asked the Minister for the Civil Service what instructions he has issued to Her Majesty's Stationery Office to hand over some of its work to the private sector.

None.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is his policy with regard to the implementation of the Boyle Report on the pay for senior civil servants, chairmen of nationalised boards and judges.

I have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to a Question from the hon. Member on 23rd May.—[Vol. 837, c. 361.]

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants have opted, to date, for service in Brussels with the European Economic Community; and what is the estimated total required.

No civil servant has yet been asked to commit himself to serving with Community institutions. The best estimate at this stage is that some 600–700 British staff will be required for the European Commission, but many of these will come from outside the Civil Service.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what discussions he had with the Civil Service unions on Regulation 2654/71/EEC of 11th December, 1971, amending the staff regulations of officials of the European Communities in respect of daily subsistence allowance; what machinery exists under which these unions can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

It would not be appropriate for me to discuss this Regu- lation with the Civil Service unions. On the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25th May, 1972—[Vol. 837, c. 481.]

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will order a reprinting of the Beveridge Committee Report on Broadcasting, so that it is freely available to the general public.

Reprinting is not necessary as copies of this Report—Cmd. 8116—are still available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he intends to make a statement as to the areas in Wales to which centrally situated Government units will be dispersed.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister indicated in the reply he gave today to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis) that he expects to receive recommendations as a result of the location review later this year. Decisions on the location of work to be dispersed will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that the Wath-upon-Dearne town centre programme is in danger of being delayed because of the need for the town bypass road to be built; and taking into consideration the unemployment that exists in this area, if he will take steps to ensure that the building of this bypass road commences as soon as possible.

My right hon. Friend has already put into the principal road preparation list schemes for roads which would by-pass Wath-upon-Dearne. It is now the responsibility of the local highway authority to submit to my right hon. Friend a proposal for the inclusion of one of these schemes in the principal roads programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the

River Authority									Expenditure on Pollution Prevention £	Year ending 31st March	Approximate Expenditure per head of Population in pence*
Avon and Dorset			…	…	…	…	…	…	15,084	1970	2
Bristol Avon			…	…	…	…	…	…	42,242	1971	5
Cornwall		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	53,253	1971	9
Cumberland			…	…	…	…	…	…	16,143	1970	5
Dee and Clwyd			…	…	…	…	…	…	37,075	1971	7
Devon		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	62,229	1971	15
East Suffolk and Norfolk				…	…	…	…	…	24,421	1971	3
Essex		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	77,851	1970	4
Glamorgan			…	…	…	…	…	…	44,658	1971	5
Great Ouse			…	…	…	…	…	…	72,119	1971	7
Gwynedd		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	19,444	1971	8
Hampshire		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	15,920	1970	2
Isle of Wight			…	…	…	…	…	…	2,902	1970	3
Kent		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	52,010	1970	3
Lancashire		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	55,581	1970	3
Lincolnshire			…	…	…	…	…	…	20,925	1970	3
Mersey and Weaver				…	…	…	…	…	114,683	1970	2
Northumbrian			…	…	…	…	…	…	33,955	1970	1
Severn		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	81,004	1970	4
Somerset		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	48,142	1971	11
South West Wales				…	…	…	…	…	32,139	1970	5
Sussex		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	44,120	1971	4
Trent		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	253,367	1971	5
Usk	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	34,291	1970	8
Welland and Nene				…	…	…	…	…	23,450	1970	3
Wye		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	15,087	1970	8
Yorks, Ouse and Hull†				…	…	…	…	…	83,143	1971	2
Thames Conservancy				…	…	…	…	…	85,371	1969‡	2
Lee Conservancy			…	…	…	…	…	…	80,422	1970	5
Note:
The Pollution Prevention figures have been taken from the Association of River Authorities Year Book 1971, and, where available, the 1971 Annual Reports of River Authorities.
* This calculation is based upon figures of population taken from Volume I of the River Pollution Survey, published by H.M.S.O.
† Now Yorkshire River Authority.
‡ Year ended 31st December, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time taken between receiving a request from a London borough for his approval of a compulsory purchase order and the communication of his decision; if he will take steps to speed the process; and if he will make a statement.

For compulsory purchase orders made by the London boroughs under the Housing Acts, 1957–1969, the average time taken to communicate the

Following is the information:decision is nine months in cases involving a public local inquiry and three months in other cases. Urgent attention is being given both to procedures within the Department and to the need to reinforce the inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities on the provision of entertainment for children, in the light of the programme provided by the London Borough of Brent, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West.

No. Within the limitations of the Statutes, the provision of entertainment is entirely at the discretion of the local authorities and not a matter in which central Government should interfere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to hold discussions with the Building Societies Association regarding the establishment of a central register of survey of houses for sale.

I doubt whether a central register of survey would be very helpful. Building society surveys are primarily valuations for loan purposes, and are no substitute for the full structural surveys that purchasers may need.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement on the inclusion of Sunderland in the towns designated for evaluation of the resources needed to transform such areas.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement later this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now seek to call a meeting of the building industry, building societies, estate agents and the legal profession to discuss house purchase procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will have discussions with the building industry to consider ways in which the industry might contribute to the speeding up of house purchase transactions.

I am in close touch with the building industry, building societies and local authorities through a Standing Consultative Committee. The Lord Chancellor is responsible for the legal aspect of house purchase. The necessary machinery is thus available to review the existing situation or consider any new proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider commissioning a Government publication, along the lines of the Consumers' Association booklet, "Buying a House", a copy of which is in his possession, to be issued free to all those engaged in purchasing a home.

I will certainly consider it, but the existing sources of information on house purchase published by bodies such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux already provide reasonably adequate information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prevent builders and estate agents from accepting reservation deposits for new houses before actual construction has commenced.

No. The increasing rate of house building will make new houses more quickly available and so reduce the time during which deposits are held.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take further action to stop large lorries travelling through the centre of cities; and if he will make a statement.

This is primarily a matter for local authorities, who have ample powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1967, to restrict classes of vehicles from using their roads. But my right hon. Friend is currently making some studies to see if there is any further guidance he can give to both the authorities and the haulage industry itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to improve standards of accommodation for civil servants following discussion of this subject at the Civil and Public Services Association conference at Margate on 10th May.

I have already commissioned studies of ways of improving the working environment of civil servants; I hope to initiate a programme of actual improvements, starting with typing pools, before the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Department's current trunk road study will be completed in 1972.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will reply to the letter sent to him on 27th April by the Birmingham Corporation housing director on the assessment of fair rents.

The Department has replied to the letter from the Director of Housing and is seeking to clarify the information supplied with the director's request for an indication whether a direction under Clause 63(4) might be given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the number and total value of home improvement grants made in each year since 1969 in the south-west development area and the Plymouth intermediate area.

2,578 grants were approved by the local authorities concerned in 1970 and 2,850 in 1971.The total value of these grants is not readily ascertain-able.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to invite British Railways to issue a public statement giving details of the present level of railwaymen's wages and the effect of the union's claim and of the board's proposals, including details of the value to the railwaymen of concessionary fares and free travel; if he will request inclusion of details of the proposed increases in the salaries of the chairman and higher paid executives and of their concessionary fares and free travel; and if he will make a statement.

On the first part of the Question I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Ely (Sir H. Legge-Bourke) on 23rd May, 1972; to the second part I have nothing to add to the Answers my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to Questions from the hon. Member on 13th April, 1972, 27th April, 1972, and 23rd May, 1972.—[Vol. 837, c. 352; Vol.; c. 231; Vol. 838, c. 385–9; Vol. 837, c. 361.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were killed on the A45 between Thurlaston roundabout and the Birmingham boundary during 1971; and what were the figures for each of the previous four years.

Following are the figures:

1971	1970	1969	1968	1967
12	11	20	6	17

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will appoint a committee of investigation into the extent to which the railway industry should be subsidised by public funds.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take further steps to reduce pollution, in view of the evidence provided by the Atomic Energy Authority, a copy of which is in his possession, that the effect of car fumes and chemicals from industrial chimneys in creating smog conditions is happening faster than anticipated.

The evidence in my possession does not support the hon. Member's suggestion. The position is as explained in my answer to the hon. Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs) on 8th March, and was further described in my speech during the Adjournment debate of 21st March. No further steps are needed at present, but research is continuing and the situation is being carefully watched.—[Vol. 832, c. 1437–8; Vol. 833, c. 1466–70.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute a study of the effects of siting industrial emitters of pollution in coastal and estuarine conditions, in view of the fact that the severity and persistence of fogs are related to high concentrations of pollutants trapped in upper layers of air.

The connection between industrial emissions and fog has been studied both by international organisations and by various groups in this country, but no very helpful results have yet emerged. The Atomic Energy Research Establishment is continuing general research on the subject and in particular its final report on Teesside, where I have been impressed by the progress made, is expected shortly. I am satisfied that this difficult problem is being adequately examined and that nothing more would be achieved by instituting a fresh study.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute a study of the extent to which pollution is created by sulphur dioxide being taken up by plants, and re-emitted as hydrogen sulphide, and of the connection between pollution in the Teesside area and acid rain observed in Scandinavia.

Research is already being undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry's Warren Spring Laboratory on sulphur compounds in the air and by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment on the uptake of sulphur compounds by plants, including the possibility of their conversion to hydrogen sulphide, and on the deposition of sulphur compounds in the soil. These studies will be related to an OECD study in which the United Kingdom is participating on the relationship between sulphur dioxide emissions in Western Europe and the acidity of rainfull in Scandinavia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing the amounts paid, by the manufacturing industries, in respect of local authority rates for each of the past four years.

Precise figures are not available. Estimated amounts paid in respect of factories, mills and other similar premises in England and Wales were:

	£ million
1968–69	203
1969–70	221
1970–71	241
1971–72	279

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made to the United States Government about the effects on British car manufacturers of legislation proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce exhaust emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen by the 1975 model year.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consultations he has had with representatives of British car manufacturers about the legislation he proposes to introduce to reduce British exhaust emission levels permitted, in view of the sums of money being spent on research by that industry:(2) what time period will be allowed to British car manufacturers to comply with proposed legislation to reduce exhaust emission; whether he will allow them sufficient lead time; and whether he will make a statement;(3) what proposals he has for legislation to introduce European Commission for Europe standards of carbon monoxide exhaust emissions.

Consultations will be starting shortly with interested organisations, including manufacturers, on proposals requiring petrol-engined vehicles manufactured after April next year to comply with the Economic Commission for Europe's standards on vehicle emissions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he is taking to publicise the achievements and results of joint research and developments in safety projects by British car and component manufacturers and the Road Research Laboratory; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will make a statement about the nature and extent of the advanced research and development projects in the Experimental Safety Vehicle Programme in conjunction with British car manufacturers.

Below is the text of a statement I made at a Press conference, held by myself and the President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on Monday, 22nd May. I will also place in the Library copies of the papers and technical specifications for the United Kingdom ESV project released at the Transpo Exhibition at Dulles, Washington, last week.Following is the text of the statement:Statement by Mr. John Peyton, Minister for Transport IndustriesMonday, 15th May, 1972The grim statistics of death and injury on our roads are not things which any civilised society should tolerate or turn away from. While undoubtedly the most important contribution to better safety would be better driving and a more careful use of roads, the safety of the vehicle itself is something which both receives and deserves careful attention. I fully supported the initiative of the United States Secretary for Transportation when he put forward the experimental safety vehicle project. Progress will be seen at an Exhibition at Dulles at the end of this month. The British cars on show there will be modified production models incorporating systems which could without much difficulty be built into all new vehicles and so make an early contribution to safety.Our research programme has three main aims.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce a starting date for the commencement of construction of the Boughton and Dunkirk bypass, A2.

Subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures, it should be possible for work to start by mid-1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent, on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, road vehicles will have to be fitted with tachographs as from January, 1976, so far as new vehicles are concerned; to what extent the introduction of these tachographs has been agreed to by the trade unions; and whether he will make a statement.

From 1st January, 1976, tachographs must be fitted to new goods vehicles of over 3·5 metric tons gross weight and new passenger vehicles with more than eight seats not engaged on regular services. I have had some discussions with the trade unions about this requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the European Economic Commission's proposals for a European Economic Community licensing system for capacity control over domestic road haulage; to what extent this envisages a form of control over haulage tariffs; whether he has discussed this with the trade unions and employers in the industry; and what has been their response.

The proposals, which embraced tariff control, were published in 1967 but are now unlikely to make progress in their present form. In the circumstances detailed discussions are hardly appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community as from January, 1976, the hours of drivers of road vehicles in the carrier service will be restricted to an eight to nine-hour limit of driving time in the working day, excluding rest periods; whether this will apply to freight and passenger operations alike; and whether it will apply to all transport operations anywhere in Great Britain, including those of certain local authority services.

EEC Regulation No.543/69 will apply to drivers of goods vehicles of over 3·5 metric tons gross weight and those passenger vehicles suitable for more than 8 passengers not engaged on regular services with a route not exceeding 50 kilometres. Certain exemptions are provided, including ambulances and vehicles belonging to drainage, water and highway authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what negotiations he has had with the European Economic Community on subsidy arrangements for railways and the treatment of State or other aid in railway accounts; to what extent rail and road carriers will be obliged under the European Coal and Steel Community to publish rates for coal and steel traffic; and whether Her Majesty's Government will be able to give subsidies for fares and freight transport without European Economic Community agreement, on entry into the Common Market.

Discussions with the Commission will be held as and when necessary to determine the practical application to British transport of the rules governing these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent Parliament will be able to reject any proposals made by his Department or the European Economic Community on the question of the raising of the axle loads of lorries to 11 tons and the cost of £300 million for the strengthening of the roads and bridges to take these heavier loads.

If any change in axle loadings is eventually required by an EEC directive, it would be made by regulation under the Road Traffic Act, 1972, and would be subject to the negative Order procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that by January, 1976, regulations affecting hours of drivers of passenger and foreign operators in all transport undertakings will be affected, including the necessity of having two drivers on journeys of 280 miles in one day; and what is the up-to-date estimate of the cost of these changes to industry, originally given as £100 million a year.

In this country the relevant EEC Regulation only effectively imposes a daily mileage limit on drivers of articulated goods vehicles over 20 tons gross. There is no requirement for two drivers on any journey. It is premature to estimate the cost of changes which will not take effect for 3½ years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that since 12th May the London Brick Company are rationing the supply of bricks; to what extent the shortage of bricks is holding up the building of houses in general and council houses in particular; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made to ascertain to what extent his Department can assist in the increase in production of bricks.

While new plant is being brought fully into production I understand that some of the larger producers are allocating deliveries in fairness to their customers. I am about to meet the producers and the contractors to assess the effect of current reported shortages and to discuss the possibility of increasing supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that the practice of agencies supplying the road haulage industry with drivers frequently leads to breaches of Section 92(2) of the Transport Act, 1968; and what steps he will take.

I understand that in certain cases the contractual arrangements between the agencies and the hauliers may not comply with the requirement of Section 92(2) of the Transport Act, 1968, that, in the case of an employee-driver, the user shall be deemed to be the person whose servant or agent the driver is. My Department's enforcement staff will be devoting some attention to this matter in the near future, and will take appropriate action if breaches of the law are revealed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Council of the Air League regarding Great Britain's participation in space shuttle development; and what reply he has sent.

I have received a copy of a statement and Press release recently circulated by the Air League. The views expressed have been noted and the Air League has been so informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to bring advertisements for the sale of houses within the pro visions of the Trade Descriptions Act.

When the time comes to review the working of the Trade Descriptions Act, I shall be prepared to consider whether provisions concerning the sale of houses should be included.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department is undertaking into the correlation between exhaust emission standards necessitating bigger engines and increased fuel consumption, and possible effects on imports of oil.

The exhaust emission standards proposed in the United Kingdom are unlikely to have any significant effect on power output or lead to any increase in fuel consumption.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that Part 5 Customs Questions Regulation 2780/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971 was published in English translation and made available to Members of Parliament on 27th May, 1972; and whether he will explain how and in what way this will affect Great Britain.

Yes. As this Regulation suspended the common customs tariff on certain products for limited periods as from 1st January, 1972, its main effect on the United Kingdom will be that, by virtue of Article 31 of the Act of Accession, United Kingdom exporters to the existing Community will continue to benefit throughout the whole transition period from lower rates of duty than would have otherwise applied to imports into the Six from the United Kingdom. The Regulation does not affect the United Kingdom transitional tariff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate international action against the Algerian Government for harbouring the two United States sky jackers.

We have consistently taken the view that hijackers should be brought to justice as provided in the Hague Convention, to which the United Kingdom is a party. However, this case is a matter between the United States and Algerian Governments and it is therefore not for the United Kingdom to initiate action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect of the United States Senate's decision to continue imports of chrome from Rhodesia on Her Majesty's Government's policy of continuing sanctions.

It is for each member country of the United Nations to determine its own policy in the light of Security Council resolutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what direct approaches have now been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Governments of other nations whose business firms are known to have been breaking the sanctions on the sale of goods to Rhodesia; and what have been the responses by these Governments.

Her Majesty's Government have no way of knowing whether the activities of business firms of other countries are in breach of sanctions. It is for the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee, the Committee established in pursuance of Security Council Resolution 253, and the Government of the country concerned to investigate information about suspected violations which is brought to their attention, for example in the Notes which we submit about suspected violations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money is owed to his Department by Leonard Crickmar for fares, &c, involved in his return to Great Britain; what were the legal costs for the enforcement of judgment; what amounts have been paid off this account; and what action he proposes to take to obtain payment in full.

The sum of £169·08 is due from Mr. Leonard Crickmar in respect of monies advanced by Her Majesty's Government on the occasion of his repatriation from Lagos in February, 1970. Judgment for this sum, with costs, was given against Mr. Crickmar at Bow County Court on 29th March, 1972. No amounts have been paid so far. Costs are due to be assessed by Bow County Court on 16th June, 1972, and the total sum due to Her Majesty's Government as a result of his repatriation will not, therefore, be finally determined until that date. The Treasury Solicitor will thereafter take all necessary steps to secure payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in view of the facts that the cost of printing and publishing the pre-accession texts of the European Economic Community Secondary Legislation published on 13th January, 1972, was £119,300 and that the estimated cost for publishing the revised edition containing the 144 pages of corrections would be £80,000, what action he intends to take in future to ensure the accuracy of such texts.

I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member on 24th May.—[Vol. 837, c. 424.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he is aware that Part 5 Customs Questions Regulation 101/72/EEC of 14th January, 1972, was not published and made available to Members of Parliament in English translation until 27th May, 1972; and what was the reason for this delay;(2) whether he is aware that Part 32, Milk and Milk Products Regulation 2864/71/EEC of 30th December, 1971, was not published and made available to Members of Parliament in English translation until 27th May, 1972; and what was the reason for this delay;(3) whether he is aware that Part 5, Customs Questions Regulation 2780/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, was not published and made available to Members of Parliament in English translation until 27th May, 1972; and what was the reason for this delay;(4) whether he is aware that Part 5, Customs Questions Regulation 2766/71/EEC of 23 rd December, 1971, was not published and made available to Members of Parliament in English translation until 27th May, 1972; and what was the reason for this delay;(5) whether he is aware that Part 3 Community Institutions Decision 72/112/Euratom, ECSC, EEC of 28th February, 1972, was not published and made available to Members of Parliament in English translation until 27th May, 1972; and what was the reason for this delay;

English translations of all the instruments referred to were available in the House on 19th May. Beyond this I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 5th June.—[Vol. 838, c. 18–20.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that Part 3 Community Institutions, Decision 72/112/Euratom, ECSC/EEC of 28th February, 1972, was published and made available to Members of Parliament on 27th May, 1972; and whether he will explain how and in what way this will affect Great Britain.

The instrument referred to was published and made available to the House on 19th May. It appoints an Advocate-General to the European Court of Justice to fill a vacancy created by the death of the previous holder of the office. The duties of an Advocate-General are set out in Article 166 of the European Economic Community Treaty.

asked the Prime Minister what Ministers and Departments are responsible for the budget on aerospace and civil and military aviation policy; and if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for a national aerospace policy.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is responsible for policy towards the aerospace industry generally and for expenditure on civil aerospace projects. The Secretary of State for Defence is responsible for military aerospace and for the Procurement Executive. The Science Research Council is responsible under the Secretary of State for Education and Science for expenditure on civil scientific space research.Aerospace policy generally is co-ordinated through the normal inter-departmental machinery. In addition, the Ministerial Aerospace Board oversees collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry in civil aerospace matters and co-ordinates space procurement policy. These arrangements are working satisfactorily.

asked the Prime Minister how many Government posts have recently been dispersed from London; to which parts of the country; and what further moves are to be made.

Between May, 1963, when the then Conservative Government began a major dispersal programme, and April, 1972, 22,160 Government posts were dispersed from London and a further 7,240 posts were established under the policy of locating new offices wherever possible away from London. The corresponding figures for the period April, 1970, to April, 1972, were 5,370 and 1,440 respectively. Current plans provide for the dispersal of a further 8,300 posts and the establishment of 10,680 jobs in new offices away from London. These last figures are based on estimates and may be subject to change.

						No. of jobs dispersed	No. of jobs awaiting dispersal	No. of jobs set up in new offices	No. of jobs to be set up in new offices
Assisted areas	…	…	…	…	…	10,640	6,720	3,680	9,920
Other areas	…	…	…	…	…	11,520	1,580	3,560	760
Totals		…	…	…	…	22,160	8,300	7,240	10,680

Past and currently planned dispersal has been mainly of self-contained executive work which it is comparatively easy to separate from its parent Department. The current location review, started by the present Government, covers the areas of policy work located in London, where separation involves greater complications. I expect to receiye recommendations later this year.

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce a Bill to limit the information that may be asked of an accused person in relation to his age to whether he is over 21.

If the hon. Member informs me of the branch of the law he has in mind, I will arrange for the matter to be considered by the appropriate Department.

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the lairage conditions prior to the export of animals from the port of Dover and with the provisions for the disinfecting of lorries on their return to England; and whether he will make a statement.

I am satisfied with conditions in lairages at Dover, two of which I visited recently. In regard to the disinfection of lorries, as my hon. Friend is aware from recent correspondence, this problem is not easy to resolve, but we are continuing to seek a solution.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will state when he expects to conclude his discussions with the interested parties in connection with effects on British industry of the adoption of Regulation 2810/71/EEC of 23rd December, 1971; and whether he will arrange to make a statement to the House of Commons on the conclusion of these discussions;(2) when he expects to conclude his discussions with interested parties regarding the adoption of Regulation 2725/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 888/68; and whether he will arrange to make a statement to the House of Commons on the conclusion of these discussions.

Consultations with the interests concerned will be continuing over the coming months as the detailed arrangements are developed. When they have been settled adequate publicity will have to be given to them in the form of guidance to the trade interests concerned on how they will operate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to discuss with the interests concerned the agreements annexed to the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities under which the period for which the application of Class III standards for certain fruit and vegetables may operate be extended to 31st December. 1977.

As the agreement simply extends a permissive power my right hon. Friend has no plans for immediate discussions. If any problems arise in the future over the application of Class III standards he will consider whether and with whom discussions would be useful.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2417/71/EEC of 10th November, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 1208/71 with particular regard to the standard amounts fixed by that regulation concerning sugar; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it;(2) what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2719/71/EEC of 21st December, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 142/69 on the adjustment of the maximum quota for the system known as mixed price for sugar; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it;(3) what discussions he had with the interested parties on Regulation 2723/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, on the system of production refunds for white sugar used in the manufacture of the products set out in Annex 1 to Regulation (EEC) No. 765/68; what machinery exists under which those parties can propose alterations or amendments; and whether the House of Commons will be able to alter or amend it.

My officials are in frequent touch with interested parties about the effect of the Community's sugar Regulations as a whole, and the traders affected were consulted about Regulations 1280/71, 142/69 and 765/68, which have now been amended by Regulations 2417/71, 2719/71 and 2723/71 respectively. No specific consultations were, however, necessary on the three latter Regulations, because the increase in the storage rental and packing premiums effected by 2417/71 can only benefit the interests concerned; 2719/71 merely rectifies an anomaly by extending to the "mixed price" system of payment for sugar beet the same flexibility as already existed under the standard system; and 2723/71 extends for a further period a system on which no adverse comments had been received.It is always open to interested parties to make representations about changes in Community law either to their own Government or as members of the appropriate European organisations. Community law once enacted can be amended only by Community institutions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he is aware that Part 41, Wine Regulation 176/72/EEC of 26th January, 1972, was published in English translation and made available to Members of Parliament on 27th May, 1972; and whether he will explain how and in what way this will affect those engaged in this industry and the British consumer;(2) whether he is aware that Part 41, Wine Regulation 2722/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, was published in English translation and made available to Members of Parliament on 27th May, 1972; and whether he will explain how and in what way this will affect those engaged in this industry and the British consumer.

Yes. These regulations modify the conditions for paying storage aid for excess wine production. For the reason indicated in my replies to the hon. Member on this subject on 25th May and 6th June, British interests are not likely to be affected,—[Vol. 837, c. 465; Vol. 838. c. 66.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give further details of his statement to Sally Moore of the Daily Mirror's Shopping Clock that he would investigate all cases reported to him about illegal overcharging on milk.

The Milk (Great Britain) Order 1971, as amended, lays down maximum prices at which various types of milk maybe sold, together with certain conditions of sale. Reports of alleged overcharging are fully investigated so that appropriate action can be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he told Sally Moore of the Daily Mirror's Shopping Clock that the Government had taken action to control milk, sugar and potato; and whether he will give details of the action he has taken.

As to milk and sugar, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave on 8th March to my hon. Friends the Members for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) and Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison). As to potatoes, in accordance with an announcement I made on 8th March arrangements have been made to enable farmers to vary Potato Marketing Board contracts freely thereby maintaining the flow of potatoes on to the market in order to restrain the normal seasonal increase in retail prices.—[Vol. 832, c. 359–60.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he took, or has taken, to restrict the increase in the price of sugar for the remainder of 1972; and to what extent, on entry into the European Economic Community, he will be able to restrict price increases on this basis without reference to the authorities in Brussels.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison) on 8th March, and to the last sentence of the reply given to the hon. Member himself by my hon. Friend the Minister of State on 9th May.—[Vol. 832, c. 359–60; Vol. 836, c. 321.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) by how much the potato crop has been reduced this year compared with the previous year; and what is the market price per ton compared with the last available year;(2) if he is aware that the reduction in the potato crop and the increase in the price per ton means an increase in the price to the consumer, and in particular the price of fish and chips; and what action he proposes.

The tonnage of main crop potatoes produced for the year August, 1970, to July, 1971, was 6,918,000. For the current year it is estimated at 6,552,000. Both crops have resulted in a surplus of production over requirements of at least one million tons. The average price to growers for the season up to the week ending 13th May was estimated at £14·77 per ton compared with £14·48 for the corresponding period last year. As a result of the action announced by the Government on 8th March, the seasonal increase in average retail prices since then has been much smaller than in earlier years.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what safeguards and standby emergency procedures exist for the transportation of phenyl chloride from the nearest railhead to the Ministry of Defence Research Establishment, Nancekuke.

The transport of special chemicals to the Chemical Defence Establishment, Nancekuke, is subject to the normal British Railways Board regulations for such goods. These provide for safeguards and procedures to be observed in the event of an incident. The establishment has arrangements to make specialist assistance available on request at any time of the day or night.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will state the number of Her Majesty's ships in service and in reserve, respectively, in 1971 and 1972.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the figures given in Annex C of the Statements on the Defence-Estimates for 1971–72 and 1972–73 Cmnd. 4592 and Cmnd. 4891, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he now has for introducing a system of proportional representation in respect of local authority and parliamentary elections in Northern Ireland.

I have this proposal under consideration, and shall make a statement on it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many copies of the publication "The Terror and the Tears" which were in stock in official hands on 24th March have since been destroyed; and for what reason this action was taken.

Apart from a number of copies which were damaged in storage or transit, none.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many copies of the publication "The Terror and the Tears were in stock in official hands on 24th March, 1972, and 31st May, 1972, respectively.

Approximately 80,000 on both dates.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many copies of the publication "The Terror and the Tears" have been distributed since 24th March, 1972.

Apart from those issued in response to requests received prior to 24th March, 1972, none.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to publicise the arrangements for claiming rates relief under the arrangements announced by him for businesses in central Belfast.

A Press statement announcing the scheme was issued to all local news media. Wide coverage of the scheme was given in the local Press, radio and television.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when legislation relating to tourism in Northern Ireland is likely to be introduced; and if, prior to that legislation, he will make a statement indicating the Government's intentions, particularly relating to grants, so as to enable plans for tourist development to proceed.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the need for urgency and hopes to introduce legislation relating to tourism in Northern Ireland during this session. If there should be any delay in publishing the legislative proposals the possibility of making a prior statement will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the annual cost per child of providing full-time and part-time nursery education in classes attached to primary schools and in nursery schools, respectively.

At November, 1971, prices the annual cost per place of full-time education in a nursery school is about £220 excluding school meals and milk. Information about the cost of nursery places in primary schools is not gathered separately and it has to be estimated. I now put the annual cost per full-time place at about £130. Figures for part-time nursery education are not available but in general two children attending half-time cost about the same as one child attending full-time.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek powers to make it a requirement that only qualified teachers shall be allowed to teach in independent schools and are subject to the same requirements as teachers in State schools.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to assist the 250 employees of the National Coal Board who are likely to become redundant in the clerical and administrative grades in Edinburgh due to the Board's reorganisation to find alternative employment.

I understand that discussions are still proceeding and that no detailed decisions on the numbers to be made redundant at individual locations have as yet been taken. However. my Department will do everything possible to assist those who may be made redundant including, where appropriate, the use of "Job Teams" for advance interviewing, special canvassing for vacancies, use of the "Job Bank", and advice on training and re-training.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many

NUMBERS OF NOTIFIED REDUNDANCIES RECORDED IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 1ST JANUARY, 1968to 31st MAY, 1972
Planning Region					1968	1969	1970	1971	1st January to 31st May, 1972
Northern		…	…	…	14,200	4,100	9,400	21,400	6,300
Yorks and Humberside*				…	13,300	10,300	15,800	25,800	6,100
South East		…	…	…	36,200	32,700	42,400	62,000	17,300
East Anglia		…	…	…	1,100	1,500	2,000	7,300	900
South Western			…	…	6,300	7,200	6,400	13,900	2,600
Wales	…	…	…	…	4,000	4,400	8,300	18,300	4,900
West Midlands			…	…	20,500	18,400	20,900	32,100	6,000
East Midlands			…	…	7,700	7,900	8,400	17,500	3,300
North Western			…	…	18,800	17,900	31,300	56,400	15,800
Scotland		…	…	…	15,100	13,200	24,700	36,400	10,600
* Records of redundancies according to the date of notification are not available for this Region. The figures quoted are those redundancies recorded as having been due to occur in the periods shown.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what conveniently available figures he has for graduate unemployment in 1970, 1971 and 1972.

If the hon. Member has newly-qualified graduates in mind, there are no statistics of unemployment available before 1971. According to the University Grants Committee, of those who graduated in 1971, 2,430 or 3·9 per cent. were unemployed on 31st December, 1971. In regard to graduates generally, a sample count in April, 1972, of those registered as unemployed with the

NUMBERS OF MALES REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED
					May, 1969	May, 1970	May, 1971	May, 1972
Employment Exchange
Stratford	…	…	…	…	785	854	938	1,095
East Ham	…	…	…	…	753	957	820	1,128
Canning Town	…	…	…	…	1,232	1,191	1,274	1,580

The above figures include young persons registered at Newham East and Newham Central Careers Offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware of the industrial dispute affecting

The numbers of redundancies recorded as notified in manufacturing industry in each economic planning region in each of the last four years and up to and including 31st May, 1972, are as follows:Department of Employment's Professional and Executive Register suggested that some 10,000 were graduates, or held qualifications of equivalent status.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give the number of males registered as unemployed in the areas covered by the Stratford, East Ham and Canning Town employment exchanges in May, 1969, May, 1970, May, 1971, and May, 1972, respectively.

Following is the information:the building industry, and whether his conciliation department has been asked to assist in resolving this dispute.

My right hon. Friend is aware that the two sides of the National Joint Industrial Council for the Building Industry have not so far been able to reach agreement in their current negotiations, but he understands that discussions are continuing. The conciliation services of my Department have not been sought.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what assistance the Government will give to the National Dock Labour Board towards the improvements recently announced in the Voluntary Severance Payments Scheme for registered dock workers.

The Government have agreed to offer additional loan facilities and will be seeking provision for the service in a Supplementary Estimate shortly to be put forward Recourse

NUMBERS OF NOTIFICATIONS OF CLOSURE OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 1ST JANUARY 1968 TO 31ST MAY, 1972
Planning Region					1968	1969	1970	1971	1st January to 31st May, 1972
Northern		…	…	…	30	22	51	43	20
Yorks and Humberside*				…	92	106	97	131	33
South East		…	…	…	233	213	277	308	86
East Anglia		…	…	…	20	14	15	17	6
South Western			…	…	49	49	35	50	11
Wales	…	…	…	…	27	26	48	52	23
West Midlands			…	…	87	106	76	80	18
East Midlands			…	…	55	61	58	64	21
North Western			…	…	127	145	180	202	69
Scotland		…	…	…	120	98	157	105	52
*As figures for this Region are not available according to the date of notification the figures quoted are of establishments recorded as having been closed during the periods shown.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will introduce legislation requiring a minimum age and minimum qualifications for all fairground operatives.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave today to his other Questions on the subject of fairground safety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will now give statutory enforcement to the Code of Fairground Safety, published by the British Safety Council in 1964, a copy of which is in his possession;

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many notifications of closure of manufacturing units were received in each economic planning region in each of the last four years and to the latest date in the present year

The numbers of notification; of closures of establishments in manufacturing industry recorded for each economic planning region in each of the last four years and up to and including 31st May, 1972, are as follows:(2) whether he will introduce legislation to strengthen safety standards on all fairgrounds and amusement funfairs, whether on permanent sites or of a travel ling variety;(3) whether he will introduce legislation requiring that all fairground machinery frequently used by the general public shall display a plate exhibiting its year of manufacture and date of last mechanical inspection by a competent independent engineer.

The hon. Member no doubt had in mind a recent disaster in London, through which I regret that four children lost their lives. This is currently the subject of police inquiries, and it would not be proper for my right hon. Friend to comment; but if it should prove that there is need to consider amending the existing law, whereby local authorities already have power to provide for the safety of the public at fairgrounds, my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the particular proposals referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits to establishments where vivisection is carried out were made by his Department's inspectors during 1971.

3,650 to places registered for the performance of experiments on living animals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted during 1971 of exceeding the speed limit on the M1.

Statistics of motoring offences on particular motorways could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the additional sum in corporation tax which will be raised from unquoted companies as a result of changing to the imputation system, assuming a 50 per cent, rate of corporation tax, but allowing for the small company exemptions proposed in the Finance Bill.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) on 23rd May.—[Vol. 837, c. 312.]

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will seek powers to enable him to restrict the amount of display advertising which is permitted in outside broadcasts.

No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to the letter dated 15th May from the Chairman of the Association of Lecturers in Colleges of Education in Scotland about an inquiry into the government of such colleges; and if he will make a statement.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the letter which has been sent to the Chairman of the Association of Lecturers in Colleges of Education in Scotland. I am inviting them to discuss the matter in the first instance with officials of the Scottish Education Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the number of residential child care service staff that would be required to implement their basic 45-hour week, with two days off and one long weekend per month and no split duties;(2) how many vacancies exist at present within the residential child care service;(3) what is the percentage of basic trained residential child care staff that obtained places on the advanced training courses in 1971;(4) what is the present number of residential child care posts known to be filled by untrained staff;(5) what is the present number of trained residential child care staff in residential posts.

The circumstances of particular children's homes vary too greatly for the number of staff needed to implement a 45-hour week to be calculated on a national basis. My hon. Friend will know that a study group report published in 1969 by the Residential Child Care Association gave some examples of suggested staffing ratios based on specific assumptions about size of home and nature of children's needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a progress report on the consideration being given to the inclusion of vibration syndrome as a recognised industrial injury.

There is nothing I can add at present to my reply to the hon. Member on 22nd March.—[Vol. 833, c. 340.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the annual income earned in Wales from tourism.

Over £100 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total sum of grants paid out in Wales in 1971 under the Development of Tourism Act.

The total of grants in 1971–72 was £695,000. In addition, advances of £268,000 were made in respect of loans.