asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce regulations to require manufacturers of toilet preparations containing hexachlorophane to indicate this on the label or wrapper of the preparations concerned.

As I indicated in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 21st November, I am considering whether further action is necessary.—[Vol. 846, c. 373.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to amend Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1961; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend will consider the question of legislation to amend Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 when he has received the report of the Advisory Council on the Penal System, which is reviewing this and other aspects of the existing arrangements for the sentencing and treatment of young offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the resettlement board concerning the settlement of Ugandan Asian refugees who still remain in reception centres.

We are in close touch with the Chairman of the Uganda Resettlement Board about the board's policy of maximum dispersal. Everything possible is being done to discourage refugees still in reception centres from going to areas where social facilities are under strain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient stated date, the total number of Uganda Asians still in residence in the resettlement camps, how many have been rehoused, how many have been placed into employment, how many are awaiting employment, to what extent all the children have been allocated school places and how many are awaiting such placings.

On 1st December there were 10,315 refugees in the Uganda Resettlement Board's centres, and by the same date about 3,650 people had been rehoused by the board. By 24th November some 1,700 of the refugees had been found jobs by the Department of Employment; just under 3,400 of those in the centres were still waiting to be placed in employment. The provision and allocation of school places are matters for local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates he has had discussions with the Uganda Resettlement Board; and what problems were discussed.

On 14th September my right hon. Friend attended one of the board's meetings, and he is keeping in close touch with the chairman and members of the board on all matters concerned with the board's work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange for the Uganda Resettlement Board to provide immediate retrospective and long-term financial aid for the London Borough of Newham.

The board is authorised to make grants to local authorities in respect of expenditure incurred in resettling refugees from Uganda. Details were sent to all local authorities on 1st November. The board has not so far received any applications for grant from the London Borough of Newham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of the authorities which have submitted application for immediate grants from the Uganda Resettlement Board; and how much of the initial provision of £600,000 has been allocated to each of these local authorities.

Prior approval is not required for expenditure falling within the terms and limits set out in the board's letter of 1st November to local authorities. Twenty-three authorities have so far sought approval for other expenditure. Ten of these applications have already been approved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the question of the recommended starting salary for qualified probation officers and social workers; and if he will make a statement.

Subsequent to the Butterworth recommendations about common national starting salaries, the Joint Negotiating Committee for the Probation Service agreed to undertake a survey to establish the facts as to starting salaries paid to local authority social workers at 31st December next, following which both sides would use their best endeavours to secure any fair adjustments on entry points for probation officers from 1st January, 1973. As regards social workers, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 27th November by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security to Questions by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd).—[Vol. 847, c. 46–50.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the net increase in police strength since 1st July, 1970; how this compares with the net increase for the corresponding length of period ended 1st July, 1970; and whether he will make a statement.

For the period 1st July, 1970, to 31st October, 1972, there was a net increase in police strength in England and Wales of 6,624. For the 28 months before that date the increase was 1,670. The Government consider that the strengthening of the police service is an essential element in the fight against crime and continue to give it high priority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the police are still under establishment.

On 31st October the number of police officers in England and Wales was 99,400, 11,800 below the present authorised establishment of 111,200.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now bring in legislation to halt all further immigration from all sources by heads of families into the United Kingdom for a period of five years, except for those from the old Commonwealth who have direct hereditary links with the United Kingdom.

I intend to maintain a strict control over immigration, but I could not justify the extreme measure which my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on recent and future trends in immigration.

There has for some years been a declining trend in admission for settlement of citizens of other countries. When the Immigration Act, 1971, comes fully into force on 1st January the powers to control immigration will be strengthened and I intend to make full use of them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to publish notes for guidance of people liable to deportation in a number of languages and arrange for them to be issued to every deportee or potential deportee.

I do not think that this would be appropriate. The notices about eligibility for deportation or rights of appeal which, by statute, are supplied to persons concerned are in English. But advice is available to those who need help in understanding them; and a translation, of itself, would not usually be sufficient since those concerned may well be unfamiliar with our legal processes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to prohibit the docking of puppies' tails, as recommended by the Council of the British Veterinary Association.

The docking of puppies' tails is subject to the restrictions imposed by the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954 and the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. I am not persuaded that the Government should seek powers to prohibit the practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to announce the Government's reactions to the recommendations of the Younger Committee on Privacy; and whether he will make a statement.

Further study and consultation will be necessary before the Government are in a position to announce conclusions on all the numerous recommendations in this report. We hope to be able to provide the House with more information shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report on the number of prosecutions brought during the past six months against motorists stopped for speeding on sections of the M4 and M1 policed by the Thames Valley police force; and in how many of these cases previous warnings had been issued.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many instances in 1972 prosecutions have been conducted under the Vagrancy Acts where charges have been made involving the display of printed publications.

Figures for 1972 are not yet available. In 1971, 43 persons were proceeded against. Forty were found guilty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what delays are faced by persons charged with offences before they come to trial, and how many on remand are kept in prison and later found not guilty; and if he will introduce legislation to further extend the classification of cases to be tried by magistrates, in order to prevent this delay in the provision of justice.

A recent return shows that the average time between committal for trial and trial in the Crown Court in England and Wales was about eight weeks where the accused was in custody and 12 weeks in other cases. About 5 per cent. of those received into custody in 1971 at some stage before their trial, either in the Crown Court or in a magistrates' court, were found not guilty or the case was not proceeded with. In consultation with other Ministers concerned, my right hon. Friend has under review the question whether a larger proportion of accused persons could be dealt with summarily, but he has not yet formed any view as to the need for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide for a legal remedy to be available in the event of an immigration officer failing to carry out his duties without regard to race, colour or religion as is set out in the new immigration rules.

No. Sufficient remedies would be available by way of appeal or by complaint to me or to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions for illegal immigration there have been in each of the last five years; and whether he will make a statement.

As far as I know, two in 1968, 26 in 1969, 38 in 1970, 19 in 1971 and six so far in 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to amend the Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963 so as to extend the licensing and inspection provisions to animal breeding establishments.

No. I am not persuaded that the existing legal provisions for the protection of animals are inadequate in this context.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the discussions between representatives of the Football Association, the Football League, and the Home Office on 17th November about safety at grounds, in the light of the Wheatley Committee Report.

The meeting on 17th November was largely exploratory and provided the opportunity for a useful exchange of views. It was decided to set up an informal working group to study in greater depth a number of technical matters arising from Lord Wheatley's report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider bringing in legislation to compel manufacturers of children's T-shirts made from inflammable materials to put warning labels on their products.

My right hon. Friend is not convinced that such legislation would serve a useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with emergency arrangements for accidents involving road vehicles carrying dangerous chemicals; and whether he will make a statement.

Controls over the conveyance of dangerous substances by road are systematically being extended, as quickly as practicable, to additional classes of dangerous chemicals. Meanwhile, interim arrangements have been made whereby the emergency services can, in case of need, obtain information on how to deal with substances about which specific guidance has not been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to render it unlawful for anyone living or residing anywhere within the United Kingdom to be a member of the Irish Republican Army, or any branch thereof.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave today to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Beckenham (Mr. Goodhart) and Down, North (Mr. Kilfedder).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists have been charged, and how many convicted, for exceeding the 30 miles per hour speed limit in inner London to date this year; and if he will make a statement.

I am obtaining the available information and shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, for any stated period of time, details of the names or numbers of motorists in the Metropolitan Police area who have been prosecuted for speeding; and in how many of these cases they had received three previous warnings.

18,578 offences relating to speed limits were dealt with by prosecution in the Metropolitan Police District in 1971. Statistics showing how many of those concerned had previously received warnings are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, for any stated period of time, details of the names or numbers of motorists in the Metropolitan Police area who have been warned on three separate occasions for speeding where no prosecution has subsequently ensued.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 5th December.—[Vol. 847, c. 396.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not call for reports from chief constables and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of persons who were stopped by the police for speeding on the M1 for the longest and most convenient stated period of time up to and including Saturday 11th November, 1972, and what action was taken in each instance.

Because I see no advantage in incurring the high cost involved in obtaining the information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of motorists in the London Borough of Newham who were sent warnings in the week ended 25th November for speeding and how many received notice of prosecution.

The only information available is that 31 speed offences were reported in the week ended 25th November. Eleven are being dealt with by prosecution, and one by written caution. The remaining 19 are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of motorists who have during the past 12 months been stopped in the London Borough of Newham for speeding; in how many of such cases the person had been stopped on two earlier occasions; and in how many of these cases prosecutions ensued and warnings were issued without prosecution.

The only information readily available is that in the London Borough of Newham during the period 1st January to 25th November, 1972, 731 speed offences were reported. Proceedings were instituted in 673 cases, 11 written cautions were sent and 47 cases are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain and publish the total number of recruits to the Thames Valley Police during the past 12 months; and how many of these enrolled during the week ended 25th November, 1972.

270. None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took his Department until 28th November, 1972 to notify the hon. Member for West Ham, North that his letter of 18th November, 1972, complaining of the police notifying the Press of persons being cautioned for speeding, had been sent on to the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force.

The interim reply of 28th November was sent to the hon. Member within a reasonable period after his two letters of 18th November had been referred to the chief constable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during the past six months he has had official discussions or written communications with the chief constable of the Thames Valley police; and on what subjects approaches were made by him or the chief constable during this period.

My right hon. Friend does not think it would be appropriate for him to publish detailed information of this kind about his communications with chief officers of police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce his proposals for increasing the number of junior custodial centres at which young people under the age of 14 years can be detained.

My right hon. Friend has no such proposals. Junior detention centres are provided for offenders between the ages of 14 and 17 and my right hon. Friend has no plans for making them available for younger children. The provision by local authorities of accomodation for children in their care is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Social Services and for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Mr. Alan de Lury, a New Zealander, was kept waiting for two weeks at Dover; why he has been granted a 30-day stay; and whether he will grant him a longer stay.

Mr. de Lury came here as a visitor in 1970. He over-stayed in breach of his conditions. When he returned on 13th November from a holiday in France he said that he was coming for employment. He was refused admission as having no employment voucher, and was returned to France the same day.On 21st November he was granted an entry certificate for a 30-day visit to to enable him to settle his affairs. Any application for an extension of stay would be considered most carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why he will not make a statement on the report he has received from the Chief Constable of Wiltshire regarding an individual whose name has been sent to him in connection with a car.

I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the expenditure of £135,000 under subheads D.10 and 12 of the grants-in-aid connected with Commonwealth immigrants will not be accounted for in detail to the Comptroller and Auditor-General; why any unexpended balances of these sums issued will not be liable to surrender to the Consolidated Fund; and whether he will make a statement.

Only Sub-head D12 is directly connected with Commonwealth immigrants. These are contributions—like many others in Supply Estimates—to be used by the voluntary bodies and the charitable fund concerned for the general purposes for which they are established; and like other contributions to them could not be connected with particular expenditure. Audit of the whole of their expenditure is provided for under their constitutions.It is normal practice that unexpended balances of a grant-in-aid are not surrendered; but future instalments of a grant-in-aid take account of unspent sums.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry into the United Kingdom by Ugandan, Kenyan, Tanzanian and other Asians with non-United Kingdom passports, but with wives, children or other close relatives in the United Kingdom, have been refused at ports of entry; and to what countries applicants have been sent following such refusals.

Since 7th August 31 Asians from East Africa with close relatives in this country have been refused admission and sent away from the United Kingdom. Of these, 15 were from Uganda, one from Kenya and 15 from Tanzania. It is understood that eight went to Canada, seven to France, five to Germany, one to Kenya, one to Switzerland, one to Tanzania and eight to Uganda. In addition two citizens of Tanzania, one citizen of Kenya, 35 citizens of Uganda and 49 stateless Asians have been formally refused admission but are still in the United Kingdom: many have close relatives here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases during 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively, Kenyans, Tanzanians, Malawians, Singaporians and others holding United Kingdom passports resident in these countries were admitted to the United Kingdom by immigration officers for an initial period of less than six months.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for reports from chief constables about police officers when on duty receiving food, drinks and other sustenance from persons or organisations connected with crime which might be under investigation; and whether police officers when on such duty are expected to meet the cost of their meals out of their pay and allowances.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No". The answer to the second part is that police officers who necessarily incur additional expense to obtain food because of duty requirements are entitled to subsistence and refreshment allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to increase the careers guidance to men leaving prison; and whether he will ensure that every prison has a responsible officer to find employment for prisoners on their release.

There are in every prison in England and Wales welfare officers who are responsible for helping a prisoner find employment on release. This is normally arranged through local officers of the Department of Employment. The scope for supplementing these arrangements is being kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not arrange for the deportation to Uganda of Colonel Moses Ali, currently on a course in Great Britain.

Because such action would not be appropriate, even if my right hon. Friend had power to take it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons 230 United Kingdom passport holders from East Africa were refused admission up to 30th September, 1972; and how many of them came from Uganda.

I cannot usefully add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member's Question on 23rd November, 1972. I then explained that separate figures for Ugandan Asians are not available.—[Vol. 846, c. 488.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the reasons for the hold up of London's traffic on the evening of Wednesday, 29th November; and what action he proposes to take to prevent such happenings in the future.

My right hon. Friend has received such a report. The police will continue to do all they can to facilitate the flow of traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North making proposals for the improvement in the flow of London's traffic, so far as matters within his Ministerial responsibilities for police action are concerned; and what action he proposes to take in this connection.

I have received such a communication and I am considering the points made in consultation with those concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's intention with regard to the Report of the Erroll Committee on drinking hours which was received by him on 23rd October, 1972 and published on 5th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to implement the proposals of the Erroll Committee on liquor licensing; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Money) on 5th December.—[Vol. 847, c. 391–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ask the Commission of Police of the Metropolis to reply personally to communications sent to him by Members of Parliament.

This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police. He is concerned that the many letters he receives from hon. Members should receive prompt, courteous and careful attention, but he could not undertake to reply to all of them in person.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, for the longest stated period of time, the number of prosecutions initiated by the Metropolitan Police for failing to display a Road Fund licence, to have a certificate of roadworthiness and of insurance, faulty tyres, parking without lights, parking facing the traffic flow, parking on intersections and road junctions after dark and on banned areas, and for causing obstruction.

I shall send the hon. Member the available information when it has been assembled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set up a committee to inquire into the relationships between the police and the Press and, in particular, to consider the proposition that no information or comment should be supplied to the Press by the police or anyone acting on their behalf if there is likelihood of a prosecution, until such time as the summons has been issued or a decision taken that no legal enforcement will be initiated.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the information sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North on 3rd December, he will call for a report to be made to ascertain how any why information to the Press was revealed by the head of the Liverpool Police of a prejudicial nature, before any notification of a prosecution had been made and before police investigations had been completed.

I have asked the Chief Constable of Liverpool and Bootle for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for legislation to curtail the right to trial by jury.

In consultation with other Ministers concerned, my right hon. Friend is considering whether any changes in the law should be proposed to enable a greater proportion of criminal cases to be dealt with summarily and so to assist the Crown Court to deal efficiently and expeditiously with the more serious cases, but he has no present proposals for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many hotels and boarding houses required to register under the Fire Precautions Act have now done so; and if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the relevant detailed statistics for England and Wales;(2) how many prosecutions have been brought in England and Wales for the offence of failing to register under the Fire Precautions Act; what proportion the number so prosecuted represents of the total number of defaulters; and what steps he now proposes to take.

I regret that this information is not available. The relevant offence under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 is that of not having a fire certificate in respect of a designated use of premises, and an occupier is not guilty of that offence if he has applied for a certificate and his application is under consideration. The institution of proceedings is a matter for fire authorities. I understand that good progress continues to be made in implementing the Act, but I shall keep the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of Servicemen from Great Britain and the number of children in Ulster below the age of 15 who have been killed or injured in the disturbances of the last five years; and what is his estimate of the cost of the damage and destruction of property in the same period.

143 Regular soldiers from Great Britain, excluding members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, have been killed in Northern Ireland during the last five years. Similar information on soldiers wounded is not readily available, but the total number of soldiers wounded, including members of the UDR, is 822.Since 1967 24 young people under 15 have been killed as a result of the civil disturbances in Northern Ireland. There are no separate figures readily available which show how many people under 15 have been injured.It is not possible to give a firm estimate of the cost of damage to property as there are a number of claims outstanding, but it is thought that compensation in the region of £50 million will be payable.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he now expects to publish his White Paper on the future of Northern Ireland.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Down, North (Mr. Kilfedder) on 9th November.—[Vol. 845, c. 224.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings of the Transport Users' Council have been held since 1st April 1972.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the Transport Users' Committee set up under the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967. There have been two meetings of this committee since 1st April 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail the procedure for admission into the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve; and if he will give the average time it takes for the process to be completed.

When a preliminary inquiry is received, an application form is forwarded together with a leaflet explaining the conditions of service. Once the completed application form is returned, arrangements are made for the candidate to sit the educational entrance examination—unless he already has suitable educational qualifications. If the candidate meets the required educational standard, he is interviewed at his home by the local recruiting officer, and any necessary enquiries are made. Finally the candidate appears before a selection board.In straightforward cases the average lapse of time between application and notification of a decision on selection is about a month, but in other cases it may be six to eight weeks. The transfer of responsibility for the processing of applications to the Royal Ulster Constabulary recruiting branch will, it is hoped, reduce considerably the time taken to complete the process.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will publish a list of those to whom a copy of the Green Paper on the future of Northern Ireland was delivered before 12 noon on 30th October.

Advance copies of the Paper for Discussion were sent to:

• Sir John Wheeler Bennett, K.C.V.O., O.B.E.
• Dr. R. Blaney.
• Mr. C. F. Carter.
• Mr. T. Conaty.
• Most Rev. Cardinal Conway.
• Professor R. Cross.
• Rt. Hon. The Lord Diplock of Wansford.
• Rt. Hon. A. B. D. Faulkner, M.P.
• Mr. G. Fitt, M.P.
• Mr. A. E. Gibson.
• Professor N. J. Gibson.
• Col. The Rt. Hon. Lord Glentoran.
• Rt. Hon. The Lord Grey of Naunton, G.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., O.B.E.
• Mr. N. Kennedy.
• Sir R. Kinahan.
• Rev. E. R. Lindsay.
• Rt. Rev. R. B. A. Lynas.
• Mr. J. Lynch, T.D.
• Mrs. A. Malone.
• Miss S. Murnaghan.
• Major The Rt. Hon. I. Neill, M.P.
• Mr. J. H. Nichol.
• Mr. J. O'Hara.
• Hon. P. R. H. O'Neill, M.P.
• Captain L. P. S. Orr, M.P.
• Rev. Dr. I. R. K. Paisley, M.P.
• Mr. R. B. Price.
• Mr. M. Rees, M.P.
• Mr. R. D. Rolston.
• Sir Graham Shillington, C.B.E.
• Most Rev. Archbishop Simms.
• Mr. F. V. Simpson, M.P.
• Rt. Hon. J. Thorpe, M.P.
• Lt.-General Sir Harry Tuzo, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.
• Mr. B. W. Walker.
• Rt. Hon. J. H. Wilson, O.B.E., M.P.
• Rt. Hon. G. Woodcock, C.B.E.
• Rt. Hon. Sir Kenneth Younger.

Also, in accordance with normal practice, embargoed copies of the paper were made available to Press, radio and television on the day before publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will take steps to provide that the future responsibility for the Glamorgan, Rhoose, airport after local government reorganisation in Wales will be jointly shared by the three new county councils that will be the administrative authorities in the geographical county of Glamorgan; and if he will make a statement.

This is primarily a matter for the local authorities concerned but I would welcome their views at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated capital cost of the preferred Flint-Burton single-purpose highway scheme; what is the net present value of the benefits; and by what amounts these sums will be increased if the crossing is constructed as a multi-purpose scheme with reservoirs built at the head of the estuary.

No decision on the line of a crossing will be taken until the alternatives have been evaluated in the light of the Water Resources Board's report on national water strategies.The consultants' estimates relating to the Flint-Burton and other possible lines are in pages 197–8 of Vol. 1 of the Report "Dee Estuary Scheme Phase IIA", a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the basic allowance for a man on the Government vocational training scheme is £11·75 and for a woman is only £10·75.

Training allowances were increased on 9th October, 1972. The allowances for men aged 20 and over were raised by 75p a week and those for women aged 20 and over by £1·25 a week as a further step towards equality of allowances for men and women. The rates paid to younger men and women are already equal.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the standard and methods of training of scaffolders in Government-sponsored training establishments; and if he will make a statement.

Training in scaffolding is provided at the Construction Industry Training Board's centre at Mitcham. My Department sponsors some trainees on courses there under the Training Opportunities Scheme and considers that the training they receive is of satisfactory standard.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many university graduates are unemployed in the Northern Region.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of vacancies available to university graduates in the Northern Region and the disciplines required.

The graduate employment market is national in character and vacancies throughout the country are available to graduates in the Northern Region. Information is not available on the number of job opportunities open to university graduates either nationally or in the Northern Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present unemployed percentage figure amongst school teachers compared to overall unemployment.

The percentage rates of unemployment for individual occupations are not available. At 6th September, 1972 there were 3,820 people registered as unemployed and seeking posts in teaching occupations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of safety officers employed in industry how this figure compares with each of the years following 1968; and what proposals he has to encourage the training of safety officers and increase their numbers.

An inquiry made in 1968 disclosed that some 1,400 full-time and 2,300 part-time safety officers were employed in factories. I regret that no more recent information is available. The problem of ensuring that safety officers are properly qualified and adequately trained, and the question of which sectors of industry need to employ them, were considered by the Committee on Safety and Health at Work. The views expressed by the committee are now being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with the representatives of the European Commission on pricing policies for steel after 1st January.

I am not yet ready to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in how many parliamentary constituencies work is being carried out on the production of Concorde; and if he will list the constituencies in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The manufacturers in this country responsible for manufacturing major components of Concorde are situated in 27 parliamentary constituencies. Actually employees in these companies will be spread much more widely.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of printing machines used in the United Kingdom is imported.

It is not possible to deduce what percentage of printing machines in use in the United Kingdom is imported. It is estimated that in 1971 imports accounted for 55 per cent. by cost of new machines, supplied to the printing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research and development help is given by the Government to the production of printing machinery in the United Kingdom.

Assistance is provided through R and D contracts through the preproduction order scheme and through the NRDC.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research and development help is given by the Government to the machine tool industry in the United Kingdom.

Assistance is provided through R and D contracts, preproduction orders, and through the National Research Development Corporation. Other forms of assistance include the research carried out by the National Engineering Laboratory, universities and industrial research associations, the results of which are made available to industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to permit certain night flights from Heathrow for aircraft suitably equipped with silencing equipment.

There are no specific plans at present. I appreciate that there is a case for giving noise certificated aircraft preferential treatment under any night jet regime and this will be considered as part of the continuing review of night jet movements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet decided to introduce legislation to amend the Copyright Act, 1956, in order to remove difficulties arising out of the Design Copyright Act, 1968, with respect to the protection of functional designs; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department is seeking the views of bodies representing industry and practitioners on this point. I will be able to take a decision when their views are received.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will place in the Library copies of the documents being circulated to the Civil Service trade unions in connection with the Hardman study of Civil Service dispersal from London.

No. Such documents have been sent to the staff sides on an "in confidence" basis.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the weight and salvage value of waste paper disposed of by the House of Commons in each of the last 12 months to 31st October, or the most convenient accounting date.

The weight of waste paper disposed of by the House of Commons in each of the last 12 months to 31st October is as follows:

Month and year	Tonnes
November, 1971	3·962
December, 1971	4·928
January, 1972	3·810
February, 1972	5·791
March, 1972	3·962
April, 1972	4·674
May, 1972	5·791
June, 1972	5·588
July, 1972	5·791
August, 1972	2·692
September, 1972	2·540
October, 1972	4·166
Total tonnes	53·695

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what estimate he has now made of the effect of the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act on public service manpower and additional cost to Departments.

I cannot usefully add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Joel Barnett) on 22nd November.—[Vol. 846, c. 428–9.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to address the European Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to seek to address the European Parliament.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will approach the Commonwealth Secretariat about convening a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

asked the Prime Minister if he will approach the Commonwealth Secretariat about convening a further conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

The Canadian Government have proposed that the next meeting be held in Ottawa some time next year, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General is consulting Commonwealth Governments about possible dates.

asked the Prime Minister whether he remains satisfied with the progress of Government anti-inflation policy; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I have no further statement to make at present.

asked the Prime Minister if, at the next meeting with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry, he will discuss inflation.

I made clear in my statement of 6th November that the Government are prepared to resume discussion between the three parties on the objectives and problems of economic management, including the problem of inflation.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Lincoln.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to pay an official visit to Lincoln.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs over the question of the next General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade round of tariff reductions; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. Friends are preparing to play a full part with our partners in the enlarged Community in deciding by July next year on a global approach to the 1973 trade negotiations, as agreed at the summit conference.

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to take steps to implement the recommendations of the Franks Committee relating to Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act.

asked the Prime Minister if he has now considered the recommendations of the Franks Committee; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are considering the committee's proposals and their conclusions will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a housewife to represent consumer interests on the Central Policy Review Staff.

I do not propose to appoint to the Central Policy Review Staff members of any particular section of the community in a representative capacity.

asked the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had concerning the future of the steel industry in Wales.

On 21st November, I met a delegation accompanied by the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Barry Jones) and my hon. Friend the Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Temple) about the future of the Shotton steelworks. I am also kept informed of other Ministers' discussions on the future of the steel industry in Wales. The Government are considering the investment programme proposed by the British Steel Corporation and will take full account of the social as well as the economic implications of these proposals.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to invite representatives of the other members of the European Communities to the next round of tripartite talks on the economy.

No.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the dates when he has had discussions with the Prime Ministers of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, since June 1970; and on how many of these occasions he discussed immigration within the Commonwealth generally and the United Kingdom in particular.

I have had bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of Australia on 9th November, 1971; with the Prime Minister of New Zealand on 14th April, 1971; and with the Prime Minister of Canada on 16th December, 1970, 17th December, 1971, and 3rd and 4th December, 1972. Leaving aside my latest talks with Mr. Trudeau, the subject of immigration was not raised at any of these bilateral talks, nor was it on the agenda of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting from 14th to 22nd of January in Singapore.During his visit last weekend, the Prime Minister of Canada told me that he had no complaint about the treatment of Canadians coming to Britain.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday, 29th November.

After meetings in the morning with ministerial colleagues and others, I was host at a lunch for the retiring Belgian Ambassador at 10 Downing Street. In the afternoon, I attended the debate on the problems of thalidomide children, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I held a meeting with the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition and the hon. Gentleman the Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Merlyn Rees). In the evening, I was host at a reception to mark the completion of the current programme of cleaning the Whitehall buildings.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will seek to pay an official visit to Tokyo.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Departments of Education, Employment, Health and Social Security and the Environment in aiding thalidomide children and their families; and what proposals he has to improve co-ordinated services for these persons.

I would refer the right hon. Lady to the answer which I gave on 14th November to a Question from the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones).—[Vol. 846, c. 210–4.]

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Home Office and the Department of the Environment in the study of London traffic problems; and if he will make a statement.

Studies of London traffic problems are primarily the responsibility of the Greater London Council.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for further official talks with the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic.

I have no plans at present for further official talks with Mr. Lynch.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official meeting with the Prime Minister of Eire on 24th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official meeting on 24th November with the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official meeting on 24th November with the Prime Minister of Eire.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier today in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Duffy).

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet officially the Prime Minister of Holland.

Mr. Biesheuvel is expecting to come to London privately in January, but there are no definite arrangements as yet for a meeting.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will invite to London the new Prime Minister of Australia to discuss with him matters of mutual concern regarding immigration and Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

The Prime Minister of Australia knows that he is welcome here at any time. There are no plans for a visit at present.

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to seek to make an official visit to Dublin.

I have at present no plans for a visit to Dublin.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will take steps to forbid the use of sodium polyphosphates and water injections in chickens after they have been killed;(2) if he will investigate, and make a statement on, the extent to which producers of oven-ready poultry have used sodium polyphosphates and water injections in turkeys ready-prepared for the Christmas trade.

Some pre-packed poultry is injected with sodium polyphosphate and water although this is not the normal practice with chicken and is very rare with turkeys. It is already an offence under the Food and Drugs Act 1955 to sell food which is not of the nature or quality demanded or to label it in a misleading way. The expert advisory committees of the Ministry and the DHSS have already considered sodium polyphosphates and recommended that they are safe for use in food. Under the Labelling of Food Regulations any ingredients used in the manufacture or preparation of pre-packed food must be listed on the label. The consumer is therefore able, if she wishes, to avoid the purchase of poultry treated with polyphosphates.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will request the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body to investigate the present situation where young married Servicemen, particularly those who are still under training, and older men, with several children, who have not secured promotion, receive less in take-home pay than a number of people on supplementary benefit payments, with a view to adjusting the pay of these Servicemen.

No. The independence of the review body includes deciding on its own investigations.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the shooting by the Army of William Bell and another man in the Ardoyne, Belfast, on 5th December, 1972; and what proposals he has for compensation.

In answer to the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to my answer to a similar question yesterday by the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley). If any claims for compensation are received they will be carefully considered.—[Vol. 847, c. 464–5.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the reduction in the strength of B Company of the Ulster Defence Regiment stationed at Newtownards from 200 to 120 men.

In January, 1972, in order to assist the expansion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, part of 7 UDR was transferred to a new battalion, 10 UDR. In the process B Company, 7 UDR, was split in two with the formation of C Company, 7 UDR. The total strength of the two companies in the area is higher than the original strength, but my hon. Friend will not expect me to give details.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of industrial civil servants and the number of non-industrial civil servants employed in each of the Royal Naval Dockyards in Great Britain at each of the following dates, 31st October, 1960, 31st October, 1965, 31st October, 1970, 31st October, 1971, and 31st October, 1972.

The numbers of industrial and non-industrial civil servants employed in each of the Royal Dockyards in Great Britain on the nearest dates to those quoted, for which the information is available, are as follows: