asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he has received a copy of the statement by the Independent Broadcasting Authority about the early use in Wales of a fourth television channel; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a copy, but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to improve its telephone service to European capitals.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office for improving facilities for overseas telephone calls.

It would not be appropriate for me to issue a directive of this kind. But I am sure that the Post Office is anxious to effect improvements as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is his latest estimate of the number of pensioners receiving concessionary television licences.

At 30th November last there were 170,786 retired people benefiting from the special television licence for old people's homes.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is his policy on the introduction of a charity stamps system; what representations the Government have received from charities on this system; what replies he has sent and whether he will make a statement.

The primary responsibility for the design and issue of postage stamps rests with the Post Office, which has decided not to introduce charity surcharge stamps. In reaching this decision the Post Office took account among other things of Government advice on matters proper to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. I have replied in these terms to the six people, including five hon. Members, who have written to me about this subject.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will undertake that no redundancy will result from his actions following the recommendations of the Melville Report on the Central Office of Information and Departmental Information Services.

No. But the number of redundancies is likely to be small.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received concerning the Fair Comparison Report prepared by the Civil Service Pay Research Unit.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met representatives of the staff side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council on 8th January to discuss the pay situation. He said he would be glad to meet the staff side again when the second stage of the programme for controlling inflation had been announced. This remains the position.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will state the manpower strength of the Civil Service at 31st December 1972; and what diminution has occurred since 30th June 1970 in quantum and percentum, respectively.

Figures for 31st December are not yet available. At 1st October 1972 the total number of civil servants was 690,985 and this represents a decrease of 10,805, or 1·5 per cent., since 1st July 1970.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service which offices of Govern-

Department				Work to be dispersed
H.M. Customs and Excise	…	…	…	Part of Accountant and Comptroller General's Office and Training Centre.
Ministry of Defence	…	…	…	Director General of Defence Contracts.
Inland Revenue	…	…	…	London PAYE work.
Land Registry	…	…	…	Land Charges and Agricultural Credits Department.
Department for National Savings	…	…	…	National Savings Bank.
Royal Mint	…	…	…	New Mint and Decimal Coinage Factory.
Department of Trade and Industry	…	…	…	Business Statistics Office.

It is not possible to give a precise figure of the number of posts to be dispersed during the 12-month period but it will probably be in the region of 2,000. Information is not centrally available about the number of civil servants who will move with their posts. Overall, current plans provide for 7,840 posts to be dispersed from London over the next few years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for widening the Bedfordshire section of the M1 from three to four lanes; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no plans at present for widening this section of M1. Relief could be provided by possible new routes from M1 near Northampton to A1 and from M1 near Luton to M11 near Bishops Stortford now under study, and by the proposed extension of the M40 from Oxford to Birmingham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation granting powers to local authorities to issue orders banning the re-letting of tenanted property subject to a redevelopment scheme.

No.

Progress will continue during the next twelve months in dispersing work of the following Departments from London under plans already announced:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take following the decision of Bootle Council to close the Remainder Canal (Liverpool and Leeds) within the Bootle Boundary; and if he will make a statement.

This "remainder" length of canal is the responsibility of the British Waterways Board which is seeking agreement with the Bootle Council and the three other local authorities concerned generally about the canal's future treatment, and more particularly about what further measures can be taken immediately to improve safety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to ensure that heavy freight traffic should be increasingly diverted from the congested road system and on to the railways.

No, Sir. It is better to tackle this problem constructively rather than by taking powers likely to involve a costly and cumbersome bureaucratic machine and unacceptable delays to transport arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to report on the modernisation of local government finance.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much capital investment has been incurred by British Rail in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and by what percentage, at constant prices, this figure exceeds or is less than the figure 10 years previously.

The amount is £108 million, which is just under 25 per cent. less than on the 50 per cent. larger system of 1962.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards circular 46/65 issued by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on June 2nd 1965; and whether he will draw it to the attention of local authorities.

I am not aware of any special need to draw this circular to the attention of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to see that the bank and waste ground on either side of the M53, especially that part which goes through the new county of Merseyside, is planted with various kinds of deciduous flowering trees and some evergreen ones.

Following discussions with the appropriate planning authorities, detailed plans are being prepared so that deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs can be planted next winter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the sewage sludge being dumped on land adjacent to GLC's Crossness sewage treatment works and the new town of Thamesmead is free from lead and chemical content; and if he will make a statement.

This is essentially a matter for the GLC and its medical officer of health, but I understand that the sludge (most of which will eventually be removed to sea) comes from sewage collected from an area which is largely residential and is therefore low in metal content.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the dangerous incidence of heavy traffic through Ampthill, Bedfordshire; and whether he has any additional proposals for alleviating the position, in the light of his consideration of proposals for a bypass.

I recognise that traffic conditions at Ampthill are difficult and I hope to make an announcement about the programming of a north-south bypass fairly soon. A decision on possible additional measures, such as an east-west bypass, must await the outcome of feasibility studies for east-west links north and south of Bedford.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost, in the inner London area, of a new three-bedroom house including land; and how this compares with the rest of the country.

The average construction cost of five-person houses in tenders approved by inner London boroughs during the 12 months ended June 1972 is provisionally estimated as £5,400. For all local authorities—except Greater London Council—in England and Wales the corresponding estimate is £4,100.Other costs including ancillary buildings, fees, site works and land acquisition, averaged over all local authority dwellings in tenders approved during the same period, are estimated at about £3,500 in greater London and £2,000 in England and Wales as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the findings of the leasehold service charges study.

The report, which I received on 31st January, will not be published. My hon. Friend hopes to make a statement on it shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of British canals and waterways is subjected to environmental pollution.

The River Pollution Survey of England and Wales does not distinguish navigable waterways from other rivers. The survey updated to 1972, published last year, shows that the water was grossly polluted in 5·1 per cent. of the length of canals; of poor quality in 9·5 per cent.; and of doubtful quality in 39·7 per cent. The proportions for non-tidal rivers were respectively 3·7, 4·2 and 14·7 per cent.; and for tidal rivers 13·2, 14·2 and 23·2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities are exercising their power under Sections 20 to 22 of the Local Government Act 1966 to levy a rate on empty property; and how much rate revenue each of these authorities derives from such property.

According to the latest information available to my Department, the following local authorities have adopted the provisions of Section 17 and Schedule 1 to the General Rate Act 1967, which have replaced Sections 20 to 22 of the Local Government Act 1966, to levy a rate on empty property

The County Borough Councils of:
Bournemouth.	Norwich.
Coventry.	Oxford.
Eastbourne.	Southport.
Exeter.	West Bromwich.

The London Borough Councils of:
Barking.	Hillingdon.
Barnet.	Hounslow.
Bexley.	Islington.
Brent.	Kensington and Chelsea.
Camden.
Croydon.	Lambeth.
Ealing.	Newham.
Enfield.	Redbridge.
Greenwich.	Southwark.
Hackney.	Tower Hamlets.
Hammersmith.	Waltham Forest.
Haringey.	Wandsworth.
Havering.	Westminster.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many exceptions were granted to organisations in the Northern Region and throughout Great Britain under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 during the period from January 1971 to December 1972; and what were the figures for the same areas from the inception of the Act to the latest possible date.

Exemptions under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 have been granted in England to 12 organisations during 1971 and 1972 and to a total of 38 organisations since the commencement of the Act to date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to levy special rates on land held by development companies, industrial and investment companies, and property bond and assurance companies.

No such legislation is in contemplation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to ensure that motor car bodies fulfil certain minimum requirements in terms of strength as a safety measure.

I will consider such legislation as soon as satisfactory standards are agreed in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated completion date for the construction of the Blythe Bridge bypass on the A50.

The bypass should now be completed in spring 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many decisions of rent officers in the London area were the subject of appeals to rent assessment committees in the years 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972, respectively; how many of those gave increases of rent over the rent officers' figures; how many were made by companies included in or controlled by a company, whose name has been sent to him; and how many of the latter gave increases of rent over the rent officers' figures.

Appeals were made to rent assessment committees in central London against decisions of rent officers as follows:

1968	…	…	…	…	1,294
1969	…	…	…	…	960
1970	…	…	…	…	1,316
1971	…	…	…	…	2,142
1972	…	…	…	…	3,134

Analysis of cases where there was no substantial change in the conditions of tenance or the premises shows that the percentage in which rent assessment committees increased rents over those registered by rent officers was as follows:

		Per cent
1968	…	49
1969	…	48
1970	…	63
1971	…	67
1972 (January to September)	…	56

Statistics are not maintained by reference to individual landlords, and the further information requested would require a disproportionate amount of time and effort to obtain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the evident disparities arising from rating revaluation, he will ensure that there shall be a limit to the rate increase by individual ratepayers; and if in addition he will grant powers to local authorities to make further adjustments in particular circumstances

My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to limit rate levels or to enable local authorities to vary the rates to be levied on individual ratepayers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were killed on the A45 during 1972; and how many were seriously injured.

In the first 10 months of 1972, 25 people were killed and 249 seriously injured. Figures for November and December are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the numbers of road accidents in Great Britain in 1972 where a person was killed, seriously injured and injured, respectively; with reference to the age of the victim, classification of road and type of vehicle.

(1) ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY, BY CLASS OF ROAD.
Road Class							Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
M	…	…	…	…	…	…	148	663	1,369	2,180
A	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,472	29,397	73,114	105,983
B	…	…	…	…	…	…	661	7,460	17,316	25,437
Other	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,098	17,347	42,610	61,055
Unknown	…	…	…	…	…	…	222	4,426	14,655	19,303
Total	…	…	…	…	…	…	5,601	59,293	149,064	213,958

(2) CASUALTIES, BY AGE GROUP.
Age							Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
0–14	…	…	…	…	…	…	755	13,122	40,783	54,660
15–24	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,570	25,098	66,276	92,944
25–34	…	…	…	…	…	…	657	10,163	32,908	43,728
35–44	…	…	…	…	…	…	489	6,530	21,774	28,793
45–54	…	…	…	…	…	…	552	6,365	19,793	26,710
55–64	…	…	…	…	…	…	705	6,075	16,200	22,980
65†	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,415	6,235	12,975	20,625
Unknown	…	…	…	…	…	…	4	22	58	84
Total	…	…	…	…	…	…	6,147	73,610	210,767	290,524

(3) VEHICLES INVOLVED IN INJURY ACCIDENTS.
						Fatal accidents	Serious accidents	Slight accidents	Total
Pedal Cycles	…	…	…	…	…	323	4,540	14,352	19,125
Mopeds	…	…	…	…	…	36	1,335	3,211	4,582
Motor scooters	…	…	…	…	…	95	2,129	4,971	7,195
Motor cycles	…	…	…	…	…	561	8,142	15,384	24,087
Cars and taxis	…	…	…	…	…	5,461	57,882	153,699	217,042
PSVs	…	…	…	…	…	351	2,697	11,710	14,758
Goods vehicles	…	…	…	…	…	1,836	13,171	30,858	45,865
Other vehicles	…	…	…	…	…	209	1,807	4,920	6,936
All vehicles	…	…	…	…	…	8,872	91,703	239,105	339,680

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce a firm date for the commencement of the Market Harborough bypass.

I am awaiting the results of a study being carried out by Leicestershire County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the route of the North Orbital Road (M25) south of Denham roundabout to the freight terminal side of London Airport and the M4 has yet been decided; and if so in which year construction will commence.

Proposals are still under consideration.

Following are the figures for the first 10 months of 1972. Figures for November and December are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of environmental considerations, the general economic situation and the report of the Select Committee on Expenditure, he will initiate consultations with local authorities on a revision of their road building programmes, with greater emphasis on modern public transport within cities, and stricter control of private vehicles belonging to non-residents.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar question from the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. David Stoddart) on 5th February 1973.—[Vol. 850, c. 38–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the development of rail networks as distinct from road networks in areas of industrial or dock development.

I consider proposals on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the hardship caused by motorway noise to residents in the area of the M62/63; what representations he has received on this subject from Eccles Corporation; if he will widen the scope of local authority powers as shown in circular 56/72 to cover all cases where there is excessive noise, dust and vibration; and if he will make a statement.

The Eccles Corporation wrote on 27th December 1972 describing conditions near the M62/63 in the borough and seeking a discretionary power for highway authorities to sound-insulate properties adversely affected by any motorway. The Land Compensation Bill would relate the power, together with a right to compensation for injurious affection, to the effects of new and improved roads brought into use on or after 17th October 1969. I consider that to apply those provisions to all roads, whenever built, would impose an unacceptable burden on highway authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give figures to show the proportion of tenants getting a rent rebate in the London Borough of Havering; and how these compare with other London boroughs.

Figures provided by the London Borough of Havering show that about 25 per cent. of its tenants were receiving a rent rebate in January. This proportion is expected to rise to about 32 per cent. when all tenants receiving supplementary benefit are getting rebates. For the Greater London Council, the respective figures in January were 21 per cent. and 38 per cent. Exactly comparable figures are not available for other London boroughs. However, percentages of council tenants receiving a rebate quoted by some authorities include 36 per cent. in Brent, 36 per cent. in Bromley, and 38 per cent. in Richmond.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals have been submitted to him by the special working party on a policy for lorry parks in southern Hampshire; and if he will use his planning powers to ensure that no such parks are situated in the vicinity of residential areas including, specifically, the Tipner neighbourhood of Portsmouth; and whether he will make a statement.

I accept the report's recommendations in principle. These include the establishment of a lorry park at Tipner. I understand the local planning authority is publishing a plan for the Tipner area which will offer an opportunity for public discussion of the lorry park proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of houses which have been demolished during the last 10 years for the purpose of building motorways and road improvements.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants have been made available during the latest convenient period for purposes of improving the environment in Jarrow, Hebburn and Boldon.

In 1972, £199,594 for derelict land reclamation and £216,603 for special environmental assistance schemes. A further £46,090 has been committed as exchequer contribution towards grant on five smoke control orders confirmed in 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of houses completed in the public sector during the last quarter of each of the last eight years.

In the fourth quarter of 1972, 29,279 dwellings were completed in Great Britain for the public sector. Corresponding figures for the years 1965 to 1971 appear in Table 2(c) on page 7 of Housing Statistics Great Britain issues No. 7, 8, 16 and 24, copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations the Government are now making, or have made, into different types of central safety and separation barriers in urban dual carriageways; and with what results so far.

The central safety barriers are similar to those used on rural roads; these were developed after lengthy investigations by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce his decision on the line of route of the Popham to Compton section of the M3.

I made an announcement yesterday; full details have been sent to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce his decision regarding the raising of the Chandlers Ford bypass to motorway standard, including the provision of continuous hard shoulders.

The inspector's report is being considered. I cannot yet say when a decision will be announced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the grants which can be paid to local authorities, organisations and individuals to plant or replant trees; and in what circumstances.

Grants can be paid under the Countryside Act 1968 to any local authority or private body or person in respect of expenditure incurred on tree planting which preserves or enhances natural beauty in the countryside. Assistance may also be available for tree planting as part of conservation schemes in outstanding conservation areas, on the recommendation of the relevant Historic Buildings Council, and where the landscaping is incidental to a new development which is eligible for financial assistance.In addition grant may be paid to local authorities towards the cost of planting trees as part of a scheme for the reclamation of derelict land or removal of eyesores and in certain other cases listed in circular No. 99/72, copies of which have been placed in the Library.Organisations and individuals may also claim grant from the Forestry Commission—where applications were made prior to the suspension of the commission's grant schemes on 28th June 1972—and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of tree planting for forestry. agricultural or horticultural purposes in certain circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if recognised non-profit-making organisations and registered charities are eligible for Government grants for clearing derelict land under Operation Eyesore.

Under the Statute these grants are payable only to local authorities in special development, development, intermediate and derelict land clearance areas.Schemes may, however, be carried out on private land with the agreement of the owner, and a number have so been. In such cases the owner may be called upon to make a contribution to the cost, and the grant is payable only on the net cost to the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he possesses which would indicate that the presence of wildlife is increased or diminished by the construction of airports.

I have no evidence on which to base any universal proposition about this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total estimated cost of the airport facilities at Foulness; and if he will indicate the percentage applicable, respectively, to land reclamation and to locating and destroying unexploded shells and bombs;(2) what is the total estimated cost of the infrastructure necessary for the efficient use of Foulness airport; and how much this will cost, over and above the estimated cost of the airport itself.

By 1980 we estimate that costs of some £140 million will have been incurred in reclaiming enough land for two runways, seaport and some surplus land; of this some £4 million relates to missile clearance. By the same date we estimate some £95 million will have been spent on providing the initial airport facilities and about £150 million on motorway and high speed links. All these figures are necessarily tentative and are at undiscounted 1972 constant prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive his consultant's report on road/ rail connections across South Essex, to serve Foulness airport.

Shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the date on which the Neasden underpass will be completed; how many months this is behind the original schedule; and if he will make a statement.

Autumn 1973, though the underpass is expected to be open to traffic in July. The work is about six months behind schedule.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take immediate action to deal with the complaints sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West, on behalf of a constituent residing in Ballogie Avenue, Neasden, which arise from the construction of the North Circular Road underpass; if he will render assistance to the London Borough of Brent in its negotiations with the contractors concerned; and if he will make a statement.

These complaints, which were received from the hon. Member only on 5th February, are being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis and on what standards appointments are made to the shrieval bench in Scotland.

Appointments to the shrieval bench are made by Her Majesty on my recommendation. The qualifications for appointment to these offices—that is, of sheriff principal or sheriff—are laid down in the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971, namely, that the person must be, and have been for at least 10 years, legally qualified. For this purpose a person is legally qualified if he is an advocate or a solicitor.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many children in Glasgow were reported as suffering from rickets in the years 1970, 1971 and 1972;(2) how many children were reported as suffering from rickets in the years 1970, 1971 and 1972;(3) what research is being undertaken to ascertain the cause of rickets.

Rickets is not a notifiable disease, and the only firm information about its general incidence is derived from hospital discharges. Children under age 15 discharged after inpatient treatment and recorded as having rickets were as follows:

				Glasgow	Scotland
1970	…	…	…	15	18
1971	…	…	…	23	28

Information is not yet available for 1972.The medical cause of rickets has long been known. The current incidence of the disease in Great Britain is under close consideration by a panel concerned with child nutrition chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Home and Health Department. It is hoped to publish a statement summarising the panel's preliminary conclusions in the May 1973 issue of the Department's Health Bulletin, and I shall send a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the number of physiotherapists employed by the North Ayrshire Hospital Board;(2) how many physiotherapists are employed by the North Ayrshire Hospital Board on a full-time basis;(3) what is the number of vacancies for physiotherapists in the North Ayrshire Hospital Board area.

There are 10 whole-time and nine part-time physiotherapists employed by the hospital board, and vacancies equivalent to nine whole-time posts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there are any counties in Scotland in which JP small debt courts still operate; and if he will make a statement on the future of the JP small debt court.

The only JP small debt courts in which business has been conducted in the last three years are those in Glasgow, which disposed of 248 cases in 1972. The future of the JP small debt court will be covered in the statement which I shall be making in due course on the future of lay summary courts in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to advise police authorities in Scotland of the desirability of ensuring that authorised police drivers are given comprehensive insurance cover in respect of driving duties in the police service.

The Police Pensions Scheme provides benefits for police officers who are killed or injured on duty. I should not feel justified in seeking to distinguish the risks attached to driving from the other risks attached to police duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the urgency of the need for new accommodation for Moray House School of Community Study, Regent Road, Edinburgh, and for additional courses to be provided there.

Two, received only last week. I hope that it will be possible for decisions on both matters to be reached within the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration has been given by his Department to proposing the exclusion of central heating arrangements when assessing rateable values.

Section 9 of the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act 1956 requires the assessor, in years between revaluations, to give effect to any alteration in the value of any lands and heritages which is due to a material change of circumstances. I am considering whether this requirement should be modified at a suitable legislative opportunity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review Section 15 of the Stamp Act 1891 with a view to abolishing the £10 penalty.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of exempting from income tax all retired women aged 63 and over and all retired men aged 66 and over whose incomes do not exceed £4,000 a year; or if this information is not available, the cost of exempting all such women and men whether retired or not.

Information is available only for single persons over 65 and married couples where either spouse is over 65. The cost of exempting all such persons from tax—whether or not retired, but subject to an income limit of £4,000 —would be about £440 million for a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will introduce legislation to discourage the increase in land prices caused by investment by industrial and financial companies in agricultural land.

The hon. Member will not expect me to comment at this time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of those eligible to do so have already claimed their post-war credits.

It is not possible to give a precise figure, but over 80 per cent. of the estimated number of credit holders have now been repaid.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show the amount of weekly tax refunds when unemployed, and the net weekly income if all State benefits were taxable, in respect of a man with a wife and two children under 11 years of age, assuming a weekly wage of £15, £20, £25, £30 and £35, respectively, and that the previous year's pay was at the same rates allowing for relevant tax repayments and any welfare benefits in the following circumstances; for a week's work after 39 weeks at the appropriate rate and when unemployed after 39 weeks' employment and when qualifying for earnings-related supplement.

The figures are:

Weekly wage			A	B	C
£			£	£	£
15	…	…	17·82	18·20	Nil
20	…	…	20·07	19·35	Nil
25	…	…	22·89	20·90	0·15
30	…	…	26·15	21·95	Nil
35	…	…	29·36	21·95	Nil

Column A shows the man's net weekly income when at work for week 40 of the tax year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase in the tax on petrol would be required to produce the same revenue as the vehicle registration tax, assuming that public transport vehicles were exempt from the increase and that there was no effect on petrol consumption.

Slightly more than 8p per gallon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent on research into turbine blading; if he has investigated the recent failure of blades on the RB111 and eariler failure in ships' turbines; what plans the Government has to stimulate research into this area of engineering; and if he will make a statement.

Research into turbine blading forms an integral part of the general research and development programmes for turbine engines; it is not practicable to give a separate figure for the expenditure on turbine blading. Government research establishments are fully involved in the investigations on the RB211; they also played a major part in solving the problems encountered in the steam turbine of the "Queen Elizabeth II".

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many registered companies were engaged in the building industry in each of the past seven years.

The information required is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to publicise the availability of insurance for capital investment overseas under the terms of Section 1 of the Overseas Investment and Export Guarantees Act 1972, in view of the fact that no insurance agreements have yet been concluded; and if he is satisfied with the working of the scheme.

The availability of investment insurance under Section 1 of the Overseas Investment and Export Guarantees Act 1972 has received wide publicity in the Press, through trade associations, through embassies and by direct contact with commercial and financial organisations. As a result, 91 applications worth £25 million have been received, covering a wide range of countries and industries. I am satisfied that the general basis of the scheme is sound.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been made for insurance as joint ventures in partnership with local shareholders, following the 1972 Overseas Investment Act.

Fifty-four.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for investment assurance have been made in development countries under the 1972 Act, territory by territory.

There have been 91 applications, distributed as follows:

Africa—42
Angola	…	2
Gabon	…	1
Ghana	…	2
Kenya	…	7
Mauritius	…	2
Malawi	…	1
Morocco	…	1
Nigeria	…	14
S.W. Africa	…	1
Tanzania	…	1
Zaire	…	1
Zambia	…	9
America—14 (North and Central)
Barbados	…	1
British Honduras	…	1
Jamaica	…	4
Mexico	…	1
Trinidad	…	1
(South)
Brazil	…	6
Asia—33 (Middle East)
Dubai	…	1
Iran	…	1
Jordan	…	1
Kuwait	…	1
Oman	…	2
Saudi Arabia (Far East)	…	1
Hong Kong	…	1
India	…	1
Indonesia	…	8
Korea (South)	…	1
Malaysia	…	5
Pakistan	…	1
Singapore	…	3
Thailand	…	6
Oceania—1
Fiji	…	1
Europe—1
Yugoslavia	…	1

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were awarded in the Northern Region in each of the months since August 1972; and what is the number of jobs expected to result from each of these certificates.

With the exception of two small parishes, the whole of the Northern Region is a development or special development area, and IDCs have not been needed there since July 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest available estimate of the value of the net assets of subsidiaries of United States companies in the United Kingdom and the number of people employed by them, giving a breakdown between manufacturing, distribution, oil, etc.

The latest information available is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of empty advance factories in the Northern Region on 1st January 1973.

The information is as follows:

Location			Size in Sq. Ft.
Ashington	…	…	25,000
Aycliffe	…	…	2,500*
Brandon	…	…	25,000
Chester-le-Street	…	…	50,000
Cleator Moor	…	…	15,000
Crook	…	…	25,000
Haltwhistle	…	…	15,000
Sunderland	…	…	25,000
Sunderland	…	…	15,000
Teesside	…	…	15,000
* 1 nursery unit.

Ashington, Brandon and Sunderland (25,000 sq. ft.) have been provisionally allocated since 1st January 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what number of people, by sex, were employed in advance factories in the Northern Region on 1st January 1973.

There were 4,700 men and 2,700 women.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on his recent overseas tour; and to what extent, during his visit to Canada, he discussed tariff problems resultant upon Great Britain's entry into the Common Market; and what assessment he has made of the effect on Great Britain's trade with Canada of changes in tariffs.

On my visit to North America from 24th to 31st January I met leading members of the United States Administration, including Mr. Shultz, Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Casey, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the State Department, Mr. Dent, Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Butz, Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Flanigan, Special Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Mr. Eberle, Special Trade Representative, the Senate Finance Committee and Mr. Wilbur Mills, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives. I also met Mr. Peterson the former Secretary of Commerce. In Canada I met Mr. Trudeau and leading members of his Federal Government, including Mr. Turner, Minister of Finance and Mr. Gillespie, Minister for Industry, Trade and Commerce; also Mr. William Davis, Prime Minister of Ontario, and members of his Government. While in Toronto I addressed the annual dinner of the Toronto Metropolitan Board of Trade, one of the most important business gatherings in North America.In these meetings I had wide ranging discussions on trade matters, including prospects for multilateral trade negotiations and for United States trade legislation, and I emphasised the strong interest of the United Kingdom and of the Community as a whole in the success of these negotiations. I impressed upon the United States Administration the importance of obtaining from Congress satisfactory authority to negotiate with the United States trading partners mutually beneficial agreements leading to the substantial reduction of barriers to trade. I assured the Americans of the continuing interest of this country in further developing our very important trade with them. I told them of our continuing concern at the maintenance of a number of trade barriers affecting our exports to their markets and our anxiety that pressure in the United States for new protectionist measures, if yielded to, might lead to a damaging trade war.In Canada I pointed out that, far from cutting our ties with Canada, United Kingdom accession to the Community and the faster growth in our economy expected to follow offered new opportunities for the expansion of Anglo-Canadian trade and investment. Nearly 60 per cent. of Canadian exports to this country will continue to enter free of duty. In these circumstances, the increased attraction of our market following United Kingdom accession to the Community outweighs the loss of preferences previously enjoyed by Canada under our tariff.I also discussed with the Canadian Government a number of specific issues, including the future of British preferences in Canada following the ending of our bilateral trade agreement, emphasising the importance of giving reasonable notice to traders of changes in rates of import duty which may in due course be expected to follow the ending of commitments on preferential treatment of British goods. My judgment is that British exporters, given their existing stake in and knowledge of the rapidly expanding Canadian market, will be well placed to increase their trade there.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what he attributes the fact that aircraft movements at Manchester and Birmingham airports increased by more than three times and more than five times, respectively, the increase at London Heathrow in 1972 compared with 1971.

I am advised by the Civil Aviation Authority that the more rapid growth of aircraft movements in 1972 at Manchester and Birmingham, compared to Heathrow, can be explained in part by the following factors:

(1) The major element of traffic growth in 1972 was in charter move- ments; such movements are highly restricted at Heathrow, representing under 3 per cent. of total movements.

(2) The modest increase in aircraft movements at Heathrow in 1972 was unrepresentative of total movements within the London area—particularly with the inclusion of Luton. In other words, the growth of traffic was concentrated on Gatwick and Luton.

(3) The introduction of wide-bodied aircraft has so far primarily affected the long-haul scheduled operators, and airports such as Heathrow, serving the needs of such operators. If the comparison between Manchester and Birmingham and Heathrow had been based on passengers carried rather than on aircraft movements, it would have shown the following results:

Percentage growth, 1971–72 (years to end September) of passengers carried:

				per cent.
Heathrow	…	…	…	+10·4
Manchester	…	…	…	+13·8
Birmingham	…	…	…	+12·8

Further, the growth rate for all London Area airports, including Luton, was 12·3 per cent. This shows that the demand for air transport in the London area shows no signs of slackening.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much he estimates air traffic movements at London Gatwick and London Heathrow will increase or decrease in 1980, 1985 and 1990, respectively, if Foulness airport is built and operational by 1980.

I do not foresee any increase in air transport movements at Heathrow and Gatwick once Maplin is operational. A reduction in movements will depend on a judgment at the relevant dates on the need to improve the noise environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the financial repercussions to the Concorde project of the option cancellations by PanAm and TWA in terms of forfeited deposits; which options are next to mature; and what is the present state of the Concorde order and option book.

Deposits amounting to £389,399 and FF5,449,375 will be repaid as a result of option cancellations by Pan American and TWA. The next option to mature is that of Japan Airlines. The position on Concorde orders and options has not changed since my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 1st February.—[Vol. 849, c. 468–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the proportion of the total Concorde labour force employed in special development, development, and intermediate areas, and in Scotland, respectively.

Approximately 1 per cent. of the total Concorde labour force is employed in special development areas, about 4 per cent. work in intermediate areas, and the remainder in non-assisted areas. About 1 per cent. of the labour force is in Scotland, all of whom are in special development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much he expects inflation to have increased the present cost estimates of Foulness airport and its related infrastructure by 1980.

No estimate has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to examine the potential hazards to large oil tankers from aircraft failing on take-off due to the siting of the runways at Foulness airport with their flight paths immediately over the proposed dock areas.

The dock areas will not, under present plans, be situated under aircraft flight paths.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which British airlines in their evidence to Roskill indicated a preference for locating an airport at Foulness; what is the total capital investment by British Carriers at London's airports; by what criteria they will be directed to transfer part of their operations to Foulness; what this will cost; and who will pay.

No airline expressed a preference for Foulness. Information about British airlines' investments at London's airports is not readily available. No decisions have yet been made on the points raised in the remainder of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he estimates would be the cost of retrofitting, by 1980, those aircraft presently in service by BOAC and BEA, and which will still be in service in 1980.

Studies on retrofit are in progress, but the work is not yet sufficiently far advanced for it to be possible to produce reliable cost estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total amount paid out to date under the terms of the Hotel Development Incentive Scheme; what has been the average grant per hotel; and if he will publish a table showing the distribution of grant moneys by planning region of allocation, with the number of recipient hotels in each region.

The amount paid to the end of 1972 was £15·8 million. The remaining information is not readily available. Information on the progress of the Hotel Development Incentive Scheme up to 31st March 1973 will be given in the annual reports of the English, Scottish and Wales Tourist Boards, to be laid before Parliament in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the cost to public funds of grants paid under the Hotel Development Incentive Scheme for hotel developments in the vicinity of London Airport; how many of the qualifying hotels have now been completed; and if he will seek to obtain and publish a table showing the average ratio of bed-occupancy for the completed hotels in each month of the year since completion.

The Hotel Development Incentive Scheme is administered by the national tourist boards and requests for detailed information relating to the scheme should be addressed to them.

asked the Attorney-General how many cases of treason-felony, and sedition cases under the Public Order Act have been brought during the past two years in connection with the situation in Northern Ireland; and what organisations were concerned in the latter.

None.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will now take proceedings for treason-felony and sedition conspiracy against Mr. Craig following his statements and the actions of the illegal Ulster Volunteer Force and the Ulster Defence Association.

No evidence has been submitted to me to justify proceedings against Mr. Craig for these offences.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimate of the number of trees felled because of Dutch elm disease.

On the basis of the last returns received from local authorities the Forestry Commission estimates that about 170,000 dead and dying elms were felled by the end of September 1972 in the areas worst affected by the disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he has agreed to an increase of 12p a lb. in the price of instant coffee.

Wholesale prices of soluble coffee were increased in September and October last year but, because of stocks bought at lower prices, the full effects of this increase are only now showing up in the shops. The changes reflect an increase of up to 25 per cent. in world coffee bean prices in 1972.