asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that his water resources proposals in the Principality will have no adverse effect on the interests of local land drainage and coast protection experts.

Our water proposals left over the question of the land drainage and sea defence functions of river authorities pending consultations with interested bodies by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. We are now considering how best these functions may be organised and hope to make an announcement soon. The proposals do not affect the coast protection functions of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will recommend a Government training centre for North-West Wales.

Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and I recognise the importance of expanding training facilities in North-West Wales. Priority is being given to developing those types of training which are most urgently needed but there are no plans at present to set up a Government training centre in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further steps he proposes to ensure the full implementation of the Hughes-Parry Report.

Much of the report has already been implemented. I shall take all reasonable and practicable steps to secure continued progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans have been prepared to protect the Gower coast from oil pollution; and if he will make a statement.

The Gower Rural District Council fully participates in Glamorgan County Council's oil pollution contingency scheme and there are Government contingency plans for the storage of dispersants and equipment and the earmarking of sea-going vessels for hire at strategic points to deal with oil at sea which may threaten the coast.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many veterinary surgeons are now employed by the Government in Wales.

Fifty-eight.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses were completed in Wales during the first quarter of each of the years 1964 to 1972, inclusive.

The following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average percentage increase of Welsh local authority rates in 1972 as compared with 1971.

Based on returns so far received rate poundages in Wales in 1972–73 should increase by an average of 5 per cent. over 1971–72.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will ask the Welsh Council to undertake a study of the effects upon Wales of the introduction of the value added tax.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales still lack indoor water closets and washbasins; and what steps will now be taken to accelerate the provision of these.

Precise and up-to-date information is not readily available but a great number of primary schools clearly lack modern facilities. For this reason I have given high priority to the replacement or improvement of pre-1903 primary schools, and expect to make available at least £24 million over the next five years specifically for this task.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what increases have occurred in recruitment of nurses for Welsh hospitals during the past year; and how many nurses are now needed in hospitals in the Principality.

In the year ended 30th September, 1971, the number of nurses in terms of whole-time equivalents increased by 956. There are local shortages of nurses but in the absence of fixed complements a precise figure of need cannot be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements exist for liaison between the Welsh Office and the officials of the Department of Trade and Industry in Wales.

The Welsh Planning Board, of which one of my senior officials is chairman, provides the basic framework for liaison. Detailed coordination is carried out on the basis of very close informal contacts in day-to-day work.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will next pay an official visit to Carmarthenshire.

I have no immediate plans to do so, but I am always glad to visit the county.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, what consultation exists between his office and the Forestry Commission with regard to tree planting operations in Wales.

The Forestry Commission obtains the approval of the Welsh Office for all its acquisitions of land and the related planting proposals. These are also subject to prior clearance by the Welsh Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the increase in house prices in 1971–72 in South East Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave him on 24th and 26th April, 1972. Detailed information relating to particular areas of Wales is no available.—[Vol. 835, c. 220; 307–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his current policy for dealing with rising house prices in Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil (Mr. Rowlands) on 24th April, 1972. The policies announced on 27th April by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will apply as appropriate in Wales. —[Vol. 835, c. 220.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he estimates the increase in house prices in Wales of 17 per cent. in the last 15 months will prevent working-class borrowers from securing mortgages, in view of the fact that building societies limit their loans to three times the salary of the borrower.

The information I have does not substantiate the figure quoted by the hon. Member. I would refer him to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil (Mr. Rowlands) on 24th and 26th April, 1972. -[Vol. 835, c. 220. 307–8]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives have been shown by bodies and persons in Wales for attracting direct investment in Wales from countries outside the United Kingdom.

In addition to the normal work of Government Departments, the Development Corporation for Wales has organised missions to the United States, Japan and West Germany as part of its effort to promote investment in Wales. The corporation has firm plans for similar missions this year to Germany and Switzerland.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many families within the Principality of Wales are living in sub-standard accommodation.

The information is not available in this form. I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answers to Questions by the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 29th February, 1972, and by the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes) on 10th February, 1972.—[Vol. 832. c. 102 Vol. 830, c. 438.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications he has received from local authorities in Wales for the cost of reclamation under Operation Eyesore of derelict mine buildings and workings following lead mining; how many such applications have been granted; and if he will denote the local authority in each case.

None. Applications relating to derelict mine workings may be made under normal derelict land provision; and two relating to old lead works have recently been received from Wrexham Rural District Council and Flint Borough Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been made by local authorities in the Mid Wales area for clearing up dereliction under Operation Eyesore.

29 applications from seven local authorities in Mid Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many new houses were completed within the Principality in 1971.

15,101. In addition 323 dwellings were provided by conversion with the aid of grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the numbers of houses started in Wales in the public and private sectors in the second, third and fourth quarters of 1971 and the first quarter of 1972, the numbers under construction at the end of the same periods, and the number completed.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses in Wales have been built since 1950, and what percentage of the total this represents.

314,590, which represents about 32·5 per cent. of the total housing stock in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will undertake a survey of the Llansamlet area of the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East to determine to what extent acidic gases are emitted into the atmosphere there from the Swansea Vale Works of the Rio Tinto Zinc Limited, I.S.C. Chemicals, Llansamlet, Swansea;(2) if he will now investigate the extent of the damage to plant and vegetable life, from acid burn, in the Llansamlet, Winch Wen and Bonymaen areas of the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East, caused by the emission of acidic gases from the Swansea Vale Works of Rio Tinto Zinc Limited, I.S.C. Chemicals, Llansamlet, Swansea;(3) if he will now cause an investigation to be made of the effect on bronchitic persons of the emission of acidic gases from the Swansea Vale Works of Rio Tinto Zinc Limited, I.S.C. Chemicals, Llansamlet, Swansea;(4) if he will order an immediate examination of the effects of inhalation of acidic gas on the 500 pupils of Trallwn Primary School, Llansamlet, Swansea, in view of the evidence of Miss M. E. Chilcott, the headmistress, that the pupils have at times to be detained at playtimes and lunchtimes because they suffer paroxysms of coughing caused by these gases.

The Government's Alkali Inspector has visited the Imperial Smelting Chemicals' plant several times over the past three weeks following reports of unusually high emissions of sulphur dioxide. He has advised the company on immediate steps to cut down emissions. These are being implemented. The Alkali Inspector is now satisfied that the plant is operating within his requirements but will be continuing his discussions with the firm in order to secure further reduction in the level of emission.The company has brought in a special technical team to investigate the problem in depth, including a representative from the firm's agricultural section, who is examining vegetation in the area. I understand that the local authority is also looking into the effects on vegetation. I have asked the medical officer of health for the area to investigate the reports of schoolchildren being affected by the emissions. I have received no reports of any aggravation of bronchitic conditions as a result of the incident but the local medical officer of health is making inquiries with doctors practising in the area of the works.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider, as a special case, the ranking for provision of grant, within the improvement grant provisions for housing, of reimbursement for the cost of roof repairs in the Llansamlet area of the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East, where such repairs are caused by the deterioration of galvanised holding-down nails in slates and tiles, caused by the emission of acidic gases to the atmosphere at Llansamlet, Swansea.

It is for the local authority to determine, in relation to the provisions of the Housing Act, 1969, what items can properly rank for grant. I hold out no prospect of an extension of the grant provisions to cover repairs of this sort carried out on their own.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many permanent sites have now been established for gipsies in Monmouthshire; where they are located; and if he is now satisfied with the provision made.

There is an established site at Cwm Crachen, Nantyglo; Pontypool Urban District Council is acquiring land for a site at Upper Race; and Newport County Borough Council and Monmouthshire County Council have agreed to provide a site jointly in South Monmouthshire. I am keeping the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the annual expenditure on sewerage schemes in Wales in the 10 years ended in 1971; and what will be the estimated expenditure in 1972.

Annual expenditure on sewerage and sewage disposal schemes in Wales in the financial years from 1963–64 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which daily newspapers circulating in Wales are regularly obtained by his Department.

All the national daily newspapers, together with the seven regional daily newspapers which give special coverage to Welsh affairs. The complete list is as follows:

• The Times
• The Guardian
• Daily Telegraph
• The Sun
• Daily Mirror
• Daily Mail
• Daily Express
• Financial Times
• Morning Star
• Western Mail
• South Wales Echo
• Liverpool Daily Post
• Liverpool Echo
• South Wales Evening Post
• South Wales Argus
• Western Daily Press

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the provision for psychogeriatric cases in South Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Welsh Hospital Board has currently under review the hospital services in Wales for the elderly including the provision for psycho-geriatric cases. Preliminary results indicate that improvements will be needed and I understand that the board will shortly be considering what action is required. In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, I expect to issue later this year new guidance to hospital and local authorities about services for persons suffering from mental illness related to old age.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been spent on the provision of geriatric beds in each hospital management committee area in Wales in each of the last 10 years.

This information is not available as the expenditure on the provision of geriatric beds is not separately identifiable.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of houses in Wales which each year cease to be fit for human habitation and are abandoned for that purpose.

Including those cleared under slum clearance procedure. about 3,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if all the main rivers of Wales and their tributaries will now be designated as main rivers for the purposes of Section 6 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, and Section 11 of the Water Resources Act, 1963, in order to relieve local authorities of their burdens with regard to non-designated rivers.

The future organisation of land drainage is being considered in the light of the consultations my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has had with the interested bodies. He hopes to make an announcement soon and this will include the extent of local authority responsibilities for land drainage.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will now take steps to ensure that Welsh-speaking people being tried in courts of law in Wales are entirely free to have their cases conducted in their own language.

Such persons and their advocates, and any other persons concerned in proceedings in courts in Wales are already entirely free to speak Welsh during the proceedings.

asked the Attorney-General to what extent he requires his staff to work on their normal rest days and to work overtime; and whether such staff are able to refuse to work overtime and on their normal rest days without disciplinary action being taken against them.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to his similar Question on 27th April.—[Vol. 835, c. 361]

asked the Attorney-General to what extent the staff employed in the Royal Courts of Justice and other law courts are required to work overtime and on their normal rest days; and whether such staff are able to refuse to work overtime and on their normal rest days without disciplinary action being taken against them.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to his similar Question on 27th April.—[Vol. 835, c. 361.]

asked the hon. Member for Chelsea, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, whether the Church Commissioners will grant the lease of the redundant Holy Trinity Church, Southwark, to the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras for a permanent rehearsal and recording centre, and will reject the property developer's application, in view both of the national and international standing and contribu- tion of these two orchestras and of the unsatisfactory nature of the available rehearsal facilities.

No. It would not be for the Church Commissioners to grant a lease of this church, which is the property of the diocese of Southwark. The Commissioners are acting in a quasi-judicial capacity under the Pastoral Measures, 1968, and will consider the representations made about a draft scheme for residential use. Representations have been made on behalf of the two orchestras concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has had with the United States of America on British participation in the post-Apollo programme;(2) what discussions he has had with the countries of the European Economic Community on British participation in the post-Apollo programme.

Her Majesty's Government have taken part in the discussions on technical, financial and economic aspects of possible European participation which have been held in the form of the European Space Conference: this includes all the EEC countries except Luxembourg. Discussions with the United States authorities have been held jointly with our European partners.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to improve the public accountability of Government financial assistance to the machine tool industry.

No. Existing arrangements provide adequate powers to secure proper public accountability.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement of progress with regard to the Bolton Committee's recommendations on small firms in Scotland.

The Bolton Committee's recommendations were intended to benefit small firms throughout the United Kingdom. We are making good progress with their consideration and implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Industrial Development next intends to make an official visit to Scotland.

My right hon. Friend will be in Scotland today and tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements the Minister for Industrial Development has made to pay official visits to the North East.

I shall be visiting the North East on 10th May. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Industrial Development is paying a visit to the North East on 5th May.My hon. Friend and I will take appropriate opportunities to visit the North East and other assisted areas as frequently as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to make it compulsory for cigarette manufacturers to display on their packets the weight of tobacco contained therein.

Under the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, the number of cigarettes is required to be marked on the packet. I do not think that a statement of weight would really help the smoker to choose his brand and it would create serious difficulties for the manufacturer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the inspectors appointed under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948 to investigate the affairs of Rolls-Royce Limited are including in their inquiry the workers' share scheme and its management.

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Gloucestershire, South (Mr. Corfield) to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. Walter Johnson) on 31st January, 1972.—[Vol. 830, c. 8–10.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the incidence of explosions, causing injury to post office engineers and others, which are attributable to the leakage of North Sea gas.

No. Regular report are made by the Gas Council to the Department which enable the incidence of explosions and other accidents involving gas to be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the staffing of Companies House, in view of the time taken to register companies; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Joel Barnett) on 27th April.—[Vol. 835, c. 342.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Government-financed factories are empty in the North East; and what is the average time they have been unused.

Twenty-four—3 per cent. of the total area administered in the North East—the average time nonoperational being 17 months. A further 21 are undergoing repair or modernisation and will become available between now and the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what area of government-owned factory floor space is now unoccupied in Wales; and how many units this represents.

There are 25 unoccupied factories owned by the Department, having a total area of 710,000 square feet.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were issued to industrialists coming to the burgh of Buckhaven and Methil since it became part of a special development district; how many such firms received the special financial inducements in such an area: and what was the number of industrial development certificates issued for the same burgh in the three years prior to special development area status.

Seven industrial development certificates have been issued in the Leven employment exchange area since it became a Special Development Area and four in the three years before designation. I regret that the other information asked for is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to ensure that marine engine production will receive adequate financial treatment to maintain employment as has been given to shipbuilding.

The Government have no plans at present to give special assistance to the marine engine building industry. However, the industry will benefit from the measures described in the White Paper on Industrial and Regional Development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the efficiency, output and generating costs of recently built coal-fired stations; what figures are available for Drax; and whether he will now approve the next stage at Drax.

Questions about the performance of generating stations are for the CEGB, and I will ask the chairman to write to the right hon. Member. It is for the CEGB to propose the construction of new stations; at present the board has no firm plans for further orders for major stations after Ince B for which the board is negotiating to place the main contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated capital cost and cost per kilowatt for the last three generating stations, respectively, approved by his department.

The last three stations ordered by the CEGB were Isle of Grain, Hartlepool and Heysham and the CEGB is negotiating to place the main orders for Ince B. I will ask the Chairman of the CEGB to write to the right hon. Member with such information as is readily available and not commercially sensitive.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take action in respect of the case sent to him by the hon. Member for Blackley concerning a firm of booksellers purporting to have received a remittance which was not sent and claiming payment for goods not ordered; and whether he will investigate the activities of the said firm or company in view of the two different addresses and the absence of a telephone number and in the light of the correspondence forwarded to him.

No. A demand for payment for unsolicited goods may be an offence under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act, which is enforced by the police. If the hon. Member thinks he has evidence of a possible offence, I suggest that he should pass this on to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he is having with the United States Government regarding supersonic flying rights for Concorde over United States territory and landing rights at United States airports.

No special discussions are in hand, since the London-New York route will not involve supersonic flight by Concorde over the United States, and traffic rights are available to our airline at the relevant United States airports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding the payload of Concorde over North Atlantic routes.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson) on 28th April.—[Vol. 835, c. 378.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations regarding the future of the Clydebank Division of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with Mr. Harbin of Marathon Manufacturing.

We have reached agreement with Marathon Manufacturing Company about the basis on which

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the concern in the Lancashire textile industry regarding the outcome of the negotiations with the European Economic Community on the question of cotton yarn; whether such yarn will be able to be imported free from duty or quantitative restrictions from anywhere in the world, as it is being regarded as a raw material; and if he will make a statement.

The industry has told my Department of its views on this subject. Cotton yarn is on the EEC's common liberalisation list. Thus, on our accession to the Community we will have an obligation not to restrict imports from any

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much capital was invested by United Kingdom firms in the European Community, in the form of direct investment, in 1971 and in the five previous years; and how much direct investment took place, by Common Market firms, in the United Kingdom in 1971 and in the preceding five years.

Following are the figures:source. After the transitional period imports will become subject to the common-external tariff except where preferential arrangements apply. I gave information about these arrangements in my answer to the lion. Member for Oldham, East (Mr. Lamond) on 21st April.—[Vol. 835. c.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has submitted to the Council of the Commission two directives harmonising containers used to package liquids and bottles used for beverages, mineral waters, cooking oil, beer, wine and vinegar; to what extent on entry Great Britain will have to adopt these provisions; and whether he will make full details available to the House of Commons.

Yes. I am well aware of these proposed directives, which are designed to facilitate the trade in these commodities between member States, and have discussed the current drafts both with the industry and the commission. I would point out that as drafted they do not apply to goods traded within national boundaries. In the event that these drafts were adopted member states would in accordance with Article 189 of the EEC Treaty be obliged to modify their practices accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been received, rejected, withdrawn and offered under Section 4 of the Local Employment Act, 1960, in Wales for each year 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72.

Payments of grants and loans under Section 4 of the Local Employment Act in Wales have been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for operational grants were received, rejected, withdrawn, and offered under Section 4 of the Local Employment Act, 1960, for new firms being set up in the Welsh special development areas in each financial year 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total amount of assistance granted in loans and grants under Section 4 of the Local Employment Act in Welsh development areas in 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total value of sales of footwear in each of the five years to 31st December, 1971, and the percentage of the market enjoyed by British manufacturers.

Estimates of the value of total sales of footwear in the United Kingdom—namely, production plus imports less exports—are available only for 1968 and 1971. In these years total sales were £232 million and £312 million, of which retained home production accounted for 86 per cent. and 83 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bankruptcies were recorded in the financial year ended 5th April, 1972.

The available figures of the numbers of bankruptcies, and of other forms of insolvency, are given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make arrangements to ensure the supply, to shareholders of the companies concerned, of copies of reports by his Department into bankrupt companies.

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension: the Department does not make such reports; but in a compulsory winding-up the Official Receiver issues summaries of the statement of affairs submitted together with his observations to all creditors and shareholders. In a voluntary winding-up there is provision for annual meetings and final meetings, at which the liqui-

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent he expects the measures announced in the White Paper on Industrial and Regional Development will promote new industrial development and expansion in the Chester-le-Street constituency area during the remaining period of 1972.

It is not practicable to make estimates of the extent to which industry will take advantage of the new incentives in a single area during a relatively short period of time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries from industrialists contemplating investment in Flintshire have been received since the grant of intermediate area status to the county.

The Flintshire intermediate area has been suggested to two firms seeking locations in North Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications have been made to him for a definition order under the 1968 Trade Descriptions Act since 1st March. 1972; by whom were the applications made; in relation to which products; and if he will publish the full terms of the applications and the full terms of his replies.

Three applications for definition orders have been received since 1st March, 1972. They are:—policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the elimination of all tariffs on industrial products traded between developed countries.

As we have made known on many occasions, Her Majesty's Government's policy is to continue to work for the progressive removal as far as possible of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade in industrial products, on a reciprocal basis. As I said in the House on 28th February, we welcome, and associate ourselves with, the initiative of the USA and the EEC for multilateral negotiations in GATT beginning in 1973 for the further liberalisation of world trade.—[Vol. 832 c. 21–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will support a change in the terms of reference of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development group on trade and related matters to enable that group to make recommendations as to the form that any multilateral trade negotiations should take.

The terms of reference agreed by the Ministerial Meeting of the Council of OECD on 8th June last year were that this group should "analyse the trade and related problems which arise in a longer-term perspective, i.e. it will define the problems and assess their relative urgency, consider how these problems might be dealt with, and set out options for their solution. Ministers stressed that this study should take account of the work being undertaken in the GATT by virtue of its responsibilities and prerogatives under the General Agreement." I see no reason to suggest any change in these terms of reference. The main industrial countries, including the United Kingdom have agreed to initiate multilateral negotiations in GATT for the further liberalisation of world trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to promote multilateral negotiations with Japan and the United States of America for the purpose of bringing about international free trade in industrial products.

I said in an answer in the House on 28th February that we welcome and support the initiative of the United States and the EEC, with which Japan has also associated herself, for negotiations in GATT beginning in 1973 for the further liberalisation of world trade.—[Vol. 832, c. 21–2]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be reporting to the House on the deliberations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development group studying international trade and related problems; and if he will make a statement.

The report of this group has first to be submitted to the OECD Ministers who established the group in June last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will support a further liberalisation of international trade as part of a long-term solution to international monetary problems.

As I have already said in the House, Her Majesty's Government support the proposal to initiate GATT negotiations for the further liberalisation of world trade. Her Majesty's Government's views on the importance of international monetary reform are well known, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has indicated the direc- tion we hope reform will take. Her Majesty's Government recognise the important relationships in this field—[Vol 832. c. 21–2]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent he requires his staff to work on their normal rest days and to work overtime; and whether such staff are able to refuse to work overtime and on their normal rest days without disciplinary action being take against them.

I have nothing to add to the replies to similar Questions given by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 27th April.—[Vol 835, c. 361, 325.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now able to make a statement on future Government help for International Computers Limited; and to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will assist or hamper such assistance to this company.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question about the computer industry by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding) on 17th April. I have nothing to add to that at present in respect of either International Computers Limited or the industry generally.—[Vol. 835, c. 25.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now in a position to make a statement on the Marshall Report; and to what extent this report will be affected by Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

I have as yet nothing to add to the reply I gave on 17th April to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Craigton (Mr. Millan). From the outset the review took fully into account our impending entry into the enlarged community.—[Vol. 835, c. 14–16.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has now received his inspector's report on Slingsby Aircraft Holdings Limited; whether be will undertake to provide the company liquidator with a copy of that report; and what further action he intends to take.

The Department received an interim report from the Inspectors on 17th March, 1972, and a copy was sent to the company on 20th March, 1972. The report is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated number of miners needed to provide coal for the equivalent of electricity generated at Fawley, Pembroke and Kingnorth oil-fired generating stations, and the estimated amount of social security benefits required on average for a similar number of unemployed males.

The wide variations in productivity of coal fields and the uncertainty of how the generating system's costs would be affected make a meaningful estimate impossible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom citizens were employed in each of the countries of the Common Market at the latest convenient date, and in the same months of the preceding five years.

Neither Her Majesty's Government nor the Commission maintain records of United Kingdom citizens employed by the several countries of the European Community.Despite the fact that some Community countries maintain statistics of foreign workers or of the granting of work permits to foreigners, there is no uniformity of practice and I have nothing to

add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment on 22nd July, 1971.—[Vol. 821, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, why Mr. Harry Tester and Mr. Anthony Grant, British subjects, have been expelled from Kenya; and what protest has been made.

Mr. Tester and Mr. Grant were informed orally that they were being deported because they had abused the President. They also received formal notices of deportation. The High Commissioner has, at the request of the two men, made appropriate representation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest estimate of the loss of life among British nationals in South Vietnam, of damage to British property, and of disruption of British-aided relief work to refugees and orphans, as a result of the present invasion of South Vietnam by the regular forces of North Vietnam.

There have been no reports of loss of British lives or damage to British property in South Vietnam since the one incident which I reported to the House on 17th April. Our Embassy at Saigon reports that there has been no disruption so far of British relief or charitable work as a result of the present North Vietnamese offensive.—[Vol. 835, c. 16.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the Lancaster House agreement on sugar, accepted by the European Economic Community, was not included in the Treaty of Accession.

The consultations between the countries whose sugar industries are party to the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement at Lancaster House on 1st to 2nd June, 1971, were not part of the enlargement negotiations between the United Kingdom and the Communities. Only decisions reached in the official enlargement conference qualify for inclusion in the Treaty of Accession between the Communities and the acceding States. The terms of the agreement on sugar are set out in Protocol No. 17 to the Treaty of Accession and the Communities' assurances appear in Part III of Protocol No. 22 to the Treaty of Accession.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will press, in conjunction with other European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, for the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in Western Europe.

No. Her Majesty's Government believe that nuclear-free zones in certain parts of the world could play a useful role in building up confidence, provided the appropriate conditions are fulfilled. An essential condition is that the creation of a zone should not conflict with one of the basic principles of disarmament, that the existing military balance in the area should not be disturbed. This condition would not be fulfilled in the case of Western Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the Republic of Ireland is not considered by his Department as a foreign country; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Ireland Act, 1949, and specifically to Section 2(1) of that Act. In view of the close interdependence of the Irish and British peoples, it has never been considered appropriate to impose upon the Irish all the restrictions and conditions which apply in the case of aliens.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many British subjects have been expelled or made prohibited immigrants in Uganda in each year from 1965; and in how many cases protests were made by the British representative, and with what result;(2) how many British subjects have been expelled or made prohibited immigrants in Kenya in each year from 1965; and in how many cases protests were made by the British representative, and with what result;(3) how many British subjects have been expelled or made prohibited immigrants in Tanzania in each year from 1965; and in how many cases protests were made by the British representative, and with what result.

The cost of obtaining information in the detail requested by my hon. Friend would not be justified. However, if he has in mind any case of particular hardship I would be pleased to make inquiries. For the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on 24th March.—[Vol. 833, c. 380.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he requires his staff to work on their normal rest days and to work overtime; and whether such staff are able to refuse to work overtime or on their normal rest days if they so desire without disciplinary action being taken against them.

As regards Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff serving in the United Kingdom, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to his Question on 27th April.—[Vol. 835, c. 361.]There is no standard working week for Diplomatic Service officers overseas and no overtime is payable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will arrange for Parliament to be supplied with a copy of the Pearce Commission's Report on Rhodesia and the Government's views on the same before they are given to the illegal Smith régime.

I cannot give any undertaking not to show the report to Mr. Smith in confidence in the course of formulating my views on its consequences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has received in the last two weeks from emissaries of Mr. Smith of the illegal regime in Rhodesia, or from intermediaries making suggestions for the abrogation of the fifth principle; and whether he will make a statement.

I made clear to those from Rhodesia whom I have seen recently that I had no knowledge of what the report would contain and that policy decisions would not be taken until the report had been received and studied. I also told them, as I have told the House, that I had no intention of pretending that a "No" is a "Yes ".

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why, and on what authority, the British Ambassador in Paris ordered the British Embassy Church to scrap its title which has been in operation since 1834.

It became clear recently that a sufficient majority of the congregation of St. Michael's Church in Paris did not wish to join in a scheme intended to unite the two Anglican and one Methodist Churches there in a single British church. The other two congregations accepted the scheme. Her Majesty's Ambassador, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the ecclesiastical authorities thought that, in these circumstances, St. Michael's was not sufficiently representative to be known as the Embassy Church, nor was it appropriate for its chaplain to be the ambasador's chaplain. Her Majesty's Ambassador has so informed the chaplain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the report of the Criminal Law Revision Committee concerning changes in criminal proceedings to be published.

If the hon. Member has in mind the committee's forthcoming report on evidence in criminal cases, I would refer him to the reply given on 18th April to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Southport (Mr. Percival) and on 20th April to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Dulwich (Mr. S. C. Silkin)—[Vol. 835, c. 82, 130.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Chief Constable as to the number of offences under the Drugs Acts committed in the United Kingdom and Northumberland, respectively, in 1969, 1970, 1971 and to the nearest available date.

I am arranging to obtain such information as is available and I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the Whatley Report on safety in football grounds and sports stadia.

Very shortly.

asked the Secretary of of State for the Home Department how much dynamite has been found in this country to date where no responsibility can be traced; what action is intended by his Department on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is notified by the police of thefts of explosives, but does not have the full information for which the hon. Member asks. Finds of explosives, whether stolen or not, are notified as necessary by the police direct to the service authorities under standing arrangements for the disposal of the explosives in the interests of public safety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, on entry into the European Economic Community, the introduction of the free flow of natives of the enlarged Ten within the countries of the Ten will apply to persons travelling to the Channel Isles, including military personnel; whether the present practice of obtaining the permission of the island's Governor and Commander in Chief will still operate; and whether he will make a statement.

Operational movement of military personnel is not governed by Community provisions. For the rest, Protocol 3 annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty of Accession does not provide for the application of rights of free movement of persons into the Channel Islands to nationals of the enlarged Community. There will, therefore, be no effect on the powers of the Lieutenant Governor, whether in that capacity or in his capacity as Commander in Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many units of sheltered housing accommodation are currently being provided by each local authority in England and Wales, and in each case how many units this amounts to per 1,000 population aged 65 years of age or over in that local authority area.

The statistics for which the hon. Member asks are not available. In 1971, however, almost one-third of all new house building carried out by local authorities and new town corporations consisted of one-bedroom accommodation, most of which is likely to have been intended for occupation by old people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report of the Road Research Laboratory on the effects of heavy vehicles on underground services; in what form he expects to publish it; and what consultations he intends to make before making any subsequent decisions.

The work being carried out at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory covers all types of loads on the various kinds of pipelines used for sewage and water supply. Results are published from time to time by the laboratory. Subsequent action will of course depend on those results.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has now made of the efficacy of advertising promoted by his Department to encourage the wearing of safety belts.

My Department conducts regular surveys to determine the effects of road safety publicity campaigns. In 1971 an intensive campaign in the North East increased wearing of seat belts to about 28 per cent.—almost double the national average, though I regret to say this is falling off.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what statutory right his Department has instructed local authorities that measurements for highway purposes must now be expressed only in metric terms.

None, as regulation is not required to enable metrication to go forward. My Department's actions have been to implement the policies of successive Governments and to conform with the wishes of the industry itself and the programme agreed by it with the British Standards Institution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what sites are available as an alternative to Warren Copse as a siting for a service station on the M4.

Many sites were investigated before Warren Copse was chosen as the most suitable. In accordance with established procedure for development by Government Departments, Berkshire County Council is currently considering the Department's application for planning approval for Warren Copse.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from representative organisations regarding the time limits on improvement grants contained in the Housing Act, 1971; whether he will list the organisations concerned; and what has been the general nature of his replies.

My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Federation of Master Builders, the National Federation of Building Trades Employers, the Association of Municipal Corporations, the Urban District Councils' Association and the Rural District Councils' Association.In a reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Bray) on 21st April, 1972, my right hon. Friend announced that the Government have decided to introduce legislation at the appropriate time to extend by a year to 23rd June, 1974, the date before which works must be completed in order to qualify for the higher rates of grant under the Housing Act, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much the value of new private industrial building work fell in 1971; and what effect he anticipates that the measures contained in the Budget statement will have on work load for this type of construction in 1972.

Measured at constant 1963 prices, new private industrial building work fell by 6 per cent. in 1971 compared with 1970. The measures contained in the Budget Statement, particularly the extension to the country as a whole of 40 per cent. initial allowances for new buildings and free depreciation for plant and machinery, the introduction of regional development grants, and the changes in the boundaries of the assisted areas, provide a powerful incentive to industrial investment including buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he envisages that the construction of the Blythe Bridge Bypass, A50, will be completed.