asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average monthly volume and value of coal currently imported to the United Kingdom; and what estimate he has made of these tonnages in equivalent jobs for British miners.

Imports average 210,000 tonnes or £2·2 million monthly in the third quarter. Because of the need to offset losses caused by the miners' strike and to import qualities not available from home production, it would be misleading to relate these imports to jobs for miners.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his future policy for aerospace, in view of the present length of time between initiation of, and final production of, new aerospace projects.

I have stated that the Government are prepared to consider requests for launching aid on the merits of the projects submitted.In formulating policy for aerospace my right hon. Friend and I take into account all relevant factors, including that mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further discussions he has had with the United States Administration about British participation in the post-Apollo programme; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will put proposals to European Economic Community countries for the reconvening of the Brussels Conference on a European space programme, and European participation in the post-Apollo programme; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will support in principle and financially British participation in the United States post-Apollo space programme; and what stage discussions with the United States and European Governments have reached on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the post-Apollo programme, following the meeting of European Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has regarding Great Britain's participation in the post-Apollo programme.

I have had some informal discussions with American space officials about the post-Apollo programme. The need to rationalise the resources currently devoted to space activities by the separate European nations and to create a suitable agency to administer them was discussed at a meeting of European Ministers in Paris last week. Further discussions on the programme content and organisation of such an arrangement will be held at a meeting of the European Space Conference in December. Meanwhile the option of European participation in the post-Apollo programme has been kept open.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's attitude towards a Common Market energy policy so far as it concerns British North Sea oil.

The Government will ensure that British interests are taken fully into account as Community energy policy is developed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the study being carried out by the International Management and Engineering Group of Great Britain into the market for goods and services to exploit offshore oil and gas.

The Government have received the report. The recommendations are being studied and a statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional measures the Government intend to take to ensure that companies granted licences for the exploration of North Sea oil make the maximum use of British goods and services.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave

24th February, 1971	Continental Shelf Act Annual Report for year 1969–70.
28th March, 1972	Continental Shelf Act Annual Report for year 1970–71.
24th February, 1971	Petroleum (Production) Act 1934 Account 1969–70.
28th March, 1972	Petroleum (Production) Act 1934 Account 1970–71.
8th September 20th November, 4th December, 1970. and 12th November, 1971.	Announcements of awards for the 3rd round of licensing	Official Gazette Notices
22nd June, 1971	Invitation to apply for the 4th round of licensing
7th April and 15th September 1972.	Announcement of awards for the 4th round of licensing
August, 1972	" Oilfield"—The Market Place for Northern firms (published in association with North East Development Council).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes have been made in the Government's energy policy as a result of the announced discoveries of oil and gas off the coasts of Great Britain.

The discoveries are welcome in helping to diversify our sources of energy supply. Like its predecessor, the Government is encouraging the rapid development of these sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the exploration and development of North Sea oil will be subjected to conditions imposed by the European Economic Community.

North Sea oil is a national asset and will continue to be so treated.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects an announcement from the independent assessor on the sum to be paid for the acquisition of the assets of Rolls-Royce Limited by Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the official documents published by his Department on the subject of North Sea oil in the past two years and four months.

Since June, 1970, the following official documents dealing with the search for oil and gas have been published:

I cannot forecast when the independent expert will come to his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the liquidator of the old Rolls-Royce Company to complete his examination: and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the Joint Liquidators and I cannot forecast when they will complete the liquidation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will increase the fee for granting licences to prospect for oil and natural gas on land, to discourage unwarranted applications for planning consent.

The charges for licences under the Petroleum Production Regulations will be fixed to secure a proper return to the Exchequer without discouraging interest in exploration. I recognise the need to consider and to balance the factors concerned with the countryside and the environment against the economic benefits from the discovery of indigenous supplies of oil and gas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what protection the Government are prepared to give the steel-using industries in Scotland, in view of their position compared to their counterparts in England and Wales due to rising transport costs under the price basing points system following Great Britain's entry into Europe.

The establishment of Glasgow as a basing point for many of the BSC's products should safeguard the interest of the bulk of steel users in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what directions he has given to the Civil Aviation Authority on the consideration of applications for fares increases by domestic airline operators.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with arrangements for the financing of airport security; and if he will make a statement.

The security of airports is a matter for the airport authorities. However, in relation to measures to combat hijacking and other acts of violence the Government are meeting an important part of the cost including the cost of airlines in searching their passengers and baggage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action arising from the Islington Committee for Community Relations report, Commercial Computer Training Colleges and the Immigrant Community, a copy of which has been sent to him.

I am arranging for this report to be studied by my Department and the other Departments concerned. With our support the National Computing Centre is already taking steps to im- prove training standards for computer personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to limit the liability of holders of credit cards where those cards have been stolen or mislaid.

I am considering doing so as part of proposed legislation on consumer credit.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now introduce legislation to provide that bank credit cards are sent only to those who apply for them.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight).

the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a new guide to regional develop ment inducements for use by prospective employers.

A booklet was published on 2nd October, and copies are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the position of the Scottish steel industry.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend on 6th November.—[Vol. 845, c. 42.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is prepared to recommend following his meeting with representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry, Scotland, on 9th November on the future of the Scottish steel industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about his talks with the Scottish Trades Union Congress and the Scottish Confederation of British Industry on 9th November concerning the proposed Hun-terston steel development.

I shall take careful account of the views expressed at the meeting in considering the British Steel Corporation's development proposals. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) on 6th November, I will make a statement as soon as possible.—[Vol. 845, c. 42.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, before finalising the Government's policy on steel, he will make an official visit to Scotland and meet representative organisations such as the Scottish Trade Union Congress.

No. As the hon. Member is aware, I have had a number of meetings with the Scottish Trades Union Congress and other Scottish interests on this subject. I shall take full account of the views of these organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total cost per kilowatt of electricity produced at the most efficient coal-fired and nuclear power stations.

This is a matter for the generating boards. I am therefore asking the Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total electricity generation of the Central Electricity Generating Board in 1971; and what is the expected production in 1976 and 1981.

The total electricity generated by the Central Electricity Generating Board in 1971 was 208 Twh. Estimates of electricity production in future years are made in a variety of contexts and are subject to frequent review. It would be misleading to select any of these in isolation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the share of the electricity generation requirement occupied by coal, oil, gas, nuclear energy and hydro-electric schemes in the United Kingdom in 1971; and what is the expected share for each of the above in 1976.

The shares in 1971 were approximately as follows:

	Percentage of total electricity generated
Coal	65
Oil	23
Gas	1
Nuclear	10
Hydro	1
	100

I will not speculate upon the shares to be expected in 1976, as these will depend on so many circumstances—including growth of demand and such unpredictable factors as the weather.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost per ton of oil purchased by the Central Electricity Generating Board at the present time; and what it was in 1968 and 1970.

The exact price paid for oil by the Central Electricity Generating Board is a commercial matter between the board and its suppliers. Some information on average oil prices paid by the electricity industry as a whole is available in Table 92 of the Department's Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the Electricity Council.

I frequently meet representatives of the Electricity Council; my last meeting was with its Chairman on 6th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement regarding the closure of Wrights' factory in South Shields following the recent take-over of this firm.

Contacts between officials of my Department and the management about the facts relating to the take-over and closure decision confirm that the basic position is as I outlined in the Adjournment debate on 25th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the impending closure of the Carron Hydraulics Limited factory in Kirkcaldy, involving a loss of some 80 male engineering jobs; and what steps he intends to take to provide alternative employment.

Yes. The Department will do everything possible to find a new occupant for the Kirkcaldy factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to end the practice whereby firms issue disclaimers in newspaper advertisements announcing that goods marked down in price may not have been offered at a higher price for 28 consecutive days within the last six months, there by nullifying the intentions of the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968.

I am not at present persuaded that it would be in the consumer's interest to take the steps suggested by my hon. Friend. But I should, of course, be willing to consider any detailed submissions that she might make to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for assistance to the British shipping industry for the placing of orders in British shipyards.

I am awaiting proposals from the Chamber of Shipping and the Shipbuilders and Repairers National Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the progress of the appraisal of the shipbuilding industry being carried out by his Department.

The appraisal is making good progress and I still expect to have the consultants' report by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the total amount of Government financial aid and support to the shipbuilding industry has been divided between the different shipbuilding districts.

In the five financial years 1967–68 to 1971–72 the total financial assistance specific to shipbuilding provided by the Shipbuilding Industry Board, by the Minister of Technology and by the Department of Trade and Industry amounted to £60·1 million divided as follows:

	£ million
Upper Clyde	30·2
Lower Clyde	5·2
East Scotland	0·5
North East England	5·9
North West England	1·5
East England	0·6
South England	1·2
Northern Ireland	15·0

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what repre sentations he has made regarding the confirmation of Concorde orders in the United States of America.

The manufacturers are discussing the terms of possible sales contracts with a number of major United States airlines, and have the full support of the British and French Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest estimate of the total development costs of the Concorde; and how this compares with the previous estimate.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the right hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 4th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 207-–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will set up an inquiry into the question, of motor insurance.

No. I am not aware-of any problems that cannot be dealt with by the normal processes of consultation and discussion, without the need for a formal inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that during the past 12 months some insurance companies have increased their car insurance premiums by as much as 110 per cent.; and to what extent the Government's policy of restraint will apply to such items of expenditure.

It is in the interests of their policy holders that motor insurers should increase their premiums rather than run the risk of insolvency. The standstill applies to motor insurance premiums. Any applications for increases will be strictly scrutinised by my Department, as indicated in the White Paper (Cmnd. 5125).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the new information which has come to hand, he will now agree to an investigation under the Companies Act into all matters connected with the Hartley Baird Company Limited.

I do not know what new information the hon. Member has in mind, but I will consider any that he will send to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now seek to amend the Trade Descriptions Act consequent upon the recent judgment in the High Court delivered by the Lord Chief Justice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to amend the Trade Descriptions Act to include within its provisions representations as to future services.

Until it has been possible fully to assess the implications of the judgment in the case of Beckett v. Cohen it would be premature to reach any decision on amendment of the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about Government policy regarding the development of Teesside Airport.

This is a matter, in the first instance, for the Teesside Airport Joint Committee to decide, advised as appropriate by the Civil Aviation Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will draw the attention of the shipping and shipbuilding industries to benefits to be derived from the rotating cylinder rudder invented by the National Physical Laboratory.

This rudder has already been drawn to the industries' attention in the usual ways. In this case there is in addition the attraction of a full-size prototype of which a demonstration will be held.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further financial assistance the Government will give to the computer industry.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industrial Development announced a substantial increase in R & D support for International Computers Ltd. on 3rd July and further support measures for the computer industry as a whole on 2nd August. I have nothing to add to those statements for the present.—[Vol. 840, c. 34–40; Vol. 842, c. 155–57.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement following his recent official visit to Scotland.

My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry was invited by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) to give the concluding speech at the council's 3rd International Forum at Aviemore on 20th October. The subject of this forum was "The Changing Patterns of Industry and Employment and Their Effect on the Future of Scotland."

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement of Government policy on monopolies and mergers.

I shall continue to refer to the Monopolies Commission monopoly situations and merger proposals that appear to raise issues of pubic interest requiring a full investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the agreement with Japan regarding the import of Japanese ball bearings into Great Britain.

The decision to limit exports of ball and roller bearings to this country was reached by the Japanese industry.The limits are 2,550 tons in 1972 and 2,805 tons in 1973 as compared with imports of 2,993 tons in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give a list of those persons employed in his Department or for whom he has ministerial responsibility who were, on 23rd October, receiving salaries or wages of £28·40 per week; what were their grades or classifications; and whether, in these cases, rent allowances were paid in addition to these incomes.

It would not be possible to provide this information without undue cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many headquarters staff are employed in his Department; and how many of these are located in development areas.

11,183 on 1st October, 1972, of whom there were 418 in development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what modification of the financial targets of the airline corporations for the current year is being considered by him in view of the limitation of fare rises imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

I have received no representations on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that gas supplies are adequate to meet consumer demand; and what firms have been notified to him under his powers to deal with emergencies who have supplies cut periodically to save gas for homes.

Some industrial customers have concluded contracts for gas on special terms, allowing limited interruption of supply which it is for them to cover by alternative arrangements. I am satisfied that subject to such contractual interruptions, gas supply is adequate to meet customers' requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is the Government's policy to allow the British Steel Corporation to bring its prices into line with those ruling within the Community pursuant to its obligations under the Treaty.

Steel prices are not excluded from the standstill arrangements which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 6th November. Our accession to the Treaty of Paris does not of itself necessitate a general increase in BSC prices on 1st January.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the long-term investment plans of the British Steel Corporation.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) and the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 6th November.—[Vol. 845, c. 42.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement on the Ince "B" Power Station.

In addition to enabling the CEGB to bring forward its order for Ince "B", the Government has made arrangements for the CEGB to make advance payments to C. A. Parsons and Co. Ltd.; these arrangements include a guarantee—given under section 7 of the Industry Act, 1972—that the CEGB will not suffer financially as a result. The necessary token supplementary estimate in relation to the liability under this guarantee will be presented to the House in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will consider introducing legislation to make the display of price lists obligatory in public houses in public and saloon bars in the London area.

No. I am aware of no evidence that there is a general demand or a need for such legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the number of jobs created in Lanarkshire since the introduction of the present system of regional development incentives;(2) if he will state the number of jobs created in Scotland since the introduction of the present system of regional develop ment incentives;(3) if he will state the number of jobs created in the North Lanarkshire constituency since the introduction of the present system of regional development incentives.

The new incentives will take some time to make an impact on the investment decisions of firms; and when made investment decisions do not immediately create new jobs. Nevertheless between August and October the number unemployed in the North Lanarkshire travel-to-work area fell by 1,000 and in Scotland as a whole by 8,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has had with the directors of Govan Shipbuilders Limited as to the amount of their issued share capital; and if he will make a statement;(2) how much of the proposed loan to Govan Shipbuilders Limited has been paid to date; and when it is expected the total will be paid;(3) what conditions he attached to the loan granted to Govan Shipbuilders Limited, in particular what consideration he gave to introducing the money by way of equity capital or a convertible debenture; and if he will make a statement.

Government investment in the company will take the four forms recommended by the Hill Samuel Report: equity to cover the purchase of fixed assets, long-term loans to provide working capital, and grants to cover contractual losses; these three sources will be supplemented by a Government guaranteed bank overdraft to meet day to day requirements. The exact proportions of this mix will be decided in the light of the company's final capital structure which is still under consideration. To cover the company's immediate requirements, the Government has purchased £5 million of equity, guaranteed a bank overdraft up to a maximum of £2 million, and is negotiating a long-term loan to provide working capital.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how frequently he receives financial reports from Govan Shipbuilders Limited; whether such reports indicate that progress is generally in line with the advice he had previously been given; and if he will make a statement.

As promised in the statement made by my right hon. Friend to the House on 28th February, we are currently holding detailed negotiations with the company on monitoring arrangements. A long-term profit and loss forecast to be rolled forward annually will be produced and this will be supplemented by quarterly profit and loss statements against which the accuracy of the long-term forecast can be checked. We will also receive yard contract summaries showing actual costs of construction of ships against estimated stage costs and fixed prices; periodic cash flow statements; and quarterly and annual balance sheets. In addition to financial monitoring, we are discussing with the company checks on its development using the Maynard Report for reference.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for Government directors on the Board of Govan Shipbuilders Limited; and if he will make a statement.

As sole shareholder, the Government has full control of the company and approves all appointments to the board of directors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made since his visit to Japan in June in solving problems in Anglo-Japanese trade.

Since my predecessor's visit to Japan these problems have been the object of considerable activity at both governmental and industrial levels. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reviewed progress with the Japanese Prime Minister when he visited Tokyo in September, and there is good reason to believe that we will establish a better pattern of trading relationships.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to help British firms involved in defence contracts; what further plans he has in this respect: and whether he will make a statement.

My Department is not responsible for any special assistance to firms involved in defence contracts. The measures of assistance available to private industry are set out in Appendix 20 to the Sixth Report from the Expenditure Committee (volume III) published in July this year, and information on assistance to individual industries over the last two years was given in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Bishop) on 19th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new inquiries he has received about advance factories in West Cumberland since the introduction of the Industry Act.

Eight. Of these, three inquirers have paid visits and three expressed serious interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories are currently vacant in West Cumberland, and how many are under construction; and how many inquiries he has received since June 1970 from possible tenants.

There are two vacant factories and one under construction. Since June, 1970, there have been 93 inquiries about advance factories in West Cumberland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many suitable applicants are currently being considered by the Department for the vacant advance factory at Cleator Moor.

None, but every opportunity is taken to suggest the factory to suitable enquirers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the advance factory currently under construction in Millom to be completed; and how many inquiries he has received from prospective tenants.

The factory is expected to be completed by the end of February, 1973. There have been two inquiries about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for the further construction of advance factories in West Cumberland.

In addition to one under construction, two advance factories were authorised this summer but construction has not yet started. The need for further factories will, of course, be borne in mind in any new programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many companies are still in dispute with his Department about claims for investment grants on equipment purchased or ordered prior to the deadline in October, 1970; and how many are located in West Cumberland and in the Whitehaven constituency;(2) what is the total amount of money claimed as investment grants by companies in development areas before the deadline in October, 1970, which is being disputed by the Department.

A number of companies are in various stages of negotiation with my Department regarding the provision of evidence necessary to satisfy the Department under Section 1 of the Investment and Building Grants Act, 1971, that expenditure incurred is eligible for grant because it falls due under a contract made before 27th October, 1970.It is not possible to assess if a particular company regards itself as having entered into dispute during negotiations or as remaining in dispute after rejection of an application.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the steps which he proposes to take to ensure that oil stocks in the United Kingdom rise to the level of 90 days to be required by a European Economic Community directive.

We are currently discussing with the oil companies how best we can meet our EEC obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on new proposals submitted by the Brussels Commission as part of its plans for a comprehensive Community energy policy in relation to safeguarding Europe's oil supplies.

All the proposals submitted by the Commission will be taken into account in formulating the energy policy requested at the Summit Conference. It would be premature to make a statement on the substance of the proposals now.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of imports to Malawi from the United Kingdom in each of the years between 1961 and 1971.

The information is as follows:

IMPORTS INTO MALAWI FROM UNITED KINGDOM
£'000 f.o.b
1964	3,366
1965	5,169
1966	8,475
1967	7,233
1968	8,949
1969	9,114
1970	9,492
1971	12,612†
* From 1954 until December, 1963 Malawi was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. No separate figures are available for Nyasaland during this period.
† C.i.f. value. No f.o.b. figures are available subsequent to 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements his Department is making to enable it to enforce price control.

We have established a Prices Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry both to advise on the standstill arrangements and to receive information about price increases—other than increases in food prices—which appear to be in breach of these arrangements. The regional offices are providing a similar service.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action to publicise the telephone number of 01–834 2299, which should be called when persons have complaints of rising prices, by requesting the Post Office to exhibit it in all post offices and all local authorities to display it on their public buildings and all manufacturers, wholesalers and retail trade associations to advise their members to exhibit it on their premises.

This number has already been widely publicised in the Press and on television. In addition, it is included in advertising which is appearing in national and provincial newspapers today and later in the week. These advertisements will cover over 80 per cent. of the adult population. Further publicity is not required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that stocks of smokeless fuel will be adequate to meet winter demand; what are the stocks now available compared with the same period last year; and if he will make a statement.

Both the trade and the National Coal Board expect no difficulty in meeting demand this winter. The latest available figures for stocks at the end of September this year and last year are:

Solid Smokeless Fuel—Stocks
	(Thousand tons)
	1972	1971
Merchants	963	978
Producers	1,034	937
Total	1,997	1,915

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken to co-ordinate the use of vertical take-off and landing projects in all aspects.

My Department is co-ordinating studies of the design and use of various forms of future short-haul inter-city air transport, including vertical take-off and landing, with industry, airline operators, the Civil Aviation Authority, the British Airports Authority and others.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the retained files regarding the Mias Group of Companies are not being used for action against the directors of this group of companies and for what purpose they are being retained; and whether he will make these available to defrauded shareholders who wish to take legal action against these directors.

If the hon. Member will let me know what is troubling him about this case, and why he is interested in the Department's files, I will consider what I can do to help him.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of Great Britain's trade with South Africa in each of the five years prior to that country leaving the Commonwealth; and what are the comparable figures in each subsequent year up to the end of 1971.

The figures for 1962 to 1969 are published in the Annual Abstract of Statistics 1971, and for 1970 and 1971 in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade for those years; these show that since 1961, the year South Africa left the Commonwealth, exports have grown, on average, much faster than imports.

UNITED KINGDOM TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA
	£ million
	Imports cif	Exports fob
1956	121	163
1957	126	181
1958	123	195
1959	128	158
1960	139	163
1961	156	157

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now refer the question of the building societies' mortgage interest rates to the Monopolies Commission.

No. I shall continue to keep the situation under review, but I do not consider that a reference to the Monopolies Commission would be justified at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many swordsticks were imported into the United Kingdom during each month in the years 1969, 1970 and 1971 and during each of the months in 1972 for which records are available.

Swordsticks are not separately distinguished in the trade statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed expropriation of British-owned firms in Uganda and in particular the question of compensation.

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to President Amin's recent comments about British farmers in the Fort Portal area. The President has said that their farms will be bought. We must see what terms are offered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is now able to state what measures Her Majesty's Government intend taking against Uganda; and when these are likely to commence.

As I said in the House on 23 rd October, I am reviewing the whole of the relationship between this country and Uganda. I do not wish to say more at this stage.—[Vol. 843, c. 770–1.]

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

There is still nothing I can add to the answer my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 6th November.—[Vol. 845, c. 55.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in his discussions with Iceland, he will seek to ensure that the present policy of Her Majesty's Government to Icelandic jurisdiction over a shelf of 50 miles from the shores of that country does not prejudice United Kingdom claims to deposits found on the Continental Shelf up to 50 miles from the shores of the United Kingdom.

We have always maintained the clear distinction in international law between Continental Shelf resources, which are static and permanent, and the fisheries and other resources of the waters lying above the shelf, which are highly mobile and cannot in the same way be identified with a particular land mass.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider granting officers who are in receipt of education allowance in overseas territories a third annual holiday passage for children below the age of 19 years, who are at school outside the Service territory, and a second annual passage for officers' children who are aged between 19 and 21 years and who are undergoing higher education outside the Service territory.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development is considering this question for supplemented staff working overseas and will make a statement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the extent of Great Britain's obligations towards those persons who possess citizenship both of Malaysia and of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

The so-called Queen's Chinese are persons of Chinese origin who were born in the former colonies known as the Settlements of Penang and Malacca, now forming part of Malaysia, or whose fathers were born there. During the discussions on the future of those Colonies in 1956–57, representations were made that many of the existing inhabitants, notably those members of the Chinese race whose families have lived there for several generations, attached considerable importance to maintaining their connection with the Crown as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. Neither the British Government nor their Royal Highnesses the Rulers of the Federated States nor the future Government of independent Malaya saw any objection to dual citizenship in such circumstances. Conseqently the Republic of the Federation of Malaya Constitutional Commission 1957 (Colonial No. 330) recommended that these people should be permitted to retain their citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies on becoming citizens of the Federation of Malaya. Therefore, the Federation of Malaya Independence Act, 1957, did not provide for the withdrawal of citizenship in such circumstances. Consequently from persons who were connected with Penang and Malacca and the Malaysia Act, 1963, did not withdraw citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies from persons who were already citizens of Malaya before Malaysia Day. Thus they are dual citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies and of Malaysia and it is believed that they now number about 1,000,000. However, children born in Malaya or Malaysia whose fathers were Queen's Chinese born there after 31st August, 1957, will not become citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent.The entry of Queen's Chinese to the United Kingdom is subject to control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts, whether they hold Malaysian or United Kingdom passports. Whilst they retain their present status we are under no obligation to admit them even in the theoretical event of their arrival here under some form of compulsion. Only a very small percentage of the Queen's Chinese do in fact hold United Kingdom passports and the number of them seeking entry to the United Kingdom has always been low. There is no reason to expect any increase.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give a list of those persons employed in his department or for whom he has ministerial responsibility who were, on 23rd October, receiving salaries or wages of £28·40 per week; what were their grades or classifications; and whether, in these cases, rent allowances were paid in addition to these incomes.

It would not be possible to provide this information without undue cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that up until 6th November the nine countries of the European Economic Community had only agreed to accept 1,030 Ugandan Asians for settlement in the countries of the nine; and whether he will take further action to ensure that more Ugandan Asians are offered settlement in the European Economic Community countries.

The figure quoted relates to public commitments only. Other offers have been made which I am not in a position to make public and I have hopes that further offers will be made also. In addition helpful offers of transit facilities and financial assistance have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimates he has made of the number of trees in Wales affected by Dutch elm disease since the present outbreak began and of the number of new trees planted to replace those that have been lost;(2) if he is satisfied with the progress being made in Wales to combat Dutch elm disease; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he will authorise financial assistance to compensate owners who have to bear the cost of felling trees that have been affected by Dutch elm disease.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I are studying a report we have recently received from the Forestry Commission. We are urgently reviewing the situation in the light of this report and we will make an announcement, which I cannot in any way anticipate, as soon as possible.Information about the replacement of trees is not available. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I issued a circular to local authorities on 6th October relating to arrangements for Tree Planting Year, 1973. Its purpose is to encourage new planting by local authorities and others in all parts of the country, including those affected by Dutch elm disease.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate his Department has made of the build-up of traffic through the Dillwyn Road-Sketty Park Road junction in Swansea.

None, since this is a matter for the Swansea City Council as the responsible highway authority. The improvement scheme of the A4216 road in this area is already included in the Principal Road Programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales 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 road programme during the six months ended 30th September, 1972.

No major new scheme was added to either Trunk Road or Principal Road Programme in this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales 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.

The position still remains as indicated in the reply to my hon. Friend on 3rd November, 1971.—[Vol. 825, c. 1–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales 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 is as follows:

Miles
Motorways in Preparation
M4	Tredegar Park, Newport to St. Mellons	4·70
M4	Castleton to Coryton (A470)	8·00
M4	Coryton (A470) to Capel Llanill-tern	3·50
M4	Capel Llanilltern to Pencoed	9·00
M4	Bridgend Northern Bypass	7·80
M4	Pyle Bypass	5·60
M4	Pontardulais Bypass	8·40
		47·00
Motorways Firmly Programmed		Nil
Motorways Under Construction		Nil
Motorways in Use
M4	Newhouse to Tredegar Park	18·60
A48(M)	Port Talbot Bypass	4·40
M4	Morriston Bypass	4·00
		27·00

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a White Paper on Housing in Wales including therein a précis of the report of the Cultural and Environmental Committee of the Welsh Council on housing improvement grants in Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 12th July. I have not yet received the Welsh Council's report on housing topics.—[Vol. 840, c. 392.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects that the new closed training establishment for young offenders near Hewell Grange will be completed.

It is too early to say.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that Asians admitted to the United Kingdom from Uganda neither possess nor can claim a citizenship other than that of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

A careful check has been made at our High Commission in Kampala before the issue of an entry certificate, to ensure that certificates were not issued to citizens of foreign or Commonwealth countries, other than those admissible as dependants of United Kingdom passport holders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is able to give the date when he expects to announce the total number of Ugandan Asians who have been admitted into Great Britain; whether he will give details of the number of men, women and children, and those of school age and retirement age; and how many of those admitted were stateless and not holders of British passports.

The total number admitted by 12th November was 25,379. I shall be glad to consider what more detailed information can now be usefully given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total establishment of probation officers for Swansea; and what is the current number of probation officers employed in the city.

I understand from the Swansea Probation and After-Care Committee that the current establishment is one senior probation officer and 11 main grade officers and that the strength on 7th November was one acting senior probation officer and eight main grade officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what planning discussion is now taking place between his Department and the London Borough of Wandsworth regarding the development of prison officers' accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering the letter just received from the borough which sets out its objections to the site proposed for the construction of eight four-bedroomed quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons will qualify for jury service before and after, respectively, the Criminal Justice Act, 1972, comes into force.

I regret that precise statistics are not available; but I shall write to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the position will be after 1st January, 1973, regarding Commonwealth citizens who will become aliens on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether their need to have a work permit for a specified purpose for 12 months will apply to Members of Parliament in this category.

Entry into EEC will not affect the status of Commonwealth citizens here or wishing to come here. No Commonwealth citizens will become aliens. A Commonwealth citizen elected to Parliament will not need a work permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if police investigations arising out of the completion of the investigation under the Companies Act of the collapse of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company are now complete.

I understand that police inquiries are likely to continue for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she proposes to request the trustees of national museums and galleries to impose entrance charges.

In accordance with the principle of standstill the introduction of charges will be deferred for the present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total number of children under 16 years of age placed in day centres for the mentally handicapped.

In January, 1972, there were approximately 26,800 severely handicapped children under 16 years of age in day special schools for the educationally sub-normal.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the present position regarding the application to develop St. Boniface School, Tooting, London, S.W.17.

Work is expected to start in the current financial year on a project costing £40,000 as the first instalment of the replacement of this school.