asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the exchanges between his Department and the Chigwell Urban District Council about road safety on the All in Buckhurst Hill.

I have been unable to agree to signals or a Pelican at the Church Road Junction because the criteria for these are not met. But fresh traffic counts will be taken in June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the construction of a north-south bypass of Dunstable to relieve congestion on the A5 in Dunstable; and if he will make a statement.

The scheme to by-pass the A5 in Dunstable has reached a stage at

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the percentage of freight carried by road vehicles to date this year, and compare this as a percentage of the freight carried by road vehicles in 1971 and previous years, as against rail, giving details of journeys in ton miles and the average length of journey for these years.

In 1971, 63 per cent. of all domestic freight ton mileage was carried by road, compared with 18 per cent. by rail. The average length of haul by road was about 30 miles and by rail about 77 miles. Complete figures are not yet available for the first quarter of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now announce his proposals about the future of tolls on the Severn Bridge.

My right hon. Friend will make an announcement as soon as his review of the tolls is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is at present the average period that elapses between the receipt by his Department of an appeal against the decision of a local planning authority and the public local inquiry into that appeal, and the average period between public local inquiry and notification of the Secretary of State's decision; and how these average periods compare with similar periods in 1970.Mr. Graham Page: 27 and 15 weeks, respectively. In April, 1970, the com-

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the planning appeal procedure was first commenced in the case of Mr. C. G. Hardy and Mrs. B. E. Hardy (Ref.: T/APP/ 2226/A 61131); and when the appeal decision was made and notified to the appellants.

Notice of Appeal was received on 26th November, 1971 and the appellant's statement having been

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time taken for appeals to be heard and decisions given under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962.

36 weeks for appeals decided in the year ended 30th April, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the estimated average time between the refusals of planning applications by local planning authorities and the subsequent decisions by him of those determined by public inquiries on appeal during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

The following is an analysis of planning appeals dealt with in the 12 months ended 30th April, 1972:delivered to my Department on 1st February, 1972, the decision was notified to the appellants on 4th May, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the planning appeal procedure was first commenced in the case of Mr. Jack Swift, details of which have been supplied to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North; and when the appeal decision was made and notified to the appellant.

The appeal was received on 28th May, 1971 and an inquiry was held on 6th January, 1972. The inspector's report, which has been delayed by illness, shows that there are difficult issues. But I hope a decision can be made before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation takes place between his Department and the Countryside Commission before it gives evidence before planning inquiries into road improvements.

The Department consults the Commission in formulating motorway and trunk road proposals affecting the amenities of the countryside whether or not a public inquiry is considered likely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the arrangements he is making to ensure that developments take place within his strategy for the South-East to meet the expanding housing needs of the area.

I shall shortly meet chairmen of county councils in the South-East, to discuss action to implement the measures which I announced in the debate on land and house prices on 27th April. This will be followed by local discussions to thrash out the problems of particular areas.—[Vol. 835, c. 1795–1806.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent, when his Department refused to sanction an extension of the runway at Leeds/Bradford Airport, the need to increase travel facilities there was considered; and if he will make a statement.

The need to extend travel facilities by increasing the length of the runway at Leeds/Bradford Airport was a cruicial issue at the inquiry. The application for planning permission was refused because it was decided that the need did not outweigh the environmental objections. The local planning authorities are at present considering the consultants' report, "An Airport for Yorkshire", which was recently submitted to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement on the progress he has made in stabilising and reducing land prices.

The best way to an easier market in building land and residential property lies in increasing the supply of houses for sale and land for development. I explained to the House on 27th April the many measures we are taking to achieve this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he is taking to control housing and land prices; and if he will make a statement.

The best way to an easier market in building land and residential property lies in increasing the supply of houses for sale and land for development. I explained to the House on 27th April the many measures we are taking to achieve this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to prevent temporary local shortages of bricks.

My Department is in constant touch with the brick producers, and I have requested meetings with their leaders. They have for some time been increasing their capacity to cure the present local shortages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the types of means tests already being implemented by local authorities increasing rents under the provisions of the Housing Finance Bill.

Under existing legislation local authorities are responsible for administering rent rebate schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have indicated to him that they will not enforce the rent increases provided for under the Housing Finance Bill.

My right hon. Friend has received resolutions from seven local authorities that they will not implement the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the general level of wages in the area; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;(2) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to wish to avoid a situation in which a majority of tenants become eligible for rebates; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;(3) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the absence of sufficient registrations of comparable properties in the private sector of housing; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;(4) Whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the investment value of a property, based on the cost of building rather than the present day open market value; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;(5) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to establishing greater differentials between one locality and another than is reflected in a comparison of gross values for rating purposes; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;(6) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to its conclusion that the majority of flat dwellers would prefer to live in houses, and that in a situation in which demand and supply were approximately in balance flats would therefore be let at much lower rental than houses; whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that rent scrutiny boards may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the conclusion of a local authority that a majority of flat dwellers would prefer to live in houses.

The Government see no need to amend Clause 50 of the Bill. Any direction made under Clause 63(4) would be based on an estimate of fair rents. The principles for determining fair rents are set out in Clauses 50 and 58.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has had from the London Borough of Havering to take up the Government's offer of grants under Operation Eyesore in order to help improve the environment of Rainham village in the Hornchurch constituency.

Operation Eyesore applies only to the development, intermediate and derelict land clearance areas. The London Borough of Havering is not, therefore, eligible for grants under this scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in order to safeguard public health, he will inquire into the circumstances which have caused land at Ropers and Trumpions Farm, Barling, Essex, to become polluted with toxic materials; and what consultations he has had with the Essex River Authority and the public health authority on this subject.

This land, except for the part which adjoins the River Roach, has been used by Southend Corporation for many years for disposal of sewage sludge by trenching. Until recently, it has been farmed, but the rising content of heavy metals in the soil is causing concern. The only crops now being grown are for test purposes. My Department's medical advisers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are assisting the public health authority in carrying out tests. I understand from the Essex River Authority that the river has not been affected. The cottages on the land are vacant and will not be occupied until a conclusion is reached following the result of the tests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of grant aid he intends to make available for the restoration of the Kennet and Avon Canal throughout its whole length.

Restoration of this canal for navigation throughout its entire length would present many problems. But the British Waterways Board is discussing the future of the unnavigable sections with the local authorities and other interests concerned, and I hope that the greatest practical use will be made of its amenity potential.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the present controls on cement dust emission are adequate; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the Alkali Act, which requires that the best practicable means must be used to prevent emissions and to render them harmless where discharged, is the most effective basis of control, and that the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate is enforcing it properly. Emissions of cement dust in this country have fallen from well over 100,000 tons in 1962 to less than 40,000 tons in 1971, this despite a marked increase in cement production. I expect to see further improvements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the research being carried on by his Department into the controlled instability of plastic packaging materials.

My Department is not itself engaged in practical research in this field, but details of work done elsewhere have been made available to the Plastics Institute Working Party on which it is represented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates will be the population of Chippenham in 1975 and 1980, respectively.

The nearest years for which I have estimates are 1976 and 1981. The figures for these two years are 21,000 and 23,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the amount of money spent by the British Waterways Board during each of the past six years on the improvements of the canals and waterways of England and Wales.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been sent to him concerning the proposal to approve a 40 miles per hour speed limit on the A31 through Hursley, Hampshire.

Thirty objections, including a petition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has that gazumping by private house builders affects the price of home ownership; what representations he has received up to the latest convenient date thereon; and if he will make a statement.

House prices have risen mainly because demand has exceeded supply. Gazumping is the result of high demand for houses rather than a cause of price rises. Both the Lord Chancellor and my Department have had many letters about house price rises generally, and the Law Commission is studying the whole problem of buyers and sellers of houses withdrawing without legal obligation from agreements made "subject to contract".

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on the Channel Tunnel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the Channel Tunnel report.

The French Minister and I are still in negotiation with the two Channel Tunnel companies about financing the next stage of work. We are also awaiting their report on the studies carried out over the past year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made in the revision of definitive maps of public rights of way as a result of the Countryside Act, 1968; and in how many cases have county councils not only published draft maps but also commenced hearings of objections and representations by his Department.

Notice of the preparation of revised draft maps has been published by six county councils and eight other local authorities. We have received objections to 11 of the maps. Three inquiries have been held into objections to county proposals, and further inquiries are being arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many qualified inspectors he has to assist him in carrying out his functions under the Countryside Act, 1968, relating to definitive maps of public rights of way; if he is satisfied that this number is adequate to achieve this; and if he will make a statement.

The inspectors who take hearings or inquiries into objections to draft revised maps are drawn from the Department's housing and planning inspectorate. Further inspectors are being recruited as quickly as possible because of the load of work in the inspectorate generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the anxiety of local residents about his proposal to site a service station on the M.4 at Warren Copse and the resolutions of the Parish Council, the Cookham Rural District Council and the Berkshire County Council objecting to this location, he will withdraw his application for planning permission and seek another site.

My right hon. Friend is still considering this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give financial aid and other encouragement to the 1973 Manchester Festival.

My right hon. Friend has not been approached, but he has no power to provide specific financial aid for projects of this type.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with experts and interested parties in Great Britain before and since discussions have progressed with the European Economic Community on higher common standards for detergents; and to what extent Great Britain on entry into the European Economic Community, will have to adopt these regulations on lower standards if the Community maintain their present position.

My Department keeps in continuous touch with all relevant interests through the Standing Technical Committee on Synthetic Detergents. On the second part of the Question, the Community as yet has adopted no common standard.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average price per acre of building land sold in the West Midlands in the most recent period of 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding figure for the immediately preceding period of 12 months.

The average price of private sector housing land in England and Wales is estimated to have been about £7,700 per acre in 1970, and about £8,400 per acre in 1971. Separate figures for the West Midlands are not available, but the indications are that prices in that region rose more slowly than in the country as a whole. I am inquiring into the possibility of reliable regional figures of land prices without undue additional staff effort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the inquiry into the St. Neots town map.

The Inspector's report revealed a number of problems requiring careful study. My right hon. Friend now expects to inform the local planning authority within a matter of weeks of the decision he would propose to take, which is expected to involve modifications to parts of the town map. He will have to await its reaction to his proposals before taking further steps towards a final decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he accepts the criteria used for fair rents as contained in the proposals forwarded to him by Birmingham City Council.

The Council's director of housing has written informally to the Department about the possibility of a direction under Clause 63(4) of the Housing Finance Bill. The Department is clarifying with the director the basis on which the Council would wish to make its application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the lapse of time since his decision on the Eastwyke Farm route for the Oxford inner relief road, he will now announce a decision on the siting of the proposed multi-storey car-park in the Westgate development area.

I am sorry that it has taken so long to decide how the application for the car park can best be handled. My hon. Friend hopes to reach conclusions shortly, and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints have now been received by his Department about the effect on the environment of the coalite plant at Rossington.

Fifty-two.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are laid down by his Department, when urging local authorities to release more land for housing, to ensure the preservation of the Green Belt.

Circular 10/70 asked local authorities to arrange additional releases of land necessary for housing wherever this could be done without detriment to other planning objectives such as the safeguarding of green belts. There is a general presumption against development in green belts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to enable special planning controls to be exercisable in respect of villages designated as meriting conservation designed to protect them from unsuitable change and development.

Powers are currently being sought in the Town and County Planning (Amendment) Bill to control the demolition of buildings in conservation areas. With these additional powers, local planning authorities will have strong control over development in these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing legislation to ensure that local authorities grant facilities for the excavation and preservation of ancient sites during redevelopment schemes.

My right hon. Friend does not consider it necessary to supplement by further planning powers the considerable protection already given by the Ancient Monuments Acts, but when these Acts are revised we have it in mind to take powers to excavate compulsorily where necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of concern at the increasing rate of consumption of fossil fuels and the resultant increase in pollution, he will examine the possibility of reducing domestic fuel use by an improvement in the mandatory insulation standard for new dwellings.

The Government's current review of thermal insulation standards for new dwellings is taking into account the need to conserve fuel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes will be provided, and how many people housed, on the 1,000 acres of land for which he has stated he intends to give building permission at Harlow.

There is a range of statutory processes to go through before arriving at firm figures of acreages or numbers of houses or people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on his proposals for the expansion of Harlow.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to his similar Questions earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now either by use of appeal machinery or by circular seek to encourage local authorities in rural areas to release more white land for building purposes.

My Department's Circular 10/70 encouraged local authorities to release land required for housing. They will have noted my right hon. Friend's announcement on 27th April of further measures designed to help local authorities in this task.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in negotiations about axle weights and gross vehicle weights with the European Community; and whether he will make a statement.

The Communities have not yet reached agreement on axle or vehicle weights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) to what extent the adoption of the European Economic Community proposal of a general Community maximum of 11·5 ton axle weights on lorries will involve expenditure by Great Britain of money on strengthening the British road system; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will make a statement on the negotiations held in Brussels on Tuesday, 16th May, regarding the question of the establishment of a maximum load per axle for Community lorries; and to what extent the British trade unions were consulted before these discussions.

If an 11·5 ton axle weight limit were to be adopted by the Community, the likely cost of strengthening roads and bridges could be as high as £300 million. I have made clear, both to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and to the Commission, the Government's dislike of such a proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, before authorising the closure of lightly-used railway lines serving the metropolis, he will make it a condition that an experimental period of half-price fares first be tried.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has sanctioned the scheme for a trunk by-pass round the village of Sutton Scotney, Hampshire.

Not yet, but detailed preparation work is at a relatively advanced stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the coastal areas where untreated sewage is pumped into the sea.

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish later this year the results of a survey of the methods used by coastal local authorities to dispose of their sewage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what conditions he imposed as to the control of nuisance by noise in the contracts for the construction of the M40 motorway at Denham.

The terms of the contract specifically require the contractor to conform with all Acts of Parliament and any local regulations or byelaws, which include, of course, those relating to noise.I understand that the contractor is cooperating with the local authority concerned with a view to reducing the level of noise caused by heavy earth-moving equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families and persons have been housed in Bootle during each year from 1945 to 1971; and how many will be housed in 1972 and 1973.

The hon. Member should seek this information from the council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses were demolished under slum clearance schemes during the periods 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72.

Table 36 in the publication Housing Statistics gives the totals of houses demolished or closed under slum clearance powers for calendar years. These were 69,233, 67,804 and 70,057 for 1969, 1970 and 1971 respectively. The number demolished or closed in the first quarter of 1972 was 15,100.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance to all local housing authorities that they should establish facilities for the cheaper conveyance, purchase and sale of houses within any housing advice bureau operating in accordance with his previous advice.

Departmental advice on the establishment of housing aid centres has included the suggestion that the centres should provide information on house purchase. The extent to which local authorities offer advice and help however is a matter for their discretion subject to compliance with statutory requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many buildings or premises to which the public are admitted lie within his control; and how many of these satisfy the provisions of Section 4(1) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970 in respect of access, parking facilities and sanitary conveniences.

All new Crown buildings and existing Crown buildings which are being modernised are provided, where-ever possible, with facilities for the disabled if they are likely to be visited by the public.I regret that information on numbers is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost of new road construction and of the strengthening of the present system to allow for 42-ton lorries

Increased vehicle weight would not involve serious extra road construction or strengthening costs so long as axle weights remain unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects a common European Economic Community policy in relation to the length and weight of lorries to be formulated.

The EEC Council of Ministers is at present meeting to discuss the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing, for each of the administrative counties of England and Wales, the mileage of roads within each, indicating which are the responsibility of the local authority, and which the responsibility of his Department, together with the annual and per mile expenditure, and the expenditure per head of county population per £1 rateable value and per vehicle registered in the county, on each class of highway.

Such information of this nature as is readily available can be found in the Department's publication "Highway Statistics" A copy of the most recent edition, which gives figures for 1970, is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as part of his review of urban traffic problems, he will convene a representative conference of local authorities, motoring organisations and traffic experts to discuss a comprehensive traffic and road transport policy for all urban centres in England and Wales, including, wherever appropriate, the strict control of access for motor vehicles to urban centres and the development of urban public transport systems; and whether he will make a statement.

No. The subject would be too wide and the suggested forum too large for fruitful discussions. The development of traffic policies is best conducted at the local level, and my Department is already giving a great deal of help and guidance to authorities individually.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the work of the Committee on the application of computers in the construction industry; and what action is being taken by the Committee to communicate its findings to small and medium-sized firms in the construction industry.

The committee has promoted the effective use of computers in the construction industry by sponsoring new developments and the provision of advice by publication of reports, meetings and conferences. Special attention has been given to the needs of small and medium-sized building firms. A proposal for a service for the evaluation and exchange of computer programmes was discussed with contractors at a series of meetings convened by the National Federation of Building Trade Employers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the release of further land for building in East Suffolk.

My right hon. Friend announced in the course of the debate on 27th April measures which the Government propose to take: a number of these will assist local planning authorities to secure the release of building land. In East Suffolk and indeed throughout East Anglia arrangements are in hand for discussions with representatives of the building trades. In the light of these he envisages joint consideration with local planning authorities of measures for the release of further land.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the recent decision in the High Court, he will amend the three-year rule on the suspension of driving licences so that the suspension commences from the date of committing the first actual offence to the date of the third offence instead of the date of the actual conviction in each instance.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the information supplied to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, that by virtue of the long time waiting for conviction the three-year suspension for driving offences can mean periods of suspension in excess of three years, he will seek powers to amend the law.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will initiate a scheme for a major multi-sports centre in the north-west of England.

This is a matter for the Sports Councils, in collaboration with local authorities and other interests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advances have been made during 1971 in the provision of additional areas for water recreation in the North-West area during 1971.

Two additional areas of 66 acres and 48 acres respectively are being made available for this purpose in the North-West. Other waterspace areas are being considered by water undertakers in consultation with Regional Sports Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advances have been made in the provision of jointly used facilities for sport in the North-West area in 1971.

Twenty dual-provision schemes were under construction in the financial year 1971–72 and I am advised by the North-West Sports Council that there is a welcome increase in the number of such schemes under consideration in the region.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many army drill halls or other former Ministry of Defence sites have been taken over for sporting purposes since the institution of the North-West Sports Council within the area.

I understand that 12 former Territorial Army drill halls have been acquired by local authorities for use for sports purposes, in some instances in conjunction with other community uses of the premises. I have no information about other sites formerly used for defence purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will allocate money for the restoration of the Ashton and Lever Peak Forest Canal to provide access by boat from Manchester to the Peak District.

The British Waterways Board, which is grant-aided by the Government, has, with assistance from local authorities and other interests, already made arrangements for restoration of these canals for cruising.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will cir-cularise all sports clubs with information concerning capital grants.

No. Such grants are a matter for the Sports Council whose recent memorandum on the subject has been well publicised; and for local authorities, which have powers under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what approaches he has received in respect of a capital grant from Cheetham Hill Cricket Club, Manchester.

An application for a capital grant was made to the Department by the Cheetham Hill Cricket Club in January, 1971, but was later withdrawn. On 1st April responsibility for dealing with applications for capital grants for sport passed to the Sports Council—which, I understand, is in touch with the club.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek through the Sports Council and education authorities to promote the extension of volley ball.

If there is a case for special action about volley ball, I have no doubt the Sports Council would be glad to consider it, without my needing to come into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to the Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinbugh education authorities which have objected to the proposal that the school camps of the Scottish National Camps Association should be closed down.

I have received no direct representations from these authorities, but their views were expressed through the Scottish Counties of Cities Association at a meeting with my officials on 24th April. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Education indicated in his reply to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 3rd May, I shall consider the views of all interested parties before coming to a decision.—[Vol. 836, c. 369–70.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made by the Working Party of the Scottish Law Commission which is examining the possibility of introducing legislation to amend the provisions of Sections 26 and 27 of the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1838, so as to encourage the sale of a debtor's furniture and belongings at better prices than those obtained under the present procedure, and to moderate the hardship caused to debtors and their families by warrant sales.

The Scottish Law Commission's Working Party, to which the hon. and learned Member refers, is considering the whole field of the law of diligence, of which warrant sale procedure is only one aspect, albeit an important one. This is a large and a complex subject, and it is still too early to say when the Commission's report may be expected.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now give approval to Ayrshire Education Committee's request that it be allowed to provide a Higher National Certificate Course in mining at Ayr Technical College in session 1972–73 and beyond.

I have already informed Ayrshire Education Authority that, having reconsidered its case, I am not prepared to include this course in its approved scheme of further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many regional hospital boards have arranged conferences on fire safety for 1972; and how 1972 compares with the previous five years.

This information is not available centrally. I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office Corporation to establish post offices in areas which meet certain criteria of social need.

No. The Post Office already seeks to meet such needs as part of the general duty laid upon it in Section 9 of the Post Office Act, 1969.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now make a further announcement about Her Majesty's Government's position on the proposal to increase connection charges for telephones from £25 to £35 and to increase rental charge by 50p a quarter; and whether he will reject the proposals or make his approval subject to a scheme to protect from the full impact of these increased charges those who would otherwise suffer hardship.

Following the Report of the Post Office Users' Council and after consulting me. the Post Office announced on 4th May the increases foreshadowed in the answer given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Fowler) on 1st March.On the last part of this question, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Leonard) on 1st March.—[Vol. 832, c. 409; Vol. 832, c.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the number of ultra high frequency booster stations which he expects to be built in Wales in 1973 and 1974, respectively.

The BBC tells me that during 1973 it hopes to start transmissions of BBC Wales and BBC2 from seven UHF relay stations and BBC Wales from three others. The ITA hopes to start transmissions of ITV—Harlech, Welsh version—from 12 stations. Neither the BBC nor the ITA is yet in a position to announce its plans for opening UHF relay stations in Wales during 1974.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what conveniently available figures he has for vandalism in phone boxes during April 1972; and if he will make a statement.

I do not have this information, but I am asking the Post Office to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what additional appointments he proposes to make to the Independent Broadcasting Authority to enable it to carry out its additional responsibility for local sound broadcasting.

I have not yet decided whether any additional appointments will need to be made.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications to what extent in the countries of the Six a value added tax is imposed on telephone calls and postal charges; at what rates; whether such rates will have to be har- monised on Great Britain's entry into the Community; and to what extent this will increase the price of telephone calls to the subscriber and postal charges to the user.

I understand that all letter and most parcel services are exempt in the five countries of the Community that have introduced the tax. Telecommunication charges are taxed at 14 per cent. in Belgium, are partially exempt in Germany, and are wholly exempt elsewhere. Progress towards harmonisation will be gradual and will not call for any immediate change in United Kingdom VAT rates on our entry into the Community.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list the provisions of the law which lay down his responsibilities in relation to the granting of charters at New Hall, Cambridge; and if he will make a statement.

Charters are granted under the Royal Prerogative on the advice of the Privy Council.As the hon. Member will know, a petition for the grant of a charter to New Hall, Cambridge, is now being considered by the Privy Council, which will in due course submit a recommendation to Her Majesty.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list the provisions of the Industrial Injuries Act which cover Members, Officers of the House, and staff including Members' secretaries and research assistants, and the redress available to them in the event of their suffering an accident in the Palace of Westminster or its precincts.

The employments for which insurance is provided under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1965, are set out in Schedule 1 of the Act and in the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Insurable and Excepted Employments Regulations (SI 1948 No. 1456). These employments are, broadly speaking, employments under a contract of service or analogous conditions and, consequently, Members of the House are not covered.Officers and other officials of the House and staff employed by Members under a contract of service are insured under the Act against personal injury caused by accident arising out of and in the course of their insurable employment, whether or not within the Palace of Westminster or its precincts. The position of Members under the National Insurance Act is at present being re-examined in accordance with the Boyle Committee recommendations.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that the general public are unaware that, on the occasions of mass lobbies and when large crowds are in attendance at the House of Commons, they should be speedily admitted into the Central Lobby if notification is given to the police and officials of the House that they have an appointment with their Member of Parliament; and whether he will take action to publicise this, if need be by a notice at the entrance to St. Stephen's.

I am aware of this difficulty and would suggest that the most effective means of publicity would be for Members, when writing to those wishing to make an appointment to see them, to make it clear that production of their letter to the police would ensure priority of admission to the Central Lobby if circumstances permit. On the occasions of mass lobbies, it is unlikely that a visitor would be able to read a notice posted at the entrance to St. Stephen's.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the experimental work scheme for young unemployed.

In the week beginning 8th May, 69 boys and 26 girls were employed on work of social value under the National Association of Youth Clubs' Community Industry scheme. It is hoped that by early July, more than 400 young people will be employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received since 2nd May about the consultative document, "Training for the Future", and how many of these have been favourable to it.

My right hon. Friend has so far received about 75 further representations from interested people and organisations. Opinions expressed in many of these and earlier representations are divided on the main proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) at what precise time on 11th May, 1972, he supplied the railway unions with the evidence upon which he proposed to rely in the proceedings which were to take place that day before the National Industrial Relations Court;(2) what consideration, in view of his responsibilities as a conciliator, he gave to the ability of the legal advisers to the railway unions to assimilate detailed evidence which he presented to them prior to the application to the National Industrial Relations Court on 11th May, 1972.

The timing of hearings and the serving of documents in proceedings before the National Industrial Relations Court are matters for the Court.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has now established why industrial injuries at engineering firms in Bolton are above the national average.

No special inquiries have been made. Several studies have been carried out in recent years to see what can be done in cases where the incidence rate is high. These studies have indicated certain lines of action which can be taken by management and workpeople to reduce accidents. The relevant information has been issued to member companies by the Engineering Employers' Federation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average percentage of net income spent in Wales on house rent in the public sector; and to what extent this has increased as compared with 10 years ago.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he will publish the report on the public inquiry into the draft Highly Flammable Liquids Regulations.

The Report has been published today. I am proposing to make regulations about Highly Flammable Liquids shortly and to lay them before Parliament. These regulations apart from minor drafting and technical amendments will be in the form recommended by the Commissioner in his Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give, for each of the last 10 years, the number of firms employing over 20 people which do not employ any new workers, and the number of firms that were prosecuted for not complying with the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944.

I regret that the information requested in the first part of the question is not available. In the last 10 years, one employer has been prosecuted for not complying with the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944. This case was heard on 31st December, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the figures for the last 10 years for the cost of the employment services provided by his Department for disabled persons, and the number of placings of disabled workers in open industry and sheltered industry, respectively.

The estimated cost to my Department of the employment services provided for disabled persons for the last 10 financial years was:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each of the last 10 years the numbers of full-time and part-time disablement resettlement officers, respectively.

Comparable figures are not available in the form requested and could not be produced without an unjustifiable expenditure of staff time. In each of the eight years preceding 1970 approximately 300 officers were engaged full time on resettlement of the disabled and approximately 850 part time. Following a re-organisation of the Disablement Resettlement Officer Service, the number of full-time DROs was increased to about 450 in 1970 and to about 460 in 1971 and the number of part-time DROs in the respective years was 75 and 80.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which individuals and organisations were invited to present evidence to assist his Department in making its review of the employment policies and services for disabled people; if he will publish the review; with which individuals and organisations he intends to discuss it; and if he will invite comments from all all interested individuals and organisations.

The review to which the hon. Member refers was an internal preparatory study carried out after consultation with the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled. It would not have been appropriate for outside bodies to be asked to give evidence for a study of this kind, nor is it intended to publish a report. I shall, however, as soon as possible be consulting the Advisory Council and the other bodies concerned on whether any changes are necessary in the Department's policies and services for disabled people. The precise scope of this consultation has not yet been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to make a decision on the prohibition of the flight of supersonic aircraft over Great Britain.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor) on 8th May last.—[Vol. 836, c. 261]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the future ownership and management of the Aycliffe Industrial Estate.

No. Discussions are still in progress between the parties concerned and I hope that an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries from industrialists with regard to the Manchester travel-to-work area have been received since the desig- nation of the new North-Western intermediate area on 22nd March, 1972; and how many new jobs in total, and for men and women, respectively, are expected to result from these inquiries.

Nine inquiries for sites or premises. It is too early to say how many jobs are likely to arise from these inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new jobs, in total and for men and women, respectively, have been created in the Manchester travel-to-work area since June, 1970.

I regret that figures for jobs created are not available, but from IDCs approved during this period, 2,830 jobs in manufacturing industry are estimated by the applicants to arise. These figures take no account of jobs arising in existing industrial buildings or in the service sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions since her launching Concorde has made flights over Great Britain; and, as a result, how many protests about excessive noise he has received.

228 flights have been made by Concorde from airfields in this country. 174 complaints about noise have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Japan for 1970 and 1971; and what were the principal export items in each case and their value.

Figures for the trade balance are not available for individual countries. Figures of imports cif and exports fob are published, but the difference between them is not a good measure of the visible trade balance because, inter alia, of the difference in the bases of valuation. Figures for exports by Division for 1970 are given in Table III of Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1970 and for 1971 in Table V of the December 1971 issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of imports into the United Kingdom from Japan over each of the past five