a 50-miles territorial water claim; and if he will make a statement.

We have kept in close touch with the Federal German Government, who have similar interests in the fisheries around Iceland, and have also undertaken to keep the Community informed of developments. As the discussions with Iceland hitherto have been on the basis of bilateral Anglo-Icelandic and German-Icelandic agreements, joint Community action has not been appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the forthcoming conference with Norway on North Sea oil will cover pollution avoidance from rigs, subsea pipelines and storage tanks, and also common procedures to be adopted to suppress pollution following any spillage.

Yes. Such matters, among others, will be covered in the forthcoming consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for improving cultural contacts between the United Kingdom and West European countries.

Her Majesty's Government propose, subject to the agreement of Parliament, that a total sum not exceeding £6 million should be spent over the next four years on a programme designed to improve our cultural relations with Europe. As part of this programme, the British Council's activities in Europe will be expanded at an additional cost of about £3½ million over four years.In the field of education the Government propose, in the first instance, to offer through the British Council 50 fellowships a year to postgraduates from Western European countries to pursue studies at British universities, at an initial cost of £62,000 in 1973–74 rising to £230,000 a year when the scheme is fully operative. The Department of Education and Science will provide funds to assist European teachers to attend the Department's short courses for teachers, and to enable the Centre for Information on Language Teaching, in co-operation with the British Council's English Teaching Information Centre. to function as a European centre for information on current research in modern language teaching; my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science has described these two schemes in greater detail today in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. John E. B. Hill). The British Council's English Language Teaching Advisory Services will be expanded. The British Council will also receive £63,000 rising to £150,000 to promote an interest in British books in Europe, and co-operation between European libraries, and to create science and technology information units in certain European countries.Funds will be made available to the British Council to improve links between British and European universities, and to promote exchanges and meetings between British and European professions and specialists.The facilities for scientific and technological interchange with Europe will be expanded. The Royal Society will receive from the Department of Education and Science additional annual grants of initially up to £40,000 in 1973–74 to permit the number of fellowships made under the Western European Scientific Interchange programme to be doubled.Supplementary exchanges arranged by the British Council and the Council's scientific staff in Europe will be strengthened.The British Council will receive an annual grant of £100,000 rising to £150,000 to support the European programmes of artistic companies and to ensure adequate British participation in major cultural events such as the "Europalia" arts festival to be held in Belgium in 1973. The British Academy will receive from the Department of Education and Science a grant of £25,000 rising to £50,000 for exchanges with European countries in the humanities.It is hoped also that a British Cultural Centre will be established in Paris to rehouse both the British Council and the British Institute.It is intended that cultural contacts should not be confined to the traditional areas of education and the arts.Facilities for Anglo-European youth exchanges will be expanded. In addition to funds provided or shortly to be provided for youth exchanges with Germany and France, the British Council will receive £50,000 rising to £200,000 for grants to develop further Anglo-European youth exchanges. The Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges will also receive from the Department of Education and Science an additional annual grant of £7,500 to assist in the promotion of exchanges between young workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he hopes to revoke the ban on the import of meat from Uruguay in the near future; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.We are in regular contact with the Uruguayan authorities on this matter, and we expect to be able to resume imports as soon as we are satisfied that our animal and public health requirements are met.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been issued in the Sunderland area this year.

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 right hon. Member's constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many men and women, respectively, were employed in Government-owned factories in Sunderland at the latest available date.

5,511 men and 4,057 women at January, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has formed of the total indebtedness of Rolls-Royce Limited to suppliers and subcontractors in the engineering industry at the time of the company's collapse; and what consideration he has given to methods of compensating for the industry's resultant loss of liquidity.

The total trade creditors of Rolls-Royce Ltd. have been estimated to amount to approximately £57 million. The Government's continued support for the RB211 has been of considerable benefit to the creditors of Rolls-Royce Ltd. and the measures introduced by the Government to stimulate the economy generally can be expected to benefit company liquidity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has received from the Confederation of British Industry for the creation of a Commission for Regional Development; and what reply he has sent.

The Confederation of British Industry has published its proposals on this subject and they were on the agenda at last week's meeting of the National Economic Development Council. I have told the president that I intend to arrange a further discussion in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the amounts of gas, in millions of therms, that the Gas Council has imported into the United Kingdom over each of the past 10 years; what is the estimated cost; and how these costs compare with similar amounts of gas from the North Sea.

In 1971, 642,650 tons of liquefied natural gas—about 330 million therms—were imported at a cost of £10·4 million. Figures for earlier years, since imports began in October, 1964, are published in United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The price of North Sea gas has varied according to the terms of the contracts for particular fields and I am asking the Chairman of the Gas Council to send details of published prices to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many vacancies existed in the Inspector of Mines Department during each of the past five years.

11 vacancies arose in the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate in the five years from 1967 to 1971—none in 1967, seven in 1968, two in 1969, none in 1970 and two in 1971. The only vacancy outstanding is due to be filled shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance he will make available to the Robb Caledon Shipbuilding Company to prevent the imminent closure of their Burntisland shipyard, involving the immediate loss of approximately 80 jobs.

We have at present no proposals for specific assistance to Robb Caledon. We are reviewing the position of the shipbuilding industry as a whole and expect to announce the conclusions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the future of Ipswich Airport.

This is a matter for the owners, Ipswich Corporation, to decide. I understand that the corporation will shortly be considering an application by the Receiver of Channel Airways to assign the lease of the aerodrome.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will issue a White Paper on Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to the Third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 28th February.—[Vol. 831, c. 12.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the threatened redundancy to 700 skilled shoe operatives arising from the appointment of a Receiver at Sexton Sons and Everard Limited, Norwich, and the action his Department is taking.

I very much regret that these redundancies may be threatened, but the future of the company is now a matter for the receiver. If, unhappily, redundancies should arise, the full services of the Department of Employment will be available to assist those affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many factories came to Scotland in the period 1963–71 as a direct consequence of being refused industrial development certificates in South-East England.

I regret the information is not available, since actual refusal of an I.D.C. may be only one of a number of factors influencing a firm's decision to expand in an assisted area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what are the existing coal stocks at London power stations;(2) why certain London power stations were on reduced load during the weekend of February 26th and 27th when coal stocks were available at these stations.

I do not have information about coal stocks at individual power stations. I understand from the C.E.G.B. that a number of coal-fired power stations were not operated at full capacity over the weekend in question because the load did not necessitate their doing so. The load at that time was reduced by the restrictions then in force, including rota shedding, and if all stations with coal stocks in hand had been allowed to operate at full output they would have unduly depleted their stocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent oil companies participating in the exploration and development of the North Sea oil fields enjoy the benefits of Government regional policy; and what, without the disclosure of individual grants, are the sums of money involved.

Of the regional benefits for which I am responsible, assistance under the Local Employment Acts can be considered for projects undertaken by these companies which provide employment in the development and intermediate areas. On the second part of the question, I regret that the information requested is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the future profitability of North Sea oil and gas exploration.

It is too early to make reliable estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has now made an estimate of the value of North Sea oil by 1975 and by 1980; and of what its annual rate of production will be in these years.

I expect that the value of North Sea oil will be determined by reference to the world market value of a similar oil imported into the United Kingdom. There are good hopes that by the mid-1970s production will be about 25 million tons per annum, possibly trebling by the beginning of the 1980s.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to amend the Continental Shelf Act, 1964, to obtain powers for direct access to the cost accounts of the oil companies, similar to those of the United States Federal Power Commissioners, details of which are in his possession.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what obligations have been imposed on North Sea oil licensees to safeguard their bore pipes, their abandoned wells and their pipelines.

Apart from specific licence conditions which require my right hon. Friend's approval to be obtained before a well is drilled or abandoned, the licensees are required to conduct their operations in accordance with good oilfield practice. Pipelines are designed by reference to an accepted code of practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount paid to bodies or persons in Wales under the Local Employment Acts since 18th June, 1970.

I regret that information is not readily available in the form requested. Between 28th June, 1970, and 31st January, 1972, however, expenditure under the Local Employment Acts in Wales totalled £19,562,645.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of the noise levels produced at take off and at landing by the latest versions of the DC8, BAC111 and Trident aircraft, respectively.

The following are the estimated noise levels measured at the distances prescribed for satisfaction our noise certification requirements:

	Take-off EPNdB	Landing EPNdB
DC8–62/63	112	114
Trident III	104	110
BAC 1–11	102	106

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of public money advanced or promised to Robb Caledon since the General Election.

In addition to assistance derived from general measures of support for industry Robb Caledon has received since the General Election particular assistance from the Shipbuilding Industry Board amounting to £200,000 in loans and £104,000 in grants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of public money advanced or promised to Lower Clyde Shipbuilders since the General Election.

In addition to assistance derived from general measures of support for industry Scott Lithgow has received since the General Election particular assistance from the Shipbuilding Industry Board amounting to £3·8 million in loans and just over £1·4 million in grants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of money advanced and promised to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders from public sources since the General Election.

Apart from assistance available to industry generally, no public moneys were advanced or promised to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders between the General Election in June, 1970, and the liquidation of the company in June, 1971. Government policy following the liquidation was set out in my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 14th June, 1971. Government assistance has been made available to the U.C.S. liquidator as reported to the House on 20th October, 1971, 29th November, 1971, and 17th January, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total in terms of cash and tonnage of the orders on the books of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.

When Upper Clyde Shipbuilders went into liquidation, 31 ships on its order hooks were undelivered. These ships had a total contract value of £88½ million and a total of 730,000 d.w.t. Since liquidation, seven ships have been delivered—contract value £17·3 million, 168,000 d.w.t. Work is proceeding on 14 ships—contract value £39·3 million, 316,000 d.w.t. Work is suspended on eight ships—contract value £26·3 million, 208,000 d.w.t. A contract for two ships has been cancelled—contract value £5·6 million, 38,000 d.w.t.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now able to announce a date when he expects to be able to make a statement on the comprehensive costs to the nation of the recent coal strike.

No. I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry on 21st February.—[Vol. 831, c. 207.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he is aware that during the period from July, 1970, to December, 1971, Great Britain imported at a cost of £29,628,000, 363,967,000 tons of steel from the United States of America; and to what extent he estimates that under the present rules and regulations of the European Economic Community on Great Britain's entry this position will change so far as imports from the United States of America are concerned;(2) whether he is aware that during the period from July, 1970, to December, 1971, Great Britain imported at a cost of £22,754,000, 261,716,000 tons of steel from Japan; and to what extent under the present rules and regulations of the European Economic Community on Great Britain's entry he estimates that this position will change so far as imports from Japan are concerned;(3) whether he is aware that during the period from July, 1970, to December, 1971, Great Britain imported, at a cost of £15,756,000, 390,477,000 tons of steel from Spain; and to what extent under the present rules and regulations of the European Economic Community on Great Britain's entry he estimates that this position will change so far as imports from Spain are concerned;(4) whether he is aware that during the period from July, 1970, to December, 1971, Great Britain imfported, at a cost of £40,843,000, 259,753,000 tons of steel from Sweden; and to what extent under the present rules and regulations of the European Economic Community on Great Britain's entry he estimates that this position will change so far as steel imports from Sweden are concerned;(5) whether he is aware that during the period from July, 1970, to December, 1971, Great Britain imported, at a cost of £11,021,000, 101,919,000 tons of steel from Austria; and to what extent under the present rules and regulations of the European Economic Community on Great Britain's entry he estimates that this position will change so far as steel imports from Austria are concerned.

Yes. Entry into the Economic Communities is unlikely to have a significant effect on the United Kingdom's pattern of trade with these countries in iron and steel products. The hon. Member has magnified the tonnages of these imports a thousand times.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give the number of companies and details of same, for any period of time where undue expenditure of staff and resources need not be expended and where the information is readily available, where his Department has been requested to take action under the Companies Acts; and what action was taken in each instance.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's answer on 28th February.—[Vol. 832, c. 17.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of the £ sterling expressed in pence now, as compared with June, 1970.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling as 100p in mid-June, 1970, its value in mid-January, 1972, the latest date for which information is available, is estimated at 88p.This estimate is based on the movements in the General Index of Retail Prices between the two dates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long a citizen of the Republic of Eire can live in the United Kingdom before he becomes liable to income tax; how many such citizens enjoyed the benefits of this scheme in the last financial year; what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of this concession; if he is satisfied with the operation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Under an arrangement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for the relief of double taxation dating from 1926 the sole right to tax a particular individual is given to the country in which that individual is resident for tax purposes. If a citizen of the Republic comes to work in the United Kingdom and is regarded as resident here, he will be liable to United Kingdom tax on any income arising in this country. There are several criteria for determining whether an individual is resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes, the most important being that he is here for six months or more in total in the tax year, or that he comes here regularly year by year for periods amounting to three months a year on average.If he is not liable to United Kingdom tax because he remains resident in Eire, then he remains liable to Eire tax. Arrangements exist for the exchange of information between the tax authorities in the two countries.No information is available about the number of individuals affected or the cost to the Exchequer of these arrangements. I am satisfied, however, that the scheme operates smoothly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he has been requested to make for relief from purchase tax of goods in stock with retailers when value-added tax is introduced.

A number of methods of relief have been suggested. They are all being considered. My right hon. Friend will deal with the question of purchase-tax-paid stocks in his Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations were held during the miners' strike between his Department and the National Coal Board staff in order for the National Coal Board to forward copies of individual income tax rebates to social security offices and special centres; and whether he will make a statement.

The answer to the first part of the question is "None" and to the second part "No".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose in his Budget an increase in the amount by which luncheon vouchers can be issued free of tax, in view of the further increase in the cost of meals since the matter was last considered; and if he will make a statement.

I have noted the Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what calculations he has made of the possible amount of steel needed in the north-east of Scotland to service the next stages of oil exploration and development in the area.

This is a matter for the technical and commercial judgment of those directly involved. I understand that contracts already placed will require large quantities of steel.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are estimated to have visited the National Gallery, Edinburgh and the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, respectively, in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

The recorded numbers of visitors to the National Gallery at the Mound in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 are respectively 208,401, 179,261, 219,674 and 240,746.The National Portrait Gallery shares a building and a common entrance with the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland and their attendance figures can only be given jointly; for 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 they are respectively 114,100, 101,393, 106,712 and 56,850. The method of recording used hitherto has not been wholly reliable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the estimated annual receipts from admission charges at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh.

It is estimated that the gross receipts from admission charges at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art will be of the order of £8,000 in the first complete year of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are estimated to have visited the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971.

The recorded number of visitors to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 are respectively 243,412, 222,678, 218,728, and 93,812. The method of recording used hitherto has not been wholly reliable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount of grant allocated to the Scottish Central Library for the financial year 1971–72.

For the financial year 1971–72 the Scottish Central Library has been allocated a grant in aid of £24,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the local authorities who operate a family planning service, and give the numbers and age ranges of those who availed themselves of the service during the last 12 months.

Fifty out of the 56 local health authorities in Scotland provide a family planning service either directly or through the agency of the Family Planning Association. The exceptions are the counties of Argyll, Bute, Inverness, Lanark, Peebles and Zetland. Lanark and Zetland are at present considering the introduction of a scheme.The other information requested is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual cost of maintaining a child in an approved school in each of the years 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

The cost varied widely from one school to another according to their particular circumstances, but the average cost for all the schools in Scotland for the years ending 31st March was as follows

1968	£1,002
1969	£1,052
1970	£1,133
1971	£1,394

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further representations he has now received regarding the abolition of selective schooling in Glasgow; what organisations have made such representations; and what reply he has given.

By 2nd March I had received a total of 3,395 representations. Of these, two, including one from the Campaign for Equality in Education, are in favour of the abolition of selection in the schools concerned. The remainder are against abolition of selection and include representations from the following organisations:

• Allan Glen's Old Boys' Club.
• Federation of Marist Former Pupils.
• Glasgow Association of University Women
• Glasgow High School Club.
• Glasgow High School Parents' Committee.
• Glasgow High School Staff Committee.
• Glasgow High School for Girls Old Girls' Club.
• Glasgow High School for Girls Parents' Association.
• Glasgow Parents' Committee for Educational Freedom.
• Hillhead Conservative and Unionist Association.
• Hillhead High School and Hillhead Primary School Parents' and Teachers' Association.
• Notre Dame High School Former Pupils' Club.
• Scottish Conservative and Unionist Association (Glasgow Regional Council).
• Shawlands Owner-Occupiers' Association.

I have replied that the representations have been noted. As no proposals for reorganisation of the schools in question have yet been received from Glasgow Education Authority, I have been unable to comment further.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by how much approximately total expenditure on the National Health Service will increase in each of the next five years; what are the corresponding figures for the previous five years; and what are the medical services to which it will be allocated.

For the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour), on 23rd February, 1972. As indicated in paragraph 27 of the White Paper on Public Expenditure—Cmnd. 4829ߞcomparative information over a period of five past years at constant prices is not available.Among the main priorities for which additional resources are being made available over the next five years is the improvement of hospital facilities for the old and the mentally ill.—[Vol. 831, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the local authorities who have responded to his appeal to bring forward expenditure on works to alleviate unemployment, and the grants that he has made towards them.

I cannot at present add to the information given in reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) on 2nd and 9th February, and to the hon. Members for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars), West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) and Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 23rd February.—[Vol. 830, c. 421–2 and c. 375–6. Vol. 831, c. 1260–1, 1268 and c. 1274–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy for future agricultural development in mountainous and hill areas in Scotland, in particular in relation to the maintenance of the hill and upland production grants in an enlarged Common Market.

As recorded in the White Paper published in July last year—Cmnd. 4715—the E.E.C. has given assurances which will enable us to give the continuing assistance needed to maintain the incomes of farmers in hill areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of employees in employment in Scotland in June, 1971; and what reduction this was on the June, 1970, figure.

The estimated number of employees in employment in Scotland at June, 1971, was 2,018,000. This was 59,000 fewer than at June, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total number of employees in Scotland at June, 1971, giving separate totals for males and females; and what are the most recent comparable figures.

The estimated number of employees, employed and unemployed, in Scotland at June, 1971, was 2,133,000, of which 1,301,000 were males and 832,000 were females. Estimates for Scotland are made at quarterly intervals and those for September, 1971, are expected to become available next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many capital grants to disabled persons have been made under the Disabled Persons Act, 1944, during each year since that date; and what has been the average size of grant paid each year.

Following is the information:

CAPITAL GRANTS TO SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS PAID UNDER SECTION 15 OF THE DISABLED PERSONS (EMPLOYMENT) ACT 1944 TO HELP THEM TO SET UP IN BUSINESS ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT
Year	Number of Grants	Average Size of Grant
		£
1951	2	150
1952	10	154
1953	6	147
1954	5	131
1955	6	142
1956	3	250
1957	3	105
1958	5	172
1959	6	144
1960	10	162
1961	7	123
1962	4	145
1963	11	199
1964	5	174
1965	3	201
1966	7	175
1967	8	155
1968	8	146
1969	6	123
1970	5	218
1971	6	215

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will give the relative changes in underground miners' wage levels for the seven per cent. who previously earned under £20, the

					Numbers registered as unemployed at 14th February, 1972 (provisional)
			Employees in employment at June, 1970		Wholly unemployed		Temporarily stopped
			Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females
			(000's)	(000's)
Cymmer	…	…	0·5	0·4	262	83	17	—
Port Talbot	…	…	27·4	6·5	923	387	244	5
Maesteg	…	…	4·5	2·1	365	129	41	1
Porthcawl	…	…	1·3	1·2	238	66	11	1
Bridgend	…	…	16·1	8·7	857	286	154	—

Information about miners' earnings and hours worked in April, 1972, will be collected in the New Earnings Survey and the results giving average earnings and hours and the percentages of underground miners earning less than the specified amounts will be published in the Department of Employment Gazette later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now set up a committee to inquire into the labour relations in the Scottish vehicle manufacturing industry.

My right hon. Friend's view is still that such an inquiry would not be helpful. He is, however, keeping a close watch on developments.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the numbers of male and female employed at the Cymmer, Port Talbot, Maesteg, Porthcawl and Bridgend exchanges, respectively; and what are the numbers unemployed at each.

The following table shows employment estimates for June, 1970, the latest for which information for local areas is available, and unemployment figures for February 1972:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what were the numbers registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Glasgow Employment Exchange in the years 1969, 1970, 1971, and to the latest convenient date;

		Glasgow City*			Bridgeton Employment Exchange area
		Wholly unemployed	Temporarily stopped	Total registered unemployed	Wholly unemployed	Temporarily stopped	Total registered unemployed
February, 1969	…	21,433	142	21,575	2,318	5	2,323
February, 1970	…	22,595	107	22,702	2,595	7	2,602
February, 1971	…	29,381	356	29,737	3,036	33	3,069
February, 1972 (provisional)	…	37,707	6,602	44,309	3,843	66	3,909
* The Glasgow Professional and Executive Employment Office and the area covered by the Glasgow (South Side), Bridgeton, Easterhouse, Govan, Hillington, Kinning Park, Maryhill, Parkhead, Partick and Springburn Employment Exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state for each year since 1961 the average percentage of unemployment in each European

TABLE 1
AVERAGE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT
Country				1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966
Belgium*	…	…	…	4·2	3·3	2·7	2·2	2·4	2·7
France	…	…	…	1·1	1·2	1·4	1·1	1·4	1·4
Germany	…	…	…	0·8	0·7	0·8	0·7	0·6	0·7
Italy†	…	…	…	3·5	3·0	2·5	2·7	3·6	3·9
Luxembourg‡	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—
Netherlands	…	…	…	0·7	0·7	0·6	0·6	0·7	1·0

Country				1967	1968	1969	1970	1971 or latest month of 1971
Belgium*	…	…	…	3·7	4·5	3·6	3·0	3·1 (November)
France	…	…	…	1·8	2·1	1·7	—	—
Germany	…	…	…	2·1	1·5	0·8	0·7	0·7 (September)
Italy†	…	…	…	3·5	3·5	3·4	3·1	3·0 (July)
Luxembourg‡	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—
Netherlands	…	…	…	2·0	1·9§	1·4	1·1	1·6 (Annual)
* Wholly unemployed receiving insurance benefits.
† Based on Labour force Sample Survey.
‡ Percentage rate not available.
§ Beginning 1968: include "married women who are not breadwinners".

Following is the available information:Total numbers registered as unemployed:Economic Community country, and the corresponding unemployment figure for each member State's development areas

The following tables give the available information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the earnings of house agents.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of employees in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in June, 1966, June, 1970, and June, 1971, with separate totals for males and females.

The estimated numbers of employees, employed and unemployed, in the Highland planning region of Scotland at June, 1966, were 84,900–56,300 males and 28,600 females. At June, 1970, the latest date for which estimates for this area are available, the corresponding figures were 84,600, 53,900 and 30,700.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the earnings of stockbrokers.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the earnings of professional managers of companies.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will extend the concessions available for school parties at the British Museum for the Tutankhamen Exhibition on Mondays only to a second day, namely, Tuesday; and if she will make a statement.

The arrangements for admission to the Tutankhamen Exhibition are a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum who expect an exceptionally heavy attendance. It is for them to balance the possibilities for special provision for school parties against the needs of the public at large.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will consult with the appropriate authorities to ensure that men and women have equal opportunities to obtain the post of principal of colleges of education; and if she will make a statement.

Responsibility for the appointment of the principal of a college of education does not rest with me but with the governing body.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many young people between the ages of 16 and 18 years were in full-time education in the year 1971; and how many she expects there will be during 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

In the academic year 1970–71 there were 585,723 students aged between 16 and 18 in full-time education—including sandwich courses—in England and Wales. Information is not yet available for 1971–72. Projections by specific ages are not available for future years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support she is giving to the Council of Europe scheme for the attendance of teachers from member countries at each other's in-service training courses.

The Council of Europe scheme which provides bursaries for teachers from member countries to attend other countries' in-service training courses was introduced in 1971 following a British initiative. In 1971 50 teachers from 13 countries attended a wide range of courses for which the Department of Education and Science is responsible. In 1972 the Council is offering 60 bursaries on United Kingdom and 15 on Austrian courses.To encourage the further development of this successful scheme the Government, as my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced this afternoon, are making available sufficient funds for up to 100 additional bursaries on the Department's courses this year. If the scheme continues to develop satisfactorily the Government are ready to con- sider making increased funds available in the following years.I hope this initiative will encourage the development of the scheme on a multilateral basis, thus making an important contribution to educational co-operation in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional primary school places have been provided in Stockport since 1st July, 1970.

680.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional secondary school places have been made available in Stockport for children aged 11 to 16 years since 1st July, 1970.

660. A further 600 are under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional nursery school places have been provided by the local authority since 1st July, 1970.

In Stockport, 40, under the urban aid programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she is taking to improve the exchange of information on modern language teaching with other European countries.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced this afternoon, steps are being taken to improve the exchange of information on modern language teaching with other European countries. The United Kingdom has played a full part in the Council of Europe's programme for the encouragement of modern language teaching. This programme has led to regular meetings of modern language experts and to proposals for certain national institutions to assume responsibility for co-ordinating the exchange of information on particular aspects of modern language teaching. One of these proposals is that a leading British institution, the Centre for Information on Language Teaching, should undertake in co-operation with the British Council's English Teaching Information Centre to provide a European centre for information on current research in modern language teaching. The Government have now agreed to provide the centre with the funds required for this purpose and it is expected that a contract will shortly be negotiated with the Council of Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he disregarded the order of priorities recommended by the London Borough of Lambeth under the urban aid programme; and why he selected Nos. 1, 5, 14, 16, and 19 of the 24 projects submitted.

Under the urban programme, close attention is paid to the priorities proposed by the local authority, but there are other considerations which have to be taken into account, including the comparative costs of projects, and the fact that in providing Exchequer assistance to deal with deprivation, there are national as well as local priorities to be observed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a letter dated 23rd August, 1971, from Mrs. Camp concerning the shooting of her son in Londonderry and the conduct of paratroopers was not forwarded by his Department to the Ministry of Defence for its attention.

Because the hon. Member sent the letter to my right hon. Friend. My reply was written after full consultation with the Ministry of Defence. Mrs. Camp's son was not shot; he died from a heart attack.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to declare the Irish Republican Army, official and provisional, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Orange Order to be unlawful conspiracies in violation of the current law of sedition.

No.