Written Answers

                    The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
                

Written Answers To Questions

Friday, 16th June, 1972

Ilkeston

asked the Prime Minister if he will now pay an official visit to Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Forest Nature Reserves

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of forest nature reserves which have been established on landowned or leased by the Forestry Commission but which are managed by agreement with the Nature Conservancy; and what is the total acreage covered and the number and total area of such reserves in England, in Wales and in Scotland.

The following is the information:

Forest Nature Reserves established on Forestry Commission Land and managed by agreement with the Nature Conservancy.
	Number	Area (acres)
England	4	908
Wales	3	225
Scotland	1	104
Total Great Britain	8	1,237

In addition there are well-established administrative arrangements for consultation between the Commission and the Nature Conservancy which operate throughout Great Britain.

Local education authority							(Column 1) Number of pupils	(Column 2) Average amount paid per pupil £	(Column 3) Percentage of all pupils over school-leaving age Per cent.
Bedfordshire		…	…	…	…	…	87	84	3·3
Berkshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	62	70	1·0
Buckinghamshire		…	…	…	…	…	79	73	1·1
Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely				…	…	…	85	71	2·7
Cheshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	192	58	1·6
Cornwall	…	…	…	…	…	…	196	38	5·2
Cumberland		…	…	…	…	…	244	95	8·0
Derbyshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	289	91	4·1
Devon	…	…	…	…	…	…	165	62	4·0
Dorset	…	…	…	…	…	…	94	74	2·3
Durham	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,127	94	14·0
Essex	…	…	…	…	…	…	255	86	1·9
Gloucestershire		…	…	…	…	…	142	77	2·2

Civil Service

Parliamentary Papers (Supply)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service, in view of public and staff complaints, whether he will expedite the daily supply of the official parliamentary reports and Order Papers to the Government Bookshop.

Parliamentary reports and Order Papers, which are produced overnight at St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press, are normally on sale to the public at HMSO's Holborn bookshop from 8.30 a.m. the following day. From time to time there are delays in production, which make it impossible to supply copies to the bookshop until later in the day. Everything possible is being done to maintain the normal service.

Education And Science

Pupil Maintenance Grants

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give the results of the Spring 1972 Census on pupil maintenance grants, showing for each local education authority the number of pupils for whom maintenance grants were paid, the proportion these represented of all pupils over the school-leaving age in January, 1970, and the average grant paid, respectively.

The information, which derives from a special inquiry by the Department early in 1971, is as follows:

Local education authority							(Column 1) Number of pupils	(Column 2) Average amount paid per pupil £	(Column 3) Percentage of all pupils over school-leaving age Per cent
Hampshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	221	72	2·1
Herefordshire		…	…	…	…	…	45	54	3·1
Hertfordshire		…	…	…	…	…	280	78	2·1
Huntingdon and peterborough				…	…	…	29	82	1·4
Isle of Wight		…	…	…	…	…	15	58	1·3
Isles of Scilly		…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—
Kent	…	…	…	…	…	…	522	72	3·4
Lancashire	…	…	…	…	…	…	774	67	3·4
Leicestershire		…	…	…	…	…	23	31	0·4
Lincolnshire, Holland			…	…	…	…	17	59	1·5
Lincolnshire, Kestevan			…	…	…	…	26	52	1·5
Lincolnshire, Lindsey			…	…	…	…	48	46	1·1
Norfolk	…	…	…	…	…	…	106	68	3·4
Northamptonshire			…	…	…	…	36	55	1·3
Northumberland		…	…	…	…	…	557	83	10·6
Nottinghamshire		…	…	…	…	…	33	41	0·5
Oxfordshire		…	…	…	…	…	56	67	2·1
Rutland	…	…	…	…	…	…	5	76	2·9
Shropshire (Salop)			…	…	…	…	26	49	0·7
Somerset	…	…	…	…	…	…	189	52	3·3
Staffordshire		…	…	…	…	…	185	59	2·5
Suffolk, East		…	…	…	…	…	88	56	4·3
Suffolk, West		…	…	…	…	…	225	58	16·6
Surrey	…	…	…	…	…	…	118	87	0·9
Sussex, East		…	…	…	…	…	73	123	1·7
Sussex, West		…	…	…	…	…	47	81	0·7
Warwickshire		…	…	…	…	…	123	64	1·7
Westmorland		…	…	…	…	…	23	32	2·4
Wiltshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	186	117	3·3
Worcestershire		…	…	…	…	…	87	76	2·0
Yorkshire, East Riding			…	…	…	…	167	40	5·5
Yorkshire, North Riding				…	…	…	125	64	4·8
Yorkshire, West Riding			…	…	…	…	1,000	69	5·3
Barnsley	…	…	…	…	…	…	52	64	5·6
Barrow-in-Furness			…	…	…	…	13	46	1·5
Bath	…	…	…	…	…	…	32	65	3·0
Birkenhead		…	…	…	…	…	23	69	2·2
Birmingham		…	…	…	…	…	537	91	4·1
Blackburn	…	…	…	…	…	…	28	79	3·5
Blackpool	…	…	…	…	…	…	30	80	2·2
Bolton	…	…	…	…	…	…	83	78	5·6
Bootle	…	…	…	…	…	…	37	66	5·5
Bournemouth		…	…	…	…	…	100	59	6·4
Bradford	…	…	…	…	…	…	109	78	3·1
Brighton	…	…	…	…	…	…	87	86	5·6
Bristol	…	…	…	…	…	…	148	67	2·9
Burnley	…	…	…	…	…	…	34	68	3·9
Burton-upon-Trent			…	…	…	…	25	18	3·0
Bury	…	…	…	…	…	…	18	54	4·0
Canterbury		…	…	…	…	…	21	72	2·1
Carlisle	…	…	…	…	…	…	61	99	6·5
Chester	…	…	…	…	…	…	10	100	1·6
Coventry	…	…	…	…	…	…	66	41	1·8
Darlington	…	…	…	…	…	…	56	97	4·9
Derby	…	…	…	…	…	…	32	62	1·8
Dewsbury	…	…	…	…	…	…	44	59	8·7
Doncaster	…	…	…	…	…	…	54	64	4·2
Dudley	…	…	…	…	…	…	19	54	1·2
Eastbourne		…	…	…	…	…	5	86	0·9
Exeter	…	…	…	…	…	…	21	53	2·4
Gateshead	…	…	…	…	…	…	57	97	7·3
Gloucester	…	…	…	…	…	…	56	64	3·6
Great Yarmouth		…	…	…	…	…	77	64	10·5
Grimsby	…	…	…	…	…	…	44	66	4·0
Halifax	…	…	…	…	…	…	58	66	5·7
Hartlepool	…	…	…	…	…	…	89	96	9·1
Hastings	…	…	…	…	…	…	32	96	4·4
Huddersfield		…	…	…	…	…	32	67	2·0

Local education authority							(Column 1) Number of pupils	(Column 2) Average amount paid per pupil £	(Column 3) Percentage of all pupils over school-leaving age Per cent.
Ipswich	…	…	…	…	…	…	101	71	8·9
Kingston-upon-Hull			…	…	…	…	302	59	8·5
Leeds	…	…	…	…	…	…	469	51	8·6
Leicester	…	…	…	…	…	…	68	63	2·2
Lincoln	…	…	…	…	…	…	34	61	3·3
Liverpool	…	…	…	…	…	…	534	28	6·6
Luton	…	…	…	…	…	…	30	70	1·6
Manchester		…	…	…	…	…	127	117	2·0
Newcastle-upon-Tyne			…	…	…	…	310	84	12·3
Northampton		…	…	…	…	…	18	45	1·5
Norwich	…	…	…	…	…	…	86	58	7·0
Nottingham		…	…	…	…	…	102	58	3·4
Oldham	…	…	…	…	…	…	33	61	4·2
Oxford	…	…	…	…	…	…	47	88	4·0
Plymouth	…	…	…	…	…	…	67	41	2·4
Portsmouth		…	…	…	…	…	136	83	6·6
Preston	…	…	…	…	…	…	153	60	14·1
Reading	…	…	…	…	…	…	7	61	0·4
Rochdale	…	…	…	…	…	…	42	44	3·8
Rotherham		…	…	…	…	…	59	64	6·1
St. Helens	…	…	…	…	…	…	40	62	4·7
Salford	…	…	…	…	…	…	32	71	3·0
Sheffield	…	…	…	…	…	…	212	69	3·7
Solihull	…	…	…	…	…	…	14	58	0·9
Southampton		…	…	…	…	…	114	68	3·7
Southend-on-Sea		…	…	…	…	…	66	94	2·7
Southport	…	…	…	…	…	…	52	66	5·7
South Shields		…	…	…	…	…	108	87	8·8
Stockport	…	…	…	…	…	…	42	55	3·0
Stoke-on-Trent		…	…	…	…	…	104	76	4·6
Sunderland		…	…	…	…	…	315	79	12·9
Teesside	…	…	…	…	…	…	255	80	5·0
Torbay	…	…	…	…	…	…	46	54	3·9
Tynemouth		…	…	…	…	…	74	99	9·3
Wakefield	…	…	…	…	…	…	45	65	10·1
Wallasey	…	…	…	…	…	…	36	74	2·6
Walsall	…	…	…	…	…	…	61	39	2·9
Warley	…	…	…	…	…	…	26	68	1·7
Warrington		…	…	…	…	…	25	35	3·7
West Bromwich		…	…	…	…	…	29	65	1·8
Wigan	…	…	…	…	…	…	56	62	9·2
Wolverhampton		…	…	…	…	…	183	69	5·8
Worcester	…	…	…	…	…	…	8	44	0·8
York	…	…	…	…	…	…	94	56	6·6
Barking	…	…	…	…	…	…	25	98	1·6
Barnet	…	…	…	…	…	…	37	70	0·7
Bexley	…	…	…	…	…	…	66	41	2·4
Brent	…	…	…	…	…	…	53	91	1·6
Bromley	…	…	…	…	…	…	58	85	1·4
Croydon	…	…	…	…	…	…	76	93	1·9
Ealing	…	…	…	…	…	…	97	103	2·8
Enfield	…	…	…	…	…	…	45	84	1·3
Haringey	…	…	…	…	…	…	63	87	2·1
Harrow	…	…	…	…	…	…	182	26	6·2
Havering	…	…	…	…	…	…	26	91	0·7
Hillingdon	…	…	…	…	…	…	19	118	0·6
Hounslow	…	…	…	…	…	…	44	76	1·6
Kingston-upon-Thames			…	…	…	…	31	90	1·7
Merton	…	…	…	…	…	…	49	78	2·0
Newham	…	…	…	…	…	…	67	74	2·7
Redbridge	…	…	…	…	…	…	33	108	1·3
Richmond-upon-Thames			…	…	…	…	27	88	1·3
Sutton	…	…	…	…	…	…	29	83	1·4
Waltham Forest		…	…	…	…	…	33	73	1·2
Inner London		…	…	…	…	…	1,732	97	4·7

Local education authority							(Column 1) Number of pupils	(Column 2) Average amount paid per pupil £	(Column 3) Percentage of all pupils over school-leaving age Per cent.
Anglesey	…	…	…	…	…	…	56	53	6·8
Breconshire		…	…	…	…	…	32	53	3·6
Caernarvonshire		…	…	…	…	…	77	65	4·7
Cardiganshire		…	…	…	…	…	48	106	4·3
Carmarthenshire		…	…	…	…	…	103	42	4·0
Denbighshire		…	…	…	…	…	287	36	12·5
Flintshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	22	47	1·0
Glamorgan		…	…	…	…	…	711	59	7·5
Merioneth	…	…	…	…	…	…	32	41	5·6
Monmouthshire		…	…	…	…	…	302	86	6·8
Montgomeryshire		…	…	…	…	…	15	50	2·3
Pembrokeshire		…	…	…	…	…	61	59	3·6
Radnorshire		…	…	…	…	…	7	37	3·0
Cardiff	…	…	…	…	…	…	70	49	1·7
Merthyr Tydfil		…	…	…	…	…	28	21	3·8
Newport (Mon.)		…	…	…	…	…	31	49	2·2
Swansea	…	…	…	…	…	…	23	42	1·0

National Gallery (Admission Charges)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that the gross receipts at the National Gallery from admission charges have been departmentally estimated both at £150,000 and £170,000, what calculation the Gallery itself has supplied to her Department.

The National Gallery, after consultation with the Department of Education and Science, included receipts of £170,000 from admission charges in its draft estimates for 1972–73. This is the figure included in the Supply Estimates presented to Parliament.

Tutankhamun Exhibition

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the extension of the exhibition of the Tutankhamun Treasures, if she will now seek agreement with the sponsors for additional time to be allocated to school parties, especially from the North of England, in view of the fact that 1,500 school parties are still awaiting the opportunity to attend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek to arrange with the sponsors and organisers of the Tutankhamun exhibition that a definite proportion of permits for school parties should be set aside, during the duration of the proposed extension of the exhibition, for schools from the regions and that initially this should be not less than 50 per cent. of the total of permits to be issued.

The agreement of the Egyptian Government to an extension of the exhibition has not yet been obtained. The arrangements for admissions during any extension that may be agreed are a matter for the sponsors of the exhibition. The hon. Members' suggestions will be drawn to their attention.

Students (Social Work Training)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students in Wales were undergoing training as social workers at the last available date.

I understand that in the current academic year 145 students registered for professional training courses in field social work in Wales and 46 for courses in residential social work.

Pre-School And Primary Education (European Cost Comparisons)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science from information available from international sources, what percentage of the national incomes of the Common Market countries was devoted to current expenditure on pre-school and primary education in the the most recent year for which statistics were available; and how this compares with the percentage in the United Kingdom for the same year.

From information contained in the UNESCO Year Book for 1969 and 1970, current expenditure in the financial year 1967–68 on pre-school and first level education amounted to an estimated 1·1 per cent. of the gross national products in the Common Market countries, and to an estimated 1·0 per cent. in the United Kingdom. The education systems concerned have, however, salient differences that can affect the comparability of the figures.

Secondary Education (Derby)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why no reply, other than formal acknowledgments, has been made to the letter of 17th March from the hon. Member for Derby, North, regarding the reorganisation of secondary education in Derby; and when a decision regarding this reorganisation will be taken.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce here decisions very shortly. As the letters already sent to the hon. Member have promised, he will then receive a full reply.

English Language (Committee)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is now able to announce the membership of her committee of inquiry into reading and the use of English in schools.

The membership of the Committee is as follows:Chairman—Sir Alan Bullock, Vice Chancellor of Oxford University and Master of St. Catherine's College, Oxford.Sister Basil, Headmistress, St. Margaret Mary Primary School, Carlisle.Mr. Alastair Burnet, Editor,

The Economist.

Professor J. Britton, Professor of Education, Goldsmiths' College, University of London.

Miss June Derrick, Lecturer, Institute of Education, Leeds University.

Mr. J. Fairbairn, Head of the Education Department, St. John's College, York.

Mr. H. K. Fowler, Director of Education, Derbyshire.

Mr. Stuart Froome, Headmaster, St. Jude's Church of England Junior School, Englefield Green, Surrey.

Mr. David Gadsby, Director, A. & C. Black Ltd., Publishers.

Mr. K. Gardner, Lecturer in Primary Education, School of Education, Nottingham University.

Mr. C. Gillings, Headmaster, Midhurst Intermediate School, West Sussex.

Mrs. D. M. Hutchcroft, O.B.E., Headmistress, Saltford Primary School, Bristol.

Miss A. M. Johns, Headmistress, Henry Fawcett Infants' School, London.

Mr. D. Mackay, Adviser/Warden, Centre for Language in Primary Education, Inner London Education Authority.

Mr. M. Marland, Headmaster, Woodberry Down School, London.

Professor John Merritt, Professor of Educatinal Studies, Open University.

Mr. A. Puckey, General Educational Adviser, Nottingham Local Education Authority.

Mrs. V. Southgate Booth, Lecturer in Curriculum Development, School of Education, Manchester University.

Dame Muriel Stewart, Chairman, Schools Council.

Professor J. Wrigley, Professor of Education, Reading University and Director of Studies, Schools Council.

Employment

Scotland (Eec Social Fund)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what benefits he envisages will accrue to Scotland, if accession to the Common Market takes place, arising from the Social Fund laid down in the Rome Treaty which can contribute up to half the cost of schemes which promote retraining of the unemployed at present levels.

Officials are engaged in detailed discussions with the Commission to establish how the United Kingdom will benefit from the fund after accession, but it is too early to give an estimate of the amount of assistance which will become available to the United Kingdom or to any part of it.

Trade Unions (Registration)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will publish the names of all the trade unions, together with the number of their members, that have so far registered under the Industrial Relations Act since 5th May, 1972;(2) if he will seek to ascertain, and publish, the names of the trade unions together with the number of their members, that have decided not to register under the Industrial Relations Act;

(3) if he will seek to ascertain, and publish, the names of trade unions, and the number of their members, that have not so far registered under the Industrial Relations Act, and which have not yet decided whether to register.

I am informed by the Registrar of Trade Unions and Employers' Associations that the names of the 18 organisations which have registered as trade unions since 5th May, 1972, are as set out below. Information is not yet available about the membership of these organisations. It would not be practicable for my Department to find out exactly how many currently unregistered organisations have decided not to register, since there is nothing to require organisations to inform the Registrar or my Department of such decisions.Association of Officers of Executive Councils and Pricing Committees (National Health Service).Association of Postal Controllers and Assistant Postal Controllers.AA Staff Association.Bank of New Zealand London Staff Association.Barclays Bank Staff Association.Blackburn and District Amalgamated Powerloom Overlookers Association.Bolton and District Powerloom Over lookers Trade, Sick and Burial AssociationFootball Pools Collectors' Union.Haslingden and District Powerloom Overlookers Society.Kodak Senior Staff Association.Midland Bank Staff Association.National Westminster Bank Technical and Services Staff Association.National Westminster Staff Association.PAA Hourly Rated Employees Association.Staff Association for the Royal Automobile Club Employees.Union of Bookmakers' Employees.Union of Sales Technical Representatives and Agents.Wills Supervisors' Association.

Graduates (Wales)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will conduct a survey to ascertain how many of the persons who have graduated in the University of Wales in the last five years have found employment in Wales.

No. Such a survey would not be practicable.

Kettering And Corby

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage of the labour force in the Kettering and Corby area who were unemployed on 1st June, 1972, 1971 and 1970, respectively.

At 9th May, 1972, the latest date for which information is available, the rate of unemployment for the area covered by the Kettering and Corby employment exchanges was 2·4 per cent. The corresponding rates for 10th May, 1971, and 11th May, 1970, were 2·8 and 1·9 per cent., respectively.

Environment

Main Road Improvements (West Riding)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the expenditure on main road improvement in the West Riding of Yorkshire in each year from 1966 to 1971, inclusive; and how much he anticipates spending on such improvement during the next two financial years.

Expenditure on the provision of new and improved trunk and principal roads in the county was as follows:

Financial Year ending 31st March	£ million
1967	23·8
1968	30·3
1969	22·6
1970	18·3
1971	29·0

The figures include local authority spending on principal roads. Data for the 12months ending March, 1972, will be available later this year.Major trunk and principal road schemes in the West Riding estimated to cost in all £128 million are under construction or due to start by the end of 1973. A further £50 million worth are programmed to start after that date. In addition, major schemes to a total value of £176 million are in preparation.

Polluted Farmland (Barling, Essex)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what tests have been carried out under arrangements made by his Department, on polluted land at Ropers and Trumpion's Farm, Barling, Essex, and by whom; whether these have been completed; what conclusions have been reached; what remedial action has been authorised; and what steps are being taken by the local authority to prevent access to the polluted areas by children and others.

There is no evidence that there is any hazard to health, but investigations are being carried out by the local authority on advice from the Department of Health and Social Security and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Analyses of sewage sludge and soil have been made, and different types of vegetable are being grown to ascertain the uptake from the soil. The results of these tests are expected later this year, when I hope that it will be possible to determine whether any potential hazard exists. I understand that the cottages will remain unoccupied until the risk can be assessed. Access to the land either by children or adults would not involve a risk.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the tolerable limits recognised by his Department for soil pollution by heavy metals; what quantities of heavy metals have been found in the soil of Ropers and Trumpion's Farm, Barling, Essex; and whether the source of this pollution has yet been located.

Some heavy metals are normally present in varying quantities in the sewage sludge which has been trenched into this land for disposal for many years. In time the concentration may rise to a point where it is an impediment to healthy plant growth but there is at present insufficient evidence to determine tolerable limits for soils: investigations are proceeding into this.The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has recently published an advisory paper (ADAS Advisory Paper No. 10) on the permissible levels of toxic metals in sludge used on agricultural land, and Regulations prescribe the maximum permissible quantities of certain heavy metals such as lead allowed in fruit and vegetables.Samples taken from different parts of Ropers and Trumpion's Farm show widely differing results, reflecting the extent to which the sludge has been assimilated by the soil. As an indication, the range is up to 287 parts per million for lead, 315 for copper, 545 for zinc and 20 for cadmium. In the tests now being undertaken, the uptake levels of the crops now being grown will be measured to ascertain whether they are fit for human or animal consumption.

Motor Vehicles (Research Questionnaires)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what payment is being made by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in return for the facility of issuing market research questionnaires through his Department.

The motor industry is paying the net extra cost—about 0·84p per registration—of adding a voluntary statistical section to the vehicle registration form.

Road Fund Licence Evasion

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that during the calendar year 1971 the Metropolitan Police and traffic wardens reported 300,131 cases of suspected evasion of the payment of Road Fund licences as compared with 157,225 such cases in 1970; how many prosecutions resulted in each case; and with what results.

In 1970 and 1971 there were, respectively, 25,286 and29,041 mitigated penalties and 23,657 and 24,963 prosecutions. In many cases the reported vehicles were found on investigation to have been licensed.

Motorways (Repairs)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what instructions he has issued about the nature and duration of lane closures on motorways when repairs are being undertaken; and whether Staffordshire County Council have complied with these instructions in respect of repairs to the M6;(2) what instructions he has given about the length of motorway which should be closed when resurfacing or repairs are undertaken.

It is not normally appropriate to give specific instructions. Local conditions, which may vary greatly, would reduce the value of general and arbitrary rules. Guidance is contained in the Traffic Safety Code for Roadworks and in recently issued pamphlets based on chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual which will be published shortly. Additionally, interim advice based on new departmental work will be available within the next few weeks. I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why two lanes of the southbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions 15 and 14 were closed more than half a mile further north than repair work was being undertaken on 5th June, 1972;(2) why traffic on the two-mile stretch north of the lane closures between junctions 15 and 14 of the southbound carriageway of the M6 was moving at a speed of less than 2½ miles an hour between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on 5th June;(3) what steps are being taken to avoid traffic hold-ups on the M6 in Stafford shire, when repairs are being undertaken;(4) when the work at present being undertaken on the southbound carriage way of the M6 between junctions 15 and 14 will be completed;(5) why the only activity on the lanes of the M6 closed for repairs between junctions 15 and 14 around 1 p.m. on 5th June, 1972, was one man digging with a spade; and whether he is satisfied that this work is being undertaken with sufficient urgency;(6) what further work will be undertaken on the M6 in Staffordshire, involving lane closures, in the next 12 months; and whether plans have been drawn up to avoid traffic hold-ups when this work is being undertaken;(7) why the centre lane of the south-bound carriageway of the M6 was closed on 5th June, 1972, between junctions 15 and 14, when repair work was only being undertaken on the inside lane.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Cockeram) on Wednesday, 14th June.

Driving Tests (Private Cars)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish a detailed analysis of the cost to his Department of conducting driving licence examinations for private passenger cars in the latest period for which he has complete information available.

The cost of conducting driving tests for drivers of private cars is not distinguished from the cost of conducting other non-vocational driving tests and could not be so distinguished without unjustified time and effort. Costs of driving tests as a whole are met by the fees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish a table showing, for each main driving licence testing area in Hampshire, the number and percentage of those under the age of 20 years at the time of their test for a licence to drive a private motor car who have been failed more than twice in the year from 1st May, 1971, to 30th April, 1972, inclusive.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, what steps he has taken to ensure that the standards applied to candidates for private motor car driving licence under the age of 20 years are not allowed to become excessively rigorous.

The law makes no distinction between the standards applied to drivers of different ages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute an appeals procedure under which a candidate for a private motor car driving licence, who has been failed three times, may ask for a further test by another examiner without having to pay a £3·25 examination fee.

My Department always tries to meet requests for subsequent tests to be conducted by a different examiner, but I see no grounds for widening the existing appeal rights in the way suggested.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

European Economic Community

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available to hon. Members translations into English of all European Economic Community draft regulations, directives and decisions.

Where draft instruments have been published and departmental working translations are available, Departments will be ready to provide hon. Members who are interested in a particular draft instrument with a translation on request.

Overseas Broadcasts (United Kingdom Immigrants)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, from information derived from his monitoring service, how many overseas countries broadcast to the United Kingdom in the languages of immigrants to the United Kingdom.

Very many countries broadcast in languages spoken by immigrants to the United Kingdom, including, of course, English. Several countries have programmes in English specifically beamed to the United Kingdom. I am informed that the only country noted by the BBC Monitoring Service as beaming programmes specifically to the United Kingdom in a language other than English is Pakistan, with 35 minutes weekly in Urdu and 3½ hours weekly in Sylheti. In addition, Afghanistan (3 hours 40 minutes weekly in Pushtu), Bangladesh (3½ hours in Bengali), Greece (3½ hours in Greek), Iraq (7 hours in Urdu) and Turkey (3½ hours in Turkish) beam programmes to Western Europe for speakers of those languages.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, from information derived from his monitoring service, how many hours per week, Moscow broadcasts to the United Kingdom in the languages of immigrants to the United Kingdom.

I am informed that, although Radio Moscow broadcasts in English and in numerous South Asian and other languages used by immigrants to the United Kingdom, only some of those in English are beamed specifically at the United Kingdom. The broadcasts in Bengali, Hindi and Urdu (17½ hours weekly each) and in seven other Indian languages (7 hours weekly each) are not generally audible here.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, from information derived from his monitoring service, how many hours per week Cairo broadcasts to the United Kingdom in the languages of immigrants to the United Kingdom.

I am informed that, although Radio Cairo broadcasts in English, Bengali, Hindi and Urdu, these broadcasts are not specifically beamed at the United Kingdom. The broadcasts in Urdu (8¾ hours weekly) and Hindi and Bengali (7 hours weekly each) are more specifically beamed towards the Indian sub-continent.

Scotland

Possum Equipment

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Northern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(3) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Eastern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(4) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;

Regional Hospital Board						Number of patients assessed	Number for whom selector equipment prescribed	Quadriplegia
Northern	…	…	…	…	…	Nil	Nil	—
North Eastern		…	…	…	…	2	2	1
Eastern	…	…	…	…	…	5	5	2
South Eastern		…	…	…	…	5	4	1
Western	…	…	…	…	…	19	19	4†
Total		…	…	…	…	31	30¶

			Number of each disability where equipment prescribed
Regional Hospital Board			Multiple Sclerosis	Muscular Dystrophy	Rheumatoid Arthritis	Cerebral Palsy	Syringo-myelia	Polio
Northern	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—
North Eastern		…	1^*	—	—	—	—	—
Eastern	…	…	3†	—	—	—	—	—
South Eastern		…	3‡	—	—	—	—	—
Western	…	…	8§	1‡	3║	1║	1	1
^* This patient remained in hospital and equipment was not supplied.
† One patient refused the equipment.
‡ One patient died before installation.
§ One patient is to be admitted to hospital and equipment is not being supplied.
║ On investigation, equipment found not to be suitable for one patient.
¶ 6 cases are awaiting installation or case conferences
Assessors have not been specifically designated by Regional Hospital Boards in Scotland and any consultant who considers that his patient would benefit from possum equipment may recommend supply through the Senior Administrative Officer of the Regional Hospital Board, to the Scottish Home and Health Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Northern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;(2) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;(3) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities

(5) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Western Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement.

The following is the information:to Possum equipment prescribed by the Eastern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;(4) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;(5) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Western Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement.

The following is the information:

Regional Hospital Board	Completed installations	Installations with added facilities
Northern	Nil	Nil
North-Eastern	1	Nil
Eastern	1	Nil
South-Eastern	3	2
Western	11	9

The local authority social work department is represented at every case conference at which the arrangements for the supply and installation of possum equipment are worked out.

Selective Schools (Glasgow)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the High Court judgment, to which he was a party, on the intake to Glasgow's selective schools and in particular on the time limit on applications for admission to the schools in session 1972–73, imposed by the judgment.

I am advised that in view of the terms of the Court of Session's interlocutor in the petition of the Lord Advocate, any parent in the Glasgow area who desires his child to be considered for admission to one of the schools in question and who has not already made an application should make application to the head teacher by not later than Wednesday, 21st June. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing attention to this. I hope that the education authority, too, will bring this to parents' attention.

Social Services

Possum Equipment

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the South-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(3) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the North-East Metropolitan Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(4) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(5) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Wessex Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(6) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Oxford Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(7) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Manchester Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(8) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(9) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(10) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the South-Western Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(11) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;(12) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Leeds Regional Hos-

Regional Hospital Board	Numbers of patients assessed	Numbers for whom equipment prescribed, by disability							Number of Assessors by Specialty
South West Metropolitan	76	Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	31	One Consultant in Physical Medicine
		Spasticity		…	…	…	…	3
		Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	5
		Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	5
		Paralysis		…	…	…	…	4
		Neurofibromatosis			…	…	…	1
		Spinal Deformities			…	…	…	4
		Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	5
		Motor Neurone Dises				…	…	4
		Total			…	…	…	62
South East Metropolitan	44	Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	7	Four Consultants in Physical Medicine
		Tetraplegia		…	…	…	…	2
		Progressive Neurological Lesion					…	1
		Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	2
		Cerebellar Degeneration				…	…	1
		Viral Myelitis		…	…	…	…	1
		Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	3
		Demyelinating Disease				…	…	1
		Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	1
		Syringomyelia		…	…	…	…	1
		Total			…	…	…	20
North East Metropolitan	54	Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	10	One Consultant in Physical Medicine
		Acute anterior poliomyelitis				…	…	1
		Paralysis		…	…	…	…	3
		Quadriplegia		…	…	…	…	1
		Tetraplegia		…	…	…	…	1
		Muscular Atrophy			…	…	…	1
		Cerebella Ataxia			…	…	…	1
		Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	3
		Dermatomyocytis, with generalised calcinosis		…	…	…	…	1
		Ankylosing Spondylitis				…	…	1
		Spasticity		…	…	…	…	3

pital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;

(13) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;

(14) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the East Anglia Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement.

Following is the information at 31st May. 1972:

Regional Hospital Board		Numbers of patients assessed	Numbers for whom equipment prescribed, by disability							Number of Assessors by Specialty
			Paraplegia		…	…	…	…	1
			Cerebral Palsy		…	…	…	…	1
			Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	2
			Syringomyelia		…	…	…	…	1
			Friedreich Ataxia			…	…	…	1
			Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	2
			Spinal Injuries		…	…	…	…	1
			Total			…	…	…	35
North West Metropolitan		51	Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	25	Two Consultant Neurologists
			Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	2
			Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	2
			Syringomyelia		…	…	…	…	3
			Motor Neurone Disease				…	…	3
			Cerebral Palsy		…	…	…	…	1
			Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	3
			Paralysis		…	…	…	…	6
			Total			…	…	…	45
Wessex	…	15	Nil, but a number of recommendations have been made for the supply of simpler forms of control equipment							One Consultant in Physical Medicine
Oxford	…	27	Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	5	Medical Director of National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville
			Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	4
			Motor Neurone Disease				…	…	1
			Tetraplegia		…	…	…	…	3
			Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	1
			Paralysis		…	…	…	…	2
			Traumatic		…	…	…	…	1
			Cerebral Palsy		…	…	…	…	2
			Quadriplegia		…	…	…	…	2
			Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	1
			Total			…	…	…	22
Manchester	…	65	Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	17	Two Consultants in Physical Medicine
			Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	2
			Tetraplegia		…	…	…	…	1
			Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	3
			Quadriplegia		…	…	…	…	1
			Cerebral Palsy		…	…	…	…	1
			Parkinsons Disease			…	…	…	1
			Spasticity		…	…	…	…	1
			Motor Neurone Disease				…	…	1
			Total			…	…	…	34
Birmingham	…	41	Motor Neurone Disease				…	…	7	One Consultant in Physical Medicine. One Consultant Physician
			Tetraplegia		…	…	…	…	7
			Myasthenia Gravis			…	…	…	1
			Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	7
			Spasticity		…	…	…	…	1
			Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	3
			Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	3
			Paraplegia		…	…	…	…	1
			Polyarthritis		…	…	…	…	1
			Total			…	…	…	31

Regional Hospital Board		Numbers of patients assessed	Numbers for whom equipment prescribed, by disability							Number of Assessor by Specialty
Liverpool	…	29	Spasticity		…	…	…	…	2	One Consultant Physician
			Tetraplegia		…	…	…	…	2
			Quadriplegia		…	…	…	…	2
			Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	1
			Arthritis	…	…	…	…	…	2
			Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	3
			Paralysis		…	…	…	…	3
			Motor Neurone Disease				…	…	1
			Total			…	…	…	16
South Western		55	Motor Neurone Disease				…	…	3	One Consultant Anaesthetist
			Tetraplegia		…	…	…	…	1
			Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	4
			Paralysis		…	…	…	…	6
			Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	20
			Quardriplegia			…	…	…	2
			Paraplegia		…	…	…	…	1
			Spinal Injuries		…	…	…	…	1
			Spasticity		…	…	…	…	2
			Total			…	…	…	40
Sheffield	…	25	Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	1	One Consultant in Physical Medicine. One Consultant in Neurosurgery
			Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	2
			Quadriplegia		…	…	…	…	2
			Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	1
			Paralysis		…	…	…	…	3
			Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	4
			Total			…	…	…	13
Leeds	…	34	Quadriplegia		…	…	…	…	12	One Consultant in Neurology
			Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	10
			Poliomyelitis		…	…	…	…	1
			Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	1
			Total			…	…	…	24
Newcastle	…	53	Sclerosis	…	…	…	…	…	12	Two Consultant Neurologists. One Consultant in Physical Medicine/Rheumatology
			Paraplegia		…	…	…	…	8
			Muscular Dystrophy			…	…	…	5
			Spinal Injuries		…	…	…	…	4
			Syringomyelia		…	…	…	…	3
			Friedreich Ataxia			…	…	…	1
			Total			…	…	…	33
East Anglian	…	8	Rheumatoid Arthritis			…	…	…	1	One Consultant in Physical Medicine
			Traumatic		…	…	…	…	2
			Spasticity		…	…	…	…	2
			Total			…	…	…	5

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place ineach case; and if he will make a statement;

(2) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the South-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(3) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Hospital Board; how much consultation North-East Metropolitan Regional takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(4) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(5) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Wessex Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(6) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Oxford Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(7) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Manchester Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(8) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(9) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(10) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the South-Western Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(11) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each; and if he will make a statement;

(12) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Leeds Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(13) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(14) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the East Anglia Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Information about additional facilities provided for individual Possum installations is not maintained centrally. Items most commonly supplied include power circuits, cabinets to house the equipment and door lock intercommunication systems. The needs of each Possum user are carefully assessed at a domiciliary case conference at which the local authority is always represented.

Rickets

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to give a reply to the Birmingham medical team who have asked for financial support towards its investigation into rickets amongst children.

A reply was sent to Dr. Cooke on 7th June.

Private Patients (Nhs Facilities)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is now able to produce a reply to the report of the Expenditure Committee on National Health Service facilities for private patients; and if he will make a statement.

It would be opportune to consider the recommendations made by the Committee in the general context of private practice in National Health Service hospitals. Accordingly, a detailed statement on a number of aspects of private practice is in course of preparation. I cannot yet say when it will be possible to put it before the House.

Retirement Pension (Value)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what, taking April, 1950, as 100, is the index figure for each year to April, 1972, for the single person's National Insurance basic

Table showing indices of the single person's National Insurance basic retirement pension, average earnings of male manual workers in manufacturing and some of the principal non-manufacturing industries, and retail prices, at April each year.
April					Retirement Pension Single Person	Average Earnings	Retail Prices
1950	…	…	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0
1951	…	…	…	…	100·0	109·9	106·3
1952	…	…	…	…	115·4	119·1	118·9
1953	…	…	…	…	125·0	127·6	123·8
1954	…	…	…	…	125·0	135·5	124·5
1955	…	…	…	…	153·8	149·1	128·9
1956	…	…	…	…	153·8	161·5	138·3
1957	…	…	…	…	153·8	165·6	140·7
1958	…	…	…	…	192·3	173·7	147·6
1959	…	…	…	…	192·3	180·4	147·5
1960	…	…	…	…	192·3	193·4	147·8
1961	…	…	…	…	221·2	206·7	152·6
1962	…	…	…	…	221·2	214·5	161·2
1963	…	…	…	…	221·2	221·5	164·6
1964	…	…	…	…	259·6	241·7	168·0
1965	…	…	…	…	307·7	259·4	177·3
1966	…	…	…	…	307·7	277·8	183·6
1967	…	…	…	…	307·7	282·3	189·1
1968	…	…	…	…	346·2	305·3	197·5
1969	…	…	…	…	346·2	328·0	208·4
1970	…	…	…	…	384·6	360·9^*	220·1
1971	…	…	…	…	384·6	401·9^*	240·8
1972	…	…	…	…	461·5	438·5†	256·0
^* Estimate based on movement of index of average earnings for all employees from October, 1969, to April, 1970 and from October 1970, to April, 1971.
† Estimate at March 1972, based on movement of index of average earnings for all employees between October, 1971, and March ,1972—latest figures available.

Trade And Industry

Concorde

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many service flights of Concorde over any parts of Wales are envisaged within the next five years; and if he will give particulars.

The West Coast route will be used for a limited number of further test flights, but these will be keptto a minimum. The Government will announce their decision on the regulation of commercial supersonic flying overland in good time before Concorde enters airline service.

Urea (Imports)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why no decision about the application for

retirement pension as compared with indices on the same basis for average male earnings in manufacturing industry and retail prices.

The information is given in the following table:anti-dumping duty on imports of urea has yet been made; and, as this application was published by his Department in October, 1971, and in view of the harm caused by the delay in reaching a decision, whether he will now act.

This application has involved imports from six different countries and the necessary investigations have taken some time in order to ensure that they were both fair and thorough. The Department expects to be able to announce its decision soon.

Regional Assistance

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total amount of regional assistance in 1969–70; what is the estimated amount for 1973–74; and how much assistance per head of population in the assisted areas these figures represent in real terms, taking the actual population in the then assisted areas in 1969–70 and assuming for 1973–74 that the assisted areas will be as described in Command Paper No. 4942.

I am considering how far it is practicable to provide the information requested, and will write to the hon. Member.

Travel Agents

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider introducing legislation to protect travel agents, who are the victims of court actions which are the direct result of false advertising, or cliams, by tour operators and others in the travel industry; and if he will make a statement.

In relation to civil actions of this kind it is for the travel agent to ensure that under the terms of his contract with the tour operator or other party he is able to seek redress.

Industrial Development Certificates

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for industrial development certificates have been withdrawn in each of the past five years.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been issued in Staffordshire in each of the past five years.

Following is the information:

1967	304
1968	346
1969	370
1970	350
1971	187
NOTE: The industrial development certificate exemption limit was raised from 3,000 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft. in December, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for industrial development certi- ficates for projects in the Leek Urban District have been withdrawn in each of the past five years.

Two in 1969, one in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he is making to collect the information about industrial development at present obtained from industrial development certificate applications in the development and special development areas, in view of the abolition of the need to apply for these certificates in these areas.

Discussions are at present taking place between this Department and the Departments of Employment and Environment about alternative sources of such information.

Motor Vehicles (Export)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many commercial vehicles were manufactured in Great Britain in each year since 1958; and how many were exported.

Following is the information:

			Thousands
Year	Number of weeks	Total commercial vehicles produced in Great Britain	—of which Produced for export^*
1958	53	313	121
1959	52	370	140
1960	52	458	168
1961	52	460	163
1962	52	425	155
1963	52	404	165
1964	53	465	179
1965	52	455	174
1966	52	439	178
1967	52	385	139
1968	52	409	150
1969	53	466	193
1970	52	458	190
1971	52	456	188
^* These figures may differ from actual exports as recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics because of differences in timing and coverage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many motor cars were manufactured in Great Britain in each year since 1958; and how many were exported.

Following is the information:

			Thousands
Year	Number of weeks	Total cars Produced in Great Britain	—of which produced for export^*
1958	53	1,052	522
1959	52	1,190	611
1960	52	1,353	575
1961	52	1,004	402
1962	52	1,249	551
1963	52	1,608	649
1964	53	1,868	706
1965	52	1,722	653
1966	52	1,604	625
1967	52	1,552	564
1968	52	1,816	803
1969	53	1,717	824
1970	52	1,641	723
1971	52	1,742	714
^* These figures may differ from actual exports as recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics because of differences in timing and coverage.

Gas Council (Supplies To France)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the arrangements which he approved concerning the British Gas Council making available supplies of gas to France.

These are operational matters which do not require ministerial consent, so the hon. Member should consult the Chairman of the Gas Council for any information he may require.

Air Traffic Control (Automation)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the provision of automated air traffic control services in the United Kingdom.

I am glad to be able to tell the House that with the full agreement of the Government, the Civil Aviation Authority has today announced a major step forward towards the automation of air traffic control in the United Kingdom. The authority is announcing details of a series of contracts it will be negotiating. A copy of the Authority's announcement is given at the end of this answer.I welcome the authority's proposals under which in the shorter term the authority will be placing contracts worth over £20 million with British industry for the provision of a complex of display systems and British computers, including fully labelled synthetic radar displays. The development work for this system will give the British electronics industry extensive opportunities to expand its capability in this important field of technology. I also welcome the authority's proposal to place with British industry within the next 12 months contracts for study of a replacement system capable of handling the heavier and more complex air traffic demands which will arise from about 1985 onwards.I am sure the whole House will welcome these steps by the authority to provide an environment in which a high standard of safety can be maintained to meet the growth of air traffic.The following is the announcement:

Flight Data Processing System

The Civil Aviation Authority, with the agreement of the Government, is now ready to make a major step forward in the automation of air traffic control in the United Kingdom. A series of contracts will be negotiated intended to provide by 1975, which is the earliest possible date, a powerful computer base for the continuing and urgently needed development of the facilities at the London Air Traffic Control Centre, West Drayton.

The system proposed is planned to meet the main needs of the United Kingdom Air Traffic Control Service until the early 1980s, providing an environment in which the growing air traffic can continue to operate with a high standard of safety. It aims to automate many tasks currently undertaken by controllers. These include the handling of flight plan data, the transfer of information between controllers within the London centre and between this centre and adjacent European centres. It also includes the addition of radar data processing to provide fully labelled synthetic radar displays.

The development work will give the British electronics industry extensive opportunities in advanced real time data processing systems and the chance to expand its capability in this important field of technology.

The system will include the central processor equipment developed for the United States Federal Aviation Administration for its large ATC Centres, and the FAA have generously agreed to provide their developed software. This system is called the 9020D, is based on IBM computers and is already in operation at a number of United States Centres. Associated with it will be a complex of display systems involving computers which will be provided by United Kingdom industry. The electronic data display system associated with the central processors will use a British invention, the Touch Wire Display System, as developed by British industry for air traffic control, and Marconi will be invited to provide this.

Further, Marconi, which has been a major contractor for the United Kingdom Mediator ATC project, is being invited to play a significant part in the system and software management involved in introducing the FAA 9020D system and interfacing it with British equipment. The plan also involves expansion by Marconi of the facilities provided by the Myriad I data processor developed and supplied by it for the London Air Traffic Control Centre, to be used for Middle Air Space control.

Corresponding facilities to be provided by British industry are planned for the Oceanic Area Control Centre, and for the Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre.

The system will provide the base for the continuing development of United Kingdom ATC automation and enable the placing of further contracts with British industry for advanced radar data processing and display equipment.

On the basis of these developments, the Civil Aviation Authority can plan to provide controllers with automatic warning of potential collision threats, and the Authority is studying means of extending the system to this end.

The overall programme is expected to cost over £25 million, of which the major part, over £20 million, will be placed with British industry.

For the longer term, the Authority will be placing early contracts for study for a replacement system from British industry capable of meeting the heavier traffic and more complex demands of the later 1980s and 1990s.

Power Stations (Consents)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to expedite the issue of consents to new power stations so as to allow the Central Electricity Generating Board flexibility of choice and to avoid precon-struction planning delays.

It has been the practice in recent years to withhold consents under Section 2 of the Electric Lighting Act, 1909, until final approval to investment in and hence construction of major new power stations has been given. This practice has been criticised and is, I believe, contrary to the interests of both those concerned with the land planning and environmental aspects of the siting of power stations and those responsible for planning for the construction of such power stations; it can also inhibit the flexibility of choice mentioned by my hon. Friend.Accordingly, following consultation with the bodies mainly concerned, I have decided to adopt a new procedure whereby consents for new power stations can be issued when it has been established that the proposed site and station are acceptable on planning grounds—land use and environment—and, where appropriate, on nuclear safety grounds. Henceforth, any consents issued under this new procedure will not by themselves carry approval to invest: before any new power station can be put into construction the CEGB will need to obtain the requisite approval of the Secretary of State to its capital development programme, which is reviewed annually. At this stage any wider economic fuel policy, and social considerations will be taken into account.At present, I understand that the CEGB has no firm plans for major power station orders after Ince B for which it has Section 2 consent and investment approval and for which it is currently negotiating the main contracts. The CEGB has had Section 2 consent for power stations at Drax II (coal) and Size-well B (Nuclear) for some time, and I have today issued consent to Killingholme (Oil) under the terms indicated above. The CEGB is readvertising its application for a 2,000 megawatt coal-fired station at West Burton B.

Wales

Possum Equipment

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Welsh Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has ben granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement.

The number of severely disabled persons, their disabilities and the number of regional assessors concerned are shown below:

Number or persons assessed	22
Number of persons assessed as suitable to use Possum equipment	10
Number of persons suffering from:
Quadriplegia	4
Ankylosing Spondylitis	1
Brain Damage following Aortogram	1
Fractured Spine	1
Disseminated Sclerosis	3

There are two assessors in Wales, both of whom specialise in traumatic and orthopaedic surgery.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Welsh Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Information about additional facilities provided for individual Possum installations is not maintained centrally Items most commonly supplied include power circuits, cabinets to house the equipment and door lock intercommunication systems. The needs of each Possum user are carefully assessed at a domiciliary case conference at which the local authority is always represented

Volume 838: debated on Friday 16 June 1972

Written Answers To Questions

Ilkeston

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Forest Nature Reserves

Civil Service

Parliamentary Papers (Supply)

Education And Science

Pupil Maintenance Grants

National Gallery (Admission Charges)

Tutankhamun Exhibition

Students (Social Work Training)

Pre-School And Primary Education (European Cost Comparisons)

Secondary Education (Derby)

English Language (Committee)

Employment

Scotland (Eec Social Fund)

Trade Unions (Registration)

Graduates (Wales)

Kettering And Corby

Environment

Main Road Improvements (West Riding)

Polluted Farmland (Barling, Essex)

Motor Vehicles (Research Questionnaires)

Road Fund Licence Evasion

Motorways (Repairs)

Driving Tests (Private Cars)

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

European Economic Community

Overseas Broadcasts (United Kingdom Immigrants)

Scotland

Possum Equipment

Selective Schools (Glasgow)

Social Services

Possum Equipment

Rickets

Private Patients (Nhs Facilities)

Retirement Pension (Value)

Trade And Industry

Concorde

Urea (Imports)

Regional Assistance

Travel Agents

Industrial Development Certificates

Motor Vehicles (Export)

Gas Council (Supplies To France)

Air Traffic Control (Automation)

Flight Data Processing System

Power Stations (Consents)

Wales

Possum Equipment