asked the Secretary of State for Wales how the capital funds made available to the Welsh Hospital Board have been allocated as between the 13 counties of Wales over the past five years.

The Welsh Hospital Board does not allocate capital funds on a county basis, and I regret that details of capital expenditure by individual counties in Wales in the past five years are not readily available.

Is it possible for the Minister to give figures which can give some guidance in this matter, since there is a widespread feeling in Mid-Wales that we are suffering disproportionately inasmuch as very little capital expenditure is taking place and we have a lack of suitable hospital services on that account?

I am aware that the hon. and learned Gentleman and others believe that to be so. In a speech I made two weekends ago, I sought to dispel any such impression. If the hon. and learned Gentleman has a question to raise about particular hospitals, I shall look into the expenditure on them if he will get in touch with me.

Could the hon. Gentleman confirm that the percentage of total capital expenditure received by the Mid-Wales group of hospitals is no less now than it was three years ago?

I could not with certainty give the hon. Gentleman an accurate answer. I shall write to him about it, but I doubt that it is less.

Could the hon. Gentleman give us figures on the basis of hospital management committee areas? That would be helpful to hon. Members.

I shall look into that.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the net income in real terms of industrial wage earners in Wales in October 1964, October 1970 and October 1972, taking into account changes in the cost of living.

On the basis of the average gross money wages of full-time adult male manual workers, and allowing for changes in the cost of living, income tax, national insurance contributions and family allowances, the net real income of a married man with a wife and two children under 11 increased by 4·7 per cent. between October 1964 and October 1970. It rose by 9·2 per cent. between October 1970 and October 1972.

Do not these figures show how groundless are fears that living standards are being reduced by rises in the cost of living?

The figures show that in real terms, after allowing for changes in the cost of living and in other respects, people were better off in October 1972 than in October 1970, and they show also a much greater improvement in real terms in two years under this Government than in six years under the Labour Government.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, whatever figures he produces and whatever he says, people will not believe that those in the pensioner category are better off today than they were two years ago, and does he not realise that the cost of living in recent days has been galloping over all past increases?

I do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman. There are plenty of figures to show that the purchasing power of the pension is greater than it was when the right hon. Gentleman was partly responsible. The Question refers to industrial wage earners.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has received the report of the Water Resources Board; and when he will come to a decision concerning the reclamation of the Dee estuary.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the announcement of a decision on the Dee crossing scheme.

The report of the Water Resources Board is expected in March or April. A decision on the Dee estuary scheme will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

When my right hon. and learned Friend has looked at the report, will he bear in mind the general lack of amenity in the North West and the immense help which such a multi-purpose scheme could give to both employment and the environment?

Yes, Sir.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that people in my constituency will not want a crossing foisted upon them purely as some sort of conscience money consequent upon the closure of steelmaking at Shotton? Will he understand that our priority there is still the retention of steelmaking at Shotton?

Yes, I appreciate that point of view which has been expressed.

Notwithstanding what has been said by the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Barry Jones), will my right hon. and learned Friend take it that a decision to go ahead with a Dee crossing would transform the economic atmosphere of that part of the country and the spin-off effects might be very great?

That is another point of view which has been equally and forcefully put to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated cost per acre of the land at Cwmbran New Town outside the designated area now under consideration to accommodate a planned population of 55,000; how many houses for private sale are anticipated to be placed on this land; and at what average cost per house.

The proposals submitted last year by the development corporation then estimated a cost per acre to the corporation, allowing for a variety of land uses, of about £5,500. The number of privately-built dwellings for sale would be about 900. In accordance with Government policy some of the 1,400 corporation houses to be built might also be purchased in due course. It is impossible at this stage to forecast selling prices.

Is not the Minister aware that if those figures are based upon overall costs of land a year ago, in view of the catastrophic rises that have been taking place in land prices they are today hopelessly out of date? Is it not abundantly clear that a more realistic price for the land is £10,000 an acre and that at that price private houses which are likely to be built there will cost between £15,000 and £20,000? Will the Minister explain to Monmouthshire and to me what contribution it will make to dealing with the problems of prospective unemployed steelworkers that there are to be £15,000–£20,000 houses in Cwmbran?

The hon. Member is introducing a number of separate issues. I accept what he says about the figures I have given him. They are based on last year's cost but they are the latest available. This year's cost would certainly be higher. As for his other points, he raised some of them in his letter to the Secretary of State, and in the answer to that letter I think that my right hon. and learned Friend dealt with the matter, particularly with the problem of steelworkers' housing.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied that the arrangements for special yardstick allowances for housing schemes in areas of stress are working satisfactorily.

Yes, Sir. Since the introduction of the special allowance no scheme submitted to the Welsh Office for approval has had to be abandoned on cost grounds.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Pembrokeshire many local authorities, including Milford Urban District Council and Haverfordwest Rural District Council, are having great difficulty in getting contractors to tender under the present cost yardsticks and that this is gravely holding up the housing programme? Will he undertake to look at the problem again most seriously?

I accept what my hon. Friend says. There are certainly problems in this part of West Wales. In the same way as I said I would meet representatives of Swansea with their Members of Parliament, I should be happy to do the same for my hon. Friend.

While no scheme might have been abandoned, surely the Minister concedes that there have been considerable problems for many councils in conforming to the yardsticks. Representations have had to be made to the Welsh Office to secure revision of these yardsticks, notably in the case of Cowbridge Rural District Council, where sheltered accommodation had to be deferred because of the yardsticks. Will the Minister now say that the Welsh Office will in future be more generous in fixing its yardstick and more speedy in revising it where it appears to be unrealistic?

I do not accept that we have been unrealistic over this matter. The yardstick has been a matter of controversy for some time and it would not he possible for the Government at present to go further than its present position.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has had any recent discussions with the county borough of Newport about rating matters.

I have had no such discussions personally but there have been talks between my officials and officers of the authority.

Today an old-age pensioner in Malpas, Newport, approached me about the fact that the rateable value of his flat had been increased from £66 to £176. Is it not time that the Government took steps to relieve the burden on domestic ratepayers, particularly in towns like Newport, where the corporation is seriously contemplating an increase in the rates of no less than 36 per cent.—and that after considerable pruning of the estimates?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Government are conscious of the problems faced by certain local authorities in that respect. The points which Newport has made to us will be carefully considered. I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate that Newport will get a substantial increase in rate support grant for 1973–74. The needs element has been enlarged by 24·3 per cent. and the resources element by 164·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he now has to attend meetings of the Council of Ministers of the EEC.

I will attend meetings of the Council of Ministers whenever necessary.

Is the Minister aware that there are three reasons why Wales should have a Minister at the EEC Commission? The first is to makes Wales aware of the offsetting of currency changes in EEC States which starts today and how it will affect prices in Wales, the second is to make the British steel industry aware of any unpublished arrangements which will retard or inhibit that industry's growth, and the third reason is so that the Minister can explain in detail to Wales if and when any regional EEC funds will come to the Principality. The Secretary of State has a duty to tell the people but he has never done so.

The practice under the United Kingdom arrangements is for Ministers to attend meetings of the Council when matters central to their responsibilities are under discussion. As I told the hon. Member, I will attend meetings at the Council whenever I consider it necessary.

Is it not clear that help for hill farmers is on the way from European Community funds, and would it not befit the Opposition more if they were to play their part in the Community institutions, thus ensuring that we secure the maximum benefit from them?

It is right that the Commission has made recommendations that the Council of Ministers will consider.

When?

I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman an exact date but I will find out and let him know.

Does the Secretary of State intend to attend meetings where regional development and help for the regions is being considered? On what basis do the Government, for example, choose between the Secretary of State for Wales and the Secretary of State for Scotland or some other Minister? Is there any agreed plan on this matter?

The question is whether matters being discussed at the time are central to the responsibility of the Ministers involved. The Secretary of State for Scotland sent Ministers to a recent meeting where there were discussions on matters which were important to Scotland but which were not so important to Wales. When other matters important to Wales arise, consideration will be given to a Welsh Minister being present.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how he now proposes to ensure that the Welsh Office is continuously represented in the councils of the EEC.

Existing arrangements provide full opportunity for my views to be represented in all matters relating to the EEC.

Does not the Secretary of State appreciate that a great deal of the work which is to be undertaken at Brussels is of a political nature in relation, for example, to the consideration given to grants for hill areas and in relation to the grants being given to areas suffering from the closure of steelworks? Aid is required at a political level in these considerations. Is it not a fact that we are still dealing with the Commission in Brussels as though it were a foreign country that has no direct bearing upon the economy of this country?

I agree that many matters of a political nature have to be decided in terms of the European Economic Community. But the Welsh Office certainly has regular contact with Brussels. Three officials from my Department have been in Brussels in the last few weeks and I am fully informed on all matters relating to Wales in particular which are going on in the Community.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether he made any representations to the Patronage Secretary regarding the inclusion of his hon. Friends in the delegation to the European Parliament?

Wales is certainly represented on that delegation. My one regret is that there are no representatives from the Labour side of the House.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell the House which of the Welsh Members of Parliament is a full member of the Con servative Party delegation? I remind him that the European Assembly is a talking shop not much better than the Welsh Grand Committee.

I do not know whether by the last part of his question the right hon. Gentleman is suggesting that there should not be meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee or whether he intends to boycott it, in the same way as the Opposition have boycotted the European Parliament. [HON. MEMBERS: "Who is the representative?"] The representative, who is a Member of Parliament, a Member of the other place, is Lord Brecon.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for the Secretary of State to tell the House that there is a Welshman at the European Assembly?

The content of such an answer is not a matter of order.

It is not even a matter of accuracy in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the number of new jobs likely to be created in Cardiganshire in 1973.

Current developments are encouraging but I am anxious to see more jobs.

Would it not be more correct to say that the Government have no policy which is relevant to attracting light industry to Cardiganshire and that the economy of the whole of Mid-Wales is stagnating? Will the Secretary of State confirm whether he has the slightest intention of designating advance factories for any part of rural Wales?

The advance factory in Aberystwyth was allocated in December 1972. Extensions have been approved recently to Government-owned factories in Lampeter and Cardigan. Two nursery units were allocated to Lampeter in 1972 and a further two this month. As for the economy stagnating, the most recent figures show an encouraging fall in unemployment in the county.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he can give of the loss of male jobs in Wales by the end of 1974.

I can make no such estimate nor do I necessarily accept the assumption in the Question. As the latest figures show, unemployment in Wales is falling and vacancies are rising.

The House will be delighted to hear that the unemployment figures are going down. But will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman acknowledge that the decrease is a decrease in the unemployment that has occurred since his Government came to office? Can he give a categorical assurance that not one steelworker will be declared redundant until satisfactory alternative employment is available in Wales?

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that I could not give such an assurance. I am glad that he is delighted at the figures showing the recent dramatic drop in unemployment in Wales. The only way to prevent redundancies and create new jobs is to have an expanding economy and sound regional policies. That is what we are now achieving, as the recent unemploy- ment figures show. The seasonally-adjusted rate for Wales is the lowest for over two years. A decline in unemployment of 5,700 between January and February is remarkable. In fact, it is the highest achieved at this time of the year since the war, and so is the 20 per cent. increase in the number of unfilled vacancies.

Hon. Members on both sides who have expressed anxiety about unemployment must have been very impressed that the figures have dropped so dramatically at a time of year when they normally tend to increase. No less impressive has been the increase in notified vacancies in the United Kingdom as a whole and in Wales in particular.

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend will have seen the review of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, which has just been published, which says that if everyone cooperates in combating inflation there is every indication that the trend my hon. Friend mentioned will continue and there will be more investment, more employment and an increase in real incomes.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that when a Government drive unemployment up to peak figures in order to reduce it in two years, it is an Alice in Wonderland argument for them then to argue that they have achieved a phenomenal success?

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman has not noted that the seasonally-adjusted figures for unemployment in Wales have dropped each month since last September. I hope that he greatly welcomes the trend, which shows signs of continuing if there is cooperation in combating inflation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will request one of the task forces to examine the employment needs of Wrexham.

The employment needs of Wrexham, as of the rest of Wales, are already the subject of regular review as part of our policies for industrial expansion and regional development.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the unemployment position at Wrexham is likely considerably to worsen if the negotiations between the British Steel Corporation and Guest Keen and Nettlefold break down? Is he aware that BSC has said that it does not intend to make a substantial investment in the works there? Can he therefore ask his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to ensure that the BSC conducts the negotiations in good faith on a basis of willing buyer and willing seller?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is certainly "Yes". I am happy that discussions on the future of the Brymbo Steelworks are continuing between BSC and GKN. The hon. Gentleman will no doubt have noted the words of my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry in the recent steel debate, which were encouraging.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of new jobs to be created during 1973 in Glamorgan, and within the area between Newport and Llantwit Major, which is excluded from the Welsh Development Area.

The last available estimate six months ago, covering a four-year period, was that 9,600 jobs are likely to arise in manufacturing industry in Glamorgan, and 770 in the area from Newport to Llantwit Major.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend note that the problems of the coastal area, which is excluded from the development area, are different from the problems of the valleys and the hinterland? As the manufacturing industry in the coastal area cannot compete easily with the manufacturing industry in the hinterland, will my right hon. and learned Friend consider giving particular incentives to some of the service industries in the coastal area?

Yes, I am aware of the difference which my hon. Friend has mentioned. The whole question of assistance to the area is being looked at.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the best way to answer this Question would be to reveal details of the £900 million that is to be invested in the steel industry in Wales? Or is that investment, as some of us feel, merely a mirage to soften the blows of the closures and redundancies that will take place in Wales in the near future?

I do not think that is right. It was stated by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry the other day that of the £3,000 million that it is proposed to invest in steel in the United Kingdom over the next 10 years, it is anticipated that Wales will receive approximately one-third.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the progress made by the Cardiff task force.

The task force has already met twice and has arranged a full programme of further meetings.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the appreciation of the prompt actions of the task force is in marked contrast to the anger and dismay felt at the failure of the British Steel Corporation to provide the figures and statistics on which the proposals for the closure of East Moors are based? Does he consider that the timetable for closure proposed by BSC is adequate to meet the requirements of the task force to enable it to complete its task?

I am certainly aware, because I attended a meeting, of the concern in Cardiff over the proposed timing of the closure. I know that the city council considers seven years to be a minimum. It will certainly be open to the task force to tell me whether it thinks any modification of the timing would be of material assistance to it in its work.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman give attention to the reluctance of the British Steel Corporation to provide the Cardiff action committee with the information promised personally by Lord Melchett?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the concern expressed in Cardiff that the figures have not yet been made available. I know that BSC has said that it is willing to open its books.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further consideration he has given to the siting of gas containers at Hirwaun, Aberdare, following the representations made to him.

I have already taken and announced my decision on the planning application by the Gas Corporation, which was the subject of a public local inquiry. I have no powers to reopen the matter or require the Gas Corporation to consider alternative sites.

In view of the recent terrible explosion of such a gas container in the United States in which over 50 men lost their lives, does not the Secretary of State think it right and proper to consult the Gas Corporation to see what steps it is taking to ensure that such an accident will not occur in Hirwaun? If not, will he reconsider his decision to approve the site in view of its proximity to a residential area?

The answer to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question is that I have no power to intervene or reconsider the matter. But I shall bring to the notice of the Gas Corporation the facts that the hon. Gentleman gave about the explosion in the United States.

Will the Secretary of State confirm that during the public inquiry his inspector checked on the safety of a similar plant in Scotland, as did the Neath Rural District Council, in whose area the plant is sited, and received assurances thereon?

Yes, Sir. The inspector looked at a similar installation in Scotland, and his recommendation took that into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent in his agricultural responsibility in Wales he undertakes the monitoring of food prices.

Responsibility for food prices lies with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Does the Minister of State realise that the indifference shown yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on "The World this Weekend" programme gave no reassurance to the people of Wales, who are desperately anxious about the escalation in food prices in the last few months? Does the hon. Gentleman realise that in an area in which there is a lower average wage than the rest of the United Kingdom, it is of the first importance that the Welsh Office should monitor food prices? Does he not think that this would be a better activity than holding Fanfare for Europe junketings in St. Donat's Castle.

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman needs to bang on about that last point. I can only say that the transfer of functions order which was passed by his Government in 1969 precludes me from giving him an answer on his first point.

I direct the attention of the Secretary of State to the fact that he represents Wales in the Cabinet and that if he is not aware of the necessity to monitor food prices, my constituents are, suffering as they do from a 25 per cent. increase in prices since the present incompetent administration took office. As regards the Question about Welsh beef prices, which the Prime Minister refused to answer, did the right hon. and learned Gentleman say in the Cabinet that this represented a serious matter? My constituents believe, as I do, that Welsh beef should go to Welsh tables at the cheapest possible prices.

I do not in any way underestimate the importance of food prices. As I said in my original answer, however, and in my reply to the first supplementary question, this does not fall to me to answer.

Has it ever entered the minds of Ministers in the Welsh Office that food prices in Wales are considerably higher on average than they are in the United Kingdom? Are they not aware that there is a plentitude of evidence that prices are even higher in rural areas? Will they reconsider the answers which they have given and set up a system for monitoring these prices?

The hon. Gentleman has made a fairly sweeping statement. I should like to have, sometime, an opportunity to look at it.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with British Steel Corporation about further steelmaking capacity in Wales.

The situation in Wales was fully considered by the Government when they appraised the British Steel Corporation's 10-year development strategy.

That makes things even worse. Does not the Secretary of State recall that the purpose of having a Secretary of State for Wales was to safeguard Welsh interests in all matters before all bodies and in all considerations? Will he therefore take into account the fact that under the proposals of the BSC the increase in steelmaking capacity in Wales over the next 10 years will be 7 per cent., in Scotland it will be 40 per cent., in Yorkshire and Humberside 50 per cent. and in the Northern Region 200 per cent.? The Northern Region has no Secretary of State in the Cabinet. Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be a good idea for us to do without our Secretary of State so that we might get a squarer deal?

I do not dissent from the hon. Gentleman's figures, but what he clearly has not appreciated is the enormous investment which it is proposed to make in Wales, which will safeguard in a competitive world the employment of 50,000 people in the steel industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some disbelief in Wales about where the £900 million will go? Can he now tell the House how he satisfied himself about where the money would be spent? Can he now take the House into his confidence and tell us where the money will be spent?

I am fully aware that hon. Members have asked for a detailed breakdown. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry made clear in Tuesday's debate, it is not possible to give the kind of detailed breakdown that Labour Members are demanding. I suggest that they should look at my hon. Friend's words again.

Of the £900 million available for Wales for steelmaking investment, how much will North Wales have?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is proposed—I realise that the hon. Gentleman is interested in Shotton—that the finishing end of Shotton will be one of the most modern finishing ends in the industry.

Surely the Secretary of State and other members of the Government have not reached the figure of £900 million to be spent in Wales without having a very good idea of how it is to be divided, what proportion will go to Llanwern, what proportion will go to Port Talbot and what proportion will go to other parts of Wales. Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an indication of how the £900 million will be made up?

As I said, I cannot add to what my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry said in the steel debate. I suggest that the right hon. Gentleman looks at his exact words. The Government have accepted that an investment of £3,000 million should be spent in the United Kingdom in the steel industry over the next 10 years. It is agreed by the British Steel Corporation that of that expenditure Wales will get approximately one-third.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I give notice that I intend to raise the whole issue of the £900 million at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will consider publishing the measures taken by the present Government which specifically help the small firm sector.

Certainly. We have already acted on the majority of the recommendations made by the Committee of Inquiry on Small Firms and we intend to publish an article in Trade and Industry summarising all the actions we have taken or have in hand. Of course full publicity was given after each decision was conveyed to the House.

I thank my hon. Friend for that welcome reply. Is he aware that the list of measures so far taken by the Government to help small businesses is already longer than the list of measures taken by the previous Government to hinder small businesses? Will he give an assurance that the latest and most welcome proposal to open regional information centres will receive the maximum publicity so that the services will be widely used? Can we have an assurance that one of the centres will be in the Nottingham—Derby area?

I will ensure that my hon. Friend's suggestion about the location of that office is well considered. However, he will understand the pleasure we have at seeing the lengthening list of the number of forms of assistance we have given to small firms.

As a junior Minister in the hon. Gentleman's Department invited the Lincoln Industrial Committee of the Lincoln Council to meet him on Tuesday, may I ask whether anyone in the Department has informed Jonathan Guinness that the meeting may not take place without telling the Lincoln Council?

I do not think that that is related to the question of small firms.

It is.

With great respect, the Minister agreed to see a delegation tomorrow, which I have been asked to attend, to discuss the situation in Lincoln. It now appears that for political reasons the deputation has been put off although the Minister has made no approach to me and, as I understand it, no approach to the local authority, although the date was fixed at the request of the Minister and the appointment to meet him was made before the writ was moved for the Lincoln by-election.

I find it extraordinary that the right hon. Gentleman should think that any approach to him is required in the matter.

rose—

Order. We are getting well away from the Question.

Mr. Speaker—

Has this to do with the Question?

Yes, Mr. Speaker. On the question of aid to small firms, the Lincoln Council's Industrial Committee made an approach to the Minister and to the Department to receive a deputation long before the writ was issued for the Lincoln by-election. He has conveyed the impression that it cannot take place until after the by-election and has sent a letter to the Tory candidate informing him of this. Does not that smack of party politics?

As it took so long to issue the writ, everything would have had to be done a long time before that.

On a point of order. An hon. Member on the Government side said "Let Dick Taverne lead them next week". As he wishes to cross the Floor, may he do so now?

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further plans he has for transferring to Scotland divisions within his Department concerning North Sea oil and gas resources.

As my right hon. Friend announced on 16th January, a branch of the Petroleum Division will be put in Glasgow to work alongside the new Scottish Petroleum Office. We have no plans for transferring complete divisions to Scotland to work on North Sea oil, but recruitment of further inspectors is taking place to enable permanent postings to be made to this branch.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that simply is not good enough? Can he tell us how many civil servants, when these proposed operations are completed, will be in Scotland engaged in the problems of North Sea oil and how many will be situated in London? As the great proportion of North Sea oil is around the shores and coasts of Scotland, would it not be much better and more defensible if the whole operation now engaged in in London within the divisions of the hon. Gentleman's Department were moved to Scotland?

The main factor for Scotland is to ensure that the OSO and the Petroleum Division can get as much business and as many orders for Scottish industry as possible. What the hon. Gentleman must accept is that the chief supply industries, the financial institutions and those placing the orders on the whole have their headquarters in London, and we can do nothing to make them go to Scotland. Therefore, we are trying to gain positions for both Scotland and London to the benefit not only of Scotland but of the whole of the United Kingdom.

But the hon. Gentleman must know that he cannot get away with that answer. He must be aware that, when he visited Scotland with Mr. Gibson in his attempt to defend the office there, the Press that weekend gave him a terrible battering. His arguments were described as unconvincing and specious. How many administrative jobs will this process mean for Scotland?

That is a slightly different question from the one on the Order Paper. But one of the things which I noticed in the criticism of me was that the Scottish Press refused to accept that it was beneficial to the whole of Britain that the oil capital of the world, not because of us but because of factors outside the United Kingdom, was more and more becoming London rather than anywhere else, whether it be Brussels, New York or the Middle East. That will be beneficial to the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to bring into operation that part of Part III of the Development of Tourism Act relating to registration and classification; and if he will make a statement.

A statement will be made about this matter as soon as possible.

I thank my hon. Friend, but is he aware that consultations on this point have now been going on for three years? One of the problems recently concerning the Fire Precautions Act and the lack of statistics has emanated from the lack of knowledge about the number of hotels. Although it may not be his direct responsibility, will my hon. Friend do his best within the Department to take a lead in the matter and get something moving?

It would be inappropriate for me to take a lead in the matter, but I will see that my hon. Friend's views are conveyed to my colleague concerned.

Will the hon. Gentleman look at the question of appointing a Minister for Tourism in order to facilitate the arrangements for regulation and the other matters in connection with the hotel industry and with travel and tourism? The appointment of such a Minister is an absolute necessity.

The Labour Government refused to appoint such a Minister and we believe that the arrangements we have in the Department are well able to cope with these problems.

As the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East (Mr. Adley) said, all the consultations with the interests concerned have taken place since the English Tourist Board started its operations and they are in favour of registration and classification, and particularly of notification of prices. Is that what is holding up the Government from taking a decision in view of the forthcoming value added tax?

No. There is not yet agreement between the various tourist boards on all the matters involved. We are deliberating on extensive questions and it is important to try to reach agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to make it a statutory requirement that any change in the costs of goods and services, as a result of the abolition of purchase tax and selective employment tax and the introduction of value added tax, should be marked on the price.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made clear, the Government will be taking steps to ensure that consumers are informed of the price change to be expected on a wide variety of items. But it is considered the particular suggestion made by my hon. Friend would not be practicable.

Does my hon. Friend realise that that will be treated as a disappointing answer? Surely he is not saying that housewives and other members of the public will be expected to know the intimate details of the multiplicity of price changes, upwards and downwards, when value added tax comes in in five weeks' time. Will he look again at this practical and sensible suggestion, which would be easy to implement and would have the widespread approval of the public?

I at once accept the major problems involved in the introduction of value added tax. The Government propose to publish a shoppers' guide to give housewives guidance on a selected range of goods and services. This will be given widespread publicity, but the complicated pricing mechanism which my hon. Friend suggests might well be more confusing than helpful.

Is it not the case that after 1st April shoppers will find that almost every product has changed its price? The hon. Gentleman must know how much of that is due to the abolition of purchase tax or selective employment tax and how much is due to the imposition of value added tax and how much is simply hit and miss by the shopkeepers. Although the general guide will be a useful document to look at, it will not help the shopper to identify that certain prices have changed. Since the Counter-Inflation Bill, if it is enacted by the end of the month, gives the Government certain powers, would it not be more sensible to make available to the public the information they need to be able to shop around, as the Prime Minister says so regularly they should do?

I believe the right hon. Gentleman is suggesting that the consumer will want to know not changes from one shop to another—which may well vary—but what the overall movement of prices because of value added tax should be. It is in order to give that guidance precisely and definitively that the Government have decided on the policy I have enunciated.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in my constituency Sketchley Dry Cleaners, which is part of a large chain, has put about a circular to its customers saying that its prices are to be put up by the whole extent of value added tax when the tax comes in and does not make any mention of the effects of the reduction of purchase tax or selective employment tax? Does not my hon. Friend agree that this is misleading the public, and are the Government able to take any action in cases of this kind?

I was not aware of that example. I believe that it would be misleading to do what my hon. Friend suggests has been done, and it is to combat that sort of thing that the Government have decided on the overall publication of a shoppers' guide.

What are the Government doing to prevent unauthorised increases now? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that today I have received yet another complaint about Mothercare, this time about the Southend branch? A young mother went into the shop to buy a cot marked in the shop at £9·75. She was told that despite the freeze the price had gone up to £,10·91 and that another increase would take place when value added tax was introduced. Is not this making a mockery of the Government's policy? What remedy have these women got?

Perhaps the right hon. Lady will let me have the exact details of this, because it appears to be contrary to the assurances that have been given to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the action being taken to find a tenant for the advance factory at Mosshill, Ayrshire.

We are doing all we can to find a suitable occupier as soon as possible.

Is the Minister aware that my constituents will find that a rather amazing statement? Is he further aware that the Doon Valley mining area sustained a serious job loss last year and the future is not bright? Does he realise that the people in my constituency are becoming increasingly impatient at the Government's failure to find a tenant for this advance factory? When can we expect better results from Government efforts?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government are not complacent about this and are doing everything they can to obtain a tenant as soon as possible. We want to see the factory let just as much as the hon. Gentleman does. We want to see it providing jobs for his constituents. I would like his constituents to realise that the Department and the Government generally are just as interested in this as they are.

asked the Attorney-General what proposals the Government have to increase the income limits of eligibility for legal aid consequent upon the latest recommendations made by the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement.

The recommendations made by the advisory committee in its interim report which was published on 6th February are under consideration.

The right hon. and learned Gentleman evinces no urgency about this. Is he not aware that the £25 scheme is shortly to come into operation? Is he not further aware that the effective performance of the legal aid system is dependent upon a change such as that recommended by the advisory committee? Can he spell out some sort of timetable within which the Government are to consider this subject?

I note what the hon. Gentleman has said. There is nothing I can add to what my noble and learned Friend said in another place on 14th February, namely, that the interim report of the advisory committee, published on 6th February, is still under consideration.

Is it really in the public interest that men and women with deserving cases are prevented from going to law simply because they cannot afford the heavy costs which might be involved? As the committee presented its interim report as a matter of urgency, is it not incumbent upon the Government to treat it as such?

This is something which was treated urgently by the advisory committee but it reported only on 6th February. I do not think it unreasonable that three weeks later I am not able to report further to the House.

Would it not now be helpful to have some built-in provisions in the legal aid regulations to provide for periodic increases in the income limits for legal aid to permit those limits to reflect inflationary trends?

I note what the right hon. and learned Gentleman has said. Now that the advisory committee has reported and these matters are under consideration, that is the sort of issue which will certainly be taken into account.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, certainly in West Middlesex, the whole legal aid system has now become a bad joke, and not only are the provisions inadequate but they appear to be applied in a way which does no credit to the service?

I was not aware of that. I would not have thought that that was the general experience throughout the country. If the hon. Gentleman would like to let me have details I will examine them.

asked the Attorney-General what sum of money is now proposed to be spent on advertising the provisions of the Legal Advice and Assistance Act 1972.

Two hundred and ninety-five thousand pounds.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman confirm or deny a report that the sum originally envisaged was £400,000 and that the ensuing cut was made at the request of the Treasury? Does he agree that potential recipients of legal advice are those who most need to be informed of their rights?

I can only tell the hon. and learned Gentleman that this is the sum. It will be reviewed if it is felt that more needs to be done in advertising the service. It is proposed to print posters and pamphlets and to have television and Press advertisements. This is the programme for which this money at this time is to be expended.

As it may well be the case that even after this advertising the legal aid facilities will not be sufficiently known or used, may I ask the Attorney-General to look again, I hope sympathetically, at the possibility of providing more finance for the numerous neighbourhood law centres that are springing up to fill the gap in the present legal aid arrangements?

This is to advertise and bring this service to the attention of those who are interested. It is a sum which will be reviewed if at a certain time it is thought that there is a need for more advertising and publicity. It is directed at giving information about this important social service.

asked the Attorney-General when he expects to receive the reports from the committees examining the law of contempt and the law of libel.

It is hoped that the report of the Committee on the Law of Contempt will now be received in the summer, and that that of the Committee on Defamation may be received before the end of this year.

How can the Attorney-General justify the excessive and increasing use which he and the Government have made of the law of contempt, particularly at a time when that law is being examined with a view to possible clarification? Is he not aware that, certainly with the contempt action concerning the Distillers Company, the effect of his action was to prevent the free flow of information on matters about which the public had a right to know? How can he jusify his apparent enthusiasm for the law of contempt bearing in mind that when he was in opposition he was so much against it at the time of Aberfan?

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman, a learned Member, as I understand it, of this House, should make those comments. He must know that the recent proceedings were instituted after a document had been submitted to me with the comments of the newspaper and that the newspaper had said that it welcomed the fact that proceedings had been brought. Those are the proceedings to which he refers. The committee examining the law of contempt is examining a matter which all have thought needed examination. I welcome that. I think that the House and the newspaper industry will welcome that committee's report, which we expect to receive in the summer.

asked the Attorney-General if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to initiate proceedings against J. Todd and Company, of 73 Berwick Street, London, on the ground of the illegal dispatch of pornographic material through the post, copies of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Derby, North.

The police are already investigating this matter, and will be reporting to the Director of Public Prosecutions shortly.

May I thank the Attorney-General for that reply, not least because these communications, which are extremely offensive, are accompanied by what purports to be a personal letter thanking the recipient for previous custom when they are unsolicited? This causes great distress to the families concerned.

I appreciate the point made by the hon. Gentleman, particularly the latter part. I have seen this document and I am awaiting the report of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Will the Attorney-General have a word with his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to ensure that if any legislation is forthcoming, as has been rumoured in the Press, dealing with the public display of material which is offensive, it will also include the sort of example to which my hon. Friend has referred—that is, offensive material sent through the post?

The hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware of the provisions in the criminal law which arise out of matters which could be proven to have been posted. I will certainly draw the comments of the hon. and learned Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's attention.