asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the plight of coracle fishing in West Wales.

I have received one only, which was from the Cambrian Archaeological Association seeking my support for the resolution passed at its annual general meeting on 31st August which expressed concern about the future of coracle fishing and called for arrangements to be made for its continuance.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish the evidence to the Commission on the Constitution relating to Wales.

This is entirely a matter for the Commission, but I am informed that the volume published on 29th September completes the evidence to be published relating to Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the communication dated 28th October from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding an investigation into a public company, allegedly controlled by the Mafia, and other related matters; and what action he has taken or proposes to take in connection with same.

Yes. I am considering it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic action or sanctions he is taking to combat and discourage air piracy and hijacking.

As my right hon. Friend, the then Minister of State said in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 23rd October, we are playing an active part in seeking agreement on a framework for effective international action to combat this menace. The International Civil Aviation Organisation Council is now inviting all member States to a special Meeting of the ICAO Legal Committee in Montreal in January for this purpose. —[Vol. 843, c. 765–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to all members of the International Community with a view to initiating a ban on all flights to and from Libya until such time as she undertakes not to offer refuge to hijackers.

We are in touch with the German Government about the implications of the hijacking on 29th October. I do not consider that Her Majesty's Government would be justified in taking an initiative such as is proposed by the hon. Member, in the absence of an international framework within which States could determine the facts of a case and agree on any joint action to be taken. As my hon. Friend, the then Minister of State, told the House on 23rd October, we are working actively in the International Civil Aviation Organisation for the establishment of such a framework.—[Vol. 843, c. 169–70.]

Irvine asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is offering to Fiji as a result of the recent cyclone.

As an immediate measure Her Majesty's Government are contributing 25.000 Fiji dollars—about £12,500—to the Fiji Prime Minister's Hurricane Relief Fund. We are examining urgently the possibility of sending emergency supplies to meet requests by the Fiji Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will consider making representations to Pope Paul about the possibility of liberalising the attitude of the Irish Roman Catholic Church towards the religious education of the children of mixed marriages in Northern Ireland as a contribution towards better community relations.

No. While I fully sympathise with the thought that everything possible should be done to help promote better community relations in Northern Ireland, these matters are better discussed between churchmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list those individuals and bodies to whom a copy of the Green Paper on Northern Ireland has been sent, indicating those who received it in advance of 12 noon on 30th October. 1972.

The primary responsibility for distribution of the paper for discussion lay with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. So far as the responsibilities of my Department are concerned, after consultation with my right hon. Friend a copy of the paper was handed in advance, in confidence and as a courtesy, both to Mr. Lynch in Dublin and to the Irish Ambassador in London. Our Embassies and High Commissions overseas received details of the contents of the paper simultaneously with the timing of the publication to enable them to deal in the normal way with enquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Ministerial talks with the Icelandic Government on the current fishing dispute.

Following an exchange of messages between my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister of Iceland, it was agreed on 31st October that discussions would be resumed at ministerial level. The date and place are yet to be fixed, but both sides hope the meeting will take place in the very near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the approximate numbers of persons resident in Hong Kong, including the New Territories, who, respectively, are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies or have other citizenships, not included very minor elements of the population.

The total population of Hong Kong is approximately 4 million. Of this total about 2 million are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. The rest are mainly Chinese residents of Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures regarding Ugandan Asian immigrants, as detailed in his letter to the hon. Member for West Ham, North, under date of 25th October, 1972, and the figures sent by his private secretary on 26th October dealing with the same subject; and how these compare with the information given on Monday, 23rd October, by his Department.

The figures sent to the hon. Member were necessarily interim ones and I see no point in circulating them in the OFFICIAL REPORT now. Final figures will be given in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why on Monday, 23rd October, the Government announced that approximately 20,000 Ugandan Asians had entered Great Britain since being forcibly expelled from Uganda, at the same time as a figure of 17,500 was quoted by the Ugandan Resettlement Board; and if he will clarify this apparent discrepancy.

No. There is no discrepancy. The hon. Gentleman is confusing figures for entry certificates issued in Kampala with figures for arrivals in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will give details of the approaches he has made to the countries of the European Economic Community to take in Ugandan Asians; whether, as from 1st January, 1973, immigrants from the Commonwealth will have to reside in Great Britain for five years before they have free admittance into the countries of the European Economic Community; and how this ruling will affect the Ugandan Asians now entering Great Britain who decide to settle in Europe as from 1st January, 1973;(2) how many Ugandan refugees each of the countries of the European Economic Community has agreed to accept.

Many European countries amongst them members of the European Community, have been asked to accept Ugandan Asians for resettlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the estimate of 255,000 people in former British territories with passports entitling them to settle in Great Britain includes the 100,000 Indians now living in Malaysia; and what estimate he has of the total number of persons involved if children and next of kin of these persons were included.

I would refer the hon. Member to the figures given in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) on 23rd October. That figure comprised the best estimate that we are able to make of the number of persons with no other citizenship whether or not they hold current British passports. It is a total figure and includes children and other dependants who are themselves United Kingdom citizens.On the information available a high proportion of the estimated 110,000 people in Malaysia is of Indian origin.—[Vol. 843, c. 770.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he is aware that the British Government's estimate of British passport holders claiming the same rights of entry into Great Britain as the Ugandan Asians, now domiciled in Tanzania is 20,000; and whether he will seek to obtain from the Tanzanian Government the actual figure of such passport holders and their dependants and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT;(2) whether he is aware that the British Government's estimate of the number of British passport holders claiming the same rights of entry into Great Britain as the Ugandan Asians, now domiciled in Zambia, is 6,000; and whether he will seek to obtain from the Zambian Government the actual figure of such passport holders and their dependants and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT;(3) whether he is aware that the British Government's estimate of the number of British passport holders claiming the same rights of entry into Great Britain as the Ugandan Asians, now domiciled in Malawi, is 13,000; and whether he will seek to obtain from the Malawi Government the actual figure of such passport holders and their dependants and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.(4) whether he is aware that the British Government's estimate of the number of British passport holders claiming the same rights of entry into Great Britain as the Ugandan Asians, now domiciled in India, is 25,000; and whether he will seek to obtain from the Indian Government the actual figure of such passport holders and their dependants and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT;(5) whether he is aware that the British Government's estimate of the number of British passport holders claiming the same rights of entry into Great Britain as the Ugandan Asians, now domiciled in Pakistan, is 1,000; and whether he will seek to obtain from the Pakistan Government the actual figure of such passport holders and their dependants and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT;(6) whether he is aware that the British Government's estimate of the number of British passport holders claiming the same rights of entry into Great Britain as the Ugandan Asians, now domiciled in Malaysia and Singapore, is 140,000; and whether he will seek to obtain from these Governments the actual figure of such passport holders and their dependants and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT;(7) whether he is aware that the British Government's estimate of British passport holders claiming the same rights of entry into Great Britain as the Ugandan Asians, now domiciled in Kenya, is 50,000; and whether he will seek to obtain from the Kenyan Government the actual figure of such passport holders and their dependants and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The figures of persons with no other citizenship who are subject to control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts given in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) on 23rd October, and in reply to the hon. Member on 24th October represent the best possible estimate that each of Her Majesty's missions in the countries concerned is able to make from the information available to it, including such published records as exist in the country. Only when a recent census of population has taken place is it possible to make a fairly reliable estimate; this is the case in Kenya and Malawi.There are no plans to approach the Governments concerned.—[Vol. 843, c. 770 and

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the official estimate of 255,000 of British passport holders able to claim rights of entry into Great Britain on a similar basis as the Ugandan Asians includes children of these passport holders; and what are the estimated number of children able to claim admittance on their parents' passport rights.

The estimate of 255,000 people with no other citizenship subject to control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts resident in former British territories is an overall total, including children whether or not they hold current British passports.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the estimated 255,000 United Kingdom passport holders in various countries of the world, together with their families, are under the present rules and regulations, entitled to claim entry into Great Britain on the same basis as the Ugandan Asians; and whether he will now discuss this subject with the various Governments of the countries of the Comonwealth.

The entry of United Kingdom passport holders subject to control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968, is regulated by an annual quota of special vouchers issued to heads of household. Since May, 1972, the overall allocation has been 3,500 vouchers a year.While all aspects of this matter are kept under close review, there are no present plans to consult further with Commonwealth Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will arrange to discuss with the Government of the Republic of Kenya their desire to expedite the return to Great Britain of the Kenyan Asians who are British passport holders; to what extent he estimates the present entry quota could be doubled during 1973 and subsequent years; and on this basis how long it would take to admit the whole of the Kenya Asians holding British passports.

The entry into the United Kingdom of Asian residents of Kenya with British passports is proceeding systematically under an arrangement designed to avoid disruption in either country. That arrangement, founded on mutual agreement, continues to work satisfactorily. Any problems which arise can continue to be discussed with the Kenyan authorities as and when necessary. There are no proposals to double the quota and the question on timing does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will remove diplomatic immunity from diplomats abusing their privileges by carrying quantities of arms, explosives and letter bombs.

I have no evidence that any diplomats entitled to immunity in this country are acting in the way suggested but I should certainly take a serious view if it were shown that they were.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to extend the legal aid scheme so that the financial status of accused persons ceases to be relevant to the administration of the law.

No. Courts are required by the Criminal Justice Act, 1967, to have regard to the means of applicants when considering applications for legal aid, and I see no reason to alter the law in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to introduce amending legislation to ensure that persons who commit criminal offences such as dangerous driving may be brought to trial even after the lapse of six months from the date of the offence.

No such legislation is necessary in relation to the offence of reckless or dangerous driving, since this is triable either on indictment or summarily, and in the former case—subject to the requirements of Section 179 of the Road Traffic Act, 1972—the six months' time limit does not apply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the working of Section 11 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1967, which requires defendants to give notice of alibi evidence in trials on indictment; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I understand that the Section is achieving the desired effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigation have now been made into the circulation of letters, falsely purporting to be from the Department of the Environment, relating to the suposed compulsory billeting of Ugandan refugees on the recipients; and what prosecutions against the individuals responsible are pending.

These letters have been brought to the attention of the police. So far the persons responsible for circulating them have not been traced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether British citizens or those entitled to hold United Kingdom passports are entitled to join the regular standing army of a foreign Power, or a Commonwealth country, or another country within the Common Market; and what legal sanction can be taken against a British citizen or United Kingdom passport holder who joins such an army

The law places no restriction on the engagement of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies in the military service of a country at peace with Her Majesty save where that country is a foreign State at war with a foreign State at peace with Her Majesty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Manchester City Council will be informed of his decision on the boundaries for the Manchester constituencies of the Greater Manchester Council; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to announce decisions in respect of all counties and metropolitan districts in England and Wales by 30th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable into the circumstances and the reason why Miss Madge Davidson was questioned and publicly searched at Liverpool Airport on Tuesday, 17th October, when returning to Belfast after addressing a public meeting in Cardiff.

I am making inquiries and shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons are estimated to be in receipt at the present time of exclusively unearned income of £2,000 to £5,000 a year; how many in receipt of combined earned and unearned income of £2,000 to £5,000 a year; and how many in receipt of exclusively earned income of £2,000 to £5,000 a year.

About 40,000, 2·3 million and nearly 5 million respectively, counting the joint earnings of a married couple as one.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what correlation there is between the growth of consumer debt and the rate of inflation.

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the main cause of inflation is excessive wage and salary claims rather than the growth or level of consumer debt. The Crowther Committee examined this topic in its report of March, 1971, and found no cause for concern.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the inflationary effect of credit cards on the growth of consumer expenditure.

The effect of credit cards on the economy is little different from that of consumer debt in general. In present conditions faster growth of consumption is not inflationary, and indeed a fast growing market is essential if manufacturers are to keep their prices down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of consumer debt is accounted for by bank credit cards; and what estimate he has made of the growth of such proportion in the next decade.

Separate figures for the amount of credit outstanding on bank credit cards are not available. Although this form of lending represents only a very small proportion of total consumer credit at present, it is no doubt likely to grow in importance in the next decade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will specify the amount of meat purchased annually through Government contracts, and the proportion of such purchases which is imported meat.

This information is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate effort and expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what British or Common Market legislation obligations will be incurred as a result of the commitment to Common Market economic and monetary union.

As regards the United Kingdom, the necessary legislation exists in a number of Statutes, including the European Communities Act, 1972. Further legislation will be introduced as and when required. As regards the Communities, the obligations so far incurred are set out in the Council Resolutions of 22nd March, 1971, and 21st March, 1972. Further measures may need to be taken under the various dispositions of the Treaties, including Article 235 of the EEC Treaty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what statutory authority the Government is committed to Common Market economic and monetary union.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what British or Common Market legislative obligations will be incurred as a result of the commitment to Common Market economic and monetary union.

It depends on how progress in this direction develops.

asked the Prime Minister (1) why Parliament was not consulted before he sought to commit Great Britain to acceptance of a Common Market political union;(2) why Parliament was not consulted before he sought to commit Great Britain to acceptance of a Common Market economic and monetary union.

The decisions taken at the Summit Meeting in Paris about political union and economic and monetary union are entirely in accord with the policy put to the House by the Government in Cmnd. 4715 and subsequent debates.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that in the legal cases affecting the imprisoned five dockers a total of £3,078 was paid to counsel; whether he will give the full costs including all solicitors' fees, etc.; and how many hours work was involved in the payment of this £3,078 to these five counsel.

Fees totalling, £2,753 were paid to counsel instructed by the Official Solicitor in the case in which five dockers were committed. No figures are available for the cost of the work done on this case in the Official Solicitor's office. His only disbursements were fees to counsel, the payment of which gave his staff less than one hour's work.

asked the Attorney-General why he will not take action to ensure that the 4,700 local commissioners of income tax are free from debts to the Inland Revenue so far as their own tax payments are concerned before and during the time of their appointments to their positions.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 25th October, 1972.—[Vol. 843, c. 301.]

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give the dates when Mr. Poulson was appointed and removed as a general commissioner of income tax; what was the reason for his removal; and how many commissioners have during the past 10 years been re- moved for the same reason as Mr. Poulson.

Mr. Poulson was appointed a General Commissioner of Income Tax on 3rd November, 1948, and resigned his appointment on 4th February, 1972. The last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Lord President of the Council what studies have been made of the inflationary effect of a rising population in Great Britain.

I would refer the hon. Member to the study at present being undertaken by the Population Panel which was appointed to assess the available evidence about the significance of population growth in this country. If a rising population has an inflationary effect I have no doubt the panel will refer to this in its report.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will set up an inter-departmental committee to consider the inflationary effects of a rising population in Great Britain.

No. An examination of the effects of an increasing population is already in progress by the Population Panel. When the report of the panel is received the question of commissioning any further studies will be carefully considered by the Government.

asked the Lord President of the Council why he will not move to appoint a Select Committee to examine the growing practice of companies and their directors failing to carry out their duties as laid upon them by the Companies Acts, and the continuing failure of the Department of Trade and Industry to take action to enforce these Acts.

As the hon. Gentleman already knows, the Department of Trade and Industry is taking further action to secure compliance by companies with the law and to strengthen the power to pursue defaulters.

asked the Lord President of the Council what action he has taken or intends taking to ensure that Ugandan Asians are offered employment within the Palace of Westminster; and how many of such persons have been employed since the enforced exit of Asians from Uganda.

I am not in any way directly responsible for the recruitment of staff within the Palace of Westminster.I have, however, been informed that at the present time no Ugandan Asians are employed within the Commons part of the Palace of Westminster.I can assure the hon. Member, however, that should any applications for employment be received they will be considered in accordance with normal practice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will conduct an official inquiry into the export of live animals for slaughter on the Continent.

No. I do not think that such an inquiry would be appropriate. I receive a great deal of information about the export of live animals from my Department's veterinary staff, who inspect the animals before shipment. I also receive many reports from animal welfare organisations about this trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the prospects for egg producers in England and Wales in the light of subsidised competition from Northern Ireland.

I do not expect that the scheme announced by the Ministry of Agriculture for Northern Ireland on 6th September will have any adverse effect on the prospect for egg producers in England and Wales. Payments will only be made to producers who restrict their laying flocks to a maximum size not greater than in a previous twelve-month period, and who enter contracts with packers encouraging more orderly marketing. The latest figures of chick placings for both Northern Ireland and Great Britain indicate that the basic problem of overproduction is easing to the benefit of the whole industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what price, sterling, per pound surplus butter is to be sold to the Armed Forces and similar institutions of member States of the European Communities as laid down by Regulation (EEC) No. 1282/72 of 21st June, 1972.

The regulation made provision for sales by the intervention agencies of existing member states at a minimum price of 35 units of account per 100 kg., equivalent to approximately £148 per ton on the basis of 2·4 units of account to the pound.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what studies have been made to see whether modern washing powders and other detergents are having a damaging effect on plant and animal life in estuaries and rivers;(2) what studies have been made to see whether modern washing powders and other detergents are having a damaging effect on plant and animal life in seas.

Tests in Government laboratories have shown that modern washing powders and detergents generally have a low level of toxicity to plant and animal life. The destruction of a large proportion of these products by biological processes during sewage treatment, and after discharge into fresh and salt waters, reduces the levels, as does the process of dilution. Observations made show no evidence of material damage to plant and animal life.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total value, in the last year for which figures are available, of Her Majesty's Stationery Office work contracted out to commercial printers; and what proportion of this work came to Scotland.

The total value of work contracted out to commercial printers for 1971–72 was £14·8 million, of which 6·3 per cent. went to Scotland.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will disclose the whereabouts of Joseph Michael Harkin, ex-private, 1st Battalion Queen's Lancashire Regiment, who was court marshalled for desertion and sentenced to five years' confinment in March, 1972.

I have been asked to reply.I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he is aware that Joseph Michael Harkin's mother is over 70 years of age, and that her health is deteriorating as a result of fear for her son's safety and as a result of intimidation and harassment from local thugs; and whether Joseph Michael Harkin's mother has yet been informed of the whereabouts of her son, sentenced to five years' confinement in March.

I have been asked to reply.Harkin wrote to his mother on 15th October and has since received a reply. I understand that the local police have no record of any complaints about threats to Mrs. Harkin.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the purpose of the visit of Special Branch officers to the home of Mrs. Harkin some 10 days ago.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that Joseph Michael Harkin is in good health and has not been subject to ill-treatment.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what correspondence she has received on the subject of the Teachers' Superannuation Scheme; and what replies she has sent.

Right hon. and hon. Members have forwarded a number of letters on this subject, mainly in favour of a change in the financing of the scheme.The main points made in the replies have been that the total contribution rate has been actuarially determined on the assumption of a funded scheme with average performance, and has not therefore been affected by the notionally funded basis of the teachers' scheme; that the increase in the teachers' share of the total contribution in return for the greatly improved benefits now being introduced is broadly the same as that in most of the other public service schemes; and that I do not think that a case has been made out for change.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has now had an opportunity to study the memorandum issued by the National Association of Schoolmasters and the Scottish Schoolmasters Association, concerning the teachers' pensions 1972 increases in contributions; and if she will make a statement.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the minority report which I have studied, submitted by the National Association of Schoolmasters and the Scottish Schoolmasters Association, which forms appendix 5 of the first report of the working party on teachers' superannuation.The working party have asked for a discussion about the financial basis of the teachers' pension schemes. Pending this, I have no statement to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many weeks delay has there been since Mr. D. McTaggart, 16, Dalvennan Avenue, Patna, made application for his individual claim for benefit to be made on appeal to the statutory authority; and if he will state the date when he expects Mr. McTaggart's appeal to be heard.

Mr. McTaggart asked, shortly before 19th October, for his claim to be considered individually by the statutory authorities. It was submitted on this date to the insurance officer, the first of the three statutory authorities which decide claims to unemployment benefit. A decision to disqualify him was notified to him on 1st November. He now has a right of appeal to the local tribunal, which should be made within 21 days.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if comprehensive courses in the efficient handling, filling and unpacking of containers are included in the syllabus of training provided by the National Dock Labour Board or other industrial training board for which his Department is responsible.

The National Dock Labour Board and the Road Transport Industry Training Board both offer various courses which cover all aspects of work with containers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the percentage decrease in male wholly unemployed figures in the West Midlands and Scotland since the introduction of the Government's new regional and industrial development policies.

Taking 13th March, 1972, as the unemployment count date approximating to the introduction of the policies mentioned, the fall between then and October in the numbers of males registered as unemployed, except temporarily stopped workers, in the West Midlands and Scotland has been 19·6 per cent. and 12·9 per cent., respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed youths there are in Scotland for every notified vacancy; and what is the corresponding situation in Greater London.

For Scotland 6·3, and for Greater London 0·4. The unemployment figures used in the calculation relate to both boys and girls. The vacancy figures relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage rate of unemployment at the Dartford and Gravesend Employment Exchanges at the latest available date; and what was the comparable national percentage.

At 9th October the percentage rates of unemployment were 3·4 for Dartford and Gravesend and 3·6 for Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many firms have applied for permission to employ Philippine girls; and what action he has taken.

Nine firms, all members of the same group, have applied for permits to employ these girls in Plymouth and South-East England. Special efforts are being made to place Ugandan Asians in these jobs, which have not so far attracted enough women from the resident labour force. Applications for work permits will not be considered until the results of these efforts are known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he intends to announce his decision on the routing of the northern section of the Bury easterly bypass M66;(2) what date he anticipates construction work will commence on the northern section of the Bury easterly bypass, designated M66.

I hope to announce a decision on the route early in the New Year and that construction work will start a year later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total numbers of applications for improvement grants, in the Inner London area, borough by borough, in 1970, 1971, and the first six months of 1972.

This information is not readily available in the Department and should be obtained direct from the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT how many improvement grants were granted to owner-occupiers in 1970, 1971, and the first six months of 1972, in the Inner London area, borough by borough.

This information is not readily available in the Department and should be obtained direct from the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many improvement grants were granted to local authorities, borough by borough, in the

The numbers of council dwellings for which improvement contributions for the inner London boroughs were approved are given below.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, showing the mileage in respect of each, those local authority motorways or lengths of motorway in use, under construction, motorways schemes confirmed by the Secretary of State, and those made by the local authority and submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation, as at 31st October.

:Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will investigate the housing record of Down-patrick Urban District Council, with particular reference to the offer of houses to Roman Catholic families from the Ballymurphy and Andersonstown area of Belfast, while Protestant families evicted from New Barnsley in Belfast and elsewhere have not been offered houses.

No. Anyone with a particular complaint is entitled to raise it with the Commissioner for Complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will authorise the Housing Executive to lend money for house purchase under the Small Dwelling Act as was previously done by the local authorities.

The Housing Executive intends shortly to introduce a scheme of loans for house purchase.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest available estimate of net emigration from Scotland.

It is estimated that net emigration from Scotland in the year to June, 1972, amounted to 27,600.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the figure for gross emigration from Scotland in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will give separate figures for overseas emigration.

Statistics based on the records of the movement of National Health Service patients between executive council areas suggest that gross emigration from Scotland to other parts of the United Kingdom in the year to 30th June, 1972, was of the order of 69,500. Grossed-up figures supplied by the International Passenger Sample Survey indicate an outward movement from Scotland to overseas countries of some 22,700 in the same period. On the same basis, the countervailing inflow from all sources is of the order of 65,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, giving the mileage in respect of each, those trunk motorways or length of motorway in preparation, firmly programmed, under construction, and those motorways or length of motorway in use, respectively, as at 31st October.

The information as at 31st October, 1972, is given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those trunk and principal road schemes costing over £250,000, giving the estimated cost of each, which were added to the forward