asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for extending the ratification of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights to include the colony of Hong Kong.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the citizens of the United Kingdom and colonies resident in Hong Kong are entitled as of right to come to the United Kingdom.

Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who derive their citizenship from a connection with a dependent territory do not by virtue of that citizenship have a right of abode in the United Kingdom. They are subject to control under the Immigration Act 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the safety of diplomatic representatives and other British nationals in Hanoi and other areas of North Vietnam recently subjected to heavy bombing.

Our consul-general, his wife and the vice-consul at Hanoi are in good health. We have no direct information about the small number of other British nationals in North Vietnam but we have no reason to think that they are not safe and well, particularly as a ceasefire has now come to Indo-China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Uganda citizens are in the United Kingdom and why; how many of these are receiving grants or assistance from public funds; and what is the extent of Uganda assets in the United Kingdom.

No figures are available as to the exact number of Ugandan citizens in Britain. This is because no records were kept before 1962. No separate records are kept of the social security benefits paid to Ugandan citizens. There now remain about 200 Ugandan citizens following educational or training courses in this country who get some assistance from public funds under previously agreed aid programmes which have not yet expired. It is not possible to ascertain in detail what assets are owned by Uganda in the United Kingdom, but the total is certainly not large.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Government about the rights of United Kingdom citizens, whose property in Turkey is placed under a moratorium against their property investments when they had previously held Syrian nationality, even though they were United Kingdom citizens at the time of inheriting the property.

I am aware of only one case of the kind the hon. Member apparently has in mind—that of Mrs. Kidd. It is not clear whether Mrs. Kidd, on taking local legal advice, has exhausted all the remedies open to her under the law of Turkey. If she has, I will give the case further consideration, but I can give no undertaking that it will be possible for Her Majesty's Government to make representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what economic aid was given by Great Britain for the development of the Pitcairn Islands in 1971.

In the financial year 1971–72 Her Majesty's Government gave £379 to the Pitcairn Islands in economic aid. The corresponding figure for the present financial year is so far £3,643.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have reduced their pledged contribution to the United Nations Development Programme for 1973 as compared with 1972.

Ghana, the Holy See and Mauritania were the only States which reduced their pledged contributions to the United Nations Development Programme in terms of their local currency for 1973 as compared with 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the Government have made to the appeal made by the Secretary-General of the United Nations for additional aid to Bangladesh to avoid starvation in 1973.

We have promised relief contributions totalling £12 million to Bangladesh since its emergency began. We are now spending this money, mainly on the repair of communications, and our Permanent Representative to the United Nations is today presenting a cheque for £425,000 to Sir Robert Jackson to help the United Nations Relief Operation Dacca to meet its administrative and transportation expenses during 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware of the difficulty being caused by the continued delay in implementing the scheme for improving water supplies in North Mahe, Seychelles; and whether he will now indicate when the scheme can start.

I am aware of the importance of this scheme. The necessary thorough examination of development projects when large expenditure of public funds is concerned inevitably takes time. I am satisfied that there has been no undue delay. Approval has already been given for expenditure of almost £1½ million, and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to authorise further expenditure on the same scale within the next month or two.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are now being taken to improve the facilities, including the provision of a new operating theatre, and to recruit additional specialist personnel at the Victoria Hospital, Seychelles.

The site clearance work for the construction of a new operating theatre has already been completed and work on the foundations will start next month. Other works are planned to start very soon. The Seychelles Government have confirmed that they have all the specialised staff they need at present, except for an opthalmologist whose recruitment is in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to amend the necessary regulations so that a wife or widow may use a joint passport unilaterally.

This is not a matter of amending regulations. Her Majesty's Government's practice is based on recommendations of international passport conferences and to take unilateral action and change our procedure could subject British travellers to considerable inconvenience.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to hold any further test of public opinion in the Bahamas on the question of independence.

No. As the House is aware from my right hon. Friend's answer to a Question on 21st December and from the recent White Paper (Command 5196), it has already been agreed at the conference held in London in December between representatives of Her Majesty's Government and of the Government and Opposition in the Bahamas that, subject to the agreement of the United Kingdom Parliament, the Bahamas should become independent on 10th July, 1973.—[Vol. 848, c. 468–70.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of which professions and occupations directives are being prepared by the Commission of the European Economic Community for mutual recognition of qualifications between member States; and how advanced these preparations are.

The information requested is being collated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement showing the detailed responsibilities of each of the recently appointed members of the EEC Commission.

This information is contained in a Press release issued on 9th January by the European Communities Press and Information Office in London. A copy is available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that statements about Her Majesty's Government's policies in relation to the EEC are made first to the House of Commons.

The Government will continue to keep the House fully informed about their policies in relation to the European Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement showing the number of meetings, with dates, of the EEC Council of Ministers expected in the coming 12 months; and if he will take steps to ensure that the Scottish Office is represented on all occasions.

Meetings of the Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) usually take place at approximately monthly intervals. The dates of those so far arranged for 1973 are as follows:

• 5th-6th February.
• 5th-6th March.
• 2nd-3rd April.
• 14th-15th May.
• 4th-5th June.
• 25th-26th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it will be the policy of Her Majesty's Government to accept all decisions of the EEC Council of Ministers except where they indicate otherwise; and if Ministers will be responsible to Parliament for such decisions.

Her Majesty's Government will be guided by the terms of Article 189 of the EEC Treaty in accepting decisions of the Council of the European Communities. Ministers will be responsible to Parliament in these matters in so far as actions by British representatives and proposals made by them are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether East Germany enjoys the right of tariff-free exchange of goods and free movement of labour with EEC countries, including the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if East Germany enjoys the right of tariff-free trade and free movement of labour with EEC States, including the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether East Germany enjoys tariff-free exchange of goods and free movement of labour with EEC countries including the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request the United States Government to withdraw their ambassador to the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when it is expected that the median line between France and the United Kingdom will be settled in the Channel area; and what issues are holding up the completion of an agreement with the French Government.

Discussions with the French Government are continuing, but I cannot yet say when agreement will be reached. I do not think it would be helpful for me to comment on the details at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent in the multilateral discussions on the agenda of the proposed conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, the United Kingdom's proposal have been accepted.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. Peter Archer).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to strengthen the United Kingdom's commitment to the Central Treaty Organisation.

As my right hon. Friend has said on previous occasions, including his opening statement to the Ministerial Council in June last year, Her Majesty's Government value the Central Treaty Organisation and will continue to do so. I am satisfied that our present level of support for the alliance reflects this esteem.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with Scottish industry his proposals relating to its ability to cater for the needs of oil explorers and producers subsequent to the publication of the International Management and Engineering Group Report.

Ministers from the Department will be having a number of discussions with both sides of industry over the coming months. The first should take place on 9th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, for the purpose of oil and natural gas exploration, what part of the Atlantic Ocean to the south of England falls within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Continental Shelf the right to explore and exploit the natural resources of the continental shelf extends to a depth of 200 metres or, beyond that limit, to where the depth of water permits exploitation. An area extending to the south and west of the Isles of Scilly has been designated for this purpose; a map illustrating this is included in the Continental Shelf Annual Report for the year 1971–72 (HC 47), copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. Further designation is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's discussions with shipping interests regarding assistance for the building of high technology ships.

Discussions are taking place with a number of shipowners and the shipbuilders about projects involving high technology which might be eligible for assistance under the Science and Technology Act 1965, or the Industry Act 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has now taken arising from a letter to him from the hon. Member for Islington, East, dated 8th June 1971, asking him to exercise his powers under the Companies Act in respect of Premo Enterprises (Voucher Sales) Limited.

The inquiries in this matter were completed in September 1972. Inadequate evidence was found to justify prosecution. The company is now in voluntary liquidation and no further action is proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were awarded in Yorkshire and Humberside during 1972, specifying the number for each employment area and the numbers of job prospects emanating from them; and if he will make a statement about the intentions of his Department and the Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry to attract new industry during 1973.

The figures requested are given below. Industry is recognising the advantages of the region's position in the enlarged EEC and is taking advantage of the availability of regional development grants for new or improved industrial buildings. Firms already established in the region wishing to expand or diversify as well as incoming firms—particularly those offering stable employment for men in Central South Yorkshire—will be considered for selective assistance under the Industry Act. Three advance factories are still available for new industry and a further eight have now been authorised.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN 1972 IN THE YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE REGION
Employment Exchange Area			Number	Estimated Additional Employment†
All Schemes	…	…	259	12,880
Barnsley‡	…	…	12	1,910
Hoyland‡	…	…
Royston‡	…	…
Wombwell‡	…	…
Bradford‡	…	…	18	2,510
Shipley‡	…	…
Castleford‡	…	…	8	190
Knottingley‡	…	…
Normanton‡	…	…
Pontefract‡	…	…
Dewsbury‡	…	…	13	760
Batley‡	…	…
Spen Valley‡	…	…
Doncaster‡	…	…	8	200
Askern‡	…	…
Thorne‡	…	…

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will appoint a public inquiry to follow up the internal investigation of the National Coal Board's dealings with firms supplying equipment; and if he will make a statement.

No. Allegations in connection with National Coal Board's officials' shareholdings in a supplying firm were, at my request, referred by the board to their Government-appointed auditors. The hon. Member will be aware that the auditors concluded there was no substance in the allegations, but recommended that senior board officials should be asked to make regular declarations of any interests in companies with which the board deals. The board has accepted this recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent industrial property rights such as patents, trade marks and copyright under English law as it stood in 1972 have been affected by Common Market legislation.

Industrial property rights such as patents, trade marks and copyright are preserved by the Rome Treaty and will continue to subsist under the existing United Kingdom laws subject to Common Market rules on competition. Article 85 of the Rome Treaty and the regulations made there under prohibit in general agreements and practices which distort trade or affect competition.A Community patent convention is currently being negotiated which will provide for a unitary patent running throughout the Community. It will remain possible, however, to obtain United Kingdom national patents.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in establishing a multi-State trade mark; and how many, and which countries are involved in attempting to reach with the United States a trade mark registration treaty.

Work by the six original member countries of the EEC on a draft convention for a multi-State trade mark covering the Community area ceased in 1964. It is possible that discussion on the draft will be resumed before long. All the 80 member countries of the Paris Union, including the United Kingdom, the United States and European and Commonwealth countries, have been invited to a diplomatic conference in Vienna in May 1973 for the adoption of a trademark registration treaty. This will provide for a simplified central filing procedure for trade marks for which registration is sought in several States.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage increase in tariffs he estimates would be necessary in the nationalised electricity industry to enable it to fulfil its statutory return as outlined in recent White Papers.

This is a matter for the Electricity Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent he has been consulted on the question of the proposed transfer of the region hospital headquarters from Sheffield to Nottingham, having in mind his responsibility for regional development and the provision for service jobs in the Yorkshire intermediate status area.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, who is at present engaged in extensive consultations in the region, will discuss the issues with my right hon. Friend before taking final decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the loss of jobs which would result if the Sheffield Hospital Board headquarters is moved from its location in Yorkshire and Humberside Region to the Nottingham area.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my replies to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Darling) on 22nd and 23rd January.—[Vol. 849, c. 49 and c. 75–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out a table showing which sectors of industry and commerce are expanding under the Government's policies, as a percentage growth, activity by activity.

The table below shows the percentage changes in output for the main sectors of industry and commerce between the third quarters of 1971 and 1972. It also shows for the industries covered by the index of production the changes between September-November 1971 and September-November 1972, the three months for which most recent figures are available.

	Percentage changes
	3rd quarter 1972 on 3rd quarter 1971	September-November 1972 on September-November 1971
Gross domestic product:
total	+ 3·6	—
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	+ 1·7	—
Industrial production:
Total	+ 3·5	+ 5·8
Mining and quarrying	- 3·5	+ 3·1
Manufacturing:	+ 3·9	+ 5·9
Food, drink and tobacco	+ 1·9	+ 2·4
Coal and petroleum products; chemicals and allied industries	+ 7·9	+ 6·6
Metal manufacture	No change	+ 9·4
Engineering and allied industries:
Total	+ 2·3	+ 5·4
[Of which:
Electrical engineering	+ 12·5	+ 13·2
Vehicles (including aircraft)	No change	+ 7·8]
Textiles, leather and clothing	+ 4·2	+ 5·6
Bricks, pottery and glass	+ 9·1	+ 13·1
Timber, furniture, etc.	+ 12·5	+ 12·8
Paper, printing and publishing	+ 5·9	+ 4·8
Other manufacturing	+ 2·4	—
Construction	- 4·5*	—
Gas, electricity and water	+ 13·8	+ 12·9
Transport and communications	+ 4·4	—
Distributive trades	+ 5·2	—
Other services	+ 3·2	—
—Not available.
* 3rd quarter 1972 adversely affected by strike.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the proportion of complaints which the Special Prices Unit considers have been entirely justified; and if he will name the companies, organisations or individuals against whom substantiated complaints have been made with the nature of the price increase which they sought to impose.

Less than 4 per cent. of all complaints received by my prices unit have been justified. In all cases so far where prices have been found to be above the level permitted by the standstill the firms concerned have reduced their prices. I do not propose to list the companies involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what arrangements he has made for monitoring on behalf of the consumer the legitimacy of claims made by insurance companies which pay benefits in relation to hospitalisation;(2) if he will investigate the claims made by insurance companies which advertise cash payments for hospitalisation, advise on an advertising code, and issue guidance for consumers which will enable them to make an actuarial assessment of the value of such payments.

Several insurers are advertising policies of insurance against the risk of hospitalisation under which, in accordance with the terms and conditions of those policies, stated sums are payable to the insured if he, or members of his family, has to go into hospital. There is no reason to believe that the benefits to which policyholders are entitled under these policies are not being paid, and I have received no evidence to suggest that any of the associated advertisements require investigation. As with other forms of insurance, however, it is for prospective policyholders, and their advisers, to consider whether the terms and conditions offered are suitable to their circumstances and whether the prospective benefits are commensurate with the premiums that would be charged. The hon. Member will however see from Clause 38 of the new Insurance Companies Bill that I am asking Parliament to give me power to control insurance advertising.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on his proposals for the more effective control over takeover bids.

We intend to make fuller use of the powers under existing legislation. We have made proposals for strengthening this in the Fair Trading Bill. The review announced by my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Industrial Development, on 24th November, will show whether any further changes are needed.—[Vol. 846, c. 1828.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tonnages of steel products have been exported and imported on a quarterly basis since 1965.

Following is the information:

Thousand tonnes
		Exports	Imports
1966
First quarter	…	734	212
Second quarter	…	804	194
Third quarter	…	802	227
Fourth quarter	…	990	261
1967
First quarter	…	913	332
Second quarter	…	1,033	413
Third quarter	…	935	399
Fourth quarter	…	820	496
1968
First quarter	…	956	562
Second quarter	…	1,095	601
Third quarter	…	995	503
Fourth quarter	…	1,057	485
1969
First quarter	…	741	529
Second quarter	…	846	585
Third quarter	…	976	583
Fourth quarter	…	1,137	555
1970
First quarter	…	941	477
Second quarter	…	1,107	787
Third quarter	…	802	458
Fourth quarter	…	992	521
1971
First quarter	…	914	457
Second quarter	…	1,291	422
Third quarter	…	1,208	524
Fourth quarter	…	1,290	629
1972
First quarter	…	1,115	699
Second quarter	…	1,135	662
Third quarter	…	839	565
Fourth quarter	…	1,363	735

The figures cover ingots and other primary forms; bars, rods, angles, shapes and sections; universals, plates and sheets (excluding lacquered tinplate); hoop and strip; certain rails and railway track material; tubes and pipes; castings and forgings, unworked; and railway locomotive axles, tyres and wheels.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tonnages of steel scrap, by grades, have been exported and imported on a quarterly basis since 1965.

Figures for waste and scrap metal of iron or steel are given below; separate information by grades is not available.

Thousand tonnes
		Exports	Imports
1966
First quarter	…	40	1
Second quarter	…	55	1
Third quarter	…	44	1
Fourth quarter	…	140	2
1967
First quarter	…	218	0
Second quarter	…	300	1
Third quarter	…	405	1
Fourth quarter	…	212	1
1968
First quarter	…	352	1
Second quarter	…	308	1
Third quarter	…	131	1
Fourth quarter	…	124	1
1969
First quarter	…	165	3
Second quarter	…	200	68
Third quarter	…	102	149
Fourth quarter	…	93	74
1970
First quarter	…	164	35
Second quarter	…	166	22
Third quarter	…	34	40
Fourth quarter	…	46	168
1971
First quarter	…	61	104
Second quarter	…	249	58
Third quarter	…	375	120
Fourth quarter	…	337	12
1972
First quarter	…	325	12
Second quarter	…	353	16
Third quarter	…	227	7
Fourth quarter	…	187	6

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to prevent British nationals sailing on vessels flying the Liberian flag as a flag of convenience.

No. This is a matter for individual judgment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to make any land which it owns, and is surplus to requirements, available on a common basis to attract alternative industries in areas affected by steel redundancies since nationalisation.

No: the corporation has indicated its willingness to make surplus land available with a view to introducing new industry and is already in negotiation with interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total number of advance factories already built

			Rate of Unemployment
Location		Size*	When Announced			Current Rate December 1972
		Sq. ft.	Month		Per cent	Per cent
Barrow	…	25,000	April 1964	…	3·1	2·5
Barrow	…	25,000	August	…	3·1	2·5
Barrow	…	15,000	August 1968	…	3·1	2·5
Huyton	…	15,000	June 1967	…	3·3	7·8
Knowsley	…	25,000	November 1964	…	3·4	7·8
Knowsley	…	25,000	September 1965	…	2·7	7·8
Knowsley	…	15,000	June 1967	…	3·3	7·8
Knowsley	…	25,000	March 1970	…	4·5	7·8
Merseyside South (Birkenhead)	…	25,000	November 1964	…	3·4	7·8
Nelson and Colne	…	10,000	March 1970	…	1·8	2·4
Rossendale Valley	…	10,000	March 1970	…	1·7	2·7
St. Helens	…	25,000	November 1966	…	2·1	4·5
St. Helens	…	15,000	June 1967	…	2·5	4·5
Speke	…	35,000	March 1959	…	4·1	7·8
Widnes	…	25,000	November 1964	…	2·8	4·9
* Excluding extensions built later.

Region				Total Number of Factories	As Percentage of Great Britain	Total Area Sq. Ft.*	As Percentage of Great Britain
North West	…	…	…	15	5·5	315,000	5·6
Wales	…	…	…	56	20·7	1,066,110	18·9
Scotland	…	…	…	92	34·1	2,176,250	38·5
Great Britain	…	…	…	269	100	5,647,360	100
* Excluding extensions built later.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will break down Concorde expenditure estimates contained in Cmnd. Paper No.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE 1969–70 TO 1974–75 (COMMAND 4578)
		1969–70	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75
Development	…	48·8	52·1	43·2	31·1	21·0	16·0
Production	…	5·4	13·5	25·0	50·0	51·0	16·0
Total	…	54·2	65·6	68·2	81·1	72·0	32·0

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE 1970–71 TO 1975–76 (COMMAND 4829)
		1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76
Development	…	58·6	54·0	37·1	28·3	22	16
Production	…	7·2	21·0	50·0	65·0	53	-12
Total	…	65·8	75·0	87·1	93·3	75	4

The information immediately available relates only to advance factories built by the Department of Trade and Industry in the North-West Region since 1959. This is listed below:4578 and Cmnd. Paper No. 4829 between development and production.

The estimates for Concorde expenditure in these Command Papers were divided between development and production as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Monopolies Commission the supply of materials to Messrs. Fine Tubes, Plymouth.

I am prepared to consider any evidence the hon. Member may have of lack of competition in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further consideration he has given to the request made to him by the hon. Member for Ince to give a grant to the North-West Development Association similar to the grants given to the Scottish, Welsh and North-East Development Associations; and if he will make a statement.

I have informed the association that I am able to offer a grant, and my officials will be opening negotiations with them shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total amount of Government grants which the North-East Development Association has received since the scheme started up to the end of 1972; and what is the amount proposed for 1973.

£150,000 up to the end of the financial year 1971–72. £40,000 is proposed for the financial year 1972–73.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will consider proposing abolishing television receiving licences and financing the British Broadcasting Corporation from tax revenue, in view of the fact that 95 per cent. of British householders now have such licences.

I have no plans to change the system.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will publish the report which was made to him by the Chairman of the Post Office Corporation in relation to the delay in the delivery of mail over the period of Christmas.

Since the report was made to me in confidence I cannot now publish it but I can assure the hon. Member that its substance was fully covered in the chairman's statement of 5th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set up a leisure commission to coordinate and assist in the development of leisure activities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Ministry of Education, advised by a sports council and a youth committee, will co-ordinate the provision of recreational facilities by the new district councils and education and library area boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has drawn up to combat the psychological problems and educational deficiencies which have resulted from the situation in Northern Ireland.

It is not yet possible to determine exactly the extent and nature of these problems. The Ministry of Education in Northern Ireland is in close consultation with teachers and management authorities in troubled areas, and gives help where and when it is known to be needed. Some 200 teachers over and above the normal staffing entitlements have been appointed to schools in these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether prisoners in prison in Northern Ireland will be permitted postal votes in the forthcoming border poll in Northern Ireland.

Yes, provided they are registered as electors on the 1973 register.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary resigned in the years 1971 and 1972.

135 and 128.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the Exchequer grant on sugar beyond the end of January 1973, thereby helping to stabilise the price of this basic foodstuff; and if he will consider paying this via the refiners instead of the Sugar Board as at present, should the latter procedure conflict with EEC regulations or undertakings.

It has been agreed with the Community that this consumer subsidy should be retained until 30th June but should be phased out in stages by that date. It will continue to be paid through the Sugar Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that the EEC bacon coefficient is not lowered below the present 1·62 so as to maintain bacon supplies to the United Kingdom market in face of the phasing out of the bacon curing stabiliser and the more lucrative demand for pork on the Continent.

No. A reduction in the 1·62 coefficient is necessary to avoid an unjustifiably high barrier against supplies of bacon from outside the EEC.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agreement he has reached with EEC Ministers about the future of the Northern Ireland Egg Subsidy; and if he will make a statement.

In the course of the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Agriculture on 22nd and 23rd January, United Kingdom Ministers confirmed that the aid to employment grants paid to egg producers in Northern Ireland would come to an end in December 1973. There has been no agreement to reduce the subsidy or to make any change in the present scheme.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) whether, with the computerised typesetting used for new Statutes published after the Statutes in Force comes into operation, he will consider whether a programme could be devised whereby the existing Statutes in the computer could be kept up to date;(2) if he will make copies of the magnetic (tapes used to print the Statutes in Force available to outside bodies and individuals who have an interest in sponsoring a computer information retrieval project; and if he will make a statement;(3) which Statutes are to be computerised.

Arrangements have already been made and programmes written for keeping Statutes in Force up to date. Those Statutes included in the parts already published which were printed by conventional methods and subsequently put on magnetic tape, will be updated. New Statutes appropriate to the published groups of Statutes in Force will also be added to the date base. Ultimately, with certain limited exceptions, the whole of the United Kingdom Statute Law but not Northern Ireland Statutes will be available in this edition and in magnetic tape form. Copies of the tapes will be on sale by HMSO but firm prices cannot be fixed until the second batch of Statutes in Force, which is being produced completely by computerised typesetting methods, has been published.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when the Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury is retiring; how far plans have progressed for appointing his successor; and when an announcement will be made.

The appointment of the Chief Economic Adviser is a Civil Service appointment. It is not a fixed term nor is there a specified age limit. No decision has yet been taken as to when the present Chief Economic Adviser will retire.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what action he is taking as a result of the report of the task force, under the chairmanship of Professor Hermann Bondi, to attract the best scientific advice into the Civil Service.

The report submitted by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal by Sir Hermann Bondi is a review of progress made by the task force in its discussions of interchange of scientific talent between the Civil Service and the research councils, the universities and industry. A final report with recommendations will not be made until later in the year. The action to be taken to ensure that such interchange is used to help attract the best scientific advice into the Civil Service will be decided when the recommendations of the task force are known.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total number of deaths caused by British Army vehicles in Northern Ireland during the periods August 1969 to the nearest convenient date.

The total number of deaths resulting from incidents in which British Army vehicles were involved in Northern Ireland during this period was 55. It is not possible to say in how many of these cases the death was caused by the British Army vehicles as opposed to any other vehicle involved. For purposes of comparison the number of deaths caused by incidents involving vehicles other than Army vehicles in the same period was 1,034.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if, in view of the increasing number of fatalities, he is satisfied with the standard of driving of British military vehicles in Northern Ireland.

Army drivers are subject to the same legal requirements as other drivers in Northern Ireland and I am satisfied that, in the circumstances they face, they drive with due standards of care.Army vehicles are subjected to surprise attacks and have to speed to the scenes of terrorist outrages. We attach importance to ensuring that drivers are particularly well trained in the techniques of safe driving in urban areas.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that in the event of the full strength of the UDR being mobilised, sufficient arms are now held by the Regiment in Northern Ireland fully to equip each soldier.

Yes.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether, in view of the hazard to navigation, he will light one of the buoys marking the "Mary Rose" wreck at Spithead.

There are no plans for this. The existence of the wreck and the location of boats or a buoy over her from time to time is referred to in a local notice to mariners. I should be glad to answer any detailed questions on this matter if my hon. Friend cares to write to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will consider increasing the number of training establishments for the training of future full-time youth and/or community workers; and what estimate she has of the number of such posts in the United Kingdom remaining unfilled at the present time.

My right hon. Friend will review the situation about the end of March when the returns from local education authorities of vacancies at 31st December, 1972 are available and have been analysed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what she estimates the total expenditure of public money to be on the Fanfare for Europe celebrations.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Question by the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 24th January.—[Vol. 849, c. 184.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on her policy towards help for the Royal Photographic Society to prepare a register of existing photographic collections in a central catalogue.

My noble Friend, the Paymaster-General, is considering whether, and if so how and where, it would be desirable and practicable to set up a central guide to photographic collections, taking account of the activities of the Royal Photographic Society.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to announce her decision on the proposals made by the Leicester City Education Authority to reorganise their secondary schools on a comprehensive basis.

The period for objection expired on 30th November 1972 and a large volume of objections was received. My right hon. Friend is considering all the material carefully and will make her decision as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that all unemployed young people attending training courses get the same level of allowances with full reimbursement of expenses.

All young persons attending training courses arranged by my Department receive a standard rate of allowance which varies according to their age, marital status and number of persons dependent upon them. They receive free midday meals, and fares if they live more than two miles from the training centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received with regard to the length and content of the 12-week skills appreciation courses under the vocational training scheme; and what reply he has made.

The Under-Secretary of State received a deputation from the Teesside education authority on 12th January in order to discuss the employment problems of young people in the Teesside area. One of the questions raised concerned the length and content of the skills appreciation courses provided by my Department. My hon. Friend undertook to write to the deputation when its suggestions had been fully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of young people completing skills appreciation courses have subsequently found work; and what estimate he has of the percentage attending these courses who have shown sufficient mechanical aptitude and academic ability to benefit from apprenticeships.

During the year ended 11th December 1972, 34 per cent. of young persons completing training opportunities scheme courses in limited skills for those who have no reasonable prospect of obtaining employment within the foreseeable future without such training were placed in employment within one or two months of leaving and a further 10 per cent. were recommended for skilled training. Figures on those who subsequently found work are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he intends to revise the training opportunities scheme proposals to provide proper training for young people during the first three years after leaving school.

The initial training of young people is normally the responsibility of employers; the training opportunities scheme is intended to provide training for adults who require it. In areas where young people have no reasonable expectation of employment, my Department offers broad-based courses of limited skill in Government training centres, employers' establishmerhs and colleges of further education. Over 1,400 young people have so far been trained in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of people, male and female, who were declared redundant in Yorskhire industries during 1972 specifying in particular the labour fall-out in steel, coal and textiles; and if he will make a statement about the prospects for 1973.

According to my Department's records, the following numbers of people became redundant in the county of Yorkshire in 1972:

			Males	Females
All industries	…	…	9,860	4,530
Steel	…	…	1,280	55
Coal	…	…	520	5
Textiles	…	…	1,290	1,270

While there will be further rationalisation in some industries, the overall employment situation in Yorkshire should continue to improve during 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details of unemployment in Pembroke, Rhondda, Leeds, Oldham, Somerset and Belper, respectively, indicating the total numbers of unemployed, the numbers

	Total unemployed	Unemployed for over 26 and up to 52 weeks	Unemployed for over 52 weeks
Pembroke	1,569	122	193
Rhondda (the area covered by the Tonypandy, Treorchy and Ferndale employment exchanges)	2,025	244	508
Leeds employment exchange area	7,723	1,103	1,776
Oldham employment exchange area	2,134	289	463
Somerset	5,971	720	1,405
Belper employment exchange area	165	22	62

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his definition of a low-paid worker for the purpose of implementing Command 5205, the Programme for Controlling Inflation: The Second Stage; what is his estimate of the number of workers who will he covered by his definition; how that number is divided between men and women; and what percentage that number is of the total national labour force in whole-time employment.

The Government have not considered it appropriate to define "low paid" in terms of any specific pay level.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any further statement to make in connection with the collapse of Lodden viaduct on 24th October 1972.

I am still awaiting the final report of the Factory Inspectorate's investigation into the accident, which is held up for the completion of certain tests at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory. Meanwhile, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I, with the agreement of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, have decided to set up an independent committee of experts to consider what further steps are needed to

The following table shows provisional information for 8th January 1973.ensure an acceptable level of safety of temporary load-bearing falsework used to support permanent structures, particularly bridges, during construction. Their advice would be in advance of the development of the Code of Practice on Falsework which the British Standards Institution is now undertaking, and which may take at least two years to complete. We intend to consult a number of interested bodies, including professional institutions, the TUC, the CBI and the British Standards Institution on the constitution and terms of reference of the committee and will announce these and the names of the chairman and members as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement regarding the recent traffic accident involving a spillage of dangerous chemicals in Yarmouth Road, Ipswich.

I have been asked to reply.In the early morning of 18th January three lorries were involved in a collision in Yarmouth Road, Ipswich. One of the lorries was carrying some two-gallon containers of formic acid, a substance to which the Corrosive Substances (Conveyance by Road) Regulations 1971 apply. Two containers were damaged, but no personal injury resulted, although two persons were trapped in the cab of a lorry until released by the fire brigade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of furnished tenants who will be eligible for rent allowances under the Furnished Lettings (Rent Allowances) Bill.

The best estimate we can make is that there are about 500,000 furnished tenants not in receipt of supplementary benefit and that about a quarter of them are likely to be eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds have been expended by his Department towards general improvement areas in Bradford; and how much Department funding has been expended on each particular general improvement area scheme in the city to date.