asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he can now give an exact date when the report of the Hardman Committee will be published.

The House will be informed of the Government's decisions as soon as they are taken and the reasons for them. The report itself will be a confidential one to Ministers and it is not customary to publish such documents.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what grants he makes to civil servants to assist in the acquisition of housing on transfer to an area of high and rising house prices from Northern Ireland or from other areas of relatively low or falling house prices.

Any civil servant who is transferred in the public interest can qualify for an excess rent allowance the calculation of which, in the case of a house owner, is based on the difference between the sale price of his old house and the purchase price of the new. In addition a transferred officer may qualify for an advance of salary to assist in house purchase. In the case of United Kingdom civil servants moving from Northern Ireland they may qualify for a loss of house value payment where such a loss can be attributed to the current emergency situation.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps are being taken to mitigate the hardship suffered by civil servants, and their families, who are posted to Northern Ireland.

A number of measures were introduced in July 1972 to recognise the special difficulties of United Kingdom civil servants who are transferred to Northern Ireland. These include travel concessions for the purpose of reuniting families, payment of guardianship or boarding school allowance for children left behind in Great Britain and provisions for limiting the length of time a transferred officer may be required to stay in Northern Ireland. Special attention has also been given to welfare matters.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will give the cost and time escalation, including financial compensation for cancelled work in progress, incurred by the contract changeover from the British firm of Dataskil to the United States firm of Software Sciences for the supply of computer software to the Royal Air Force Stock Control project at Hendon.

There has been no contract changeover at Hendon to Software Sciences which is a British firm. As I said in my reply of 26th October the national data processing service of the Post Office has been asked to implement the modified Monitor system for Hendon; the change is not expected to increase total expenditure on the project; and the Ministry of Defence is still planning to complete transfer to the new computer system in December 1974.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what action his Department is taking to develop the use of computers in the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement.

One of the main purposes of the Central Computer Agency which was set up in my Department in April this year is to promote the use of computers in Government so as to improve administrative efficiency and the quality of service to the citizens. The agency advises Departments on the planning, the systems development and the introduction of all large-scale computer projects. The Civil Service College provides an extensive programme of computer training.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what steps he is taking to avoid interference by taxi radio calls with the reception of radio programmes in the Folkestone area.

There were 10 instances of interference from one taxi firm's base station. On my behalf, Post Office engineers have been instrumental in successfully clearing nine and are working on the last.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what easily available figures he has for vandalism in telephone boxes in October, 1972.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what has been the cost of vandalism to public telephone kiosks throughout the country to the latest available date in 1972; and how this compares with the same period for the previous year.

The cost of damage due to vandalism is as follows:

Year ended 31st March, 1972	£426,000
Year ended 31st March. 1971	£565,000

Some 47,500 cases of vandalism were recorded during the quarter ended 30th September, 1972. Following changes recently introduced by the Post Office in its arrangements for collecting statistics, this figure includes cases of minor damage which did not affect the working of the telephones some of which were not included in previously quoted vandalism statistics. The number of incidents causing the telephones to be out of service was 23,000 during the September quarter.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the Technical Advisory Committee Report on the technical aspects of broadcasting.

I expect to receive the report within a matter of days.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now invite the organisations of workers in television and radio broadcasting to submit their observations to him on the future of broadcasting.

These organisations are free to put forward their views to me at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the disposal of publicly-owned land within national parks.

Land no longer required for public purposes in national parks is disposed of under the same procedures that apply in the rest of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will ensure that the leaders of local authorities in which new towns are situated are appointed to the boards of the respective development corporations.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish his decisions on applications for consent to rail closures in Scotland.

Yes, in the one case in which the statutory processes have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representation has been made to him by inner London borough councils, calling for the introduction of legislation to give greater security of tenure to people living in furnished accommodation; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Environment if he will seek a meeting with the London Boroughs Association in an effort to standardise the conditions requested by London boroughs for persons seeking to obtain a house mortgage.

The detailed terms of local authority mortgage lending schemes are in practice largely a matter for local discretion. I will consider, however, whether any further advice might usefully be given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now received the report of the Committee on the Ordnance Survey; when he proposes to publish it; and if he will make a statement.

The report on the management review of the organisation and operations of the Ordnance Survey was received last year. It will not be published but my right hon. and learned Friend will make a statement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for marina developments, including the number of moorings to be provided, have been made to local planning authorities in England and Wales during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what proportions of these have been refused.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the redevelopment of Piccadilly Circus will start; and if he will make a statement on the delays which have prevented reconstruction of the centre of London.

The Westminster City Council is reconsidering the form this development should take. The delay in starting reconstruction reflects the difficulty in devising an acceptable scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Greater London Council's plans for Covent Garden.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet in a position to announce proposals to restrict the use of non-perishable materials in the manufacture of containers for household goods.

No such proposals are in mind at present. My right hon. and learned Friend will, in any event, need to consider the views of various representative working parties before deciding what action may need to be taken in respect of the disposal of plastics, glass and metal containers, all of which have non-perishable characteristics.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet in a position to announce a decision on the future of Richmond Terrace and New Scotland Yard.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement I made during the Adjournment debate on this subject on 20th November.—[Vol. 846, c. 1047.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council tenants are currently receiving rent rebate; and how this compares with the Government's original estimate of those who would apply for and qualify for such rebate.

This information is not available. But preliminary figures quoted by a number of local authorities broadly confirm our original estimate of about 35 per cent. to 40 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further information he has received from the London area concerning possible abuses of improvement grants.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received a letter dated 15th November from the hon. Member on this subject, to which he has asked me to send a reply in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to raise the level of grants obtainable to owner occupiers and extend the date for the operation of the Housing Act 1969 beyond its present termination date of 23rd June, 1974.

I have no plans at present to raise the improvement grant ceilings beyond their current levels. The Housing (Amendment) Bill, introduced on 1st November, proposes to extend for a further year until 23th June, 1974 the higher rates of house improvement grant given under the Housing Act 1971. This is a once-for-all extension.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider his decision to charge the Cornwall County Council for clearance operations following the "Germania" incident; and if he will forward the £9,000 account to the ship's insurers.

The Ministry of Defence has in the normal way charged for its services to the council in its clearance operations. This accounts for most of the total bill of some £9,000. My Department is contributing 50 per cent. of the cost falling on the county council, and in addition my right hon. and learned Friend is making no charge for a further £1,700 cost incurred by our officials in assisting the council.I am writing to my hon. Friend about the liability of the ship's insurers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to ascertain the effect on road casualties of the compulsory wearing of seat belts in Commonwealth countries.

My right hon. Friend is keeping a close watch on the results of compulsory seat belt wearing in Australia and New Zealand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the amount of money and resources of the National Health Service that is diverted in dealing with road casualties and of the percentage that would be saved by the wearing of seat belts.

Medical costs of road accidents are estimated to amount to about £18 million annually. If everyone had worn the seat belts fitted in cars in 1971 these costs could have been reduced by about 15 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce a decision on the A66 West Cumberland-Penrith trunk road proposals.

My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to be able to announce a decision in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will pay an official visit to the Manchester 1973 festival.

I have not been approached by the organisers of the festival. Invitations to make such visits are of course a matter for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further representations he has had concerning the Failsworth golf course decision and from whom; and what is the current total.

Since my reply to the hon. Member on 25th October, I have received a further 200 written representations. These include one letter from the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, one from the chairman of the North-West Economic Planning Council, one from the captain of Fails-worth Golf Club and 197 from other people. I have now received representations from a total of seven right hon. and hon. Members and 1,728 members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the advanced passenger train.

The APT is at present undergoing modification to improve its performance. The British Railways Board hopes that the first electric prototype will be tested in 1975 and put into experimental passenger service in 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present programme for the final development stages and bringing into operation of the advanced passenger train; whether Great Britain is behind or ahead of a similar project for advanced passenger trains in France; and what plans he has to assist in expediting the British advanced passenger train.

There is already an experimental gas-turbine advance passenger train. British Rail hopes that the first electric prototype will be tested in 1975. This would have advantages over other similar projects elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent proposals he has received from British Rail about the future of uneconomic passenger rail services; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no general proposals, but I shall make a statement early in the New Year on the renewal of grant undertakings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the resolution of the meetings of the Upminster and Cranham Ratepayers and Residents Association, a copy of which has been sent to him, if he will now advance the date of release of information concerning Ringway Three from the A13 north of Dartford Tunnel to the A12.

The proposed route is to be published on 12th December. There will be an exhibition in Hornchurch Public Library on 14th and 15th December and a meeting for discussion at Haver- ing Technical College in the evening of 14th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents have occurred on the A6 between Bedford and the Northampton border in the last two years involving vehicles and cycles, giving details of the number of fatalities, the number injured, and the cause of the accidents; and what steps he proposes to take to make this stretch of road safer for motorists and pedestrians.

Following are the figures:

	1971	1972*
All injury accidents involving motor vehicles or cycles	25	26
Fatalities	0	2
Serious Injuries	10	16
Slight Injuries	20	36
* 1st January to 22nd November only.

Information on the cause of these accidents is not readily available. In general this is considered to be a good stretch of road in relation to the volume of traffic it bears and the number of accidents per mile is below the national average for trunk roads. However, work is scheduled to start in the financial year 1973–74 on an £80,000 scheme to improve a 550-yard length north of the Sharnbrook crossroads.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total value of central Government expenditure on road construction and maintenance, whether direct or by means of financial assistance to other authorities, in the last three years.

Central Government expenditure on road construction and maintenance in England was:

	£ million
1969–70	279
1970–71	350
1971–72	327

General assistance on road expenditure was also given to local authorities by means of the non-specific rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to give a decision on the next list of urban and inter-urban schemes submitted to him in connection with the extension of the principal roads preparation list.

The next extension of the principal roads preparation list will be devoted largely to schemes coming forward from transportation and other studies. A decision on the timing of this extension has not yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people have been seriously injured on the A45 during the past five years;(2) how many people have been killed on the A45 during the past five years.

Following are the figures from 1969:

	Killed	Seriously Injured
1969	44	350
1970	27	319
1971	31	307
1972*	25	249
* January to October only.

The corresponding figures for 1968 are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the proposed starting and completion dates of the construction of the flyover intended to serve the Willenhall roundabout on the A45 at Coventry.

This scheme might form part of an eastern by-pass of the city of Coventry which is still the subject of study at feasibility stage. It would therefore be premature to estimate any timing for construction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what appointments he has made this year to the Inland Waterways Advisory Council; which members of that council have not been reappointed and which of them communicated to him directly a wish not to be considered for reappointment.

Appointments to the council are under consideration. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the percentage of lorries on the roads that are overloaded.

Between 2 and 4 per cent., depending on the time of year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of the anxiety amongst parents of school children at the absence of adequate regulation of traffic parking in the vicinity of school entrances and the increase in the practice of delivering children to and collecting them from school by car, whether he will introduce legislation to effect a reduction of the dangers to which children are exposed thereby.

Mandatory restrictions would be difficult to justify, given the widely differing patterns of use and timing. I would sooner give the new, and more distinctive, form of road marking time to prove itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will provide names for districts in metropolitan counties, in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(3) of the Local Government Act 1972.

A circular will be issued next week asking the local authorities concerned to make recommendations for the names of each of the new metropolitan districts, sending their proposals to my right hon. and learned Friend through the joint committee for that district established under Section 264 of the Act.The recommendations should have regard to guidelines which will be set out in the circular, and should reach my right hon. and learned Friend not later than 15th January with a view to an order being made as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to improve the ventilation in the ladies' cloakroom on the Terrace level.

Plans were made to modernise the ladies' cloakroom and provide new ventilation during the Summer Recess but these had to be deferred until 1973 because of the builders' strike. I have examined the possibility of undertaking the work over Christmas but very much regret that as eight to nine weeks will be needed, it will have to wait until the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to make a decision on the future of the A6 through Rushden.

The trunk road preparation pool contains a scheme for a Rushden relief road on A6. Preparation of this scheme is at an early stage because of the need to take account of the results of traffic and other studies in the area being undertaken by the local authorities. It is too soon to say when draft proposals will be announced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government's price freeze applies to parking charges at parking meters and in off-street car parks.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the further cleaning of Government buildings now that the work in Whitehall is nearing completion; and what steps he is taking to encourage others to follow the Government's lead in this matter.

I envisage a continuing programme with the same major impact as that of the cleaning of Whitehall. The additional buildings which I shall be considering first include the Royal Courts of Justice, the Tate Gallery and the Imperial War Museum, and the New Register House and some smaller buildings in the New Town quarter of Edinburgh. Special consideration is being given to the Palace of Westminster and hon. Members will have noticed that the trial cleaning of the frontage overlooking Black Rod's Garden is now near- ing completion. After appraisal of the results I hope shortly to be able to submit proposals to the Services Committee of the House. The Government are doing all they can to encourage others to follow their lead. The Prime Minister is meeting many of those in a position to influence decisions in this field and I am holding a Press conference today on this subject. I am also distributing fairly widely a brochure and a leaflet bringing together the experience of the Property Services Agency and the work done by the Building Research Station. Copies of these documents are being put in the Library of the House and I should be pleased to let hon. Members have personal copies if they wish.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the provisions of the law which ensure that motor-cyclists are compelled to pay passenger insurance even though it is illegal to carry passengers on the particular motor-cycle.

Section 145 of the Road Traffic Act 1972, after paragraph 5 of Schedule 8 to the Act has ceased to be effective on 1st December, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his report and recommendations in respect of Ministry of Transport vehicle testing provisions.

I cannot yet say. Several options are under consideration. I have to consider what contribution they would make to the saving of road casualties as well as the cost to the motorist.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional public finance will be made available to British Railways following the price freeze.

It is too soon to say what further assistance will be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the need for releasing more building land, he will now take steps to review the green belt policy so that more attention is paid to differentiating between good agricultural land in areas of outstanding beauty, and derelict land worked-out and abandoned after industrial use and unsuitable for agricultural or scenic reclamation but capable of development as building land.

No. Green belts are designed, amongst other things, to prevent the outward sprawl of large built-up areas or the coalescence of neighbouring towns. These purposes are served whatever the present state of the land. So although some land in green belts may be derelict or even unsightly it does not follow that it should therefore be released for development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the interests of road safety, he will request all tyre manufacturers to have a red printed warning strip of moulded rubber inserted in the tyre tread in all motor tyres at the level where the absence of tread makes the tyre dangerous, so that as the tyre wears the inner red warning signal becomes clearly visible.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give an assurance that he will take no action regarding the increasing of axle weights and tonnage of lorries as proposed by the European Economic Community until such time as Parliament has passed judgment upon this issue.

In view of the opportunity the House will have this evening to express its views—yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consult the North-West Economic Planning Council and the North-West Sports Council concerning the future of golf courses in this region.

The Chairman of the Sports Council has agreed to look into the question of low cost golfing in the Manchester area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he will not investigate with a view to prosecution the communication dated 12th November from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, relating to corruption and evasion of planning rules and regulations.

It is not the business of the Secretary of State to investigate allegations of corruption. It is for the police and Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what form of road construction on the second section to be opened of the M90 motorway precludes the markings of the edges of the carriageway with white lines and reflectors.

On this section the edge of the carriageway is defined by a reflective concrete kerb. It is not standard engineering practice to add a white line and reflectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the announcement of the Government's plan for the construction of extensive new port facilities for oil rig vessels in the Peterhead Harbour of Refuge and the appointment of an advisory board to assist the Secretary of State in the commercial development of the harbour was not made in Peterhead.

I am glad to say that my noble friend the Minister of State was able to make the decision known in Peterhead on 17th November before meeting the Press in Aberdeen on the same day. In view of the importance of the announcement it was felt that every effort should be made to ensure maximum Press coverage and it was considered that this could best be achieved by a Press conference in Aberdeen, the regional centre of the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland for how many years citizens of the Irish Republic have been eligible to stand for election to positions in Scottish local authorities.

Since the establishment of the Republic of Ireland on 18th April, 1949, when the existing arrangements in this field were continued.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now satisfied with the fire prevention measures prevailing at all hospitals in each of the

ESTIMATED POPULATION OF SCOTLAND BY AGE, 1966–71
Age	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971
Under 15	1,342,400	1,350,300	1,356,200	1.360,900	1,361,500	1,361,500
15–44	2,029,300	2,006,600	1,997,900	1,996,100	1,999,000	2,010,600
Males 45–64	11,080,400	1,077,900	1,069,500	1,061,700	1,052,900	1,046,500
Females 45–59
Males 65 +	738,800	751,800	763,900	776,100	785,600	798,900
Females 60+
All ages	5,190,800	5,186,600	5,187,500	5,194,700	5,199,000	5,217,400

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how South Ayrshire has been affected by farm amalgamation schemes in recent years.

Two amalgamations have been approved under the schemes in South Ayrshire and eight are under consideration. These figures reflect the reasonable farm structure in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a donation of £50,000 for the relief of distress and suffering caused by the recent fire at St. George's Cross, Glasgow.

My information is that the necessary help and assistance are being given by the Department of Health and Social Security and Glasgow Corporation. All who have sought rehousing from the corporation are being rehoused.

I am satisfied that hospital authorities are well aware of the importance of fire prevention measures. They have received guidance on the priority measures required and are attending to these as quickly as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the breakdown of the Scottish population by age group; and how this compares with the previous five years.

The information is set out in the table below:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the date when Mr. George Pottinger was suspended from duty and for what reason; whether this was on full or half pay; how much he has drawn in pay since his suspension; and when he is expected to resume his normal duties.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his similar Question on 18th October. Since his suspension Mr. Pottinger has now received pay amounting to £3,020 gross. I see no prospect of his suspension being terminated while police inquiries are still proceeding into matters arising out of the Poulson bankruptcy hearings.—[Vol. 843, c. 88–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will advise local authorities to establish consumer affairs bureaux which would have the responsibility not only to giving general advice to shoppers, but would also act as a medium for conveying complaints about breach of the prices standstill to regional offices of Government Departments.

I welcome the contribution which local authorities can make to consumer protection and am considering the scope for expanding local consumer advisory services; I am not, however, satisfied that a general system of this kind is appropriate to the circumstances of the current prices standstill.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is, to the latest convenient date, the number of applications for assistance, under the Industry Act, the location of the firms applying, the number of applications approved, and the total amount of this financial assistance.

At 9th November some 500 applications for regional development grants under Part I of the Industry Act 1972 had been received. On these it is estimated that around £1·5 million will be payable. About one third of this had been paid. No geographical analysis of the applications is yet available.One hundred and ninety-eight firm applications for financial assistance under Part II were received up to 31st October. By that date four formal offers had been made involving commitments amounting to around £7·5 million. In addition, as already announced, assistance under Part II is being provided for the benefit of Govan Shipbuilders Limited and Cammell Laird (Shipbuilders) Limited. The location of the 198 applicants is:

	Number of Applications*
Scotland	49
Wales	18
Assisted areas in England	119
Outside the assisted areas	12
Total	198
* For projects providing new employment the location given is that in which the new employment will be provided. This is not necessarily the current location of the applicant.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action to ensure that British based companies, operating in the North Sea purchase their oil rigs and equipment from British firms.

One of the criteria under which discretionary licence applications were judged in the last licensing round in 1971 was the extent of the contribution which the applicant had made or was planning to make to the economy of the United Kingdom including the strengthening of the balance of payments and the growth of industry and employment.The oil companies have agreed to provide quarterly returns of their purchases so that the Government can assess the extent to which they are giving a full and fair opportunity to British companies to compete for orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many structures in the Scottish sector of the North Sea have still to be examined for oil-bearing potential.

Seismic evidence to date indicates the presence, in the northern part of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf in the North Sea, of some 100 structures which have not yet been tested by drilling.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what dollar offset arrangements are available to the British aerospace industry on further Boeing 747 jumbo jets acquired by British airlines.

There are no formal offset arrangements. I am however confident that British airlines, like the British Government, welcome the incorporation of British manufactured products in imported aircraft. I suggest that British manufacturers should take every opportunity to demonstrate the quality of their product both to manufacturers and to potential users of imported aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the names of the members of the Transport Aircraft Requirement Committee; what proposals are currently under consideration; and how many times the committee has met in 1972.

Membership of the Transport Aircraft Requirements Committee is drawn from representatives of Government Departments, the Society of British Aerospace Companies, the nationalised and independent airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Aeronautical Research Council. The committee held no meetings in 1972 and has no proposals currently before it.The future rôle of the TARC will be considered in a general review of consultation arrangements which I have set in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether European Economic Community

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE APPROVED
		Number	Area '000 sq. ft.	Estimated Additional Employment*
1st January, 1968–30th September, 1968	…	197	6,010	11,900
1st January, 1969–30th September, 1969	…	226	6,684	15,200
1st January, 1970–30th September, 1970	…	202	6,579	13,150
1st January, 1971–30th September, 1971	…	67	2,450	4,670
1st January, 1972–30th September, 1972	…	57	2,399	3,230
* Jobs estimated by the applicants to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the future of the atomic energy establishment at Dounreay.

It has not been determined whether the Treaty of Rome applies to the Continental Shelf.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether products extracted from the soil and sub-soil of the United Kingdom continental shelf are treated by the European Economic Community as products of internal origin.

The Community has not yet decided on the rules governing the origin of petroleum.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial building approval certificates have been issued in Wales in the first nine months of 1972 and in the equivalent period for each year since 1968; and if he will give the figures of jobs expected and of millions of square feet approved in each year.

Following are details of industrial development certificates issued. The figures are not directly comparable because IDC control was abolished in July 1972 in the development and special development areas, which form the larger part of Wales. In addition the exemption limit below which IDCs are not required was raised in December 1970 and July 1972.

The Atomic Energy Establishment at Dounreay is engaged on a continuing programme of work on the sodium-cooled fast reactor and will be for many years. As the House was informed on 8th August, the Government see this type of reactor as the main element, in the long term, of our generation of electricity by nuclear power and intends to proceed as rapidly as possible with its development. A large part of the development work will be carried out at Dounreay. The 250 megawatt (electricity) prototype fast reactor is nearing completion there and will be commissioned next year.—[Vol. 842, c. 1491–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Government factories remain unlet in Scotland; how long each has been unlet; and how many abortive inquiries his Department has handled in respect of each factory.

Seventeen advance factories and 27 others vacated by previous occupants have remained unlet over varying periods on average 18 months. Inquiries are not in general related to specific factories and some may be satisfied by new town or other factories besides those of the Department. It is not possible therefore to answer the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are now being taken to bring about the introduction of mineral rights legislation.

I am considering what form new legislation might take. However, the parliamentary timetable could not accommodate legislation during the present Session and makes legislation unlikely in the next.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give a general direction to electricity boards to submit estimates of the loss of revenue involved on the basis that retirement pensioners were exempt from pay-

Institutions	Course	Number of Enrolments	Number who completed the Course
One-Term Courses
University of Reading, Institute of Education	Teaching of Children with Learning difficulties	24	24
Kesteven College of Education	Education of Handicapped Children	7	7
Alsager College of Education	Education of Slow Learning Child in the ordinary school (two courses)	24	24
Manchester Training College	Teaching of the Slow Learning Child in the ordinary school	35	34

No. There would be no point in requiring electricity boards to submit estimates.They are statutorily precluded from showing undue preference to any class of consumer. Furthermore, it is the Government's view that the problem of pensioners should be met by the level of pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when, and in what form, she requested the education authorities in the London area not to make an offer of an increased London allowance; and if she will publish the text of any written request and the reply.

Details of the transactions of the two panels of the Burnham Committees are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many teachers enrolled for, and completed the course, respectively, on each of the four one-term courses arranged by the Department of Education and Science in 1971–72 for teachers of handicapped children;(2) how many teachers enrolled for, and completed the course, respectively, on each of the 40 one-year courses arranged by the Department of Education and Science in 1971–72 for teachers of handicapped children.

Six one-term courses and 39 one-year courses approved by my Department were provided in 1971–72. The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to receive the report of the Paymaster-General's committee on local museums and galleries; and whether she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive the committee's report before the end of the year. My noble Friend will need to consider with colleagues the implications of the committee's recommendations before making an announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now make a statement on the question of her review of the present arrangements for, including the existing law affecting, the provision of school transport.

I shall make a statement after the working party has completed its work and when I have studied its report. At present I do not know how long it will take.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the proposed expenditure on the Fanfare for Europe was not included in the most recent Supplementary Estimates for her Department, so that it could have parliamentary approval before being spent.

Provision for Fanfare for Europe has been made in winter Supplementary Estimates which will be presented as usual in December in accord- ance with the memorandum presented to Parliament on 20th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state the number of purpose-built community centres constructed in each of the last 10 years.

My Department only has information about community centres provided by voluntary committees with the assistance of grant from the Department. The number of such purpose-built centres in England and Wales on which building started in each of the last 10 years is as follows:

Financial Year	Total
1962–63	7
1963–64	15
1964–65	7
1965–66	15
1966–67	18
1967–68	10
1968–69	10
1969–70	14
1970–71	18
1971–72	25
	139

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek to obtain and publish details of the number of undergraduates and post-graduate places available for the study of petroleum technology in British universities; which universities provide such courses; and how the position today compares with the last five years.

It is not possible to answer this Question because the term "petroleum technology" is not applied to particular courses in universities. Many subjects, which are widely available, can be directly relevant to the needs of the petroleum industry, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, mining and geology.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons charged and found guilty of offences in connection with the 1967 riots in Hong King are still in prison.

Seven of those found guilty of offences arising from the 1967 disturbances are still serving prison sentences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many penal establishments there are in Hong King; how many of these are exclusively for juveniles; and if he will list, by establishment, the number of prisoners now serving sentence.There are 15 penal establishments in Hong Kong of which 4 are exclusively for juveniles. The number of offenders serving sentence as at the 21st of November 1972 were:

Stanley Maximum Security Prison	2,293
Chi Ma Wan Open Prison	590
Victoria Reception Centre	285
Tai Lam Addiction Treatment Centre	502
Ma Po Ping Addiction Treatment Centre	709
Stanley Training Centre	242
Cape Collinson Training Centre	241
Tai Tarn Gap Training Centre	161
Sha Tsui Detention Centre	102
Tai Lam Centre for Women	104
Kwun Tong Hostel	32
Castle Peak Boys' Home	91
O Pui Shan Boys' Home	93
Begonia Aao Boys' Home	85
Ma Tau Wei Girls' Home	50
Total	5,580

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which year corporal punishment was abolished in Hong Kong penal establishments.

Corporal punishment in Hong Kong penal establishments is still permitted as a last resort. Under prison rules the Commissioner of Prisons may with the approval of the Governor, and provided the Governor is satisfied that no other form of authorised punishment will prove effective, award corporal punishment to any male offender for the following offences:

(a) Mutiny;

(b) Incitement to mutiny; and

(c) Gross person violence against officers of the Prisons Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official estimate exists of the number of prostitutes in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the policy measures adopted by the Government of Hong Kong to eliminate prostitution.

No official estimate is made for the number of prostitutes in Hong Kong. In 1971, however, 641 persons were convicted for soliciting.Measures to counter prostitution include legislation against related activities such as soliciting, trafficking in women, keeping a brothel and pimping. In addition, rehabilitation is undertaken by the Government's Social Welfare Department and by voluntary agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official surveys of the number of beggars in Hong Kong have been undertaken in recent years; and in what publications the official findings of these surveys can be found.

Sample surveys of beggars in Hong Kong are conducted from time to time by the Social Welfare Department. The latest was in March, 1971.This showed a 50 per cent. decline in the number of beggars since 1968.The survey has not been published, but I will write to the hon. Member with further details.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official public assistance schemes are now operating in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement giving details of the benefits paid in cash under each scheme.

There is one public assistance scheme in Hong Kong which is reviewed annually. Any eligible person who has an income below the level prescribed by the scheme is paid an allowance to meet the difference. The present level provides for a maximum monthly cash allowance of Hong Kong dollars 110 for a single person, Hong Kong dollars 80 each for the first three family members (of whatever age), Hong Kong dollars 65 each for the next three and Hong Kong dollars 50 each for any other members, plus an allowance for rent, educational expenses, essential travelling expenses and any other special needs, e.g. for a special diet.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish figures showing the number of persons in Hong Kong, in the last financial year, estimated to have a monthly income in Hong Kong money of under 400 dollars, 400 to 500 dollars, 500 to 600 dollars. 600 to 700 dollars, 700 to 1,000 dollars, 1,000 to 1,500 dollars, 1,500 to 3,000 dollars 3,000 to 10,000 dollars, 10,000 to 30,000 dollars, and above 30,000 dollars, respectively.

Comprehensive figures of individual incomes in Hong Kong are not available as Inland Revenue statistics do not provide a complete coverage. The figures for household incomes in the 1971 census of population and housing, which in many respects provide a more realistic picture, are as follows:

NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1971
Income (H.K. dollars)	Number of Domestic Households	Percentage of Total Domestic Households
200	41,457	4·8
200–399	90,113	10·5
400–599	205,511	24·0
600–799	169,023	19·7
800–999	96,973	11·3
1,000–1,199	81,302	9·5
1,200–1,499	62,249	7·3
1,500–1,999	40,384	4·7
2,000–2,499	28,333	3·3
2,500–4,499	27,215	3·2
4,500 and over	14,448	1·7
Total	857,008	100·0

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the proportion of the Hong Kong population living below the current official definition of poverty; and how this compares with each of the previous 12 years, using for each indi- vidual year the official definition of poverty applied at that time.