asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of yarn and cloth have been given relief or allowed into the country in the last year under Section 7 of the Import Duties Act, 1958; and what quantities of three fold 8S cotton yarn are included in the total.

I regret that information in the form requested is not readily available. The value of imports of yarn and cloth on which import duty was remitted under Section 7 of the Import Duties Act, 1958, in the year ending 31st March, 1972, was:

Woollen yarn and cloth	£92,959
Cotton yarn and cloth	£208,586
Man-made-fibre yarn and cloth	£1,938,488
Other yarns and cloth	£329,611

Relief was not given on any imports of three fold 8S cotton yarn.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on the Vinter Committee Report.

The Government are examining all aspects of the country's investment in nuclear power. Decisions will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider setting up an industrial council for the greater London area involving industrialists, trade unions, commercial interests and local government representation.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of Great Britain's coal production needs for each year to 1985.

The general pattern of likely energy requirements, including the prospects for coal, is kept under constant review, but I do not think it would be helpful to publish estimates which can quickly become out of date as circumstances change.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give a general direction to the Coal Board to increase the proportion of coal mined from opencast mines.

No. The National Coal Board is fully aware of the importance of opencast coal production but in granting authorisation for particular sites it is my responsibility, under the Opencast Coal Act, 1958, to have regard for the preservation of amenity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of coal requirements for 1972 and estimated United Kingdom output; what is the deficit he estimates by subtracting output from requirements; and thus how much coal in millions of tons he estimates will be imported.

Before the dispute, the annual rate of coal production was close to 150 million tons, but strike losses will bring output well below that level in 1972. Consumption and stocks have also been affected. It would not be helpful to publish estimates which must be subject to considerable uncertainty. Imports will depend on decisions by importers and the requirements of consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he is now able to make an announcement on future investment in the steel industry; and to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will assist or hamper such future investment;(2) whether he is now able to make a statement on the Government's proposals for the long-term development in the steel industry; what is the proposed production figure by 1980 as compared with the present output; and to what extent this policy has been or will be discussed with the European Coal and Steel Community;(3) to what extent the Government's decision to cut back in long-term development in the steel industry from 40 million tons a year in 1980 to 35 million tons or less is due to arrangements or discussions entered into with the European Coal and Steel Community; whether, on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community Great Britain will be able to plan output and production of steel without reference to or control by the Community; and whether he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry will be making a statement about the BSC's development plans after Question Time. The review has not been discussed with the Communities. After accession, steel producers will have to notify investment proposals to the Commission, which may give a reasoned opinion on them; the opinions are advisory and are not binding on enterprises and there is no power to prevent investment. I have no reason to believe steel investment will be adversely affected by entry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding future participation by private enterprise in the steel industry in Scotland.

There are no proposals from the steel industry before me: but as my right hon. Friend has informed the House we do not intend to use our powers relating to private sector steel investment in any restrictive way, whether in Scotland or elsewhere.—[Vol. 816, c. 247–58.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on the future investment programme of the steel industry in Scotland.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 3rd May.—[Vol. 836, c. 157.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the latest position regarding his discussions with the Confederation of British Industry concerning renewal of that body's price restraint guidelines.

I understand that the Council of the CBI has deferred until July a decision about renewal of the guidelines.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the Bolton Committee's recommendations regarding small businesses have been implemented to date.

So far, decisions have been taken or the Government have announced their position on 25 recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to encourage industry in Rutland, so that the employees dismissed from Woodall Duckman's factory, Oakham, will have improved opportunities for finding employment.

I am confident that as the expansionary measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement take effect, wider opportunities for employment will arise in Oakham.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of his White Paper, Command Paper No. 4942, he will now give special attention to the difficulties facing Butters Cranes Limited which operates in McCallen Street, Govan, and is seeking to maintain full employment in its industry.

The Department's Director for Scotland is in touch with Butters Cranes Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the National Film Finance Corporation is to receive the sum of money promised by Her Majesty's Government under the Films Act, 1970;(2) whether the plan for the National Film Finance Corporation to raise money in the City of London, to be matched by a contribution from the Treasury, has now been put into operation, or when the National Film Finance Corporation will begin to operate the scheme.

Advances of £7½ million within the total of £11 million authorised by the films legislation have so far been made to the National Film Finance Corporation. In June last year the Government stated that it was their intention to withdraw from the financing of the production of films. They accordingly welcomed the proposal of the corporation to set up a consortium in co-operation with private interests and had agreed to advance loans of up to a maximum of £1 million on condition that the private sector would put up £3 for every El from public funds. The corporation has been able to raise £750,000 from private sources. The Government have now agreed to contribute £1 million to the consortium to support its efforts to achieve financial independence. The Government do not however intend to make any further advances in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will set up a committee to study the growing tendency towards unsolicited publicity for books and catalogues and the methods of door-to-door book salesmen.

No. I am not aware of any developments which would justify me in appointing such a committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the Northern Regional Industrial Development Board.

My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to announce the name of the chairman of this board and thereafter of the other members.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advanced gas-cooled reactors have been sold to overseas countries since 1970.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the minimum content of pure silver required in articles sold as silver in each of the European Economic Community countries.

The permitted minimum in these countries is 800 parts per thousand except in Belgium, where it is 500 parts, and West Germany, which prescribes no minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which Acts of Parliament or Orders in Council concerning hallmarking of silver will require repeal or amendment if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community;(2) what agreement he has reached with the European Economic Community to ensure that if Great Britain enter, the Community the law governing hallmarking will remain as at present and that silver sold in the United Kingdom will continue to have the point 925 content.

There is no Community legislation which affects our hallmarking law.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he can now give a firm date when the advance factory at Denaby Main will be completed how many inquiries from industrialists have been received and what kind of jobs will be provided.

Completion is scheduled for June. No direct inquiries have been received for the factory. but it has been suggested to 11 firms. Employment will depend on the type of industry to be attracted.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of new evidence in his possession, that the wreck of the "Richard Montgomery" is not secure against disturbance and that the risks of explosion are not decreasing as time passes, he will order an underwater survey of the wreck and its cargo as a preliminary to ordering a fresh inquiry into the possibility of removing this hazard to shipping.

The security arrangements have recently been strengthened and a diving survey is to be undertaken this summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions his Department have held with the National Coal Board regarding closures of pits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has held with the National Coal Board regarding further pit closures.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Scottish companies are now involved in projects concerned with North Sea oil.

Nine companies registered in Scotland are licensed to search for and produce oil or gas, and an increasing number of firms are supporting these operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long in terms of years he expects the oil resources in the North Sea to be available.

I am unable to say at this early stage in the development of our Continental Shelf petroleum resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of North Sea oil he expects to be refined in Scotland; and what proportion will be transported as crude oil.

Much of the production currently in prospect is planned to be refined in Grangemouth refinery which British Petroleum Company intends to expand. The remainder will be refined elsewhere in the United Kingdom or exported, but it is too early to estimate proportions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is yet able to make an announcement on increased Government aid for the computer industry.

I have nothing to add at present to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industrial Development gave to a Question from the hon. Member on 17th April.—[Vol. 835, c. 25.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is yet able to make an announcement on increased Government aid for the computer industry; and to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will assist or hamper such Government aid to this industry.

I have nothing to add at present to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding) on 17th April, when my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industrial Development said that an announcement would be made as soon as is practicable.—[Vol. 835, c. 25.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the forecast, details of which are in his possession, by the Chemical Industries Association that there will be a continued decline in spending on chemical plant in 1973 and 1974, whether he will take steps designed to prevent this, in addition to the proposals in the Budget.

A decline from the record 1970 level of investment is to be expected until the present considerable over-capacity worldwide is worked off, it affects mainly plant for basic chemicals. The Budget measures will gradually bring improvement to this sector, and I have no immediate plans for additional measures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funds have been allocated by his Department to assist participation by British industry in the space shuttle project.

Some £750,000 has been allocated for various technical and economic studies of the post-Apollo programme, including the space shuttle project. About two-thirds of this is for European Space Conference studies, in which British industry participates. The remainder has been made available direct to the industry for studies in collaboration with United States firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement giving details of the organisation of his Department regarding the work of attracting industry to the development areas.

The organisational structure was outlined in the White Paper on Industrial and Regional Development (Cmnd. 4942). The manning of this structure is proceeding apace.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now in a position to make a statement on the Marshall Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement about the Marshall Report.

We are studying the report, but I cannot yet add to the reply which my hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace gave on 1st May to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis)—[Vol. 835, c. 24.]

asked the Secretary of Trade and Industry what plans he now has concerning the financial structure of the National Coal Board.

I have nothing yet to add to my statement of 6th March. 1972.—[Vol. 832, c. 1032–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints his Department has received concerning unsolicited advertisements or unsolicited goods during 1971.

During 1971 I received eight complaints concerning unsolicited advertisements and 10 complaints concerning unsolicited goods.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the report of the British Airways Board on the future organisation and structure of the existing airline group.

Mr. Nicholson has told my right hon. Friend that he hopes to make a report to him in July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what areas industrial development certificates have been granted in the Northern Region this year; and what are the corresponding figures for the previous three years.

In the first quarter of 1972 industrial development certificates for a total of 1·1 million sq. ft. were issued in the Northern Region. The corresponding figures for 1969, 1970 and 1971 were 2·4, 1·7 and 1·7 million sq. ft., respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been granted in the Dearne Valley constituency during each of the past six years.

The information is as follows:

NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED (WOMBWELL AND MEXBOROUGH EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES)
1966	7
1967	5
1968	8
1969	9
1970	6
1971	2

Exemption limits for industrial development certificates were raised in December, 1970. Figures for earlier years are not therefore comparable.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for industrial development certificates have been received in the Calne and Chippenham Rural District Council in each of the past three years; and how many have been refused.

Seven industrial development certificates were approved in 1969, three in 1970 and two in 1971

			Value of Offers (£000)
Years			(1) Projects (number)	(2) Government factories	(3) Loan	(4) Grant	(5) Total	(6) Estimated employment
1962–63	…	…	136	5,367	4,589	6,118	16,074	27,100
1963–64	…	…	483	5,558	18,959	5,694	30,211	41,800
1964–65	…	…	971	12,730	10,429	17,449	40,608	60,243
1965–66	…	…	1,250	12,397	9,569	20,348	42,314	92,494
1966–67	…	…	1,701	14,365	13,248	27,818	55,431	86,183
1967–68	…	…	1,697	11,538	13,707	21,194	46,439	67,404
1968–69	…	…	2,414	13,894	17,667	23,354	54,915	75,134
1969–70	…	…	1,931	17,988	28,088	37,777	83,853	96,770
1970–71	…	…	1,748	7,869	28,022	34,294	70,185	83,319
1971–72*	…	…	1,645	8,095	15,098	41,061	64,254	61,824
* Provisional figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a White Paper setting out his proposals for legislation to amend the law relating to companies.

I will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what consideration is being given to the prevention of shipping from straying into coastal areas which may be affected by the sonic booms of high intensity associated with the commencement of supersonic flight, should the Concorde go into commercial service;

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total amount of financial assistance granted on the recommendation of the Local Employment Act Financial Advisory Committee, the number of firms in receipt of such assistance and the ratio of finance to jobs thereby created in each of the last 10 years.

I regret that information is not readily available in precisely this form, but the following table gives details in respect of all assistance approved under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Act and the estimated employment. It is not possible to provide a meaningful ratio between this assistance and the employment provided since assistance is not the only factor influencing the creation of employment.(2) what experiments in the measurement of the intensity of superbooms have been carried out in the Concorde flight programme, in view of the recent resolution of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on repercussions of supersonic civil flights on human and natural environment.

The increased overpressures which occur on acceleration to supersonic speed have been carefully studied. There has been very extensive supersonic flying over the sea and there is no record of superbooms having caused damage to ships. No special arrangements for the control of shipping are therefore envisaged.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries have now taken a decision regarding supersonic flying over new territories; and if he will list the countries concerned and the decisions they have taken.

I have nothing to add to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace gave to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins) on 17th April, 1972.—[Vol. 835, c. 13–14.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have for prohibiting supersonic flights over Great Britain.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Cormack) on 14th February.—[Vol. 831, c. 61.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications he has received from British European Airways for financial approval to purchase the TriStar aircraft fitted with the RB211 engines.

Neither BEA nor the British Airways Board has as yet made such an application.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on discussions between his Department and the British Steel Corporation regarding the implications for the shipbuilding industry of a basic point system for steel prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Cockeram) by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry on 4th May.—[Vol. 835, c. 205]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will review the registration of limited companies which employ unsolicited communications as their principal method of advertising their products.

No. Such a review would not be an appropriate means of attempting to deal with the matter which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he received a communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, of 30th April, enclosing a communication from Mr. R. H. Blakesly, making complaint of the irregularities in connection with two public companies; when the hon. Member can expect a reply; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that the statutory obligations are carried out by these companies

The hon. Member is probably referring to his letter dated 29th April which was received on 1st May. A reply will be sent as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, as in his letter to the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 28th April, 1972, he confirms that Altodie Limited and Altodie (Northern) Limited were in default in their annual returns and accounts contrary to the Companies Act, what action he has taken, or intends taking, to prosecute these companies and their directors for failing to implement the law.

The companies mentioned were till recently in default over the filing of annual returns and accounts, but have now remedied their default. I do not propose to take any further action

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further extensions or improvements are proposed at Glasgow Airport: and if he will make a statement.

This is primarily a matte: for Glasgow Corporation, the owners of the aerodrome, but I understand that the corporation has recently submitted an application for planning permission for extension of the airport terminal at an estimated cost of £7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the largest total of public financial support, including grants under the Local Employment Act, investment grants and payroll subsidies provided at any one time for any one recipient firm during the past 10 years where special legislation involving publication of financial details was not required.

I regret that this information could not be provided without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will detail the arrangements for monitoring the expenditure of public finance to companies in the private sector under the terms of the Local Employment Act.

Loans made under the Act may only be used for specified purposes and may be recalled in appropriate circumstances. During the term of the loan, the Department keeps in close touch with the borrower, who must provide regular accounts and conform to conditions laid down in a legal agreement. This monitoring work is carried out by the Department in consultation, where appropriate, with the advisory committee. Building grants are also made subject to appropriate conditions, which are reinforced by periodic checks on the use of the buildings. Grants under Section 4 are payable only on the production of evidence that the expenditure in question has been incurred.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his latest estimate of the cost to public funds per job created of all forms of public assistance to be accorded to the successor companies to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.

There is no common basis in the assistance being offered to the two successor companies which would make possible a general calculation of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many gas explosions causing injury or damage were reported in 1971; and how this compares with the two previous years.

Only figures of serious cases are available for 1969. In that year they numbered 97, in 1970 the number was 95, and in 1971 67. For the purpose of reporting, cases are regarded as serious when they cause damage of £100 or more or involve fatalities. The number of explosions causing fatalities in the above years were four, seven and three, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the date for the commissioning of the prototype fast breeder reactor at Dounreay; and when it is anticipated that the first commercial reactor will be built.

The prototype fast reactor is now planned to be commissioned during 1973. The research and development programme is aimed at making possible the operation of commercial fast reactors from the early 1980s.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ban the import of protective footwear which does not conform to the standards approved by the British Safety Council.

Import controls would not be appropriate, nor by themselves effective, to ensure the use of proper protective footwear in British industry. Prescribing and enforcing standards where necessary is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, following the Chile debt talks in Paris, Export Credits Guarantee Department credit is now available to exporters to that country.

The Export Credits Guarantee Department is freely insuring short-term credit in Chile but other business is subject to restriction. The Department will keep the continuance of these facilities under review in the light of discussion with Chile about the existing United Kingdom commercial debt.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give an estimate of the proportion of total cargoes moving through major stated docks in the United Kingdom which is subject to containerisation; and to what extent the information available to him indicates that this is a growing trend.

I have been asked to reply.Container and roll-on traffic accounted for about 15 per cent. of total goods traffic, excluding fuels, through British ports in 1970. Details are given in the National Ports Council's publications "Digest of Port Statistics 1971" and "Container/roll-on port statistics Great Britain 1971, part 1 ". The growth in unitised traffic is expected to continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on negotiations with Iceland on fisheries limits.

British and Icelandic officials met in Reykjavik on 19th and 20th April to discuss interim arrangements for the continuance of British fishing off Iceland after 1st September. The Icelandic Foreign Minister, accompanied by the Minister of Fisheries, is to visit London from 23rd to 25th May for further talks with British Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protest has been made to the Government of Malta on the expulsion of Commander Edmund Haines; and if he will make a statement.

No official protest was made, but our High Commission approached the Maltese authorities on Commander Haines' behalf and expressed concern over his treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

The opening plenary sessions which began on 13th April ended on 26th April. Draft resolutions covering most of the agenda are now before six committees and three working groups. A full assessment will not be possible until after the conference ends on about 19th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with Dr. Patrick Hillery, External Affairs Minister of the Irish Republic, on 27th April, 1972.

Dr. Hillery called to see me at 3 p.m. on 27th April. We discussed a number of matters of mutual interest covering both Northern Ireland and the Republic, the details of which must remain confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the British representatives at the World Health Organisation assembly meeting in Geneva shortly intend to vote against or to abstain on the question of the application for membership of the German Democratic Republic.

The admission of the German Democratic Republic to the World Health Organisation is in the view of Her Majesty's Government a contentious political issue. It should not be settled in a technical forum such as the World Health Organisation but in an appropriate political organ of the United Nations such as the General Assembly. The United Kingdom delegation at the World Health Organisation will therefore vote against any resolution recommending the admission of the German Democratic Republic.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking to help the staff of J. Shorts Data Processing Company, 92-94 Newman Street, London, W.2, who have become unemployed, to find alternative employment; and if he will make a statement.

My Department will do everything possible to help those who have become unemployed as a result of the closure of J. Short Data Centre. Unfortunately, however, because of the circumstances of the closure, it was not possible to make the usual advance arrangements to interview and advise the firms workpeople about other employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the most recent figures for the number of women at work in the United Kingdom, England, the North-West Region and the City of Manchester, respectively; and what is each figure expressed as a proportion of the total labour force.

Following is the information:

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT EXPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF ALL EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT AT SEPTEMBER, 1971, FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM, ENGLAND AND THE NORTH WEST REGION AND AT JUNE, 1970, FOR MANCHESTER
	Number (000's)	Percentage of total
United Kingdom	8,681	38·7
England	7,320	38·6
North West	1,104	39·5
Manchester	144	42·9

The figures for September, 1971, are provisional.The figures for Manchester relate to the area covered by the Manchester, Levenshulme, Newton Heath, Openshaw, Withington and Wythenshawe Employment Exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to increase the penalties for second or subsequent offences against safety-at-work legislation;(2) if he is satisfied that the penalties for contraventions of safety-at-work legislation constitute an adequate deterrent; and if he will make a statement.

The penalties for contravention of the safety-at-work legislation will be reviewed in the light of the findings of the Robens Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the maximum fine which the courts may impose in respect of a breach of the law relating to safety-at-work.

The courts may impose a maximum fine of £300 for a contravention of the Factories Act, 1961, or the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963. There is also provision for fines of £15 per day for continuing offences.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of unfilled vacancies for skilled craftsmen in the building industry, registered in offices of his Department in the Northern Region on 30th April.

Following is the available information:

Occupational analysis of the numbers of notified vacancies for men remaining unfilled in the construction industry in North Region at 5th April, 1972.
Carpenter, joiner, shutterer	111
Bricklayer	157
Mason, stone carver	6
Slater, tiler, thatcher, etc.	6
Plasterer	68
Floor and wall tiler, etc.	9
Painter, decorator, signwriter	38
Plumber, gas fitter, etc.	36
Glazier	5
Pavior, road, etc., surface layer	6
Steel erector, sheeter	1
Electrician, cable jointer, linesman	13
Mechanical handling plant, etc. operator	37
Erector, millwright, maintenance fitter	5
All other occupations	212
Total—All occupations	710

The statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons from the Leek parliamentary constituency are undergoing retraining in Government training centres at the latest convenient date.

I regret the information is not available in the form requested, but 18 persons from the employment exchange areas of Leek, Biddulph, Cheadle and Kidsgrove were receiving training at Government training centres on 24th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the vacancies for young people in the Southampton area, and on what steps are being taken to increase the proportion of unfilled vacancies notified to the youth employment office.

150 vacancies for young people were recorded at the Southampton County Borough careers office on 10th April, 1972. Vacancy figures do not purport to represent the total unsatisfied demand for labour. Careers officers in the area are canvassing local employers for additional vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what study he is making of a proposal made to him by the Transport and General Workers Union that all toxic substances, used by factories, should be registered with local inspectors of factories: and if he will make a statement.

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I has received such a proposal from the TGWU, but questions surrounding the use of toxic substances in factories are within the terms of reference of the Robens Committee on Safety and Health at Work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total estimated cost to the Exchequer of public inquiries held into appeals against refusals of planning applications in the financial year 1971–72.

I regret that this information is not available. However the total estimated cost to the Exchequer of the salaried Planning Inspectorate in the financial year 1971–72 is about £1 million; during this period some 5,000 local inquiries and 3.000 site visits took place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what on average is the time gap between a planning appeal and the hearing of that appeal in Great Britain, in London and in south-western England, respectively.

For appeals where the local inquiry was held in April, 1972, the average times were 27 weeks in England, 24 weeks in London and 27 weeks in south-west England.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of appeals against outline and detailed planning decisions by local planning authorities in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what proportion of these were dealt with by means of public inquiry and exchange of written statements, respectively.

Of the 5,516 appeals decided during 1971, 3,504 were stated to be against decisions on outline planning applications. Fifty-two per cent. of appeals were dealt with by local inquiry and 48 per cent. by the written method.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what standards are prescribed for the smokeless properties of imported smokeless fuels.

Both imported and home-produced smokeless fuels are subject to recommended British Standard 3841: 1965, whereby smoke emissions should not exceed 5 grammes of smoke per hour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Operation Eyesore projects have been submitted to his Department by the Teesside County Borough Council for grant aid approval; what is their total estimated cost; how many have been approved so far and at what cost; and if he will specify the projects submitted.

By 30th April the regional office had received 58 proposals under Operation Eyesore at a total estimated cost of £675,430. Of these, 28 have now been approved at an estimated cost of £36,030; decisions on the remainder will be given as soon as the additional information which has been asked for is available. With three exceptions the projects are for the clearance and landscaping of various sites. The exceptions are for the cleaning and restoration of buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the £36 million worth of land released by British Rail during the last three years was situated in Wales; and how much land in Wales is likely to be released by British Rail under the terms of his announcement on 27th April, 1972.

This information is not readily available. I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the official survey on pollution in Great Britain which is being submitted to the forthcoming United Nations conference in Stockholm.

The United Kingdom View. an official report reviewing this country's achievements and intentions in the management of the environment, will be published on 8th May as part of our preparations for the Stockholm conference. The unofficial report by the Working Party on the Control of Pollution will he published shortly afterwards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations he intends to have undertaken into the issues involved in the provision of adequate supplies of aggregates.

My Department has completed with other Departments a prelimiminary examination of the complex problems posed by the increasing demand for aggregates. As a result I have concluded that a comprehensive series of studies must be undertaken into the long-term demand for aggregates and their possible sources of supply. These studies will be designed to produce estimates of demand for aggregates for all purposes both nationally and regionally and will be related to expected trends in construction output. An appraisal will also be undertaken of the possible sources of future supply of all types of aggregate both land-won and marine-dredged and investigations will be made of possible methods of using lower-grade materials where they would prove acceptable in order to save high-quality natural aggregate from being wastefully employed. There will also be studies of environmental problems connected with the after-treatment and after-use of land from which natural aggregates have been extracted.My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I also propose to set up an advisory committee to give us its views on aspects of these problems. The chairman and members of this committee and its terms of reference will be announced later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce the names of the committee under the chairmanship of Lord Sandford to organise the nationwide campaign of tree planting in 1973.

I am glad to announce that the following have accepted invitations to serve on this committee:Mr. J. H. Barratt, County Planning and Development Officer, Staffordshire CC.Mrs. S. C. Braithwaite, JP, Member, Doncaster RDC.Mr. S. M. Caffyn, CBE, Member, Eastbourne CBC.Miss Sylvia Crowe, CBE, Past President, Institute of Landscape Architects; Landscape Consultant to Forestry Commission.Mr. Robin Herbert, Deputy Chairman, Countryside Commission; Chairman, Welsh Committee of the National Trust; Member of Council, Royal Horticultural Society.Mr. E. Brent Jones, Forestry Adviser to Open Cast Executive, National Coal Board; Member, Arboricultural Association.Mr. F. Maude, Clerk, Keynsham UDC.Mr. Charles Quant, JP, Member, Flintshire CC; Member, Prince of Wales' Committee.Mr. W. P. Sheppard, Chairman, Public Relations Committee, Sand and Gravel Association.Mr. D. J. Watkins, Chairman, Nurserymen's Committee, National Farmers Union.Mr. J. Workman, Forestry Adviser to National Trust; Member of Executive Committee, Timber Growers Organisation Ltd.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will now consider allowing Honeywells, computer manufacturers, to tender for Government contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Honeywell Limited is already included among the computer suppliers with manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom which are invited to tender for Government computer contracts in appropriate cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dentists there are per 10,000 population in each local authority area in England and Wales.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to general dental practitioners. Information is available only by executive council areas which, in most cases, are the same as local authority areas. The figures are as follows:

NUMBER OF DENTISTS PER 10,000 POPULATION BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AREA ENGLAND AND WALES
Executive Council	Number of dentists per 10,000 population
ENGLAND AND WALES	2·26
England	2·30
Bedfordshire and Luton	1·71
Berkshire	2·27
Reading	3·83
Buckinghamshire	2·47
Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely	1·79
Cheshire	2·20
Birkenhead	2·47
Chester	4·96
Stockport	2·22
Wallasey	1·85
Cornwall	2·53
Isles of Scilly	—
Cumberland	1·37
Carlisle	2·92
Derbyshire	1·47
Derby	2·05
Devon, Exeter and Torbay	2·80
Plymouth	2·59
Dorset	2·59
Durham	1·20
Darlington	2·33
Gateshead	1·69
Hartlepools	1·03

Executive Council	Number of dentists per 10,000 population
South Shields	1·40
Sunderland	1·39
Essex	1·98
London North East	2·32
Southend-on-Sea.	2·77
Gloucester County and City	2·17
Bristol	2·96
Hampshire	2·28
Bournemouth	3·90
Portsmouth	3·07
Southampton	3·19
Isle of Wight	3·08
Herefordshire	2·25
Hertfordshire.	2·84
Huntingdon and Peterborough	1·46
London South East and Kent	2·50
Lancashire	1·37
Barrow-in-Furness	2·52
Blackburn	1·78
Blackpool	2·34
Bolton	1·88
Bootle	1·08
Burnley	2·23
Bury	2·06
Liverpool	1·97
Manchester	2·42
Oldham	1·90
Preston	3·41
Rochdale	1·64
St. Helens	1·35
Sallbrd	1·98
Southport	3·30
Warrington	2·36
Wigan	2·47
Leicestershire and Rutland	1·26
Leicester	2·80
Lincolnshire (Holland)	1·42
Lincolnshire (Kesteven)	1·23
Lincolnshire (Lindsey)	1·11
Grimsby	1·78
Lincoln	3·11
Inner London	4·38
Middlesex	3·62
Norfolk	1·09
Great Yarmouth	2·40
Norwich	4·06
Northamptonshire	1·08
Northampton	2·77
Northumberland	1·98
Newcastle-upon-Tyne	2·40
Tynemouth	3·35
Nottingham County and City	1·50
Oxford County and City	2·52
Salop	1·81
Somerset	2·35
Bath	3·86
Staffordshire	1·23
Burton-on-Trent	2·18
Stoke-on-Trent	1·56
Walsall	1·30
Warley	1·84
West Bromwich	1·08
Wolverhampton	1·42
Suffolk East	1·45
Suffolk West	2·28
Ipswich	3·02
London South West and Surrey	3·31
Sussex East	2·62
Sussex West	3·28
Brighton	3·18

Executive Council	Number of dentists per 10,000 population
Eastbourne	4·07
Hastings	3·99
Warwickshire and Solihull	1·88
Birmingham	2·06
Coventry	1·65
Westmorland	1·67
Wiltshire	1·92
Worcestershire	1·50
Dudley	1·19
Worcester	2·33
Yorkshire East Riding	1·20
Yorkshire North Riding	1·64
Yorkshire West Riding	1 ·34
Barnsley	2·00
Bradford	2·17
Dewsbury	1·96
Doncaster	2·33
Halifax	1·98
Huddersfield	2·15
Kingston-upon-Hull	1·58
Leeds	2·91
Rotherham	1·42
Sheffield	2·17
Teesside	1·44
Wakefield	2·86
York	3·44
Wales	1·60
Anglesey	1·36
Breconshire	1·15
Caernarvonshire	2·12
Cardiganshire	1·61
Carmarthenshire	1·41
Denbighshire and Flintshire	1·47
Glamorgan	1·29
Cardiff	2·60
Merthyr Tydfil	1·27
Swansea	2·45
Merionethshire	1·44
Monmouth and Newport	1·32
Montgomeryshire	1·86
Pembrokeshire	1·54
Radnorshire	2·20

NOTE: Figures relate to the civilian population at 30th June, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what hostel facilities exist in the County of Wiltshire for severely handicapped children under 16 years of age; and what facilities are planned in the next two years.

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the percentage of owner-occupied dwellings in the Caine and Chippenham Rural District Council in 1971 as revealed by the census; and how this compares with 1961 and 1966.

Figures from the 1971 Census of Population are not yet available for Calne and Chippenham Rural District. The percentage of owner-occupied dwellings in that district as shown in the 1961 census was 34·5 per cent. and by the 1966 sample census 41·5 per cent. I will send my hon. Friend the corresponding figures from the 1971 census when they become available in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage occupancy of pay beds and National Health beds during the latest 12-monthly figure available at Royal Hospital, Sheffield.

The average occupancy by private patients of beds in the private ward at this hospital was 43 per cent. in 1971. Non-paying patients are also admitted to this ward. Occupancy by National Health Service patients for the hospital as a whole was 84 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when his Department's working party on accommodation for homeless males was appointed; what were its terms of reference; and when he expects it to report and to whom.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the two working parties set up early last year to consider the recommendations of Professor Greve and Mr. Glastonbury following their studies of homelessness in London and in South Wales and South-West England. These working parties are considering among other questions the problem of single homeless people, and we expect to receive their report shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the way that overtime is assessed under the National Health Service for intermediate and junior grades of hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement.

Under an agreement reached with the professions, doctors in these grades may qualify for extra duty allowances if they lose specified minimum periods of time off duty. We intend to review the working of these arrangements in consultation with the professions and hospital authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with the Church of Scientology following publication of the Foster Report.

£million
1966–67	1967–68	1968–69	1969–70	1970–71	1971–72 (estimated)
0·7	0·8	0·9	1·0	1·2	1·3

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many doctors there are per 10,000 population in each local authority area in England and Wales.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to general medical practitioners. Information is available only by executive council areas which, in most cases, are the same as local authority areas. It is as follows:

NUMBER OF DOCTORS IN EACH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AREA PER 10,000 POPULATION*
Executive Council	Number of doctors per 10,000 population
ENGLISH COUNTIES
Bedfordshire and Luton	3·88
Berkshire	4·11
Buckinghamshire	3·95
Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely	4·44
Cheshire	3·90
Cornwall	4·84
Cumberland	4·61
Derbyshire	3·97
Devon, Exeter and Torbay	4·90
Dorset	4·54
Durham	3·64
Essex	3·81
Gloucester County and City	4·46
Hampshire	4·21
Herefordshire	4·79
Hertfordshire	4·16
Huntingdonshire and Peterborough	3·88
Isle of Wight	4·67
Isles of Scilly	9·89
Lancashire	3·41
Leicestershire and Rutland	3·72
Lincolnshire (Holland)	3·69
Lincolnshire (Kesteven)	4·14
Lincolnshire (Lindsey)	4·37
London—Inner	5·29
London—North East	4·26

None, but I have received written comments which I shall consider along with those I have sough/ from professional organizations

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the cost of providing home helps in the West Riding of Yorkshire during each of the past six years.

The net cost was as follows:—

Executive Council	Number of doctors per 10,000 population
London—South East and Kent	4·10
London—South West and Surrey	4·36
Middlesex	4·53
Norfolk	4·28
Northamptonshire	3·73
Northumberland	4·22
Nottingham County and City	3·82
Oxford County and City	4·43
Salop	4·36
Somerset	4·48
Staffordshire	3·31
Suffolk East	4·38
Suffolk West	4·49
Sussex East, Eastbourne and Hastings	4·32
Sussex West	4·50
Warwickshire and Solihull	3·92
Westmorland	5·43
Wiltshire	4·04
Worcestershire	3·94
Yorkshire East Riding	4·23
Yorkshire North Riding	4·32
Yorkshire West Riding	3·80
ENGLISH COUNTY BOROUGHS
Blackburn	4·35
Blackpool	4·54
Bolton	3·95
Bootle	4·71
Bournemouth	5·17
Bradford	4·14
Brighton	5·37
Bristol	4·27
Burnley	5·12
Burton on Trent	4·75
Bury	3·82
Car'isle	4·46
Chester	5·92
Coventry	3·99
Darlington	3·61
Derby	4·10
Dewsbury	4·89
Doncaster	4·52
Dudley	3·34
Gateshead	4·65
Great Yarmouth	5·01

Executive Council	Number of doctors per 10,000 population
Grimsby	3·56
Halifax	3·51
Hartlepool	3·50
Huddersfield	3·91
Ipswich	4·16
Kingston upon Hull	4·29
Leeds	4·15
Leicester	4·43
Lincoln	4·86
Liverpool	4·49
Manchester	4·65
Newcastle upon Tyne	4·84
Northampton	4·59
Norwich	4·89
Oldham	4·45
Plymouth	4·58
Portsmouth	4·64
Preston	5·17
Reading	4·65
Rochdale	3·72
Rotherham	3·55
St. Helens	3·94
Salford	5·18
Sheffield	4·05
Southampton	4·68
Southend on Sea	4·44
Southport	4·60
South Shields	4·09
Stockport	4·51
Stoke on Trent	4·02
Sunderland	3·62
Teesside	3·79
Tynemouth	3·64
Wakefield	4·38
Wallasey	4·72
Walsall	3·96
Warley	4·59
Warrington	5·75
West Bromwich	3·54
Wigan	3·94
Wolverhampton	3·76
Worcester	5·34
York	5·63
WELSH COUNTIES AND COUNTY BOROUGHS
Anglesey	4·58
Breconshire	5·34
Cardiganshire	5·36
Carmarthenshire	5·15
Caernarvonshire	5·56
Denbighshire and Flintshire	4·19
Glamorganshire	4·14
Merionethshire	6·90
Monmouthshire and Newport	4·40
Montgomeryshire	6·26
Pembrokeshire	4·92
Radnorshire	4·38
Cardiff	5·17
Merthyr Tydfil	4·72
Swansea	4·85
WALES	4·63
ENGLAND	4·23
ENGLAND AND WALES	4·25
* Based on civilian population at 30th June, 1971, and number of unrestricted principals at 1st October, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has been able to complete his arrangements to supply the OL66 Medresco hearing aid through the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

The development of OL66 was authorised at a time when it appeared that the transistors used in standard Medresco aids might become obsolescent, and that there were possibilities of utilising advances in technology to design a new and improved body-worn aid. The development programme has unfortunately not run smoothly despite the combined resources of the Post Office, which acted as our agents, the contractor and my Department. A series of unexpected technical problems has had to be overcome, leading to considerable delay in the production of prototypes. Pre-production aids eventually subjected to laboratory and user trials have not been found to give any substantial advantages over available Medresco aids, and there is no prospect that they could be modified to do so. In addition, as well as having a much higher cost, they have compared unfavourably in certain respects with the existing range of aids, the performance coverage and transistor supply of which have been improved concurrently with the OL66 development.In these circumstances I have concluded, in agreement with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, that we are no longer justified in continuing this development. The Post Office has been asked to instruct the contractor accordingly.I recognise that this decision will be a disappointment for many deaf people. We will do all we can to improve existing body-worn aids still further. I also recognise a growing pressure for some supply of head-worn aids and I have arranged to expedite our study of what might be possible in this direction.

asked the Attorney-General if he will seek to amend the law on contempt of court so that a party appearing before the National Industrial Relations Court in whose favour an injunction has been granted shall no longer be under a duty to report a breach of that injunction to the court.

The law relating to contempt of court is at present under consideration by Lord Justice Phillimore's Committee and I do not propose to anticipate its recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the present extent of information available to Her Majesty's Government and to growers on the breakdown by crops of the acreage down to non-edible horticultural produce; how this information compares with the statistics available within the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.