asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations have taken place between his Department and the Greater London Council on the provision of a marked pedestrian crossing and hazard signs in Marsh Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his present arrangements for periodical reviews of the criteria governing the installation of pedestrian crossings.

The criteria are always subject to review in the light of experience.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what projects of environmental improvement have been authorised in works to be completed by June, 1973, for the Northern Region and Hartlepool, respectively; and what new jobs in each case are expected.

Many projects are under consideration and two projects have already been approved in the Northern Region since I announced the scheme four weeks ago. I cannot say how many new jobs will be created.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of his appointments to the boards of National Parks are representatives of the trade union movement.

It is not my policy to appoint members of national park authorities as representatives of particular organisations. I did however appoint a trade unionist to join the committee to study the future of the national parks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will move to set up a select committee to investigate the present financing and administration of the National Parks, in view of the fact that the present county-based financial arrangements result in anomalies and fail to reflect the national character of the parks.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of his appointees to the boards of National Parks have their residence in the industrial cities or towns of Great Britain.

Of the members appointed by my right hon. Friend to national park boards and committees twelve live in the major towns and cities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the reason for the increase in the cost of resiting defence establishments at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, from a first estimate of £3,350,000 to a final estimate of £8,300,000.

There were many reasons as the Comptroller and Auditor General's report shows. As the G.L.C. required land to be released for housing urgently, this left insufficient time for preplanning and the first estimate was necessarily very rough. Considerable problems were encountered in site conditions, in the rehabilitation of old buildings, and in working while buildings were occupied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England provide a waste paper recovery service.

In 1970 approximately 400.

asked the Secretary for the Environment if he will undertake a survey of derelict land which will include land areas still in active use and which do not have adequate restorative conditions attached to that use.

An extended form of derelict land survey, including current mineral workings, is under consideration in consultation with the local authority associations. My right hon. Friend is also considering representations made by the associations as to the enforcement of after-treatment conditions attached to planning permissions for mineral workings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of derelict land were created by the extractive industries during 1971.

The derelict land survey does not separately identify land which ceased to be used for mineral working during the year and which is not subject to planning conditions for after-treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of derelict land were restored by Burnley, Oldham, Liverpool and Salford in 1971; and what steps he will take to encourage a greater acreage of clearance this year.

Figures of land restored in 1971 are at present being collected as part of the 1971 survey and are not yet available. No restraint will be placed on expenditure by priority area authorities for this purpose during the coming financial year. From 1st April such expenditure will go into the key sector for loan sanction purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of derelict land have been restored by the ironstone industry in the past three years.

In the three years to 31st March, 1971, the Ironstone Restoration Fund made reclamation payments to the industry for 14 acres of pre-1950 dereliction and 1,164 acres of recent workings. In addition, some land was restored by industry without recourse to the Fund and 131 acres made derelict before 1950 were restored by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which plan- ning authority in the North-West Region had the best performance of derelict land clearance in 1971, where the acreage cleared is expressed as a percentage of the total acreage of dereliction within the authority's jurisdiction.

The reclamation figures for 1971 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the major problems being encountered by his Department and local authorities in the clearance of derelict land.

Problems vary in importance from area to area, and from time to time. The excellent progress in reclamation shows that they can be surmounted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of derelict land have been reclaimed by the National Coal Board in the past three years.

In conjunction with opencast working at 14 sites the Board has reclaimed in Great Britain about 1,000 acres of land left derelict after various uses. Some minor areas of dereliction have been reclaimed at other opencast sites.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what new planning procedures he will adopt in order to ensure that the London to Foulness motorway is open by 1980.

I have no proposals for new powers or procedures, at this stage. I see no reason why existing Highways Act procedures should not suffice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what criteria he assesses that Freeman, Fox and Partners are competent to act as his consultant engineers for the stretch of the M5 from Poltimore onwards; what steps he is taking to ensure that this firm is now adequately managed and supervised; whether they will be responsible for the design of the M5 Exe Bridge; and what bond of indemnity they will enter into against the event of this bridge collapsing.

Freeman, Fox & Partners were appointed as consulting engineers for the M5 from Poltimore onwards (including the Exe Bridge) in 1964. We maintain close relationships with all consultants working for us. It has never been our practice to reveal the precise controls exercised in this professional relationship. Any further development of box girder bridges would be carried out within the Merrison Rules. It is not our practice to require consultants to deposit indemnity bonds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of construction of motorway per mile, based upon the cost of the latest lengths of six-lane motorways completed and opened in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

£954,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he is now having with interests not wholly in support of the Sheffield-Manchester motorway; when he expects to conclude these; when he expects to make a statement about alternative routes he is considering; and if he will recommend a route.

The Department is still consulting the statutory planning authorities about the proposed new Sheffield-Manchester route. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to announce our intentions on this route before too long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are taken to prevent foxes being hunted on or across motorways.

I am satisfied, following recent discussion with the Masters of Fox Hounds' Association, that those concerned do recognise the importance of keeping away from motorways, but I have asked the association to impress upon its members the need for vigilance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the powers, other than planning procedures, that he will seek to ensure that the motorway to Foulness will be open by 1980.

I have no proposals for new powers or procedures, at this stage. I see no reason why existing Highways Act procedures should not suffice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will speed up the construction and completion of service stations on the newly-opened stretch of the M4.

A service area at Membury is now partly open. Further facilities will be opened there next month and full facilities should be available this autumn. A comprehensive review of additional facilities for Berkshire has now been completed and proposals for development submitted to the local planning authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that his present proposals for new motorways will provide adequate road links between the industrial Midlands cities and the east coast and Channel ports to deal with the growth of exports to Europe; and if he will make a statement.

Our declared policy is to give priority to the improvements of road links to the major ports from the major areas of industry. The trunk road strategy announced last June indicates the plans now in hand. I am giving continuing attention to this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reimburse the London Borough of Brent, from the allocation he has made for building the Neasden Underpass, for the extra expense falling upon various departments of that borough in monitoring the work and protecting the interests of citizens in the vicinity.

Such a claim if made would be considered on its merit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider undertaking a national investigation into the excavation and use of chalk with a view to the preparation of a national plan; and if he will make a statement.

The South East Joint Planning Team concluded that these problems could generally be dealt with at local or sub regional level. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to disagree with that conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the report he has commissioned on covered shopping centres will take account of consumer needs in addition to general environmental factors; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The study will take account of all the available evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on the proposed Dee crossing.

I cannot yet add to the information given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales on 31st January.—[Vol. 830, c. 2–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the fact that over half a million tons of toxic material is dumped inland in the United Kingdom annually, he has made a study of the dangers of contamination, in that two-thirds of Great Britain's drinking water comes from underground sources or from lowland rivers.

Safeguarding water supplies from these and other hazards is part of the regular and normal conduct of water undertakings. The problem was amongst those examined by the Committee on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes and, as announced earlier, my right hon. Friend is taking action to strengthen controls over such wastes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to introduce legislation to control the dumping of toxic materials.

Today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the further discoveries in the Midlands of dumped toxic waste materials.

Police investigations are proceeding into several cases involving the dumping of toxic wastes on sites in the Midlands. The locations, some of which are tips which have been approved for waste disposal purposes, have been notified to the appropriate local authorities to enable them to take whatever action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the discovery of cyanide waste on the rubbish tip at Cockerhill Quarry, near Wombleton, North Yorkshire, and assure the House that any consequent health hazards have been eliminated.

I understand that the Yorkshire Ouse and Hull River Authority have recently monitored this tip and surrounding water courses, and tests are continuing. Only one of several samples contained traces of cyanide—·009 parts per million, which is barely detectable and well below the internationally agreed limit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will direct the British Transport Docks Board to adopt policies of cross-subsidisation to assist small towns which are heavily dependent on local dock trade.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, due to claims for increased railwaymen's pay in excess of 8 per cent., what steps he is taking to prevent overloading of passenger trains due to curtailment of services arising from go-slows, strikes, and other industrial action prejudicial to rail services safety, and to prevent rail disruption, especially of commuter services in London similar to disruption and safety hazards arising from the miners' strike.

These are management matters primarily for the Railways Board, which has the statutory duty to operate rail services with due regard to safety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to come to a decision in relation to the proposed new town at Catthorpe, Leicestershire.

Planning permission for this development has been refused by the local planning authority. At present there is no decision for my right hon. Friend to take.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated value of lost production in the building and construction industry due to the imposition of restrictions on the use of electricity.

Some construction output may be affected by shortages of building materials and components, but no quantitative estimate of loss of output can yet be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that all prices within his responsibility are controlled in broad conformity with the initiative of the Confederation of British Industry in this matter.

Everyone in my Department concerned with decisions on prices has been instructed that they should be limited, as far as possible, in broad conformity with the initiative of the Confederation of British Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the ways in which he has acted with a view to limiting price in- creases in those areas for which he is responsible.

Everyone in my Department concerned with decisions on prices has been instructed that they should be limited, as far as possible, in broad conformity with the initiative of the Confederation of British Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether consideration is given, before decisions are taken regarding Exchequer contributions towards capital spending projects of local authorities and nationalised industries, to the implications of such projects for regional policy; and if he will take steps to ensure that a fair share of such contributions is reserved for areas outside London and the south-east of England.

Individual projects are assessed on their merits, but full account is taken of any regional policy implications. Investment, and in particular that of nationalised industries, often creates substantial employment in areas other than those directly benefiting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider introducing graded driving licences so that those who pass the test will be allowed, for a period thereafter, to drive only cars under a certain cubic capacity.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the effects of the Housing Finance Bill on Cornwall; and if he will make a statement.

I have had a useful meeting about this Bill with four hon. Members representing constituencies in Cornwall. The hon. Members concerned issued a statement thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many explanatory documents he is planning to deliver to local authorities to explain the details of the Housing Finance Bill.

It is normal practice to issue an explanatory circular when legislation affecting local authorities comes into force and to issue subsequent guidance as necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has received opposing the proposals of Wolverhampton to take over the parishes of Wombourne, Seisdon, Wrottesley and Lower Penn; and what reply he has sent.

One, from Wombourne Parish Council. But I received about 1,000 letters opposing our own earlier proposals to combine these parishes with Wolverhampton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to authorise Aberdeen Harbour Board to proceed with its proposed development; and if he will make a statement on the amount of grant and loan made available.

No. I received only this morning a letter from the Board giving further information. Port modernisation grants were ended last July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish the report of the Forbes inquiry into the registration of builders.

I received the report of the inquiry last week and will arrange for its publication as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the report of the Water Resources Board on the Feasibility Study of the Morecambe Bay Barrage.

The Water Resources Board published its report, together with the report of the Economic Study Group, on 28th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards providing further financial assistance to the British Railways Board.

I have no such plans for the present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce a decision on the application by Teesside County Borough Council for a grant in aid of advanced works on the South Tees Parkway road scheme.

I have today informed the council that I have authorised payment of this advance grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for meeting the East Midlands Economic Planning Council.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Development hopes to meet the East Midlands Economic Planning Council during May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received written representations concerning varying the existing licences for extraction of water from the Totford pumping stations; and when he expects to be able to determine this matter.

Written representations on this appeal have just been completed and geological advice has been sought from the Water Resources Board. As soon as this is received, my right hon. Friend will determine the appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to protect British road vehicle owners from liabilities in respect of property damage resulting from road accidents with vehicles driven by foreign visitors to this country.

Motor vehicle insurance law is the same for foreign visitors as for British road vehicle owners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to have the wrought iron gates opening on to the Terrace backed with glass to match the gates adjacent to the Harcourt Room.

This would present difficulties and I am not in any case persuaded that it would serve a useful purpose. I should be pleased to explain in detail to my hon. Friend, if she wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why, contrary to United Nations agreement, the United Kingdom classes 50 c.c. assisted bicycles as motor vehicles and so insists on registration; and whether, following the signing by the United Kingdom of the Treaty of Accession to the European Community, he will seek to bring the United Kingdom practice into line with all other European nations.

The present registration requirements in this country do not conflict with any international agreement; they assist the enforcement of road traffic law. I have no plans to alter them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities reminding them of the need to reach decisions on planning applications for house building with the minimum delay.

I intend to be more specific with local planning authorities than reminding them of the need to reach decisions with minimum delay upon the 400,000 applications on which decisions are given annually—about 30 per cent. of which are in respect of new housing or house alterations or extensions.After consultation with local authority associations, I propose to issue a circular containing proposals for speeding up the development control machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the conditions applicable to improvement grants so that local authorities can, if there is a safety hazard, and as a separate item, give a grant towards electrical repairs.

Improvement grants can already be given for electrical repairs and replacements carried out when a house is modernised. I have carefully studied my hon. Friend's suggestion but regret that I can hold out no prospect of grants being extended to cover these or any other repairs and replacements carried out on their own.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the 75 per cent. improvement grant concessions which now apply to development and intermediate areas to local authorities which have general improvement areas or large areas of pre-1914 dwellings.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 17th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mrs. Fenner).—[Vol. 831, c. 155.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that in some holiday resorts flats have been turned into holiday flats with the aid of Government improvement grants and are now being let with weekly tenancies; and if he will introduce legislation to prevent this practice.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals for legislation to apply restrictions to the approval by local authorities of house improvement grants. To do so would risk slowing down the progress of house improvement generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask local authorities to inform him within 14 days, from the local land charges records or their rating records, in how many cases property owners who have secured an improvement grant have sold the house within 12 months; and what action he proposes to stop this practice.

No. As I have explained in an earlier reply today to the hon. Member there is no proposal to apply restrictions to the approval by local authorities of house improvement grants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now extend the period in which the 75 per cent. grant is made for the improvement of older houses in certain areas, in order to relieve unemployment and also to overcome the difficulties now being experienced in completing improvements before the final date.

No. As was made clear when the Bill was before the House the time limit is fundamental to the aim of getting improvement work in the development and intermediate areas brought forward now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why it took him until 24th February to reply to the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North dated 8th February, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Sand and Ballast Hauliers and Allied Trades Alliance Limited, concerning unlicensed lorries, in view of the fact that his communication to the hon. Member only contained a copy of a letter sent under date of 17th February to the Alliance's Secretary; and whether he will expedite his replies in future.

I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will give details of the date of the letter which he received from the Secretary of the Sand and Ballast Hauliers and Allied Trades Alliance Limited, concerning unlicensed lorires; and when this was received;(2) whether he will ensure that Members of Parliament are not kept waiting for three weeks for replies to correspondence when the information to such replies is readily available for despatch within a few hours, as with the case, details of which are in his possession.

I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the allocation of money for 1972 to Derbyshire for slum clearance; and how this compares with 1971.

No limit is imposed by the Government on expenditure by individual housing authorities on slum clearance. While borrowing for this purpose in 1971–72 has been subject to a block allocation arrangement, this control, as already announced, will be removed from 1st April, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent he estimates that the 1972 quotas for commercial vehicles permitted to carry goods to and through Europe, especially to France, Western Germany and Italy, fall short of the United Kingdom requirements; if he is aware that the refusal by France and Western Germany to issue sufficient permits and the failure of Italy to announce any quota is inhibiting British exports; in what terms he has protested; and if he will make a statement.

I estimate that the 1972 Italian quota, which has recently been agreed, will only meet about half the genuine demand. The proportions for France and Western Germany are about three-fifths and four-fifths respectively. I am well aware of the difficulties caused by these restrictions and will continue to urge the need for liberalisation at every suitable opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government propose to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the working party on refuse disposal, and in particular those recommendations relating to the disposal of animal carcases contained in paragraphs 485 and 486 of the report.

Comprehensive legislation to create a new authorisation procedure for the disposal of wastes was forecast in Circular 26 issued on 27th April, 1971. The recommendations in paragraphs 485 and 486 of the report of the working party on refuse disposal need to be considered alongside those in the report of the working party on refuse storage and collection published in 1967 concerning the classification of refuse and the obligation or discretion of local authorities in relation to trade and industrial refuse. I cannot say when legislation will be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many caravan sites for gipsies have now been provided by each local authority in

I shall shortly be asking local authorities in England for an up-to-date statement of their proposals for further provision. The question of provision in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.Information about the present provision of sites and pitches in England is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to non-educational authorities clarifying their position regarding the distribution of free or subsidised milk or other nourishing drinks; and if he will make a statement.

No. I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) on 29th February.—[Vol. 832, c. 92.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision has been reached on the standard of road construction from the termination of the M63 at Balkholme to the city of Kingston upon Hull.

Examination is continuing of the form of improvements required and their standard on the route from the present planned termination of the M62 at Balkholme to Hull. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make an announcement before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will ensure that the further factual evidence by the Eastern Road Construction Unit since the holding of the inquiry in December, 1971, regarding the Huntingdon and Godmanchester Bypass is made available to objectors in accordance with the proper procedure before the inquiry is reopened on 23rd March, 1972.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the circumstances under which the pedestrian footbridge at Ruxley Corner on the A20 has been closed for some months resulting in danger to pedestrians leaving local factories and children going to and from school having to cross this major trunk road; and if he will take the necessary steps to expedite the reopening of this crossing.

The footbridge was damaged on 30th July by an articulated vehicle carrying an abnormally high load. It is now being repaired and should be re-opened with increased headroom by the end of May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a policy of special grants to local authorities to enable them to retrain and engage unemployed persons in the creation of new public gardens and playgrounds.

I recently announced new arrangements for grants to assist local authorities in development, intermediate and derelict land clearance areas, in dealing with neglected and unsightly land in their areas. The aim is to create new employment and at the same time to improve the amenities of the areas concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has conducted into the increased use in non-returnable containers for consumer goods; and whether, in the light of paragraph 16(b) of the First Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, he will seek to provide incentives to manufacturers using returnable containers.

My Department is associated with working parties set up by the Plastics Institute and the Glass Manufacturers Federation. I shall need to study their findings as well as the views to be expressed at the conference on packaging and litter which I am sponsoring on 28th March, before reaching a decision on the need for measures such as the hon. Member advocates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when consultations first began between his Department, the Metropolitan Police, the Greater London Council and the London Borough of Bromley regarding the improvement of the Oakley Road-Hastings Road-Church Lane junction at Bromley Common; what stage these consultations have now reached; and when he expects work on the improvement scheme to begin.

Consultation began in July, 1970; in September, 1970, the scheme was accepted for the 1971–72 programme, and I now await a grant application. I understand that the council hopes to start works by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy regarding the implementation of the Report, New Homes in the Cities; and whether he will make a statement.

The report is a useful and constructive contribution to the consideration of some of the problems involved in enabling private enterprise to play a part in housing redevelopment. The new slum clearance subsidy in the Housing Finance Bill meets one of the report's main recommendations and I hope that local authorities who see the need to introduce new private housing in inner urban areas will, in co-operation with private developers, take full advantage of the new arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total housing subsidy paid to Southampton City Council in each of the years 1968 to 1971 and what is the estimated amount to be paid in 1972, 1973 and 1974.

Housing subsidies, including improvement contributions, pay-

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce legislation to

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average breakdown of cost elements represented in land, labour and materials in new house properties in London and in the provinces compared with five years ago.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what kind of licence is required and what training is needed, before a person is permitted to drive a heavy mobile crane on British roads.

An ordinary licence and, unless the vehicle is in an exempt category, a heavy goods vehicle driver's licence. There are no prescribed training requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many vehicles were licensed in 1971 under each general category; and how these figures compare with 1960, 1965 and 1970, respectively.

Following is the information for Great Britain:deal with recommendations made by the Francis Committee on the provision of rent books and other matters relating to the protection of tenants.

I cannot say at this stage when legislation will be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many listed buildings were demolished in 1970–71.

Figures are available only for calendar years. The number of statutorily listed buildings in England for which consent to demolish was given is 198 in 1970 and 203 in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a direct grant towards the provision of the Arts and Humanities Centre at Peterlee.

No. The Arts and Humanities Centre at Peterlee is a joint project of the Peterlee Development Corporation and the Easington Rural District Council. I understand that the corporation intends in due course to contribute financially towards this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the route of the A5111/A6 from Doles Lane to Findern, Derby, will affect the public inquiry to be held into the proposed Allestree section of this road; and if other sections of this route will perform their original function in the event of objections to the Allestree section being upheld by the public inquiry.

The improvements already made to the A38/A5111 route or about to start will remain well justified whatever my right hon. Friend's eventual decision on the new proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what rail subsidies he is granting from public funds, in 1972–73, to the Four Cathedrals Route Paddington, Oxford, Worcester, Hereford, beyond Oxford, to keep this main line of Western Region open, viable and rewarding and to serve Worcestershire and elsewhere having regard to the fact that the only main line from London serving South Worcestershire is the line referred to.

On current estimates for the calendar year 1972, grants totalling £92,000 are being paid for rail passenger services between Oxford and Worcester, and £322,000 for those between Worcester and Hereford.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to encourage the use of vacant office space in Greater London; and if he will make a statement.

Letting of office space is not a matter for the Government but for developers or owners and prospective tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to ensure that vehicle noise regulations are enforced, in the light of the Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

A Working Group of the Noise Advisory Council was set up in May, last year, and will report in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he proposes with the European Commission in Brussels about transport infrastructure and equipment purchase grants.

Grants to transport undertakings in this country falling within Regulation 1107/70 will be notified to the Commission in accordance with Community rules. Discussions will be held as and when necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed statement giving the restrictions which are placed upon freight movement within the countries of the European Economic Community, which Great Britain will have to operate if entry is obtained under present conditions.

The road haulage quotas from which we suffer are applied by France, Germany and Italy bilaterally and not because of Community requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to extend the functions of transport users' consultative committees to include responsibility for bus services provided in substitution of discontinued passenger rail services, as recommended by the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries.

My right hon. Friend is considering this along with the other recommendations of the Select Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities, organisations and individuals against the changes he proposes for Area Four in the Local Government Bill and what replies he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received many representations on the proposals. As the hon. Member will know from the correspondence he has kindly forwarded, widely varying viewpoints are emerging. These are being analysed, but meaningful totals are not yet available. The replies confirm that all representations will be taken fully into account before the Government decides what recommendations to make to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the land required for housing development, region by region, up to 1975 and up to 1981; and to what extent this land is available.

Long-term assessments of regional housing requirements and indications of the broad areas for housing development are covered in regional strategies. It is the responsibility of local planning authorities to designate particular areas for housing development. My Department is active in assisting co- operation between developers, land owners and local authorities in solving their short-term problems of land availability until local authorities have prepared their structure and local plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to seek to change the law regarding individual water supplies to residential houses; whether he will make such supplies compulsory; and to what extent he is prepared to grant financial aid.

Powers are already available to deal with the situation where a common service pipe to a number of houses has become insufficient for the supply needs of the occupiers. In that situation the owner of each house—whether landlord or owner-occupier—can be required by the water undertaker to provide it with a separate service pipeAs to financial help, Section 96 of the Housing Act, 1964, enables local authorities to grant-aid the provision of such a service pipe. Or, such work can be grant-aided if the separate service pipe is provided when improving a house with the benefit of improvement grant under the 1969 and 1971 Housing Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Chairman of the British Railways Board and the Liverpool City Council regarding railway land now disused in the Walton constituency of Liverpool.

I have had no discussions with the Chairman of the British Railways Board, although there have been discussions between my Department and Liverpool Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish a list of those boroughs and urban districts from which he is removing responsibilities for road safety after 1st April, 1972, and state in what way their carrying out of these responsibilities has been unsatisfactory.

Exemption from paying the county road safety precept has been withdrawn from 135 non-county borough and urban district councils.These exemptions were withdrawn because the arrangements which the