asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the increase in industrial development which will result from the raising of industrial development certificate exemptions.

The raising of I.D.C. exemption limits is ony one part of our major programme for the expansion and modernisation of the economy. It is not possible to separate out the influence of individual factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of the total financial assistance which would be given to Scotland in 1973–74 and in 1975–76, respectively, within the provisions as set out in the White Paper, "Industrial and Regional Development", Command Paper No. 4942.

I regret that the information is not available. Forecasts of financial assistance, including those given in Command Paper 4942, are prepared for Great Britain as a whole and it is not the practice to forecast on a country or regional basis how much will be spent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total quantity of steel produced in Great Britain in 1971 and in 1966 and the total number employed in the industry at the end of both these years.

The total quantity of crude steel produced in Great Britain in the years 1966 and 1971 was 24·32 and 23·79 million tons, respectively. The number of persons employed in the steel industry at mid-December in the same years was 348,700 and 296,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the closure of J. T. Rothwell's Works at Church and the steps he intends to take to attract new industry to the Accrington constituency, in order to replace the 350 jobs lost.

I understand that the factory of J. T. Rothwell & Co. Ltd. is to be closed over the next few months. The measures recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer are directed to a faster rate of economic growth and the substantial incentive to investment in the assisted areas should ensure that Accrington obtains its full share.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he has decided to terminate the special arrangements with India immediately if Great Britain joins the Common Market; what representations he has received from the Indian Government to retain the present trading agreements until 1975; and if he will make a statement.

Obligations which the United Kingdom would assume on entry into the E.E.C. would be incompatible with those in the Anglo-Indian Trade Agreement. No representations have been received from the Indian Government to postpone the consequential termination of the bilateral agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will include in his proposals for grant aid to the regions as set out in the White Paper special 95 per cent. grants for research and development projects carried out by private and nationalised industry.

No. But I am considering the extent to which assets used in R. and D. establishments in the assisted areas will be eligible for regional development grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the Report of the Monopolies Commission on gas and electricity connection charges for the installation of services on new housing developments.

The Monopolies Commission submitted its report on 6th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a White Paper embodying his proposals for legislation on competition.

I shall consider the right hon. Member's suggestion very carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the proposed Regional Industrial Development Board for the Northern Region and its relationship to existing regional offices and organisations.

I would refer the right hon. Member to paragraph 47 of the White Paper on Industrial and Regional Development (Cmnd. 4942) to which, at the moment, I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will give financial support to industry to enable it to install effluent treatment plant designed substantially to cut down the level of dumping of toxic waste.

Under the Budget proposals all plant will be eligible for free depreciation and in assisted areas will attract grants as well.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding his recent discussions with the Chairman of Lock-heeds of the United States of America regarding the TriStar and British European Airways' future requirements of such aircraft.

The Chairman of Lockheeds told my right hon. Friend and me of his hopes of an early B.E.A. TriStar order and I explained that was a matter best left to the commercial judgment of the British Airways Board and British European Airways.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now able to indicate what changes will take place so far as duty payable on imported rainwear goods are concerned by Hong Kong firms if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.

The position is complicated as many tariff descriptions are involved. Adoption of the CCT and alignment of the United Kingdom and Community Generalised System of Preferences schemes will probably mean little or no change in the duty on the greater part of present Hong Kong exports in this field to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will be sending a representative to the Conference on Industry and Society in the Community organised by the Commission of the European Communities.

The Department will be sending a strong team of officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether, under the existing rules and regulations of the European Economic Community, Great Britain on entry will be able to operate the cash grant system in development areas without reference to the European Economic Community;(2) whether, under the existing rules and regulations of the European Economic Community, Great Britain on entry will, without consultation with the Community, be able to continue the grant aid to the regions as set out in the White Paper, and to initiate special 95 per cent. grants for research and development projects carried out by private and nationalised industry; and whether such grants will be freely available to foreign firms from the countries of the enlarged Nine and payable on the same basis as that paid to British firms.

There is nothing in E.E.C. arrangements which prevents member States from operating grant systems of regional aid, and indeed the practice of giving such grants is widespread in the Community. Although the detailed arrangements governing eligibility for grant must await legislation, it is not our intention to discriminate between applicant firms on the basis of nationality. As to grants for research and development, although the Question as posed by the hon. Member is hypothetical, I know of no reason why grant systems of that kind should cause difficulty in a Community context.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient stated monthly dates since June, 1970, the amounts of polyester yarn that have been imported from countries of the European Economic Community; what duties have been imposed; to what extent, on Great Britain's entry into the Community, imports from the enlarged nine countries will be increased; and whether Great Britain will be able to put on a restrictive quota and import duty without consultation with the Community.

The figures indicate that imports were higher, on average, in the second half of 1971 than in the first half. The full rate of duty is at present £0·0661 per kilogram or 13 per cent. whichever is the greater. Entry into the E.E.C. is expected to stimulate trade in general in both directions. We will not be able to impose quotas or vary duties without consultation with the Community.The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list of the rules and regulations, etc., which British manufacturers, industrialists, wholesalers, distributors and retailers will have to observe on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, and a brief summary of these giving an account of how they will affect the manufacture, prices, sale and distribution of such goods.

I would refer the hon. Member to the pre-accession texts of Community secondary legislation published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. A guide to the scope and content of the non-agricultural texts was published in Trade and Industry on 27th January and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will institute proceedings under the Trade Descriptions Act against the multiple selling company whose name has been supplied to him, on the basis of information given to him by the hon. Member for Watford.

No. Further inquiries would be necessary to establish whether there is any evidence of an offence under the Act. Such inquiries and the decision on the appropriate action to be taken are the responsibility of the local weights and measures authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further recent representations he has received on Her Majesty's Government's regional policy; and what replies he has sent.

Correspondence has been received on a number of aspects of the regional policy measures announced in the Budget debate. The replies cover too wide a ground to be conveniently summarised in answer to a Parliamentary Question but if the hon. Member would let me know of any particular aspects of particular interest to him I will do my best to give him such further information as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the recent meeting between his Department and the deputation from the manufacturers in the ball and roller-bearing industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West (Mr. Bob Brown).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what restrictions will apply after 1st January, 1973, to imports of ball bearings made outside the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Association countries.

As I have said in reply to previous Questions today, I am considering representations from the British ball and roller bearing industry concerning imports from Japan, but I am not as yet able to state the Government's views. Nor am I able to forecast what arrangements concerning imports of ball bearings will be in operation after 1st January, 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current position concerning orders for Concorde.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have ensued or will proceed with regard to the French Government's demand that the training of pilots for the Concorde should be under French control and with the use of French-controlled simulators; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that British flight simulator firms are given every opportunity to use their products and to train pilots of the Concorde on British-made flight simulators.

No such view has been expressed by the French Government. Discussions are proceeding to establish the most efficient arrangement for Concorde simulator facilities. United Kingdom firms will be given the opportunity to submit tenders for this equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the increased industrial activity in the Midlands following the Budget proposals.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to a similar question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement regarding United Kingdom participation in the Post-Apollo programme.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his earlier Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what encouragement he is giving to the British Fair in Peking in 1973.

My Department, in association with the Sino British Trade Council, is actively sponsoring the British Industrial Technology exhibition, which will take place in Peking from 26th March to 5th April, 1973. Firms with suitable products are being encouraged to take part. The financial and other assistance which my Department is providing will I am sure be an important factor in further stimulating the already considerable interest being shown by British industry in the exhibition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the general rule of firearms being carried when boarding civil airplanes; and on how many occasions the British Airports Authority have prevented their carriage in the most recent convenient period.

The carriage of firearms is generally prohibited by Article 38 of the Air Navigation Order, 1972, although in some circumstances certain weapons may be carried in places inaccessible to passengers. Firearms have been surrendered to the British Airports Authority Constabulary on five occasions since May, 1971. Other weapons have been surrendered to B.O.A.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider the representations of the London Borough of Brent to resite the proposed gas turbine peak load station of the Central Electricity Generating Board on land at Neasden sidings instead of at Taylors Lane before he reaches his final decision on these matters.

My right hon. Friend has not received any representations from the London Borough of Brent but he is awaiting the observations of the Greater London Council, which is the local planning authority, before reaching a decision on the C.E.G.B.'s application.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the Government aid being given to the shipbuilding industry, he will now make a further statement on the ship repair industry.

The Government have no plans to give special assistance to the ship repairing industry. However, the industry will benefit, in common with other industries, from the measures recently described in the White Paper on Industrial and Regional Development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many countries have exported coal to the United Kingdom since December, 1970; and what are the approximate prices per ton.

Twelve countries. Average values per metric tonne of imports from these countries have ranged from £8·45 to £32·96 for the period January, 1971, to February, 1972, inclusive. These average values are not true prices as they are influenced by varying qualities of coal, transport costs and other factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest estimate in tons of imported coal since December, 1970.

Information is published in the monthly Overseas Trade Statistics. The total for January, 1971, to February, 1972, inclusive, is 4·8 million metric tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on his review of coal import policy.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement on 6th March, when he announced that the Government had decided that imports of solid fuels would continue on open general licence.—[Vol. 832, c. 1032–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what grants or other financial assistance will be available for an incoming industrial firm taking over and adapting an existing factory in a development or special development area.

Subject to legislation selective assistance will be considered in appropriate cases, in addition to the basic regional incentives proposed in Cmnd. 4942.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet considered Resolutions 511 and 512 which were adopted by the Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25th January, 1972, concerning supersonic flights over inhabited areas; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have taken note of these resolutions. The Government are conducting research where appropriate into matters referred to in the resolutions. A decision on the question of commercial supersonic flying over the United Kingdom will be taken in good time before Concorde enters service. Other countries will wish to weigh all relevant factors before making their policy conclusions in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the implementation of his new regional development proposals as they affect the north-east of England.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 22nd March, there will be a significant delegation of authority to the regional office of the Industrial Development Executive. The new regional director for the North-East has already been appointed and I hope shortly to be able to announce the names of the new regional industrial director and the members of the Regional Industrial Development Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is proposing to take to prevent the import into this country of large quantities of foreign cartridges which neither bear indication of origin nor observe British rules of proof regarding safety warnings; and to what extent, on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community under present regulations, he will be able to prevent such imports from the countries of the enlarged Ten and under what conditions

In reply to the first part of this Question, I have nothing to add to my answer on 12th April to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Normanton). We shall be able, when members of the European Economic Community, to prohibit or restrict imports from other member States on such grounds as public safety and security, and the protection of health and life.—[Vol. 834, c. 185.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is yet able to announce the level of Government aid to the computer industry; in what way this will be granted; and whether, under the existing rules and regulations of the European Economic Community, Great Britain on entry will be able to maintain these grants on the same basis.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I have already given today to an earlier Question by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now publish the report of the Central Policy Review Staff on regional development policy.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, East (Mr. Laurance Reed) on 20th March, 1972.—[Vol. 833, c. 1057.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now arrange to attend the current United Nations Conference on Trade and Development meeting in order to discuss with the member countries their views on the desirability of extending United Kingdom official aid.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade has just returned from this conference. Although my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary will not be able to attend, the possibility of another Minister doing so is now under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the régime in Rhodesia about the land rights of the Tangwena people; and what replies he has received.

I have made no recent representations about the case of the Tangwena.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the difference between regulations affecting the rights of citizens of former French dependencies to live and work in the countries of the European Economic Community compared with proposed regulations of a similar nature affecting citizens of the Commonwealth and Channel Islands.

There is no difference except for the citizens of the French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Martinique and French Guyana, which are part of metropolitan France, and to which the European Economic Community freedom of movement of labour provisions consequently apply.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 26th March, regarding matters affecting British citizens rights on entry into the Common Market, and on his reply.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has received the hon. Gentleman's letter. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary received one in identical terms.I have nothing to add to the letter which my hon. Friend the Under-Secre- tary of State for the Home Department has already sent to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that Members of Parliament are still unable to obtain English translations of European Economic Community directive No. C/105/14, dated 15th August, 1970, and agreed on 31st January, 1972, on car insurance premiums and harmonisatiton; and whether he will now make them available.

I have nothing to add to the second and third paragraphs of my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 27th March.—[Vol. 834, c. 2–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent discussions with countries of the Commonwealth regarding the effects on the Commonwealth nations of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed the United Kingdom's entry to the European Communities with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of India, when he visited India in February. In the same month I discussed this issue with the Prime Minister of Mauritius in London.Her Majesty's Government remain in close and continuing touch with Commonwealth Governments on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the date when he expects the case of Leonard J. Crickmar for the repayment of moneys due to Her Majesty's Government to be resolved.

Judgment was given against Mr. Leonard J. Crickmar in the Bow County Court on 29th March, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to him by the Indian Government on the loss of Indian-British trade as a result of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, and what was the nature of his reply.

The Government of India have informed Her Majesty's Government of their view of the likely effects of enlargement of the European Communities on India's trade. Consideration is being given to this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions, in what way, and with what results, he has taken action to seek to improve the European Parliament in its power of control over legislation and in its democratisation; and whether such actions have included means of ensuring a democratically-elected representation from all countries, including Great Britain.

Her Majesty's Government's position on the development of the European Parliament was made clear by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in answer to Questions on 13th April.—[Vol. 834, c. 1430–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied that the British Mission in Saigon is safe in the light of the current situation in South Vietnam; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he is satisfied that those British nationals engaged in relief work and the care of war orphans in South Vietnam are safe from danger; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will make a statement on the position of British nationals in South Vietnam.

Her Majesty's Government and the British Embassy at Saigon are watching developments in the situation in Vietnam very closely, with particular reference to the safety of British nationals. As far as is known there are none living in areas where ground fighting is taking place, but some are in towns subject to sporadic artillery attacks by Communist forces. Among the latter are the Save the Children Fund team at Qui Nhon. The British Embassy, which is in touch with the team by telephone, reports that they are safe and in good heart. The majority of other British nationals in Vietnam are in Saigon, where in spite of a recent rocket attack on the outskirts conditions are more or less normal. There is no immediate threat to British Embassy staff.Her Majesty's Government regret that a British civilian working for an American company was killed a few days ago in a Communist ambush in a remote country area some 200 miles north of Saigon. Next of kin are being informed. There are no other reports of damage to British lives or property.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will send relief supplies to the victims of the invasion of the Republic of Vietnam.

Her Majesty's Government are giving £10,000 for the provision of emergency relief supplies for the victims of the invasion. Parliament will be asked if necessary to approve a Supplementary Estimate in due course. In the meantime an advance will, if necessary, be sought from the Contingencies Fund.It is hoped that the supplies will be delivered to Saigon by a Royal Air Force aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will now protest to the North Vietnam Government at the invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnam regular troops in breach of the Geneva Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the position in Indo-China, in the light of his responsibilities as Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference.

Her Majesty's Government's policy is still to help promote a negotiated settlement of the Vietnam war, either in the context of the Geneva Agreement or in any other way. They greatly regret that the North Vietnamese should have decided to intensify the fighting by the flagrant invasion of South Vietnam, rather than to agree to take part in serious negotiations without preconditions.President Nixon made it abundantly clear in a number of public statements that he would use United States air power as he thought appropriate if the North Vietnamese increased their military activity in the South while American ground forces were being withdrawn. As North Vietnam decided to ignore these warnings, the American reaction is understandable.As Geneva Co-Chairman, Her Majesty's Government have informed the Russian Government that in their view the Geneva Conference should be reconvened. The Russians have not so far responded, but Her Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow, who is seeing Mr. Gromyko tomorrow, has been instructed to reiterate our views.Her Majesty's Government cannot protest directly to the North Vietnamese authorities about their invasion of South Vietnam because Britain does not have diplomatic relations with North Vietnam. Nevertheless, it is known from North Vietnamese Press and wireless statements that the North Vietnamese authorities are aware of Her Majesty's Government's position.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will co-ordinate its efforts with those of the other member States of the Council of Europe in the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organisation World Food Programme, to promote the overhauling of the world prices of raw materials, particularly of agricultural products, in order to guarantee a fairer payment for exports of developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government remain ready to take part in international examination of price levels of commodities which are of interest to developing countries. The World Food Programme exists to administer multilateral food aid and is not therefore a suitable agency for solving this particular problem.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Education and Science if she will make a grant to universities to enable them to provide facilities for the award of a degree in tourism.

My right hon. Friend is concerned only with the total grants for all universities taken together. It is for the University Grants Committee and the individual institutions respectively to decide how these should be allocated and spent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was allocated for minor works for each of the past 10 years.

Information about 1963–64 and 1964–65 is not readily available. Figures for the eight following years are:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of classes in secondary schools in Staffordshire with 30 or more pupils.

In January, 1971, there were 469 classes "as taught" with more than 30 pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Edinburgh and Science what is the number of classes in Bedfordshire secondary schools with 30 or more pupils.

In January, 1971, 180 classes "as taught" with 31 or more pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek to arrange with the owners and sponsors of the Tutankhamen exhibition extended time beyond the September closure date with a view to allocating more time for visits from schoolchildren in the northern counties.

The right hon. Members' suggestion is attractive, but it would be premature after only two weeks' experience to consider the extension of an exhibition which it has been agreed with the Egyptian Government should run for six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service how many local authorities have not so far carried out his recommendations in his Circular 19/71 of March, 1971, regarding the implementation of Section 45 of the Public Health Act, 1968, by surveying specified areas as a means of distributing required services to elderly people; and what action he proposes to take where local

We hope to review the progress being made later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that not only the physical needs and requirements of the applicant for an attendance allowance are taken into account, but also the degree of capability of the family or caring persons to meet those needs and requirements.

No. The essence of the atendance allowance concept is to help any household containing a severely disabled person who requires atendance to the extent laid down—so that the needs of that person are the key factor.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average weekly cost per patient in the North-Western Regional Hospital Board area; an dhow this compares with the weekly cost per patient in England and Wales.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Manchester Regional Hospital Board. Costs for the financial year 1971–72 are not yet available. Average costs per in-patient week in 1970–71 were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many special investigators are currently employed by the Department of Health and Social Security; what were the figures for each of the years 1964 to 1971; and if he will make a statement.

The number of special investigators employed by my Department on 1st April, 1972, was 286. The following table shows the number of officers in post for each year from 1964 to 1971:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the number of parents who, for financial reasons, are unable to visit their children detained in hospital for periods in excess of one week, more than once a week, and once a fortnight, respectively;(2) if his Department will introduce a scheme to enable parents who visit their children in hospital to obtain a refund of the amount expended on travel which is in excess of the cost of keeping such children at home; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he will introduce a scheme to enable parents who are not in receipt of supplementary benefit to receive financial assistance with fares for visiting children detained in hospital.

My right hon. Friend has no general powers to contribute towards the travel expenses of visitors to patients in hospital. Parents within the scope of the supplementary benefits scheme have the costs of visiting their children in hospital taken into account in calculating their benefit entitlement and I am sure that the great majority of parents are able to visit their children in hospital regularly without financial hardship. Where travelling problems do arise, this is a very suitable field for voluntary help and we are encouraging such help through the voluntary organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average number of children who are detained in hopsital for periods in excess of one week, two weeks and four weeks, respectively.

In 1969, the latest year for which figures are available, the estimated numbers of spells of care of children in non-psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales were:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average number of children detained in sub-normality and psychiatric hospitals.

About 6,300 under the age of 15 in English hospitals. Of these, I understand that less than a score are normally detained compulsorily under Mental Health Act powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of hospitals which are assisted by charitable organisations in the provision of transport to enable parents to visit children detained in hospital; and what is the extent of the help so provided.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what directives have been issued by his Department to hospitals concerning the visits of parents to children who are detained in hospital; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is his policy with regard to the provision of full visiting facilities for parents whose children are detained in hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Hospital authorities were reminded in a memorandum issued in 1971—HM(71)22—of advice given in an earlier memorandum—HM(66)18—that arrangements should be made to facilitate the unrestricted visiting of children. They were also advised that all children's departments will require accommodation for parents so that they may stay with their children during assessment, during acute illness, and from time to time during long-stay care.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of hospitals which discourage parents from freely visiting children who are detained in hospital.

We are satisfied that hospital authorities are aware of my Department's policy that no restrictions should be placed on parents visiting their children in hospital. If the hon. Member knows of any particular hospital where such visits are being discouraged, and will let me know, I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of hospitals providing overnight accommodation for parents desirous of visiting their children detained in hospital, and of those who refuse to provide such accommodation.

I regret that the information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications were received by the Supplementary Benefits Commission for financial assistance by parents with low-earned income to visit children in hospital in each of the years 1968 to 1971.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research has been done by his Department into the need to enable frequent and regular visits to be made by parents whose children are detained in hospital, and as to the need to provide parents in financial need with financial assistance there for.

The need for unrestricted visiting by parents of their children in hospital is accepted, and is departmental policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what his latest estimate is of the percentage of those eligible for family income supplement in Scotland who take it.

Because of the smallness of the samples on which estimates of the number of families in Great Britain eligible for family income supplement are based, it is not possible to make separate estimates for Scotland. Roughly 10,000 families in Scotland are receiving this benefit at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider making grants to help with the work of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Samaritans organisations.

No application for a grant has been received from Alcoholics Anonymous, but I should be prepared to consider one. I am currently making a grant to help with the work of the Samaritans.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why pharmaceutical exports to European Economic Community countries rose by eight per cent. and exports to European Free Trade Association countries rose by 36 per cent. last year.

The rise of 8 per cent. compared with 42 per cent. in the previous year is almost certainly attributable to the investment by United Kingdom firms in pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in E.E.C. countries. Exports in 1971 to both areas were substantial: £29·5 million to E.E.C. and £24·8 million to E.F.T.A.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will detail the steps he has taken to ensure that enough land is available everywhere for house building; particularly in the Greater London area and environs.

For the general steps taken I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the right hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 16th February and 8th March.In greater London the Action Group on London Housing has initiated a survey to assess what housing land might be available and the proposals for realising that potential.—[Vol. 831, c. 407–9; Vol. 832, c. 1429–31.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to impose the payment of a continuing contingency fee on persons to whom a grant of planning permission has been made in respect of a plot of land for housing development and no building start has been made within a period of 12 months.

Such legislation would not produce a better rate of housing development than existing arrangements, particularly because the circumstances of individual cases can differ widely. As the holder of planning permission and the landowner are not necessarily the same person, it would be very difficult to make provisions which would fall equitably.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many fatal road accidents have taken place in fog since January, 1971; and how many of these were on motorways.

130 on all types of roads during 1971. Separate information for motorways is not immediately avialable but I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what increases in average land costs have taken place since April, 1971, to the nearest convenient date; and if he will give a breakdown of such costs on a regional basis.

Comprehensive information is not available about prices of land for all purposes, but we estimate that the average price per plot of private sector housing land in England and Wales rose by about 22 per cent. from the first half to the second half of 1971. Regional figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is now prepared to take to assist in reducing the cost of houses; and if he will make a statement.

I assume the hon. Member is concerned about house prices and would refer him to the answer given on 1st March by my hon. Friend the Undersecretary of State to a Question by the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mr. John D. Grant).—[Vol. 832, c. 403–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that home ownership is possible for men earning £30 per week.

31 per cent. of dwellings mortgaged to building societies in 1971 were bought by borrowers earning not more than about £30 a week. The best way of increasing this already substantial percentage of lower income purchasers lies in a continuing improvement in the supply of houses for sale.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the practice of some local authorities in insisting that developers pay a cash sum in lieu of parking spaces before planning permission is granted; if he will list the Statutes under which such action is taken; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of the practice whereby local planning authorities may accept financial contributions from developers towards the cost of providing space in public car parks as an alternative to providing parking space on site. They have no power to insist on such contributions. The circumstances in which voluntary payments are appropriate are set out in Planning Bulletin No. 7 and M.H.L.G. Circular 54/67 and were restated in a decision letter dated 10th April, 1968, and published in the Journal of Planning and Property Law 1968 at pages 423–26.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which regional offices of his Department have held courses for builders on the Industrial Relations Act, 1971; on what dates and in what places; how many persons attended each course; what was the charge per person; and what element of profit that charge produced.

None.

asked the Secretary of Slate for the Environment what written representations his Department has received regarding concern felt in the County of Surrey at the transfer of Charlwood, Horley and the Gatwick complex to West Sussex.

My right hon. Friend has received many representations about this proposal; most of them have expressed the concern of local authorities, other bodies and individuals in Surrey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider seeking powers to set up a regional housing authority, with executive powers, to provide a planned housing programme for London.

I see no justification for this at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when and to whom he proposes to allocate the design work for that part of the A18 route to be improved east of the proposed Brigg Motorway by-pass.

I hope to announce my decision on this very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on which of those countries which were in the process of revising their surveys on public footpaths under the Highways Act, 1949, when the Countryside Act, 1969, became effective have and have not now completed their revision.

As I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 28th February, this information is not readily available—[Vol. 832, c. 33.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has completed his investigations into the allegations, referred to him by the hon. Member for Watford, of faulty workman ship on the safety barriers on the southern section of the M1; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. These have shown that there were faults in the workmanship. The main fault was that reinforcing rings either were not provided or were not inserted at the specified depth on about 25 per cent. of the concrete footings of the posts. Insufficient cover of concrete was provided around a small number of the posts. These deficiencies have been rectified by the contractor at his own expense.A few posts were shortened on the instructions of the resident engineer in order to avoid drains but additional concrete was provided in the footings to compensate for this.The defects did not make the barrier ineffective and there are no grounds for doubt from the safety angle but as the defects concern ease of maintenance methods of closer supervision will be provided on similar contracts in future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what salary will be paid to the new chairman of the Totalisator Board; what was the salary of the former chairman; whether the appointment is full-time or part time; and what arrangements have been made in respect of expense allowances and superannuation.

It will be for the Totalisator Board itself to recommend, for my right hon. Friend's approval, the salary to be paid to the new chairman. The salary of the present chairman is £7,200 for a full-time appointment. Lord Mancroft's appointment is expected to involve about for days' work a week. Reasonable expenses will be paid, but my right hon. Friend would not expect the board to recommend any provision in respect of superannuation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been carried out to indicate whether the existing penalties for prostitutes upon conviction represent the increase in earning capacity as a result of inflation since these maximum penalties were laid down; and what conclusions he has reached.

The penalties will be examined in the course of a review of the law relating to vagrancy and street offences which is being undertaken by the Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has sought from the police with regard to the present cautioning system with respect to soliciting; and whether he considers change is necessary to make police supervision of areas in which prostitues operate more effective with a view to prosecution.

Information from the police about the number of cautions given and the effectiveness of the cautioning system will be taken into account in the course of the current review of the law on vagrancy and other street offences. It is too soon to say whether any change in the cautioning system will be found desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a detailed statement about the state of the disposal of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member on 16th March. I shall make a further statement as soon as I am in a position to do so.—[Vol. 833, c. 156.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the purchasing value of the £ sterling has decreased since October, 1958.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling as 100p in October, 1958, its value in February, 1972, the latest date for which information is available, is estimated at 60½p This is a fall of 39½p.This estimate is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for calendar years adjusted by movements in the General Index of Retail Prices for the months at the beginning and end of the period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions have been laid under the Exchange Control Act, 1947, during the last 12 months; and what proportion has led to convictions.

During the past 12 months there have been 50 prosecutions involving 55 defendants. All the defendants were convicted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions have been laid under the Exchange Control Act, 1947, during the past year in connection with Swiss accounts.

One.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proceeds from admission charges at the national museums and galleries will be liable to/ for value-added tax.

Yes, but they will be able to deduct input tax and some may be net repayment traders.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will propose to exempt sales of works of art and antiquities to national, local authority and university museums from payment of value-added tax.

There will be opportunity to discuss detailed questions about the application of value-added tax during the debates on the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose the exemption of children's shoes and footwear from value-added tax.

There will be an opportunity to discuss the value-added tax proposals during the debates on the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the financial benefit which is likely to accrue to the National Gallery and the British Museum during the course of a full financial year as a result of proposals contained in the Budget speech.

No estimate can be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are taken to follow exported animals through to foreign abattoirs.

None, since animals for slaughter are exported only to countries whose Governments have given certain assurances about the humane treatment of the animals before and at slaughter. It is for those Governments to ensure that the assurances are honoured.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from information available from international sources, what was the average grower return from potatoes, expressed in pounds per ton ex-farm, in Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Italy during the year ending 30th June, 1971; and what was the comparable figure for the United Kingdom.

The following is information on average producer prices for main crop potatoes for the period September, 1970, to April, 1971, for E.E.C. member States and August, 1970, to July, 1971, for the United Kingdom. Information is not available for Luxembourg.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many serving members of the Armed Forces in the United Kingdom have part-time civilian jobs.

This information is not available, and disproportionate time and effort would I am afraid be involved collecting it.