asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take on the report of Mr. D. G. Scholey on the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

As I announced in the House on 10th May, the Government have accepted the central recommendation that ECGD should remain a separate executive agency within the Civil Service. The recommended changes in senior management structure have been made. The other recommendations are being studied and decisions will be taken as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will arrange for an office of the Export Credits Guarantee Department to be set up in Bradford.

There is at present an ECGD office in Bradford. We plan shortly

EXPENDITURE ON ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMPANIES SINCE 1965
					Total		Acquisitions		Mergers*
					Number	£ million	Number	£ million	Number	£ million
Quoted companies† (company accounts)
1964	…	…	…	…	940	505	939	502	1	3
1965	…	…	…	…	1,000	517	995	507	5	10
1966	…	…	…	…	808	502	805	447	3	55
1967	…	…	…	…	763	822	763	822	—	—
1968	…	…	…	…	946	1,946	942	1,774	4	172
1969	…	…	…	…	906	935	904	927	2	8
All industrial and commercial companies (Press reports)
1969	…	…	…	…	846	1,069	844	1,061	2	8
1970	…	…	…	…	793	1,122	787	1,080	6	42
1971	…	…	…	…	884	911	884	911	—	—
* A merger is valued at the market value of the smaller company's share of the newly formed company (i.e., it is reckoned as the acquisition of the smaller company by the larger company involved in the transaction).
† Excluding companies mainly operating abroad and agricultural shipping and property companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many mergers and takeovers have been screened by the Department of Trade and Industry since the Monopolies and Mergers Act, 1965, came into force; what proportion of these was refused; and how

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the English Tourist Board's scheme for registration and classification of hotels.

The English Tourist Board's proposals are being considered urgently and a statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of mergers and takeovers in each year since the Monopolies and Mergers Act, 1965, came into force; and what was the capital value involved in each case.

The information requested is as follows:many more mergers were known to the Department but not screened.

Since 1965 the Department has examined all the 675 merger proposals which appeared to satisfy the criteria of Section 6 of the Monopolies and Mergers Act 1965. Of these, 15, or just over two per cent., were referred to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to arrange for talks with the trade unions and employers' associations in the Yorkshire and Humberside region about selective financial assistance to industry in that region.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans for such talks. I discussed the subject when I met representatives of trade unions and employers on my visit to Leeds on 25th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria he will employ and what conditions will be attached in the application of the new selective financial measures to the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.

The broad forms and scope of regional selective assistance have been outlined by my right hon. Friend and by myself in the debates on the Industry Bill. Further details, including guidance to industry, will be made available as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the distribution of the new selective financial measures in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region will be conducted on a company basis or on a geographical basis.

Substantial responsibility for this assistance will be devolved to the regions, but applications will be considered centrally in appropriate cases, including cases with implications extending beyond a single region.

asked the Secretary of State for Tade and Industry when the new regional industrial director will be appointed for the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.

The appointment of Mr. A. R. M. Graham was announced on Friday, 14th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the new industrial development board will be set up in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.

I hope to make an announcement before very long.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning his responsibility for the economic and social consequences of the practice known as asset stripping; and what replies he has sent.

I have received a few letters. The reply sent has generally been on the lines of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade's reply of 26th June.—[Vol. 839, c. 218.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the study commissioned by his Department into the shipbuilding industry will take account of its investment needs.

The appraisal of the long-term prospects of the shipbuilding industry will consider all relevant factors including the industry's investment needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the study commissioned by his Department into the shipbuilding industry will take into account developments within the European Community.

The appraisal of the long-term prospects of the shipbuilding industry will consider all relevant factors including developments within the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will use the provisions of Section 15 of the Iron and Steel Act, 1967, in order to stop the expansion of the private sector of the steel industry during a period in which the British Steel Corporation is closing down sections of its existing works.

No. It is the Government's policy to encourage investment, and so increase efficiency, in both sectors of the steel industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on industrial development prospects for Wales for the remainder of 1972.

Decisions about industrial development are very largely for the private sector. The assistance available throughout the Principality gives a greater incentive to development than ever before.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total of opencast coal mined in the period January-June, 1972;and what was the price to the National Coal Board.

The Weekly Statistical Statement issued by the Department shows that 51 million tons of opencast coal was produced in the first half of 1972. Proceeds and costs are published, on an annual basis only, in the Reports and Accounts of the National Coal Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the context of Her Majesty's Government's fuel policy, he will make a statement on the significance of the manufacture of substitute natural gas at Hilsea Gasworks in Portsmouth.

This is an experimental conversion of part of the existing plant to provide commercial experience of research already carried out by the Gas Council into the manufacture of substitute natural gas and to help exploit British gas production technology in overseas markets.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of jobs lost in the past three years in the Kingston upon Hull travel-to-work area; how many new jobs have been created; and what plans he has for the creation of new skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled jobs to meet the needs of the present unemployed and summer school leavers.

Precise information about job gains and losses is not available, but an indication of the net change can be obtained by comparing levels of employment at different dates. Between June, 1967, and June, 1970, the latest date for which information is available, the number employed in the Kingston upon Hull travel-to-work area fell by 3,500 to 166,500.I am confident that the measures taken to stimulate the economy, together with those envisaged in the Industry Bill, will encourage the generation of new employment in Hull as elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on behalf of the Canadian paper industry with regard to its position after British entry into the European Economic Community.

The Canadian Government and paper industry have represented both to us and to the present members of the EEC their concern at the prospect of losing their present parity of access with the non-candidate members of EFTA to the United Kingdom market in respect of paper products. Preservation of this parity of access would require a derogation from the terms of the Treaty of Accession.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give the estimate of expenditure from British public funds on the European Space Conference.

£230,000 in the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with interested parties as to whether the present price-fixing practices, concerning the Channel ferry operators, is contrary to the European Economic Community competition policy as laid down in Articles 85 and 86 of the Rome Treaty.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he is having with the United States Government on the post-Apollo programme, following the postponement of the European Space Conference.

The United States has expressed a preference for a collective European response to its offer of participation and the United Kingdom has respected this preference. No formal discussions with the United States Government are therefore appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions specifying the meetings between Government and industry have taken place between United Kingdom aerospace interests and the United States of America on the post-Apollo space programme since it was first proposed in September, 1969; and which United Kingdom companies have been involved.

Following the visit to Europe in 1969 by United States officials, the United Kingdom has participated in the missions of the European Space Conference delegations to the United States in September, 1970, February, 1971, and June, 1972. There has also been a series of discussions between technical experts.Hawker Siddeley Aviation and the British Aircraft Corporation have participated in the Phase B studies of the shuttle programme in collaboration with United States contractors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the £2 million spent on studying the United States post-Apollo programme by the European Space Conference countries has been spent by the United Kingdom alone.

The United Kingdom share is £473,000, but following the recent changes in the nature of the participation in the post-Apollo programme open to Europe some of this money may not be spent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) in view of the fact that the European Space Conference planned for 11th and 12th July was specifically proposed to fit in with the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration's timetable on space shuttle contracts but has now been postponed, whether Europe and the United Kingdom are still being invited to participate in the post-Apollo programme;(2) in view of the limitations being imposed upon European participation in the post-Apollo programme, what advanced technological participation is now visualised in this project by United Kingdom and European firms.

Development of a research application module in Europe is still open and under consideration with our partners in the European Space Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on the British Aircraft Corporation and Hawker Siddeley of being denied any involvement in the post-Apollo programme.

The two firms have collaborated, with Government support, in studies with American firms for the development programme. Direct subcontracts might be obtained from the main American contractors but the cost of further Government support has to be weighed against the work and management experience industry would derive from participation in a programme which is now less interesting technically than when first proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on Scottish industry of the steel industry's decision to locate its basing points in England.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Cockeram) on 4th May. The British Steel Corporation has nominated Glasgow as one of its basing points for a large number of its major products. The private sector's proposals are not yet known.—[Vol. 836, c. 205–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in his examination of consumer protection, he will consider protection to purchasers of furniture, new and second hand, and include proposals on this matter in his forthcoming legislation.

If my right hon. and learned Friend will let me have details of the particular problems of purchasers of furniture that he has in mind, I shall be very glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the degree of assistance which will be available from the European Investment Bank to the United Kingdom regional development programme.

I hope that industry will take full advantage after our entry of the European Investment Bank's loan facilities. I shall be considering how these can be linked with our proposed new regional measures. It is, however, too early to forecast the scale of the bank's operations in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what official discussions his Department has now had with Mr. J. Lorne Gray, President of Atomic Energy of Canada, about proposals for Anglo-Canadian collaboration on a new generation of nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lorne Gray had discussions with me on 22nd June about collaboration on heavy water reactor technology. The scope for this depends on the outcome of the current review of United Kingdom thermal reactor policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what total amount of aid from public funds is now available to the British computer industry.

As I announced to the House on 3rd July, £14·2 million will be provided to ICL for R and D support up to September, 1973. Additionally £3·15 million will be paid to ICL in September, 1972. This is the outstanding balance due to be paid by the Government for their shareholding in ICL, as provided for in the 1968 merger agreement. Also the continuation of the Advanced Computer Technology Project and the racing of development contracts for work in various areas will involve Government expenditure of approximately £2 million in the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the outcome of his further representations to the Japanese Government on the implementation of their proposed seven-point programme.

Japanese Ministers are aware that although I welcome their seven-point programme, for which they still have to secure legislative backing, its impact in my view can only be felt in the medium term. I hope that the new Government under Mr. Tanaka will be able to make an early response to my requests for more immediate measures to help our manufacturers and exporters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce a new Sale of Goods Bill.

A Bill to amend the Sale of Goods Act is in preparation and will be introduced as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to initiate discussions between his Department and the European Economic Community Commission regarding proposals for a Community industrial policy aimed at encouraging European-based firms in fields of high technology.

My officials and I have already had many discussions with the Commission about its proposals in this field, which are still being considered within the Community of Six.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in discussions with Great Britain's prospective European Economic Community partners on the matter of consumer protection.

There has been discussion with the EEC Commission about draft regulations and directives in such fields as food standards, weights and measures and consumer safety; and wider issues of consumer policy have been discussed with our prospective partners within committees of the Council of Europe and the OECD.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the position will be regarding the maintenance of company names and trade names and descriptions of goods, articles and services on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community and on dispute as to which company is entitled to claim rights to title; and whether such claim would be settled in the British court or the European court if the disputants include firms and countries outside Great Britain contesting with British firms.

There are EEC directives relating to trade descriptions which we shall comply with by amending our own law. There is no directive relating to company names or to trademarks. In all these matters disputes will continue to be settled by the competent British authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the effects on Great Britain's trade of the European Economic Community Secondary Legislation Part 5 Customs Questions Regulation No. 686/72/EEC of 5th April, 1972, published on 8th July.

This regulation makes minor technical amendments to the "origin rules" of the Association Agreement between the existing Community and Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The present agreement expires on 31st January, 1975, and will not apply to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the latest position regarding discussion with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nations on shipbuilding subsidies.

Discussions are continuing on this problem in the OECD and a report is expected to be submitted to the OECD Council in the near future recommending the adoption of an arrangement for the general reduction of aids to shipbuilding.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had concerning the proposals to produce a stretched version of the RB211 engine to give more than 42,000 lbs. of thrust.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce a decision regarding the funding of an uprated version of the RB211 engine, which in its initial production run has now received the British certificate of airworthiness, as part of the Lockheed TriStar.

Rolls-Royce's proposals for a stretched version of the RB211 engine are under evaluation. I expect to be able to announce a decision in time for Lockheed to take its own decision on launching an extended range version of the TriStar aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has, in view of the present threat of redundancies in the industry, to increase the number of Government contracts using the products of the British Steel Corporation.

None, but the measures we have already taken to promote a faster rate of economic growth, including increased public purchasing, will stimulate the demand for steel.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to require foreign-based companies, firms or other organisations to notify his Department of their intention to establish offices in this country, whether or not the office is administered by a British subject.

Under Part 10 of the Companies Act, 1948, a company incorporated outside Great Britain must file particulars with the Registrar of Companies within one month of establishing a place of business in this country.Unincorporated associations formed outside the United Kingdom with a view to profit and having a place of business here must register a business name under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916. I see no need for these provisions to be expanded.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new firms have been established and are in operation in Wales since June, 1970.

We know of 65 establishments originating outside the Principality or entirely new to manufacturing which have opened in Wales since June, 1970, and are still in operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if a Green Paper is to be published dealing with the amendment and consolidation of hallmarking laws; and on what date.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) on 14th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total of fluorspar of all grades exported, and to which countries it was exported, in the first six months of 1972.

Fluorspar is not separately recorded in the trade statistics but exports can be closely estimated. Figures for June are not yet available but exports for January-May are estimated at 33,610 metric tonnes. Individual country estimates are as follows:

EXPORTS OF FLUORSPAR*, JANUARY-MAY, 1972
	Metric tonnes
Total	33,610
of which:
Canada	9,904
Italy	8,669
Norway	5,943
West Germany	3,647
Japan	1,953
Australia	1,162
Portugal	727
Other countries	1,605
* The figures are those for the trade heading "Leucite, nepheline, syenite and fluorspar", which are estimated to be wholly or largely exports of fluorspar.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking as a result of the impending closure of the Sutherland factories on the Bridgend Industrial Estate.

My Department will be making every effort to find an alternative tenant for the factory which is not expected to be vacated until some nine months hence.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect of floating the £ sterling on the cost of imported coal.

None; it is too early to assess any effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what amounts of coking coal in calorific therms have been imported into South Wales from Poland, the United States of America and other countries, respectively, in each of the last three years ending 18th June.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the price paid for each exploration licence granted so far in the so-called Celtic Sea.

For each licence awarded recently to explore for and win oil or gas in the United Kingdom waters of the Continental Shelf there is an initial payment of £45 per sq. km.; 17 licences have been granted for areas in the Celtic Sea involving initial payments totalling £456,840. Annual rents rising from £50 per sq. km. are payable from the 7th year. The details for each licence are:

	£
P. 144	11,731·50
P.145	11,650·50
P.146	23,382·00
P.147	11,610·00
P.149	11,610·00
P.150	23,341·50
P.151	35,113·50
P.152	11,650·50
P.154	11,610·00
P.155	11,650·50
P.156	93,811·50
P.157	23,463·00
P.158	59,791·50
P.159	81,594·00
P.160	11,529·00
P.161	11,610·00
P.162	11,691·00

The allocation of blocks in the Celtic Sea was announced on 15th March. The names of licence holders are to be published shortly in the Official Gazettes, but a list is being lodged in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made or is planned in the aircraft industry in adopting metric units of weight and measurement.

As explained in the White Paper on Metrication, Cmnd. 4880, new designs for military aircraft are now expressed in metric terms, and aero engine design is substantially metricated. For reasons connected with the present United States operational requirements, civil air-frames are still designed substantially in imperial: this will change as soon as it becomes commercially advantageous to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made or is planned in the computer construction industry in adopting metric units of weight and measurement.

The United Kingdom controlled part of the British computer industry follows the standards of the European Computer Manufacturers Association, ISO and BSI. However, the dominance of the American manufacturers who are not specifically following a policy of metrication is such that in many instances imperial dimensions have to be retained although as far as possible such measurements are expressed in dual metric-imperial units.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made or is planned in the oil and petrochemical industry in adopting metric units of weight and measurement.

The oil industry's progress so far has been in line with its adopted programme designed to complete most aspects of metrication by the end of 1975 with the exception of the conversion of retail petrol pumps which it now has under review, postponing completion to a date not yet agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the Official Report the financial incentives currently available to existing industrialists to help expansion and thereby create more jobs in a development area such as Scotland.

The following is the information: Financial Incentives available to existing industry in Scotland

(i) Subject to the passing of the Industry Bill now before Parliament:

(a) Regional development grants for capital expenditure on providing new buildings and works, adapting existing buildings and providing new plant and machinery for premises used wholly or mainly for qualifying activities—principally manufacturing, construction and mining—and also on providing mining works or new plant and machinery for use in the construction industry. The rates of grant will be 22 per cent. in the special development areas, except for construction industry plant used outside qualifying premises, and 20 per cent. in the rest of the development area. In the intermediate areas of Edinburgh, Leith and Portobello the grant at 20 per cent. will be available only for expenditure on buildings and works other than mining works. The grants will be made in respect of expenditure defrayed on or after 22nd March, 1972, provided that, in the case of plant, machinery and mining works, the asset was not provided before that date or, in the case of buildings and other works, construction was not begun before that date.

(b) Selective financial assistance in the form specified in the Bill for projects which are likely to provide, maintain or safeguard employment in the assisted areas.

• The Bill includes transitional provisions for building grants under Section 3 of the Local Employment Act, 1972, and loans and grants under Section 4, which will be superseded by the above arrangements.

(ii) Regional employment premium—£1·50 a week in respect of each man employed in a manufacturing establishment in the development area with lower rates for women, boys and girls.

(iii) Training assistance—grants for training workers for additional jobs—£15 per week in respect of each man with lower rates for women and young persons.

(iv) In the counties of Argyll, Caithness, Sutherland, Inverness, Ross and Cromarty, Orkney and Shetland additional incentives are available over a wide range through the Highlands and Islands Development Board which can offer a special grant and take equity in appropriate cases.

(v) Over and above the preferential incentives, firms in Scotland can benefit from countrywide taxation allowances on capital expenditure:

(a) a first year allowance of 100 per cent. on all new and secondhand plant and machinery—other than passenger cars.

(b) an initial allowance of 40 per cent and a 4 per cent, per annum writing-downing allowance on new industrial buildings and structure.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now estimate what effect investment allowances have had upon the growth of manufacturing industry in Wales during 1971; and what corresponding effect the withdrawal of investment grants have had.

It is not possible to isolate the effect on the level of investment in 1971 of the measure to replace investment grants by investment allowances. This was only one of the measures taken by the Government to encourage investment in Wales and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will hold consultations with the Secretary of State for Social Services with a view to reducing the incidence of lung disease by making it possible for miners to be issued with personal dust sampling instruments; and if he will make a statement.

I am working to put proposals for increased dust sampling to the National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee at the end of the summer, and to talk with the NCB and the unions before then. My officials are in touch with the Department of Health and Social Security on the best means of protecting miners from the dust hazard. This old problem has many complications, but I wish to ensure that every reasonable modern technique is used to safeguard the health of miners.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if, in view of his decision to allow coal imports, he will ascertain and publish the amount of coking coal, in calorific therms, produced in North Staffordshire which is not now being sold on the coking market;

These are matters for the National Coal Board, and I will ask the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out in detail items H. (Oil Storage etc.: Capital Expenditure) and I. (Oil Storage etc.: Operation and Maintenance), and J. (Payments to Governments of Northern Ireland and Isle of Man) on page 55 of the Revised Estimates Supply Estimates, 1972–73 (Class IV, 7).

The detail on items H, I and J, and additionally that for item Z—receipts arising out of the activities referred to in items H and I—is as follows: —H. OIL STORAGE, & c.: CAPITAL EXPENDITUREBeing work carried out which adds to the capital value of the asset.

	£
Pipelines	200,000
Storages	170,000
	370,000

I. OIL STORAGE, & c.: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCECosts involved in the operation, maintenance, relay and repair.

	£
Pipelines	1,667,000
Storages	1,533,000
	3,200,000

J. PAYMENTS TO GOVERNMENTS OF NORTHERN IRELAND AND ISLE OF MANPayments under the Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1968, of a proportion of the revenue from the exploitation of the petroleum resources of the Continental Shelf.

	£
Northern Ireland	1,284,000
Isle of Man	48,000
	1,332,000

Z. RECEIPTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF OIL INSTALLATIONS

	£
Use of pipelines	1,300,000
Use of storages	1,430,000
Jetty dues	50,000
Contributions towards relays, diversions, etc., of pipelines	110,000
Miscellaneous	10,000
	2,900,000

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a decision about the application for anti-dumping duty on imports of urea published by his Department in October, 1971.

The decision was announced in a Press notice on 14th July. The volume of dumped imports during the 1971–72 season did not warrant imposing duties. But the position will be watched and the case reopened urgently if significant dumping takes place in the 1972–73 season.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on recent developments in the shipyards of Upper Clydeside.

I am glad to confirm that Govan Shipbuilders Ltd. has secured its first order, which is for four ships from the Kuwait Shipping Company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is now the Government's policy in aerospace activity, in relation to a national programme of co-operation with Europe and international co-operation.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Aerospace to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 22nd February, 1972.—[Vol. 831, c. 286.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reply he has received from the Chairman of the National Coal Board to his letter about dispersal of offices; and if he will make a statement.

The Chairman in his reply said that since 1966 there had been a substantial reduction in the number of staff located in the London area and parts of the headquarters organisation have been moved to Doncaster, Burton-on-Trent and Cannock. The board has no plans at present for further substantial movements of staff out of London.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of imported woven and knitted outer-garments to Great Britain in the first five months of 1972; and how this figure compares with the first five months of 1971.

United Kingdom imports, including crocheted outer garments, in the first five months of 1972 and of 1971 were £55 million cif and £42 million cif respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why his Department does not intend to comply with the recommendation of the International CivilAviation Organisation in 1970 that all member States, including the United Kingdom, should introduce a licensing system for operations officers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 13th July.—[Vol. 840, c. 446.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is with regard to International Computers Limited remaining an indigenous British firm.

As I told the House on 3rd July, the Government's view is that any possible association with an overseas firm should provide for the maintenance of a substantial computer research and development, manufacturing and marketing capability, controlled in this country. I have nothing to add to that.—[Vol. 840, c. 34–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will increase its shareholding in International Computers Limited.

The support for ICL which I announced on 3rd July does not involve any increase in the Government's shareholding. As to ICL's longer-term needs, on which I am in touch with the company, I cannot anticipate what form any support might take.—[Vol. 840, c. 34–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 11th July, enclosing a letter from the Electrical Trades Union, complaining of the Government's failure to carry out their duties imposed upon them by Statute under the Companies Act; and whether he will make a statement giving details as requested in the hon. Member's letter.

The hon. Member's letter was received on 12th July. A reply will be sent as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the report from the British Airways Board outlining proposals for the future organisation of British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I have received the report of the Airways Board provided for in Section 39 of the Civil Aviation Act, 1971, and it is presented to Parliament today.I should like to congratulate the board on the speed with which this report has been presented.The report recommends important changes in the organisation of the public sector airlines, although BEA and BOAC continue as the main operating units in the group. The recommendations and programme for further work are consistent with the Government's objectives in setting up the Airways Board and are therefore acceptable to the Government. Accordingly I have today given my consent to their being implementedAs the House will see from the report, the conclusions reached by the Airways Board provide a framework for further work to be done on the best organisation for certain activities and the need for legally separate air corporations. I understand from Mr. Nicolson that the Airways Board will be pressing on with its consideration of these subjects, and will report to me on the legal status of the corporations as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry as a result of strikes of deposits of oil, gas, and minerals in Cardigan Bay, what estimate he has made of the effect of the working of these deposits upon the Welsh economy.

No such strikes have yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will amend the Companies Acts to give the Insurance Branch of his Department powers of registration, supervision and control over the operations of insurance brokers.

This possibility is included in the review of insurance legislation. I cannot anticipate what conclusion may be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement upon the recent talks with the Icelandic Government in Reykjavik regarding the proposed 50–mile fishing limits.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend the Minister of State's reply to a Private Notice Question on this subject on 13th July.—[Vol. 840, c. 1850–54.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what considerations dictated the composition of the delegation to Iceland led by the Minister of State and why no advisers were included from the Ministry of Defence.

Apart from my noble Friend the Minister of State and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the delegation included officials from these two Departments, whose interest in the subject is clear. Representatives from the British Trawlers' Federation were also present as technical advisers. No officials from the Ministry of Defence were included, as no subjects falling within that Department's responsibility were discussed with the Icelandic Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the amount of financial assistance given from public funds to the Centre for Multi-Racial Studies in Barbados in each of the years 1968 to 1971.

Her Majesty's Government provided £49,051 in 1968; and in the years 1969, 1970 and 1971, sums of £10,759, £14,008 and £4,335, respectively, were paid by the Overseas Development Administration and the Social Science Research Committee to finance a research scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs whether he will now consult Her Majesty's allies, and other friendly Powers, on combined measures to counter the activities of, and to deny facilities to, terrorist and hijacking organisations.

We regard the widest international co-operation as necessary to the solution of this problem. We have worked and will continue to work to this end in the United Nations and in the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which will shortly consider proposals for a framework for effective international action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department are employed at the High Commission in Dar-es-Salaam; and how long they are taking to deal with applications for entry certificates to enter the United Kingdom.

The staff of the British High Commission at Dar-es-Salaam comprises 17 United Kingdom-based staff and 27 locally-engaged employees. The issue of entry certificates is the responsibility of one United Kingdom based officer supported by three local employees.In straightforward cases entry certificates are invariably issued within 24 hours. Where the entry certificate officer

considers that an interview is necessary to establish the

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what facilities have been provided for Government-assisted visits to European Economic Community countries for Members of Parliament; who attended such visits; and what were the costs involved;

Her Majesty's Government have agreed to make available in 1972–73 the total sum of £189,000 to assist non-governmental organisations to promote exchanges, visits and conferences with Western Europe. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the use of this sum by professional category, but I will arrange shortly for information to be placed in the Library of the House about grants made or committed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the official meeting held in Brussels on Friday, 7th July; and to what extent the meeting to be held on 19th July will be attended by him.

I am unable to identify the meeting on 7th July to which the hon. Member refers. Her Majesty's Government were not involved in any formal meeting with the Community, at ministerial or official level, on that day. I expect to attend the summit preparation meeting of Foreign Ministers on 19th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her Majesty's Government will not contribute towards the appeal for £120,000 to buy medical supplies for North Vietnam being made by the World Council of Churches.

Her Majesty's Government have already contributed £10,000 for the relief of the victims of North Vietnamese aggression.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking as a result of the impending closure of the factory tenanted by A. G. Sutherland Limited on the Bridgend Industrial Estate.

I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who will be making every effort to find a new tenant for the factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue advice to planning authorities to withhold planning consent for house-building projects for holiday homes until the housing needs of local permanent residents have been met.

Local planning authorities are already aware that they have to decide planning applications in the light of approved development plans and all other material planning factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what facilities exist in Wales for the rehabilitation and after care of those who have been treated for drug addiction.

Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff, has a special department for this purpose. There are out-patient facilities there and at certain other hospitals. The usual arrangements for continuing care of patients through general practitioners and social workers also apply. The South Wales and Monmouth shire Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency has established a hostel in Cardiff and proposes to open another one in Newport later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many members of the Wales Committee of the Countryside Commission are able to speak Welsh;and what percentage this is of the total membership.

Local Authority			Site						Acreage of Derelict Land Reclaimed	Cost of Scheme	Grant Approved
										£	£
Gwyrfai RDC		…	Slate Waste: Port Dinorwic					…	2·00*	8,049	6,842
Mynyddislwyn UDC		…	Nine Mile Point Colliery—Stage II						84·50*	189,565	161,130
Ebbw Vale UDC		…	Pant-y-Fforest—Stage II				…	…	141·00*	52,860	44,931
Llwchwr UDC		…	Garngoch No. 2 Colliery—Stage II						26·30*	88,215	41,833
Monmouth CC		…	Nantyglo Senior Comprehensive School		…	…	…	…	29·20†	55,738	—
Pontypool UDC		…	Bridge Abutments: B4246 Varteg to Blaenavon		…	…	…	…	0·70*	1,167	992
Pontypool UDC		…	Foundry Road Tip, Abersychan					…	14·50*	19,534	16,604
Criccieth UDC		…	Goods Yard		…	…	…	…	2·00*	7,846	6,669
Caerphilly UDC		…	Abertridwr Station Yard				…	…	3·50*	9,782	4,065
Pontypool UDC		…	Albion Road—Stage I				…	…	12·00*	36,748	31,236
Maesteg UDC		…	Forge Factory Site			…	…	…	4·30*	30,172	24,116
Maesteg UDC		…	Llynfi, Car Park Site				…	…	3·95*	28,282	24,040
Brecon BC	…	…	Railway Land—Phase II (Monmouth shire/Brecon Canal)				…	…	0·36*	18,982	15,943
Llanelli BC	…	…	Greenfield/Richmond Works—Phase II	…	…	…	…	…	0·25*	5,279	4,487
Conway BC	…	…	Cadnant Park Reservoir				…	…	0·97*	2,405	2,044
Tredegar UDC		…	Sirhowy Brickworks Site				…	…	51·00*	164,176	123,825
Abercarn UDC		…	Prince of Wales Industrial Estate— Phase VI		…	…	…	…	3·21*	17,056	14,498

I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member on 27th June, 1972.—[Vol. 839, c. 334.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what remuneration is to be paid to the Chairman and individual members of the Local Government Staff Commission for Wales.

£3,200 and £1,500 a year, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the derelict land clearance schemes in progress at present and the estimated total cost of each scheme when completed, and the derelict land clearance schemes submitted to his Department for approval at present;(2) if he will list the derelict land schemes that have been completed in the last five years, and the total cost of each scheme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Members for Rhondda, West (Mr. Alec Jones) and Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 10th November, 1970, and 25th May, 1972, respectively.—[Vol. 806, c. 148–152: Vol. 837, c. 494.]The following list gives details of schemes approved since 10th November, 1970: