asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made an official protest to the Government of France on the entry of the French warship "Agile" to the port of Fishguard without British approval, following the arrest of a French trawler for illegal fishing in British waters.

No, an official protest would not be appropriate. For visits such as that of the "Agile" permission is given automatically under long-standing arrangements, and any difficulties which arose out of this visit were minor and administrative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the French Republic about their proposal to explode nuclear devices in the atmosphere in June.

As a depositary Government for the Partial Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water, Her Majesty's Government naturally hope that the French Government will decide to accede to the treaty. The French Government are aware of our views on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the initiatives proposed by Her Majesty's Government and the debate upon them at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development at Santiago, to increase aid to the developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals will be made by Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development at Santiago about increasing aid to the developing countries.

British Ministers have told the UNCTAD Conference of the increases in the British aid programme over the five financial years from 1971 to 1976 announced last November in Cmnd. 4829 and have also said that if it seems likely that in the mid-1970s we shall fall short of the target we have accepted of 1 per cent. of GNP for total financial flows, the Government will consider further increases in our official aid programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid he is arranging to help support the purposes of the recent agreement on the Southern Sudan.

The Sudanese Government have been told that we intend to make a grant of £200,000 for these purposes, and that when plans are ready for long-term reconstruction in the South, we will consider sympathetically making a contribution towards them in the context of our capital aid programme in the Sudan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the position of the United Kingdom in relation to the other donor countries of the Development Assistance Committee in respect of their aid contribution as a percentage of gross national product in each of the last three years.

Complete figures for 1971 are not available. In 1969 and 1970 our total financial flows were respectively, 1·03 per cent. and 1·02 per cent. of gross national product, compared with DAC averages of 0·75 per cent. and 0·74 per cent. Our official aid was respectively 0·39 per cent. and 0·37 per cent. of GNP against averages of 0·36 per cent. and 0·34 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many scholarships at British universities are reserved for students from Mauritius and Ethiopia, respectively.

There is no quota of reserved places. Twenty-one Mauritians at present hold scholarships funded from the Exchequer. Ninety-nine more have had their fees paid under the Overseas Students Fees Award Scheme. The figures for Ethiopian students are 25 and nine, respectively Other agencies and foundations may also have provided awards.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will increase financial support for the British Council library in Addis Ababa in view of the over use and condition of the books.

The Council is increasing in the current financial year considerably its allocation for books in Ethiopia and will endeavour within the limits of funds available to maintain and, if possible, further increase provision for this library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will initiate a scheme for the collection of books voluntarily donated for use by British Council libraries in developing countries.

The British Council's objective in maintaining libraries overseas is to make available a regular supply of up-to-date volumes selected to meet the needs of readers there. Experience with public library services in this country has shown that balanced and representative collections cannot be built up from haphazardly discarded books of donors, however well-intentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the dismissal by the British Council of the teacher, Pamela O'Malley, after she had been arrested by the Spanish authorities.

I am advised that, although initially Mrs. Crist—née Pamela O'Malley—was dismissed from her employment at the British Institute School in Madrid, the British Council representative has decided, in the light of further and fuller information, to reinstate her and she has been so informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports have been received from the British High Commission in Dacca and the relief agencies about the distribution of British humanitarian relief to Bihari and the Urdu-speaking minorities in Bangladesh;(2) to what extent the British programme of humanitarian aid in Bangladesh is being hindered by poor internal security in that country, and the victimisation of Biharis, and where such problems are greatest.

There is no separate British programme of relief aid solely for the minority communities. However, we have contributed £200,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for relief in Bangladesh. The International Red Cross has confirmed to us that it is continuing with relief distribution.The security situation in Bangladesh is still inevitably disturbed, but relief supplies are getting through, and Sheikh Mujib has appealed to the people to regard good behaviour as a proof of patriotism. Minority problems are largely concentrated in certain areas such as the Mohammedpur suburb of Dacca.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate discussions at the United Nations with a view to the adoption of an international convention on the protection of primitive peoples and tribal cultures.

This problem is of great concern to Her Majesty's Government and we were very pleased when the United Nations Economic and Social Council adopted unanimously in 1971 a resolution authorising the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to make a complete and comprehensive study of the problem and to suggest the necessary national and international measures for eliminating such discrimination. We consider that this study is a necessary preliminary step before the question of a convention can be discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the light of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics' refusal to join as Co-Chairman with the United Kingdom in reconvening the Geneva Conference on Vietnam, if he will now seek to reconvene it unilaterally.

As I told my hon. Friend, the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison), my right hon. Friend still awaits Mr. Gromyko's reply to his latest proposal to reconvene the Geneva Conference. Under the 1954 Geneva Agreement, all action by the Co-Chairmen must be taken jointly. If the Russians will not co-operate, we have no standing under the agreement to act alone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the South Vietnamese authorities since the launching of the latest North Vietnamese invasion of the Republic of Vietnam.

We have received no further representations from the South Vietnamese about the North Vietnamese offensive since that to which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary referred in his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 24th April.—[Vol. 835, c. 177.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose to the Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference that the United States of America, South Vietnam, and North Vietnam be requested to accept the offer of United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim to use his good offices to bring peace to Vietnam.

Her Majesty's Government would certainly be willing to support any initiative by the Secretary-General of the United Nations that seemed likely to offer any prospect of progress but I have no reason to believe that Hanoi's refusal to contemplate action through the United Nations has altered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek an early meeting with Mr. Nixon to discuss the increase in United States bombing of North Vietnam.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to encourage closer trading and cultural ties between Great Britain and the countries of South America.

There is a continuing programme of ministerial and business visits in both directions, and Her Majesty's Government are sponsoring a major seminar on Britain and Latin America at Lancaster House this week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many separate occasions since 12th August, 1969, protests have been made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland in respect of actions taken by terrorists from the Republic across the Border and, following these protests, what information he has been given of how many terrorists were arrested and charged; how many convicted for offences committed in the Republic; and what other action he has been notified of, to curb such activities along this Border.

We have made representations on many occasions about incidents of cross-Border violence, and the Government of the Republic are well aware of our views on the further measures which should be taken to prevent their occurrence. Prosecutions of IRA terrorists in the Republic are the responsibility of the appropriate authorities there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the safety of British subjects in the Seychelles, during the use of tear gas by police, in the course of riots between government and opposition supporters.

No British subjects are known to have been injured during the riots between Government and opposition supporters between 12th and 16th April, except for three policemen who were admitted to hospital after being hit by stones and eight policemen who were treated for minor injuries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consultations he has had with the Belgian Foreign Minister.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and M. Harmel had a cordial meeting on 2nd May during the visit to this country of the Belgian Prime Minister. In the course of their discussion they paid particular attention to the future development of the Communities with reference to the European summit conference to be held this October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total value of orders for military equipment placed by South Africa in the United Kingdom over the last year; and what further orders he anticipates.

The position remains as I explained it to the House in my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 13th December last. It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on the details of sales of defence equipment.—[Vol. 828, c. 37.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Mr. Smith has sent him a copy of his statement to the Pearce Commission that he has no intention of implementing the constitution proposed in the negotiations with the British Government; and if he will publish it.

No. I understand that Mr. Smith made no such statement. However, in a newspaper interview on 21st April he was reported as saying that he would not be prepared to implement the settlement proposals unilaterally.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries, enterprises and organisations from outside Rhodesia took part in the trade fair at Bulawayo in breach of mandatory sanctions.

I have seen Press reports that firms from Switzerland and the Federal Republic of Germany took part in this year's trade fair at Bulawayo; they are claimed to be the first foreign exhibitors apart from Portuguese and South African firms since 1965. The question whether their presence at the fair constituted a breach of mandatory sanctions is a matter for the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the number of the 1,300 instruments of secondary legislation made between 1st November, 1971, and March, 1972, by the European Economic Community which will become operative on Great Britain's accession to the Community; why, by Friday, 5th May, 1972, only 21 of such directives were translated and made available to hon. Members; and whether he will give the date when the remainder will be published and made freely available.

Of the 1,300 instruments referred to in my reply of 9th May, only 150 will apply to the United Kingdom on our accession to the Community. A further 20 translations were published on 12th May, making a total of 41, and the remainder are in course of preparation. The process of selection and translation inevitably takes time.—[Vol. 836, c. 341–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government is taking to promote discussion in the United Nations of the plan of King Hussein of Jordan for a settlement in the Middle East.

None. Her Majesty's Government take the view that any initiative in the United Nations on the basis of King Hussein's plan for a United Kingdom of Jordan and Palestine would be best advanced by the Jordanian Government themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the discussions to which Her Majesty's Government is a party in Geneva intended to strengthen the Geneva protocol in relation to chemical weapons.

I would refer to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Government regarding the principles on which an international treaty prohibiting the use of chemical weapons should be based; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's view is that a convention on chemical weapons which goes beyond the Geneva Protocol must address itself to the problems of the prohibition of the development, production and possession of these weapons. Such an agreement must provide both for satisfactory definition of the scope of its prohibitions and for their effective verification.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he plans to have with the United States administration about implementing the decisions of the United Nations Conferences on Trade and Development.

It is our practice to maintain constant contact with other principal donor countries including the United States on all major issues involving aid and trade, such as the current deliberations at UNCTAD III.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the steps taken to eliminate discrimination on grounds of sex from those fields of law and administration which are within the control of his Department; and in which matters such steps have not yet been taken.

I am not aware of any such discrimination in those fields of law which fall within the control of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.As regards the administration of the Diplomatic Service, there is no bias against women in appointments to or careers in most of the branches of the Service. 37 per cent. of new entrants to the administrative and executive grades of the Diplomatic Service last year were women. There are, however, a few areas of work such as the guarding of Her Majesty's missions overseas and the conveyance of diplomatic bags, for which men are more suited than women.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to meet the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia during 1972 with a view to improving and extending Anglo-Ethiopian relations in the field of trade, development and education.

I hope that His Excellency Dr. Menassie Haile will be coming to this country during the summer, and that my right hon. Friend will be able to meet him then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to visit Guyana during 1972.

My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the effect on the Lancashire textile industry that there would be of withdrawing quantitative restrictions on cotton yarn imports on United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community, if he will in his current negotiations seek to retain quotas and reduce the present levels; and if he will make a statement.

Our discussions with the Community on textile policy after accession are at an early stage and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the British Scrap Federation, representing scrap metal merchants, has expressed concern at the danger to the British scrap industry on the control and loss of exports on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will arrange for discussions with representatives of the federation to ensure that no arrangements are entered into with the European Economic Community to restrict British exports in this commodity.

I am considering these and other representations; and I am meeting today with representatives of the British Scrap Federation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long he expects it will take for the European Commission to evolve a common commercial policy for textiles.

At this stage I cannot say how long it may take; the issues are complex and there are a large number of interests involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the steps recently taken by his department to make certain that the abolition of quotas after entry to the European Economic Community will not disrupt the United Kingdom cotton textile industry.

The only quotas which we have an obligation to end are those covering cotton yarns; the Community has already liberalised imports of these products. Article 135 of the Accession Treaty provides that the Commission may authorise protective measures in cases of serious and persistent difficulty in any area or sector of the economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the discussions which he has begun with the European Commission about a common community commercial policy for textiles.

No. It is not the Government's policy to publish details of confidential discussions with the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many letters he has now received from small firms regarding the future of the industrial liaison centres; how many oppose their discontinuance; and whether he is yet prepared to make a statement.

The Department has received about 350 letters since last November; most are opposed to discontinuing the service. A statement on advisory services will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the future of the industrial liaison centres is being considered in the context of the White Paper, Industrial and Regional Development, Command Paper No. 4942; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, a statement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign about a scheme for grant-aided sound proofing against aircraft noise; and if he will make a statement.

Recommendations have been received as to the terms of a scheme to apply to areas round Gatwick Airport. The whole question of such a scheme is being considered in consultation with the Surrey County Council and the British Airports Authority; the views of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign will be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the negotiations with the Marathon Construction Company regarding their proposed acquisition of the Clydebank Division of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.

I have nothing further to report at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the latest estimate of £970 million as the total development costs of Concorde, as announced on 4th May, was first made and communicated to the Government.

This estimate was agreed at the meeting my right hon. Friend and I had with our French colleague M. Chamant on 13th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when it is anticipated the first airline orders for Concorde will be announced.

The manufacturers are negotiating contractual terms with the initial option holders and are hoping to announce first orders shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the Civil Aviation Authority details of the Concorde simulators available for training pilots in the United Kingdom; and whether he will finance the purchase of one.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the Civil Aviation Authority the cost of providing a simulator for Concorde in the United Kingdom in addition to the present simulator at Toulouse.

Discussions are in progress to establish the best way providing the necessary simulator capacity. The price will be a matter of commercial negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the Civil Aviation Authority details of the evaluations made of the evacuation problems of aircraft, such as Concorde, which have fuel in their longitudinal sides; and if he will make a statement.

No. This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the payload figures that will be offered to the British Overseas Airways Corporation in the operation of Concorde on the Atlantic, South African and Far Eastern routes; and if he will make a statement.

Questions of pay load on particular routes in an airline's network are a matter for negotiation between the manufacturer and the airline. I have nothing at present to add to the replies which I gave the right hon. Member on 4th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 210.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to conclude his talks with the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British Aircraft Corporation regarding the price and formula for the purchase of Concorde; and if he will make a statement.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave the right hon. Member on 4th May.—[Vol. 636, c. 211.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans Her Majesty's Government have to initiate bilateral discussions with overseas Governments following their talks with the British Airways Board on British requirements for Concorde.

It is not usual to discuss fleet requirements of British airlines with overseas governments. If any matters requiring international discussions should arise, they would be sought as needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requirements Her Majesty's Government has made regarding the amortisation period of the Concorde aircraft as a condition of sanctioning its purchase by the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

This is one of many matters for consideration by BOAC and I have issued no requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the studies of improvements that are taking place regarding the further development of Concorde; and what is the estimated increase in costs in each case.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what particular aspects of Concorde are the subject of the studies at present being made of improvements which may lead to further development work; and if he will give an estimate of the costs likely to be involved.

Any aircraft development programme involves continuing review of detailed objectives. It would be misleading to focus attention on the particular areas now under study.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the British Airways Board on its purchase of Concorde; and what matters have been covered in these discussions.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 4th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 211.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Government are having with the United States Government regarding the recent proposals of the Federal Aviation Administration relating to permitted ground noise levels on flight over land and their implications for supersonic flight.

I have not received any such recent proposals. If they are made I will consider what action should be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on guidance given to the British delegate to the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Sonic Boom Committee currently meeting in Montreal on Her Majesty's Government's policy on supersonic flights by civil aircraft over densely populated areas, over sparsely populated areas, and over the sea.

It is not the practice to disclose the nature of the briefing for United Kingdom delegations at international meetings and it would not be appropriate to do so on this occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of applications for industrial development certificates made during 1971 in respect of premises in the North-West Region were refused; and what was the percentage of applications refused in respect of premises within the Merseyside and Furness development areas and in respect of premises in the rest of the region outside those development areas.

No application was refused in 1971 in any of these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the percentages of factory floor space covered by industrial development certificates for each region of the country from 1965 to 1971 and in 1972 to the latest convenient date.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the 25 recommendations in the Bolton Report upon which the Government have announced a decision, specifying the ones the Government accept and those which can be implemented without legislation.

In the following list of the 25 recommendations referred to in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Conway (Mr. Wyn Roberts) on 8th May, those which have been wholly or partly accepted are marked (A). Of these, legislation will not be needed in the instances marked (B). We have stated our position on those without markings.—[Vol. 836, c. 252.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he proposes to take to encourage office projects in areas such as the North-West.

Office development policy generally is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, but the powers we are seeking in the Industry Bill could be used to promote office projects in suitable cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has received, in order to assist him in his energy calculations for 1973, on the number of consumers in England and Wales who will have switched to natural gas by May, 1973.

I am informed that it is estimated that about 8 million gas consumers in England and Wales will have changed over to natural gas by 31st March, 1973. Forecasts of how many consumers may have switched to natural gas from other fuels by that date are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to ban the sale of cigarettes from vending machines which also vend ladies' tights.

No. I see no objection in principle to the vending of several products from one machine.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Performing Rights Society Limited furnishes his Department with an annual balance sheet; whether those who meet its assessments are provided, as of right, to a copy of those returns; what machinery exists for the purpose of appealing against the Performing Rights Society assessment of licence fees; to whom, and where, should notice of appeal be sent; and if he will make a statement.

The Performing Rights Society Limited is not obliged to, and does not furnish the Department of Trade and Industry with a copy of its annual balance sheet; but like other limited companies it is required by the Companies Acts to file with the Registrar of Companies copies of its annual balance sheets and accounts, and any person is entitled to inspect these copies on payment of a small fee. The persons on whom the Society levies its fees are not entitled as of right to receive a copy of the Society's balance sheets.The Society has formulated various licence schemes, which it calls tariffs, in respect of different types and sizes of establishments on the basis of which its charges are calculated. Any person requiring a licence, or any organisation representing such persons, is entitled to appeal to the Performing Right Tribunal against the terms of the relevant licence scheme. The Performing Right Tribunal was set up under the Copyright Act, 1956 in order to decide disputes between collecting organisations such as the Performing Rights Society Ltd., and would-be users of works controlled by those organisations. Notice of an appeal should be sent to The Secretary, Performing Right Tribunal, Room 105, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AY.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what application he has received from British European Airways to purchase the Lockheed TriStar Airbus powered by Rolls-Royce RB211 engines; and what reply he has given.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Roderick) on 8th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 261.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the Civil Aviation Authority details of the reported air misses that took place over London stacking points recently, particularly the extent to which air traffic controllers are becoming subject to human error under stress and increased workload, and of whether the layout of aircraft stacking is proving satisfactory.

Apart from those incidents where the particular circumstances appear to call for action by the Chief Inspector of Accidents, the investigation of airmiss reports and any deductions to be drawn from them are matters for the Civil Aviation Authority. The Authority has issued a statement on the reports to which the right hon. Member refers. I shall of course continue to take a close interest in such matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the Civil Aviation authority details of the airports which are equipped for category three operations to accept blind landing operations by aircraft and the further equipment which is being installed; and if he will make a statement.

No. This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the Civil Aviation Authority details of the system whereby military pilots obtain civil licences and of examination procedures; and if he will make a statement.

No. This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to introduce legislation to implement the International Hijacking Convention concerning civil aircraft.

The Hijacking Act, 1971 which was brought into force on 27th October, 1971, gives effect to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (Hijacking).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the information sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding the simultaneous resignation of three directors of an insurance company, and the fact that one of the remaining directors is facing a number of legal actions, he will cause an investigation to be made into all aspects of this insurance company and of its present and past directors.

The company which I believe the hon. Member has in mind is not an insurance company but an insurance broking company, to which the Insurance Companies Acts do not apply.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what elements in the new system of industrial and regional incentives his assurance regarding their duration applies.

The intention is to maintain the new system of incentives described in the White Paper on Industrial and Regional Development. This includes free depreciation, as described by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement, regional development grants under the powers provided for in Part I of the Industry Bill, and selective assistance under the powers provided for in Part II of the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to ensure that British views are represented in discussions on the proposals of the United States Federal Aviation Administration relating to permitted ground noise levels in flight over United States territory, and their implications for supersonic flight.

There are several channels, bilateral and international, through which aircraft noise and supersonic flight problems can be, and are, discussed with the United States authorities at the appropriate times. These include the Committee on Aircraft Noise and its three Working Groups, and the Sonic Boom Committee, of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the conditions for exporters to the Japanese market in respect of British products, plant and equipment, and on the steps being taken to assist them.

Despite the complex structure of the Japanese market which does not make it an easy one for an exporter to enter I am very anxious that we should increase our sales there so as to take full advantage of the purchasing potential of a population of 100 million. This will be an important objective of my discussions with Japanese Ministers when I visit Japan at the end of this month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to agree the nature and form of the second and third stages of European Economic Community monetary and economic union before Parliament has discussed the matter.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave him on 1st May.—[Vol. 835, c. 40.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals the Government will be making to the European Economic Community about the nature and form of the second and third stages of European Economic Community monetary and economic union.

Any such proposals would be developed in the light of experience of the first stage which is only just beginning.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the tax threshold, both before and after the Budget statement of 21st March, for, respectively, a single person, a married couple without children, and a married couple with, respectively, one, two, three and four children, all the children being aged under 11 years.

The tax threshold for persons with wholly earned income for the years 1971–72 and 1972–73 are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the current average national wage is now represented by the tax threshold for a married man with two children aged under 11 years.

An estimate for 1972–73 cannot be provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whereas there are approximately 7·5 million retirement pensioners or senior citizens, in Great Britain, how many are assessed to personal taxation in 1972–73; how many assessments are for married couples, and how many for single persons; and what is his estimate of the cost to revenue of raising in a full year the income tax threshold, respectively, from £929 to £1,000 for couples and from £634 to £675 for single pensioners.

:The estimated numbers of retirement pensioners in the United Kingdom liable to tax for 1972–73 are 750,000 married couples and 1 million single persons. The estimated cost of raising the limits for age exemption as indicated is £8 million for the full year assuming that the marginal fraction was unaltered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the revenue derived from surtax changed in each year since 1964.

Information about the yield of surtax is given in Table 1 of Inland Revenue Statistics, 1972. The net receipt for 1971–72 is £348 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of revenue collected in purchase tax on sweets in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Purchase tax on confectionery (including chocolate biscuits) yielded about £75 million in the calendar year 1971.

Note: purchase tax is paid three months in arrears; the rate of tax was reduced from 22 per cent. to 18 per cent. on 19th July, 1971.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that members of cricket clubs are admitted free to their cricket grounds, what is his estimate of yield of value added tax on annual subscriptions, new life subscriptions and existing life subscriptions to the club.

A precise estimate of the amount of revenue likely to accrue from annual subscriptions and new life subscriptions to cricket clubs is not available, but it will be small. Existing life subscriptions will be outside the scope of the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total investment income currently received by individual wealth-holders is estimated to flow from investments derived by inheritance.

It is impossible to make such an estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are estimated to be the aggregate gains to persons in each £1,000 block of annual incomes from £0 to £20,000, and in total above £20,000, from the raising of the personal tax reliefs in the Finance Bill; and how many persons are estimated to fall in each of these income groups at the present time by revision of the latest available figures.

The estimated figures for 1972–73 are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which furnished rent tribunals grant successive periods of six months security where the tenant is not at fault, and which furnished rent tribunals do not grant more than one such period; and if he will make a statement on the differences in treatment of furnished tenants between one tribunal and another.

All rent tribunals have power to grant successive periods of security. The Department has no evidence that rent tribunals do not judge each case on its merits. The Francis Report confirms this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of the 3,100 children treated in hospitals in England and Wales for the toxic effects of non-medicinal substances in 1968, the last year for which figures are available, how many were below school age.

2,900.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of the 20 children who died from poisoning in England and Wales in 1970, the last year for which figures are available, how many were below school age.

All.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Soviet Communist Party have visited the United Kingdom since 1st May, 1971; and what parts of the country they have visited; and for what purpose.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cells in Brixton Prison are occupied by prisoners on remand and under sentence, respectively; and how many prisoners are on remand and under sentence, respectively.

476 cells are available for unconvicted prisoners, 70 for convicted prisoners awaiting sentence, and 60 for sentenced prisoners. In addition there is hospital accommodation for 100 prisoners. On 12th May there were 684 unconvicted prisoners in Brixton, 106 convicted prisoners awaiting sentence, and 158 sentenced prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time spent by prisoners on remand in Brixton Prison while awaiting trial.

I am making inquiries and shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of illegal immigrants apprehended during the past 12 months; and of those apprehended what is the number deported.

My information is that 67 illegal immigrants were apprehended during the 12 months ended 30th April. 1972. Sixty-six have been returned abroad.

asked the Minister of State for the Civil Service why it has been thought necessary formally to appoint the chief executive of the Dockyards as equivalent to a deputy secretary within the Civil Service; and what equivalent Civil Service grading has been given to the head of the Procurement Executive and to the chief executive of the Property Services Agency.

The post of chief executive of the Dockyards has been determined at deputy secretary level by the application of the usual grading criteria. The grading levels for the posts of head of the procurement executive and chief executive of the property services agency are permanent secretary and second permanent secretary respectively.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will move for a Select Committee to examine the ways by which appointments are made to the Council of Europe and other overseas organisations where delegates and representatives from Parliament are called for and public money is involved.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will prepare a Code of Fisheries Conservation for use in United Kingdom territorial waters when Great Britain is a member of the European Economic Community.

Conservation regulations within United Kingdom fisheries limits are set out in Statutory Instruments made from time to time by my right hon. Friends and myself. The countries concerned are informed of these orders, which apply to foreign vessels permitted to fish within the limits as well as to British ones.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what expenditure on Press and television advertising to encourage recruitment to the Ulster Defence Regiment was incurred in January, 1972, February, 1972, March, 1972, and April, 1972, respectively.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will reconsider his decision not to establish a women's section of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army on 22nd February, 1972.—[Vol. 831, c. 282.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what firm of solicitors was retained as advisers to the British Army for the tribunal concerned with events in Londonderry on 30th January, 1972.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of classes in primary schools in Staffordshire has 30 or more pupils; and how this figure compares with the previous two years.

68 per cent. in January, 1971, compared with 71 per cent. in January, 1970, and 69 per cent. in January, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has for increasing the amounts spent on library facilities for students undertaking advanced courses in the non-university sector.

My right hon. Friend issued guidance last November on the new area standards for libraries in polytechnics and other further education establishments. A substantial part of the £37 million further education building programme for 1973–is allocated to the improvement of library facilities and includes nine projects at polytechnics at an estimated cost of £2·5 million. The Department is consulting local education authorities about the projects they wish to start in 1974–75 and 1975–76. In teacher training about half the projects in building programmes up to 1973–74 include new or improved library facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many schoolteachers qualify for free school meals for their children;(2) how many railwaymen qualify for free school meals for their children.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total number of children who have attended schools inside the county borough of Bootle in each year from 1960 to 1971; what is the estimated number of children who will attend such schools in the next three years; and if she will make a statement.

The number of full-time pupils attending maintained primary and secondary schools in January of each year were:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now invite the Wiltshire Local Education Authority and the Swindon Education Committee to send a joint deputation to discuss with her the problem of Clifton Primary School, Swindon.