asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have been in breach of the economic sanctions imposed in 1968 by the United Nations against Rhodesia in the past 12 months.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 9th June—[Vol. 838, c. 169–71.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to restore to the Tangwena tribe the 110 children seized in a raid by the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

While we regret any actions which may increase racial confrontation in Rhodesia we, like the previous Government, do not have the power to influence events on the ground there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the specific representations made to the Governments of West Germany, France, Switzerland, the United States of America, Portugal, South Africa and the European Economic Community during the past six months on the breaking of sanctions against Rhodesia.

No. I would remind the hon. Member that Security Council resolution 253 of 1968 specifically requested Her Majesty's Government to provide the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee with any information which they might receive to make the application of sanctions fully effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific proposals he has submitted during the past six months to the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the European Economic Community and the Organisation of African Unity on the strengthening of sanctions against Rhodesia, the improvement of investiga- tory machinery to check sanctions breaking and the need to publicise it.

Her Majesty's Government voted for the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 318 of 1972 which approved the recommendations and suggestions on these points contained in Section III of the Special Report of the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee. Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations has instructions, which must remain confidential, for the detailed discussion of these proposals in the Supervisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Reverend David Hathaway was arrested in Czechoslovakia; what charges were brought against him; when he was brought to trial; what arrangements were made by his Department for his defence; what sentence he has received; and what steps he proposes to take, in view of the public anger aroused by his treatment.

The Reverend David Hathaway was arrested on 22nd June. At the time of his arrest he was in possession of bibles, religious pamphlets in a number of Eastern European languages, foreign currency and tape recorders. He was charged with sedition and incitement, evasion of customs duties and attempted distribution of foreign goods.He was found guilty on the charges of sedition and incitement and the attempted distribution of foreign goods, and was sentenced to two years imprisonment for sedition and incitement followed by expulsion from Czechoslovakia.Whatever view may be taken of Czechoslovak law on some of these matters, I have no evidence that there was anything improper about the conduct of his trial. Mr. Hathaway was defended by a lawyer appointed by the Czechoslovak authorities. The lawyer has entered a formal appeal.It would be contrary to international usage for Her Majesty's Government to intervene while the case is

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in reducing the United Kingdom element in the United Nations Force in Cyprus.

There are no plans to reduce the United Kingdom element.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on British aid to Pakistan during 1972.

We signed a loan for £1,000,000 for the Tarbela Dam on 1st April, and a non-project loan for £4,000,000 on 7th September. Pakistan is also drawing the balances of our previous loans; these balances stood at about £2·7 million at the beginning of the year. We are also deferring debt service payments amounting to £12,480,000 which fall due between 1st May, 1971, to 30th June, 1973. By way of technical assistance we have engaged an economic consultant to advise the Pakistan Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take immediate steps to review the British aid programme to Uganda.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will reduce financial grants to Uganda by the amount spent on Ugandan Asians in the United Kingdom;(2) by how much he has reduced financial aid to the Government of Uganda since last August to compensate towards the costs from public funds in attending to the needs of the Asians expelled from Uganda.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the need for a statement on this subject, and is giving it careful consideration. I cannot yet say when the statement will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to arrange to visit Uganda to discuss with the Ugandan Government the question of the cost of upkeep of the Ugandan Asian refugees and a contribution towards such costs from the Ugandan Government or a compensation award for their forcible expulsion.

I do not think that it would be profitable for my right hon. Friend to visit Uganda at this time. Any matters for discussion with the Ugandan Government at this stage are best dealt with through our High Commission in Kampala.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 24th October, regarding the Ugandan Asians; and when he expects to reply to it.

My right hon. Friend received two letters on Ugandan Asians from the hon. Member, one dated 24th October and one 25th October. He replied to the first in his letter of 25th October, and to the second on the same day in the form of a postscript to that letter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will apply the rule regarding British subjects stranded abroad being assisted out of public funds on a loan basis, against a signed undertaking to repay, for repatriation only if they have no money and are unable to raise enough from friends, relations or banks, &c., to the Ugandan Asians.

Yes. The same rules apply to Ugandan Asians as apply to other United Kingdom nationals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British aid to Bangladesh in 1972.

The main object of the £12 million promised for relief is the restoration of communications. Apart from equipment already provided, two helicopters are due for delivery early next year. The Royal Engineers have helped to put up Bailey bridges, and we have engaged firms to salvage sunken vessels and fallen spans of railway bridges. We provided last February loans of £4.8 million for development, and we are financing a transport survey and a management study of the nationalised industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement upon British aid to Sudan, Somalia and the Yemen Arab Republic, respectively, in 1972; and whether he is contemplating any changes in 1973.

We expect, in this financial year, to spend £1·25 million in the Sudan; £180,000 in Somalia; and £100,000 in the Yemen Arab Republic. Next year I expect to put more emphasis on rehabilitation in the Southern Sudan, to expand the programme in the Yemen and to continue that in Somalia on present lines.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the British delegation is taking to raise at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights the decision of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to levy a diploma tax on Soviet citizens granted leave to emigrate from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

We have told the Soviet authorities of the concern felt in this country about the proposed taxes, and we have also spoken in support of a United States initiative in the United Nations on the treatment of Soviet Jews.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the French Government as to whether the legal matters affecting the future of Caroline Desramault could be expedited.

This is a most distressing case, but as Caroline is also a French national Her Majesty's Government have no status to make representations which might understandably be regarded by the French authorities as an interference with the course of French justice, and therefore counterproductive to Caroline's interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now review Anglo-South African diplomatic and trading relations, following Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

We have already carried out such a review, as part of the general review of our relations with our major non-European trading partners affected by our entry into the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his approval of the appointment of Dr. Carl de Wet as Ambassador to the United Kingdom from South Africa.

I have nothing to add to what I have already told the House. Approval for Dr. de Wet's appointment was given on 7th July and there is no question of reconsideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on ministerial visits to, and the United Kingdom's relations with, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The good relations which exist between this country and India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are reflected in the considerable number of visits which Ministers have made to the subcontinent in the past few months. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be arriving in India tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take action at the United Nations Commission for Human Rights concerning the continued persecution of Jews in Iraq.

The information which has been sent to me by organisations in this country is insufficient to justify Her Majesty's Government taking an initiative at the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming meeting to prepare for the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Her Majesty's Government look forward to participating in the discussions due to start on 22nd November to prepare for a conference on security and co-operation in Europe.Our objectives, which we share with our allies, will be to settle the procedures, modalities and agenda of the conference and define the terms of reference for the committees and sub-comitttees which will carry out the detailed work.We hope the conference itself will make real progress in lowering barriers between East and West.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States Government about the collection of funds for use by the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the Government's current activities to curtail such moneys.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary to his Question on 21st June which is still applicable.The Government of the United States are well aware of our concern at the use to which such moneys are put.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of incidents which there have been on the Northern Ireland Border in each month of 1972; and if he will indicate the occasions on which a protest has been lodged with the Republic of Ireland Government.

The monthly total of known cross-Border incidents was given in my reply to my hon. Friend of 9th November.Representations, accompanied by supporting evidence, were made about Irish Republican Army cross-Border activity on:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being taken to answer allegations as to Government policy in Northern Ireland which have been made abroad and particularly in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

We regret that some people in the United States and elsewhere do not understand our policy on Northern Ireland. We are doing everything we can to put this situation right.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will now ratify the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Not at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many British diplomats are on lists which give them the right to claim diplomatic immunity in Europe, the United States of America, South America, Africa, excluding Commonwealth countries and Arab states, Israel, and the Far East, other than Commonwealth countries, respectively; and how many such diplomats were so protected in 1932, 1942, 1952 and 1962, respectively;(2) how many British diplomats have sought diplomatic immunity in Europe, in Commonwealth countries, in the United States of America, in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in Arab countries, in African countries, in Israel, in South America, in Japan, in China, in Taiwan and in Asia, respectively, during each of the last 10 years in respect of motoring offences; and how many of such motoring offences were for obstruction and other parking offences;(3) how many British diplomats have sought diplomatic immunity in Europe, in Commonwealth countries, in the United States of America, in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in Arab countries, in African countries, in Israel, in South America, in Japan, in China, in Taiwan and in Asia, respectively, during each of the last 10 years in respect of alleged criminal offences; and how many and what percentage of such offences involved theft and violence, respectively;(4) how many British diplomats in Europe, in Commonwealth countries, in the United States of America, in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in Arab countries, in Israel, in South America, in Africa, in Japan, in China, in Taiwan and in Asia, respectively, have sought diplomatic immunity in respect of debts owed by them to individuals, firms or companies in Europe, in each of the last 10 years.

As the hon. and learned Member will appreciate, considerable research is involved in providing the information he seeks and, with permission, I shall therefore be in touch with him as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British Government representation is planned for the International Laws of the Sea Conference due to be held in 1973; and if he will make a statement.

The current session of the United Nations General Assembly is expected to confirm the date of the conference, but the earliest that it can start is the autumn of 1973. No final decision has been taken on British representation at the conference, but the British delegation will be led by Sir Roger Jackling formerly Her Majesty's Ambassador in Bonn, and representatives of a number of Government Departments will be included.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) as Her Majesty's Government are bound, under the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreements, not to build or participate in anti-ballistic missile deployment or new offensive missiles, whether he will undertake to enter into no discussions and to make no plans to such ends;(2) in view of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreements, if Her Majesty's Government will undertake not to allow the deployment of nuclear missile-carrying strategic bombers from British territory.

The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreements are bilateral between the United States and the Soviet Union. They impose no obligations on the United Kingdom, and the question of our giving undertakings of this nature does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions about air routes with the Chinese Government.

My right hon. Friend told the Chinese that Her Majesty's Government would like to conclude an air services agreement, which would cover both services from Britain to Peking and local services between Hong Kong and Canton. The Chinese side confirmed their interest in improving air communications. The matter is now being pursued by officials.We hope soon to be in a position to hand over a draft agreement to the Chinese as a basis for discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Italian Government to effect a speedy trial of Anthony Gregson, a citizen of Coventry now in jail in Trieste, Italy, upon a charge of alleged arson upon "Esso Lancashire".

No representations are called for. The British Consulate in Trieste reports that the trial is set for 6th December and that Mr. Gregson has appointed a lawyer to represent him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to seek to make an official visit to Libya.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Manchester, Ardwick (Mr. Kaufman).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the Government of Kenya are anxious to increase the number of the 1,500 annual entry quota of Kenyan Asians into Great Britain; and to what extent the Uganda quota of 1,500 no longer required has been or is to be offered to the Kenya Government.

We continue to keep in close touch with the Kenyan Government over our passport holders in Kenya. As to the rest of the hon. Member's Question, the Government have no plans for altering the rate at which United Kingdom passport holders from Kenya are admitted with special vouchers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Malagasy Republic to make bases again available for use by the Royal Air Force in support of the Beira Patrol.

None. However, I am satisfied that we are continuing to fulfil the obligation which was imposed by Security Council resolution No. 221.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek international and Commonwealth support in terms of ships and men to strengthen the Beira Patrol and to extend it to cover LourenÇo Marques.

No. The scope of Security Council resolution No. 221 was strictly limited to the commodity of oil and the port of Beira. The requirements of the resolution are being completely fulfilled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to expand the British contribution to the Special Programme for Assisting the Education of Rhodesians living outside Rhodesia, in view of the number of Rhodesian students in the United Kingdom not at present eligible for Overseas Development Administration assistance.

I am carefully considering the extent and manner in which our whole contribution to the training and education of Rhodesians living outside Rhodesia may be improved and expanded, and I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on future financial assistance to Ethiopia.

We have offered the Imperial Ethiopian Government an interest-free loan of £5 million, to be disbursed over four to five years, starting in the financial year 1973–74. The loan will cover mainly the sterling costs, but also to a substantial extent the local costs, of development projects to be agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the Ethiopian Government. The Ethiopian Government have accepted the offer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the circumstances in which Colonel Moses Ali of the Uganda Army entered the United Kingdom; how long and for what purposes he has been permitted to remain; whether Her Majesty's Government have defrayed any of the expenses of his stay; and whether he will make a statement.

Colonel Moses Ali of the Ugandan Army came to the United Kingdom to attend a course at the Army Staff College, Camberley from 15th January, 1972, until 26th October, 1972. Her Majesty's Government defrayed the tuition charges for his course under the normal military training assistance programme. The question of the length of his permitted stay is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of people in Wales currently receiving psychiatric treatment in hospitals; what proportion this is of the total population of Wales; and what is the average length of such treatment.

At 31st October, 1972, the number of persons receiving psychiatric treatment was 8,551, representing 0·3 per cent. of the total population of Wales. The latest available figures for the average length of such treatment are 188 days for the mentally ill, and 1,040 days for the mentally handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of consultant psychiatrists in Wales; and what is the shortfall.

There are 58 consultants in the psychiatric specialties. Four additional posts have recently been approved, two appointments have been made and two have been advertised. There are no other vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what financial arrangements he proposes to implement for patients transferred from one area health authority to another for hospital services in Wales.

As at present, the financial allocations made to each authority will take into account services provided for the population of other areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of the staff now employed at the Welsh Office on health matters, and give an estimate of the staffing requirements on the basis that the present proposals for reorganising the Health Service in Wales are accepted.

On 13th November, 203 staff were so employed. Information relating to their classes of employment is given in the following table. Staff requirements following the reorganisation of the Health Service in Wales are still being worked out and it is too soon to give detailed estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the Local Government Act to be in the hands of Welsh local authorities.

The Act is to be published tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many doctors in Wales have not paid their registration fee to the General Medical Council; and what plans he has to ensure the satisfactory running of the National Health Service in the event of dismissals.

Information is not readily available on the number of such doctors in Wales. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State, with the National Health Service authorities, will take all steps within their power to maintain statutory services.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now take steps to establish a second medical school in Wales.

Current planning is based on a maximum of 4,100 pre-clinical entry places by the later 1970s and this can be achieved by the provision already made or approved. Decisions on the establishment of any further medical schools, which is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, must await further determination of the national need for doctors.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will request the Welsh Council to investigate the high cost of rural electrification in Wales.

It is for the Welsh Council to decide upon its programme of work, but I understand that the cost of rural electrification in Wales is no higher than in comparable areas elsewhere in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the grants to the Development Corporation for Wales for publicity and industrial promotion for the years 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74.

A basic grant-in-aid of £20,000 a year has been agreed for each of the years 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74. An additional Government grant is payable annually subject to matching contributions from other sources. The total grant-in-aid for 1971–72 was £35,000. A maximum of £45,000 will be payable in the years 1972–73 and 1973–74.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of tenants in Rhayader Rural District Council had their rents increased by 50p per week or more in April.

I do not have this information, which should be sought from the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of tenants in each local authority in Wales who are paying less net rent now than in November, 1971.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales 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.

The information requested is not readily available and could not be provided without undue cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average age of doctors in Wales.

The age distribution of general practitioners in Wales in October, 1971, is given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales from whom he intends to seek strategic advice on health matters after the reorganisation of the National Health Service in Wales.

I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper "National Health Service Reorganisation in Wales" (Cmnd. 5057) and in particular to paragraphs 36, 37, 38 and 46.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the local authorities before publishing his proposals for reorganising the National Health Service in Wales;(2) what consultations he has had with the Health Executive Council for Wales prior to publishing the White Paper on "National Health Service Reorganisation in Wales".

Local authority associations and associations representing executive councils in Wales were consulted on the proposals contained in my consultative document "National Health Service Reorganisation in Wales" published in June, 1971. Their comments and those of a number of other organisa- tions, authorities and individuals, amounting to about 120 in all, were taken fully into account when I formulated my proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the differences between the proposals for reorganising the National Health Service in England, and in Wales.

The principal difference is the absence of a proposed regional tier of authority in Wales. Most other differences which arise are consequential upon this.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will delay the reorganisation of the National Health Service in Wales until the Crowther Report on the Constitution has been published.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the radius of the average catchment area of a district general hospital; and what is the greatest distance a person has to travel to reach his nearest district general hospital in Wales.

District general hospitals are designed to serve a specific population, thus the radius of an average catchment area would not be meaningful. The greatest distance to travel to the nearest district general hospital is 44 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to ease the burden of travel for patients and friends who live outside the optimum desirable distance from a district general hospital in Wales.

There are existing arrangements for providing transport for, or financial help with the travelling expenses of, hospital patients and their visitors where the need for such help is established. I see no need to seek to extend these arrangements at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the proportion of graduates from the Welsh National School of Medicine taking up practice in Wales.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the present numbers of students in the Welsh National School of Medicine; and what is his estimate of the numbers who will be studying there in five years time.

I am informed that there are just under 500 students at the school at present. The number may rise to about 600 by 1976–77 but it is not yet possible to give a firm figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that trading agreements entered into by Her Majesty's Government with State trading countries are being honoured, both in the letter and the spirit; where these agreements are being interpreted one-sidedly, which countries are at fault and what steps he proposes to take to repair any imbalance.

Our trade agreements with the State trading countries provide a general framework for the development of our trade with each country. I am satisfied that the agreements have been operated to the benefit of both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the development of new industry in the Consett and Stanley areas of County Durham will be subject to conditions imposed by the European Economic Community.

We shall remain free to operate an effective regional development policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what specific proposals he is now submitting to the Commission of the European Economic Community to enhance the development of employment opportunities in the development areas of the United Kingdom.

Entry will provide new opportunities for growth and prosperity which should of themselves improve employment prospects throughout the United Kingdom. We shall also be working with our partners next year towards finding Community solutions to regional problems including those of our development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the current price of natural gas per therm paid by industrial and domestic consumers in the member countries of the Common Market.

The latest available information is contained in pages 263–8 of the 1971 Yearbook of EEC Energy Statistics, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce amendments to the Patent Acts to enable the United Kingdom to join the Europatent Treaty.

I hope to be able to introduce legislation to allow for our joining the two European patent treaties, when finalised, and to implement the Report of the Banks Committee on Patents, in the next Session of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures showing the progress of trade with each member of the Commonwealth in the last 13 years; and the comparable figures for trade with the United States of America and with the European Economic Community countries.

The figures in the following tables are kept up-to-date in the Annual Statement of Trade, and monthly in the Overseas Trade Statistics.