asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken arising from a letter to him from the hon. Member for Islington, East, dated 8th June, 1971, asking him to exercise his powers in respect of Premo Enterprises (Voucher Sales) Limited.

As the hon. Member knows, the Department has been making inquiries into this matter. The inquiries have been complex but I understand they will shortly be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government's regional policies are designed to ensure the fulfilment of the Government's aim to disperse overseas tourists from London into the regions.

The greater part of the assistance being provided under the Development of Tourism Act, 1969 is for tourist projects outside London. The British Tourist Authority and the Tourist Boards are also devoting a considerable part of their resources to encouraging overseas visitors to travel in the regions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the development areas in which the Civil Aviation Authority has located its staff with the proportion of staff deployed on industrial operations.

The location and deployment of staff is in general a matter for the CAA and I am sure the Authority will be glad to provide the detailed information sought by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about his negotiations with the United States Civil Aeronautics Board about capacity on flights between London and Miami.

The capacity on services between London and Miami was discussed at several rounds of consultations with the US governmental authorities from October, 1971 until July, 1972 but no agreement was reached. We have limited the capacity of National, the US carrier, in conformity with the Bermuda agreement, so that only four of its seven weekly services may be by Boeing 747 aircraft. BAOC is mounting similar services. We remain willing to resume consultations if the US authorities wish.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further action he has taken since he received a deputation from the Eastern Gas Consultative Council expressing its concern about the effect on consumers of the proposed closure of 12 showrooms in the area.

As my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Industry agreed at the meeting with the deputation, the Board Chairman was asked to provide the Council with additional information on the profitability of these showrooms and I understand that this has been done.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the award by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the design, development and testing contract for the Orbiter vehicle in the United States proposed post-Apollo space shuttle to the North American Rockwell Company with which the British Aircraft Corporation has successfully collaborated, he will authorise British participation in the post-Apollo programme.

The Question of participation is being discussed with our European partners in the light of the reduction in the areas of work still open for European collaboration. I cannot prejudge the outcome of these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he is making in his discussions with European countries about Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to the post-Apollo and space-shuttle programmes.

A decision on participation in the post-Apollo programme is one of the objectives of the European Space Conference now planned for late September. The discussions which are being undertaken should facilitate such a decision, but I cannot prejudge what the outcome will be.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the projects in which the United Kingdom and the United States of America have had a joint interest in post-Apollo and communications satellite projects; and what aspects are still in progress.

Studies of the space shuttle have been made by the British Aircraft Corporation and Hawker Siddeley Aviation in association with North American Rockwell and McDonnell Douglas respectively. The United Kingdom has, with assistance from the United States, undertaken the Skynet military communications satellite programme, work on which is continuing. The United Kingdom is also a member, with the United States and other countries, of the Intelsat Global Communications System and is the second largest contributor to that Organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on Government policy on the maintenance of cross-Channel and other continental shipping under the British flag, particularly as this affects the policy of British Rail and other nationalised industries.

I have no power to require that any particular proportion of cross-Channel or other continental services be operated under the British flag. But a substantial proportion are so operated and I see no grounds for intervention by the Government in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about Governmental assistance to encourage British shipping companies to place orders in British shipyards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to encourage British and foreign ship-owners to place new construction orders in British ship-building yards; and if he will make a statement.

A statement on this subject will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to review the list of manufactured and semi-manufactured materials included in duty-free entry into the United Kingdom, following the proposal to increase the numbers of developing countries under the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development generalised preferences scheme.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to his similar Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the present stocks of coal in the United Kingdom; and how this figure compares with 12 months ago.

The latest information published by the Department in the Weekly Statistical Statement shows total stocks of coal at 28·9 million tons on 22nd July, 1972 with 28·5 million tons on 24th July, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in order to improve the degree of public accountability of Rolls-Royce (1972) Limited, he will require this firm to make half-yearly reports to himself, which would in turn be reported to Parliament.

The first Report and Accounts of the company will be issued shortly, and I will ensure that copies are available in the Library. The making of half-yearly reports is a matter for the board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when a decision is now likely to be made in respect of the creditors of Rolls-Royce Limited; when they are likely to be paid; and what proportion of the debt is likely to be met.

These are all questions for the Receiver and Joint Liquidators of Rolls-Royce Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has now been able to satisfy the West German Government and other European Economic Community members that the United Kingdom policies on regional development do not conflict with our treaty obligations.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. No Community Government has sought such an assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent talks he has had with the Commission of the European Community as regards a common policy for ship repairing among the members of the Common Market.

None. After accession to the European Communities we shall play a full part in any consideration of a common policy towards the ship-repairing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet begun and survey into the effect of entry into the European Economic Community which was recommended by the Bolton Committee; and when the report of this survey may be expected.

We started this survey earlier this year, as my right hon. Friend told my lion. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. John Hannam) on 28th February. We have looked first at the operational changes which small firms will face and how they will be affected by legislative and regulatory alterations in the early stages of our accession. I hope to publish a summary of the results in Trade and Industry in the autumn; and I have in mind also to publish, in the months before accession, in booklet form. a guide to changes in the law on entry, with the needs of small and medium-sized firms particuluarly in mind.—[Vol. 832, c. 28.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what methods are available to his Department to assess the amount of equipment used for the exploration and production of North Sea oil and gas ordered from United Kingdom firms.

My officials acquire information in the course of their frequent contacts with industry. The consultants' study which we have commissioned will provide a basis on which the opportunities for future participation in this new and expanding market can be assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on the future of the nuclear power industry.

I hope to do so before the House rises.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the number of cases which have been reported to him or known by his Department where companies and their directors have been in any way in contravention of the Companies Acts; and what action he has taken in each instance to enforce the law, in accordance with his duties under statute.

Information about applications to the Department and prosecutions under certain sections of the Companies Acts is contained in Department's annual report under the Companies Act. A very large number of cases of default in respect of annual returns and reports is dealt with without prosecution by seeking compliance. The complete information requested could not be compiled without undue expenditure of staff resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many prosecutions were instituted by his Department in each of the years 1970, 1971 and 1972 as a result of false statements being made in company returns filed at the Companies Registry;(2) in how many cases of false statements of which he was aware, being made in company returns filed at the Companies Registry, his Department did not take action in each of the years 1970, 1971 and 1972.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to breaches of Sections 33 and 34 of the Companies Act, 1967. Since these provisions were introduced, only five complaints of noncompliance have been received. No prosecutions have been instituted, but two cases are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many square feet of floorspace in industrial buildings was available for sale or lease in Bolton on 1st January, 1972, 1st February, 1972, and at the latest convenient date; by how much this latter figure will be reduced if present negotiations for occupancy are successfully concluded; and what additional factory floor space is now actually under construction.

I regret that information in this degree of detail is not available. If however my hon. Friend has any particular point in mind I would be happy to see whether we can help him.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement about monitoring procedures of the Concorde project as requested in the Sixth Report from the Expenditure Committee.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace to the hon. Members for Newark (Mr. Bishop) and Pontypridd (Mr. John) on 31st July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the amount of subcontracting to French suppliers of the United Kingdom Concorde; and to what extent late deliveries are a cause of production expenditure on the United Kingdom Concorde being less than the production expenditure levels in France.

As I informed the right hon. Member on 31st July, production expenditure on Concorde is running at comparable levels in both countries. The present United Kingdom production commitment of £75 million includes about £3 million for orders placed upon French subcontractors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what perceived noise decibel levels the production Concorde aircraft will be quieter than the prototypes as a result of the technical development in progress.

A precise estimate is not possible. But the indications are that Concorde should achieve noise levels similar to existing aircraft such as the VC10, Boeing 707 and DC8.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is the intention of the Government to continue financing Concorde through Section 8 of the Industrial Expansion Act, 1968, or whether it is their intention to make use of the broader facilities provided by Clause 8 of the Industry Bill.

As I informed the House on 21st July, 1972, the present limit on Concorde production finance will almost certainly have to be raised in the future. I am considering presenting a separate Bill to the House for powers to meet the longer-term financing requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he satisfies himself that proposed new tariffs submitted by the electricity boards are within the 5 per cent. maximum increase limits agreed to by the central Electricity Generating Board with the Government; and if he will make a statement.

It has long been the practice for the Electricity Council to discuss with the Government any proposals for changes in tariffs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are his intentions in connection with the development of the VFW 114; and whether he is satisfied that there is an adequate long-term programme for the manufacture of the M45 engine.

As my hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace told the House on 18th July, negotiations are continuing on the contracts to cover the launching of the M45H engine, which is being developed by Rolls Royce (1971) Ltd. in conjunction with SNECMA and for which Her Majesty's Government have agreed in principle to provide launching aid to Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. up to a maximum of £11 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the operation of industrial incentives in the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement.

I believe that the Government's new measures will have increasingly beneficial effects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a representative of Her Majesty's Government will attend the British Industrial Exhibition to be held in Hong Kong in October.

A visit by a Minister to this important exhibition is being planned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make and publish a survey on the amount of capital that has been introduced into each of the energy-producing industries since 1913, and provide an analysis, including the records of any amounts written off, of the returns that have been obtained on this investment; and what returns are expected on planned future investment.

A survey involving the information requested does not exist; as such it would be costly to compile, necessarily incomplete, would compare dissimilar factors and be extremely difficult to interpret. Returns on planned future investment will depend, in the case of the nationalised fuel industries, upon a number of factors including the financial objectives which will be determined by the Government of the day.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the energy used, in coal equivalents, in Great Britain in 1913, 1938, 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1971; and what value this represented in each of these years.

Gross inland energy consumption in the United Kingdom has been estimated as follows:

	Million tons
	coal equivalent
1913	187
1938	191
1950	226
1960	265
1970	328
1971	323

Separate figures for Great Britain are not compiled. Currently, energy consumption in Northern Ireland represents about 2 per cent. of total United Kingdom consumption.Estimates of the value of transactions in the energy sector in 1969 and 1970 are published in Tables 3 and 4 of the Digest of Energy Statistics, 1971, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. Estimates for the earlier years in question are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the energy, in coal equivalents, exported from Great Britain in 1913, 1938, 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1971; and the value of these exports for each of these years;

Following is the information extracted from HM Customs returns in original units of measurement for the United Kingdom, together with their values:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the numbers of persons employed in each of the energy-producing industries in Great Britain, or offshore, for each of the years 1913, 1938, 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1971, and provide an estimate of the total wages paid in each industry for each year mentioned, as far as can be readily ascertained on a comparative basis;(2) if he will make an estimate of the value of the net assets employed in each of the energy producing industries in

					1950	1960	1970
National Coal Board
Number of employees at end September (thousands)				…	736	682	356
Wages and salaries (£ million)	…	…	…	…	321	482	430*
Net assets employed (£ million)	…	…	…	…	335	900	667*
Gas Industry
Average number of employees (thousands)			…	…	140	124*	117*
Wages and salaries (£ million)	…	…	…	…	51	86*	162*
Net assets employed (£ million)	…	…	…	…	313*	652*	1,760*
Electricity industry
Average number of employees (thousands)			…	…	174	203	210*
Wages and salaries (£ million)	…	…	…	…	66	150	302*
Net assets employed (£ million)	…	…	…	…	731	2,320*	5,683*
* Figures are for the accounting year nearest the calendar year in question.
Figures for 1971 are not yet available.

Comparable figures for 1913 and 1938, and for the petroleum industry as a whole, are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements have been made for British participation in the mass transit system to be constructed in Hong Kong; and what benefit he expects to British exports as a result.

British manufacturers and contractors are keeping closely in touch with developments on this major project, and are expected to tender when that stage is reached. They and Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of the importance of this contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the proposed increase of one new penny in the price of some brands of beer in spite of increased profits achieved or forecast, if he will now seek to reintroduce a system of voluntary notification of intended price increases.

A voluntary notification system covering a number of goods and services, including beer, whose prices are of particular concern to the consumer, has been in operation since September, 1970.

The published Reports and Accounts of the nationalised coal, gas and electricity industries and other sources yield the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the development of the coastal trade traffic in British vessels, especially on the cross-Channel trades.

British vessels carry a substantial proportion of coastal and cross-Channel traffic and I see no grounds for Government intervention to promote further development of these services by the operators concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will now order an inquiry into the prevalence and nature of the practice of pyramid selling;(2) whether he will now introduce legislation to ban the practice of pyramid selling.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Raphael Tuck).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal-fired power stations are now in operation in the United Kingdom; what was the total amount of coal consumed for the past 12 months; how these figures compared with those of each of the past four years; and what are the estimated figures for each of the next four years.

The following table shows the number of coal stations in use and the tonnage of coal consumption over the five years to 31st March, 1973. The number of coal-fired power stations in future operation is a matter for the Generating Boards, but I expect coal to continue to provide a major proportion of the fuel used for electricity generation.Figures for financial years ended 31st March are as follows:—

UNITED KINGDOM POWER STATIONS USING COAL
Year ended	Number of	Quantity of
31st March	Stations	Coal Used
		million tons
1968	166	69·9
1969	162	75·1
1970	159	75·7
1971	154	73·4
1972	149	67·3

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of the full and part-time appointments under the control of Her Majesty's Government held by Mr. Dan Smith; when such appointments were held; and what salaries or expenses were paid in each instance from public funds.

So far as can readily be ascertained Mr. Smith has not held any public appointments within my field of responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the proposed increase in building society mortgage interest rates, he will now refer the question of such rates to the Monopolies Commission.

No. But I shall continue to bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the general rundown on the ship-repairing industry in the Southampton area; and what aid will he given to ensure further repair work.

While I have no plans to provide aid for the industry in the Southampton area or the ship repair industry as a whole I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Tilney).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent advise he has given to the British motor manufacturing industry to improve their capacity and cost efficiency in the light of the increasing penetration of the British market by foreign competitors.

The motor manufacturers are continuously engaged in seeking improvements in their efficiency. The Department discusses future demand and other matters bearing on capacity regularly with the industry. A long period of uninterrupted production would do more than anything else to help the companies' efforts to meet home and export demand.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the progress of vertical and short take-off and landing aircraft projects.

The Department has recently completed in consultation with other Government departments and Industry a study of the application of vertical, short, and quiet, reduced takeoff and landing aircraft applied to short-haul air transport. The implications of the conclusions and recommendations are now being examined but it is too early to pronounce on these.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make Gas Safety Regulations under Section 67 of the Gas Act. 1948.

These regulations will be laid tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will order an inquiry by his Department with a view to retaining continuance of employment at the factory of Anglo-American Plastics, West Chirton, Northumberland.

The management's decision to close the factory is not one into which the Department has powers of inquiry. I understand that closure is planned in 1974; the Department and the English Industrial Estates Corporation are endeavouring to find an alternative user who will provide continuing employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contractors have succeeded in obtaining contracts for office cleaning in his Department in the last five years; whether he will publish their names; and how many firms tendered.

Since my Department was created in October 1970, 44 firms have tendered and the following 11 have been awarded contracts:

• Automagic Cleaning Services Ltd.
• Britannic Cleaning Co. (London) Ltd.
• Cleanagents & Co. Ltd.
• Crothall &Co. Ltd.
• Cardiff & Castle Cleaning Co. Ltd.
• Donway Building Maintenance Ltd.
• General Cleaning Contractors Ltd.
• Great Met Ltd.
• Nova Contract Cleaners.
• Office Cleaning Services Ltd.
• Strand Cleaning Services Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will state the annual percentage increase in contract prices for cleaning his Department's offices in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971; and how this compares with the annual percentage wage increase of maintenance staff actually employed by his Department.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without excessive expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the annual saving to his Department by employing contractors to do office cleaning instead of employing cleaners as part of his staff.

Estimates are not made on this basis. The problems and costs of cleaning each building by alternative methods are examined separately before contracts are let.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will allow facilities for trade union recruitment and organisation on the premises of his Department during hours in which cleaners are employed.

Facilities for trade union recruitment and organisation are granted to recognised unions in respect of civil servants. My Department is not responsible for such arrangements in respect of employees of contractors; but if any contractor asks for help in providing similar facilities on my Department's premises in respect of his employees who work there, I will consider his request.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the steps being taken by Imperial Chemical Industries and the Gas Council to collaborate in the production of SMG from oil, whether it is the intention of the Government to sell any part of the gas produced from any economic process on the world market and to develop an export trade for British gas to the United States of America.

Exploitation of their process would be a matter for the Gas Council and ICI. It is as yet too early to see how large overseas demands for processes to make substitute natural gas will be; however I see little prospect of the gas rather than the process being exported.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the letter of the West German Government of 11th July to the European Economic Community Commission about United Kingdom industrial development policy and the Commission's reply.

It is not for Her Majesty's Government to publish exchanges between the European Commission and other parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about proceedings at the International Court of Justice with regard to the dispute with Iceland over fishing limits.

Our application for an interim ruling was heard on 1st August. A copy of the Court's decision will be placed in the Library of the House when it becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is having with the Government of the People's Republic of China over an exhibition of ancient Chinese treasures, comparable to the scale of the current exhibition on Ancient Egypt.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will explore with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China the possibility of a future exhibition of recent major archaeological discoveries in China.

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State has discussed this question with the Chinese Government. It has now been agreed in principle that an exhibition should take place. Dates and other details remain to be settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge in the Security Council the need for the Government of Israel to respond as a matter of urgency to the desire expressed by the Council in its resolutions of 26th June and 24th July that all Syrian and Lebanese military and security personnel abducted by Israeli armed forces from Lebanese territory on 21st June, 1972 should be released.

The Security Council Resolution of 21st July requested the President of the Council and the Secretary-General to make renewed efforts to secure the return of the personnel abducted from Lebanese territory on 21st June. In the view of Her Majesty's Government it would be premature to initiate further action in the Council while these efforts are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her Majesety's Government voted for United Nations Security Council Resolution 318, adopted on 28th July, 1972; what prior consultation took place with the United States representative who abstained; and what changes will result in the application of sanctions against Rhodesia by Her Majesty's and other Governments.

We voted for the resolution because it is in line with our policy on sanctions. It was discussed with the United States and other delegations at the United Nations, but these exchanges must remain confidential. The resolution does not require any change in the way Her Majesty's Government apply sanctions. I cannot speak for other Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has now received about the proposed participation of Rhodesia at the forthcoming Olympic Games; what action he has taken; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received no representations from Governments on this matter. I have received a number of letters and oral representations from individuals in this country. On the question of action, I have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Soref) on 24th July. The matter is entirely one for the Federal German Government.—[Vol. 841, c. 206.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the normal retiring age for United States-based British consular staff.

If the question is referring to the locally engaged staff serving in British Consular Offices in the United States the normal retiring age is 65 irrespective of nationality. In the case of honorary consular officers there is no fixed age for retirement but the efficiency and suitability of those concerned are kept under regular review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement concerning the discussions which took place on 31st July, 1972 in Cairo between Her Majesty's Ambassador to Egypt and the Egyptian Foreign Minister. Mr. Ghaleb;(2) what discussions the Government have entered into with the Government of Israel, in consequence of the discussions which took place on 31st July, 1972 in Cairo between Her Majesty's Ambassador to Egypt and the Egyptian Foreign Minister; and if lie will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo had a meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 31st July at which they discussed matters of common interest. The substance of these exchanges is confidential. But they did not give rise to any need for consequential discussions with the Israeli or any other Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to supply arms to the Government of Egypt which may be used for offensive purposes.

The policy of Her Majesty's Government on the supply of military equipment to the parties to the Arab/Israel dispute remains unchanged. Requests for arms from the countries concerned will continue to be examined on their merits, and in each case account will of course be taken of the military balance in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning discussions which the Government have had with members and proposed members of the European Economic Community regarding policies in the Middle East.

Periodic consultations have recently been initiated between Foreign Ministers of the present and future members of the European Community on political matters of common interest. The situation in the Middle East has naturally figured among the subjects discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for banning the use of fragmentation bombs have been put before the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament.

So far as I am aware, no proposals of this kind have been placed before the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he will not seek an opportunity to renegotiate the Nassau Agreement.

Because I do not consider it in the national interest to seek to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Nigeria will be expended in the present financial year.

Most of our capital aid is being spent on a general development loan, equipment for the Niger Dam project, telecommunications development, rehabilitation, communications, railway and signalling equipment and miscellaneous capital goods.Our comprehensive technical assistance programme includes agricultural surveys, feasibility and management studies as well as training, the provision of experts and aid to education.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Pakistan will be expended in the present financial year.

Most of our aid to Pakistan is provided in non-project form, but we are continuing our contributions to the Indus Basin Development Fund.

					1	2	3
					All Research
					(readily identifiable—	Research and
					these figures are	Development Subhead	Trypanosomiasis— 11
					conservative)	—element of(1)	element of(2)
					Actual Expenditure	Allocation
					£	£	£
1967–68	…	…	…	…	2,612,000	1,887,000	127,000
1968–69	…	…	…	…	3,107,000	2,165,000	136,000
1969–70	…	…	…	…	3,261,000	2,209,000	160,000
1970–71	…	…	…	…	3,857,000	2,625,000	160,000
1971–72 (Provisional)			…	…	4,232,000	2,727,000	183,000
						Allocations
					£	£	£
1972–73	…	…	…	…	4,600,000	3,000,000	208,000

Figures for the next financial year and subsequently have not vet been decided. I regard trypanosomiasis research as of great value to many developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Brazil will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects in our aid programme to Brazil, all of which are technical assistance schemes, are in the fields of technical and vocational education, as follows:

Technical College, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte.

Post-graduate Engineering School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Federal University of Paraiba, Campino Grande.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sums of money were spent on research and development by the Overseas Development Administration during the past five years; how much of that has been allocated to trypanosomiasis research; and what sum is proposed to provide for research and development and for trypanosomiasis research, respectively, for the current year and during the next five years.

The aid provided in these fields was:

Two experts advising the Ministry of the Interior on the implementation of the National Irrigation Plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the administration costs of the Overseas Development Administration including and excluding Governmental common services, respectively, and what the ratio of these figures is to new aid provided in the last appropriate year.

Administrative costs for the financial year 1971–72 were provisionally, £4·2 mililon, common services £1·7 million. Official aid disbursements were £264 million. Administrative costs alone were 1·59 per cent. of aid disbursements: administrative costs plus common services 2·24 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Laos will be expended in the present financial year.

The provision of equipment and experts for Radio Laos, and of English language teaching experts; and the establishment of a Plant Protection Centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland will be expended in the present financial year.

Our aid programmes in Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland consist of a large number of mostly small projects covering the full range of each country's economy. In Lesotho the main projects in financial terms are the provision of a stockpile of medicinal drugs, road-making plant and buildings for a maternity wing at Lesotho's single major hospital.In Botswana the main projects in financial terms are the regrading of sectors of the North/South road, government offices and expansion of facilities at the Government's Agricultural College. In Swaziland the main projects so far approved include provision for infra-structural work in the Mapsapa Industrial Estate, for a cattle breeding station in the Lowveld, and for British contract officers' housing. Further applications are expected, covering particularly agricultural and livestock development and the education sector.We also have wide-ranging technical assistance programmes in all three countries, covering the provision of training personnel and studies of various kinds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Zambia will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are:

Supplementation of British staff.

Training of Zambian students in Britain, and other technical assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Malawi will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are the development of the University campus, the construction of Monkey Bay Road, telecommunications, railway rehabilitation, housing and water development, and afforestation. We also provide Malawi with a wide range of technical assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Uganda will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are:

• Trunk road development.
• Tick eradication programme.
• Seed multiplication scheme.
• Re-equipment and expansion of cotton ginneries.
• Supplementation of British staff.
• Training of Uganda students in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Tanzania will be expended in the present financial year.

There are no such projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Kenya will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are:

• Land transfer.
• Land purchase for settlement.
• Land consolidation.
• Rural development.
• Mumias sugar scheme.
• Equipment for the Mombasa television project.
• Supplementation of British staff.
• Training of Kenyan students in Britain, and other technical assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Gambia will be expended in the present financial year.

Our capital aid is being spent on projects in the infrastructure—including electricity and communications —and in agricultural extension and development. Our comprehensive technical assistance programme also includes a major survey of the land resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Sierra Leone will be expended in the present financial year.

Most of the capital aid expenditure will be incurred on the construction of a road between Taiama and Bo in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone. Our comprehensive technical assistance programme also includes the provision of an agricultural planning team of six experts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which Britain aid to Ghana will be expended in the present financial year.

Disbursement of the balance of the 1971 £2 million commodity loan continues. Our comprehensive technical assistance programme also includes a number of major consultancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Indonesia will be expended in the present financial year.

A textile mill in central Java, a power station in Bali, marine navigation aids and aircraft engines and parts. Also a wide range of essential imports under programme aid and irrigation and hydrological studies, training courses in Britain and management training in Indonesia under technical assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Malaysia will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are as follow:—

• Equipment for the public sector.
• Port Dickson power station—generating equipment.
• Technical assistance (consultancy services).
• Equipment for technical education.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Singapore will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Turkey will be expended in the present financial year.

A steel pipes plant at Kirikalle, near Ankara, a polyethylene plant at Yarimca, near Izmit, the Bosphorus Bridge, and fertiliser plants at Iskenderun and Yarimca.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Jordan will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are the Irbid electricity transmission, Aqaba Airport, Amman electricity supply, Amman University/hospital water supply, and Kerak-Hasa groundwater irrigation. Two further projects have just been approved: Irbid electricity generation and excavation equipment for phosphate production.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to British Honduras will be expended in the present financial year.

The main projects are:

Western Highway—road realigning and surfacing.

29-bed hospital at Orange Walk.

Environmental improvements Belmopan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to Sri Lanka will be expended in the present financial year.

A water supply scheme at Galle; and a Crumb rubber factory together with a central rubber specification laboratory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main projects upon which British aid to India will be expended in the present financial year.

The greater part of British aid to India will be given in non-project form. The main projects are three fertiliser plants at Kandla/Kalol, Tuticorin and Mangalore; a products tanker for the Great Eastern Shipping Company of India and a Naphtha Cracker at the Koyali Petrochemicals complex.