asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the liaison between his Department and the European Social Fund.

My Department has no direct liaison with the European Social Fund. It is, however, in touch with the Department of Employment about ways in which the United Kingdom could be helped by the fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what ways is he seeking to influence the pace and direction of the Community's development in the best interests of the United Kingdom.

Ministers and officials are actively and continuously engaged in discussions within the European Community. Particular attention is currently being given to following up the proposals for the Community's future development agreed at the summit meeting last October.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many tons of coking coal in Scotland it has been estimated will qualify for subsidy under the terms of the Coal Bill.

Just under 1½ million tons of coking coal were supplied for blast furnace coke manufacture from Scottish pits last year, but it is too early to say how much will qualify for subsidy in future years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many men were employed in the coal mining industry on 28th February 1973, or the latest convenient date; what provisions have been made for an increase up to 300,000 men in the early future, having regard to the increased demand for bituminous coal; and whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the numbers employed in coal mining in each year since 1st January 1947, showing the percentage decline annually.

At 17th February 1973, 264,740 men were employed at National Coal Board mines. It is the responsibility of the board to decide the number of men it needs.The figures requested are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in how many cases his Department has secured price reductions, following complaints, since the beginning of the freeze.

Three hundred and sixty.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give the dates upon which he agreed to price increases in items coming within the control of his Department, since the introduction of the November 1972 freeze, and the amounts of such increases in each case.

I gave the hon. Member details in a reply on 22nd February of agreement which I had reached for limited price increases related to increases in the cost of imported raw materials. I am sending him a list of the dates in question. The amount of the permissible price increase in each case will depend on actual movements in the costs specified.—[Vol. 851, c. 163–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government have made any representations to the EEC about its negotiating position at the forthcoming GATT negotiations, following the recent currency alignments.

We are taking an active part in discussions within the EEC on the preparation of a Community position.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to have talks with British Leyland on the impact of the loss of production consequent on that company's compliance with counter-inflation legislation on its future capacity to invest.

No. British Leyland has not suffered any significant loss of production as a result of its compliance with the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries were made for Government factories in Scotland in 1972; how many were allocated; how many jobs are expected to result; and how these figures compare with a year ago.

Eighty-two applications were received in 1972. Fifty-four factories were allocated with an expecta- tion of about 3,700 jobs. Six applications are still being dealt with. In 1971 57 applications led to the allocation of 33 factories to provide an estimated 2,400 jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for advance factory building in areas likely to be affected by redundancies in coal and steel.

Thirty-seven of the 52 new advance factories which were announced on 15th January will be in areas where they will help to cope with redundancies in the coal and steel industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories are now vacant in each region; and how this compares with the position a year ago.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for building advance factories in Yorkshire and Humberside; and how many jobs are likely to result.

The advance factory programme announced on 15th January 1973 is the largest ever and will include eight factories to be built in the region. When fully operational these factories are expected to provide up to 400 jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories have been allocated since the announcement of new regional measures on 22nd March 1972; and how many jobs are expected to result.

Between 22nd March 1972 and 31st January 1973, 41 advance factories were allocated. About 3,200 jobs are expected to be provided when the factories are fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the localities in which advance factories have been announced by Her Majesty's Government in Mid-Wales since June 1970.

Two—in Brecon and Cardigan.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to trace the origins of the large quantities of unmarked ammunition washed ashore on the coast of Pembrokeshire and to investigate recent unscheduled boat and aircraft movements off the coast.

Inquiries made by my Department confirm that this ammunition was lost overboard from the Israeli ship "Galila" en route from the Netherlands to Israel. No other reports have been received of sea or air movements likely to be connected with this ammunition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek an early meeting with the Motor Manufacturers Association to discuss concealed price increases which have occurred since 6th November 1972.

A meeting of the kind suggested would not be appropriate. But I should be glad to receive any information the hon. Gentleman has about unapproved price increases implemented since 6th November 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of his Department in relation to increasing flag discrimination against British shipping.

The Government are firmly opposed to flag discrimination in shipping, and make their views known to other Governments as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has now received from the British Steel Corporation an application in respect of the purchase of Brymbo steelworks.

No; we have already made it clear that the acquisition of Brymbo by Guest Keen and Nettlefolds would be acceptable in principle to the Government and I am exploring with the parties how I can best assist in furthering their negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the increase in steelmaking capacity in Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire and Humberside and the northern regions, respectively, by 1983.

The development plan for the British Steel Corporation outlined in White Paper Cmnd. 5226 is flexible and the actual increases in capacity by 1983 will depend on market developments. However, the plan provides for net increases in BSC capacity by 1983 of up to 1 million tonnes in Scotland, between 1 million and 2 million tonnes in Wales, about 2 million tonnes in Yorkshire /Humberside and 6 million tonnes or more in the Northern Region. The figure for Wales depends on the future ownership of Brymbo and any replacement for East Moors. Developments in the private sector could add to these totals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will treat the private sector of the steel industry in reference to the pricing of products in the same way that he proposes to deal with the British Steel Corporation under the recent White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

Both sectors will be treated identically except that the provision in paragraph 58 of Cmnd. 5247 relating to the deficits of nationalised industries will apply to the British Steel Corporation in respect of those of its activities which are not subject to our obligations under the Treaty of Paris.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the electricity boards and the trade unions on proposals for separating the administration and financing of showrooms and contracting from the general activities of the electricity supply industry.

I have had discussions with the industry from time to time and representatives of the Employees' National Committee have seen me within the last few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total value of United States investment in the United Kingdom in the computer and electronics industries for the last date for which figures are available.

At the end of 1971, about £250 million in terms of book values.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to establish standards for domestic electrical plugs and sockets.

No. The preparation and publication of national standards in the United Kingdom is the task of the British Standards Institution.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will order an inquiry into the circumstances in which a tanker collided with the London and Coastal Oil Wharf Company's jetty at Canvey Island on 24th February.

The Port of London Authority is making available to my officials its report on this incident. In the light of this I will decide whether further inquiry by my Department would be appropriate. I understand that the incident involved a heavy landing at the jetty by a tanker; an electric cable was severed and a small quantity of oil in a drip tray was ignited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will examine the operation of Section 11 of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 whereby a prosecution relating to a false reference to a previous price can succeed only if it is proved that the alleged previous price was not charged for any consecutive period of 28 days during the previous six months, as this in practice is difficult to prove.

I will gladly consider any suggestions my hon. Friend may have for amending this provision when the Act as a whole is reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to amend the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 as necessary so that a company is held liable for the action of its own employees, following the House of Lords decision in the case of Tesco Supermarkets Ltd. v. Nattrass, 1971 2WLR 1166.

I will consider this point when the working of the Act as a whole is reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to amend Section 28 of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 so that the power to require the production of documents is freed from the conditions of "reasonable cause to suspect" an offence, which otherwise precludes a weights and measures inspector from checking an article unless he has grounds to believe it is deficient.

An authorised enforcement officer may inspect any goods for the purpose of ascertaining whether an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act has occurred whether or not he has reasonable cause to suspect that there is an offence. This condition must be satisfied before he can inspect books or documents. I have seen no evidence that would justify the removal of this not unreasonable limitation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were authorised for Wales in each year from 1965 to 1972; and what volume of factory floor space this comprised in each of the years in question.

Following is the information for schemes of 15,000 sq. ft. and over:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the takeovers that have taken place within the brewing industry since the Monopolies Commission reported on beer supply and the tied house system.

Since the Monopolies Commission reported on the supply of beer in April 1969 there have been the following brewery mergers falling within the scope of the Monopolies and Mergers Act 1965:1970

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will submit the Monopolies Commission Report on beer supply and tied houses to the European Court of the EEC to determine a ruling on whether this system of sales contravenes the EEC treaty; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will institute an inquiry into the sales contracts of the major brewery companies to ascertain to what extent their system of beer supply and tied houses contravenes the EEC treaty.

The European Commission is responsible for administering the provisions of Article 85 of the Treaty of Rome and for investigating any alleged infringements. I understand that the Commission took account of the Monopolies Commission Report on the Supply of Beer in its inquiry into competition in the brewing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the monopoly situation that has been created by the Imperial Tobacco Co. having taken over Courage's, John Smith's and Barnsley Breweries, and of its recent proposal to close Barnsley Brewery; and whether he will refer this monopoly to the Monopolies Commission before the Barnsley Brewery is closed.

Courage's, John Smith's and Barnsley Breweries do not appear to have a monopoly in the supply of beer, either in the United Kingdom or in a substantial part of it. The question of a monopoly reference to the commission does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings have taken place between his Department and representatives of the brewery companies to discuss the findings of the Monopolies Commission on beer supply and the tied-house system; whether he is yet in a position to declare the Government's attitude on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Since the publication of the Monopolies Commission's report 11 meetings have been held with the Brewers' Society, in addition to meetings with representatives of a number of individual brewery companies. The commission's recommendation was that the licensing system should be substantially relaxed. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department is now assessing reactions to the report, published in December 1972, of the Erroll Committee which was set up to review the licensing laws.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, with dates, the names of those manufacturing firms which came to Carmarthenshire in the years 1965 to 1972, respectively, and which applied for and received financial assistance from his Department.

I regret that for reasons of commercial confidentiality it is

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total number of applications now received by his Department in Scotland for assistance under the Industry Act; how many applications have been granted aid; and how many have been refused.

The following table sets out the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the applications for grant received under the Industry Act by his Department in Scotland, month by month, since the introduction of the new regional policies; and if he will indicate the number approved.

The following table sets out the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement upon the export of steel scrap and the relation to the United Kingdom in this connection of the European treaties.

The Common Market has no restrictions on the free movement of scrap between its members, but Article 43 of the Treaty of Accession allows the United Kingdom to retain quantitative restrictions on exports of ferrous scrap to Community destinations for a maximum of two years. At present, all ferrous scrap exports from the United Kingdom are banned except for inferior grades which comprise less than 10 per cent. of all purchased iron and steel scrap.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the list of companies which may be eligible for reference to the Monopolies Commission by virtue of the substitution of the one-quarter formula in Clause 7 of the Bill in place of one-third in current legislation.

The following are the industries in which a single firm is believed to be responsible for between one-quarter and one-third of production:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make for Wales if he will make a statement about the work of the task force in so far as it affects Shotton.

The task force has already held four meetings and a full programme of future meetings has been arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all available Part III accommodation provided in Wales by authorities, with the appropriate number of beds provided in each case.

According to the returns for 31st March 1972 supplemented in some cases by information reported subsequently the numbers of places in the local authorities concerned was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has given further consideration to recommending the establishment of a permanent Royal Commission to safeguard the future of the Welsh language.

The measures we have already taken to foster the Welsh language indicate the Government's concern for its future welfare. I continue to keep the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will request the Welsh Council to make a study of the factors which affect the level of applica- tions for development in Wales by firms from European countries.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department allocates funds for research into rheumatoid arthritis; and if he will make a statement.

The main Government agency for this and other forms of medical research is the Medical Research Council. My Department shares in the programme of research administered by the Department of Health and Social Security. In addition, I provide funds for locally organised research, which could include research into rheumatoid arthritis. The further development in Wales of services for rheumatic conditions is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will extend the present deadline of 75 per cent. improvement grants, in view of the present backlog, the shortage of builders and the inevitable time lag increasing the current costs.

The Housing (Amendment) Bill, now reaching its final stages, proposes to extend for a further year until 23rd June 1974 the higher rates of house improvement grant given under the Housing Act 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when work on the road span on the Britannia rail bridge over the Menai Straits will begin.

Subject to completion of the statutory procedures I hope that work will start during 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate his Department has made of the amount of cross-Channel traffic presently using air transport which will be diverted overland on completion of the Channel Tunnel; what proportion this represents of all cross-Channel air traffic from London and less than 500 miles from London; and if he will publish the relevant documentation in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The results of forecasting work on future traffic through a Channel Tunnel are not yet available. They will be published during the summer. In the meantime, tentative estimates indicate that perhaps 2·7 million passenger journeys or some 20 per cent. of the estimated air traffic to such destinations may be diverted in 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take arising from representations made to him by the London borough of Islington concerning information from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers that leading contracting organisations are refusing to tender for public authority work, particularly housing, in the London area.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question from the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Ronald Brown) on 22nd February. My Department will be writing to the Islington Borough Council.—[Vol. 851, c. 183.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the total estimated costs of dredging the deep-water approach channel to the proposed Maplin seaport to cater for tankers of up to 250,000 tons and up to 500,000 tons, respectively;(2) what is the proposed minimum width of the deep-water approach channel to the proposed Maplin seaport; what views have been expressed to him about the adequacy and safety of such proposals for large tankers; and what he estimates to be the effect of doubling the minimum width of the channel on the economic viability of the project;(3) what will be the total length of dredged channel from the outer sea limit to the Maplin seaport; and how far out to sea dredging would have to be undertaken to allow for tankers of up to 500,000 tons.

The information requested will not be available until the Port of London Authority has prepared and submitted firm proposals for its seaport development. The Port of London Authority is, however, keeping closely in touch with the Department of Trade and Industry on matters affecting navigational safety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what preliminary studies have been undertaken by the road construction unit on proposed alterations to the A5 between Shrewsbury and Chirk; what consultations have been held with the Shropshire County Council on this matter; when the possible alternative lines of route will be published; and if he will make a statement.

The Midland road construction unit is collecting information and consulting Salop County Council and other bodies on the factors to be taken into account in selecting a route. At this stage practicable solutions have still to be identified.

asked the Secretary State for the Environment when he expects to announce a decision about the firm programming of the Burnley Barracks to Colne stretch of the Calder Valley motorway.

By summer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he can now estimate the number of people facing rate increases as a result of re-rating.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar Question from the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Joel Barnett) on 23rd January 1973.—[Vol. 849, c. 95.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to make a statement to announce what action the Government propose to take to alleviate the burden on domestic ratepayers in 1973–74 arising from revaluation.

I will do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will lay without further delay the order to enable the freedoms granted to Territorial regiments by their local authorities to continue to be exercised under the new Local Government Act.

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the form of the provision he will need to include in an order to be made under the Local Government Act 1972. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that the necessary action will be taken in good time to ensure that honorary freedoms are preserved when reorganisation comes into full effect on 1st April 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what instructions have been issued to chairmen of rent tribunals when approached by Members of Parliament on behalf of constituents seeking a better understanding of the way a particular rent assessment is reached.

None. Chairmen of rent tribunals are appointed by my right hon. and learned Friend but are independent to act as they wish within the framework laid down in Part VI of the Rent Act 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that many West End hotels will have to pay rate increases of 100 per cent. and some as much as 140 per cent. due to revaluation; and, as these increases will have to be passed on, thus increasing costs for business people, manufacturers, etc., contrary to the Government's prices and incomes policy, what action he proposes to prevent these rate increases.

My right hon. and learned Friend does not have information concerning individual hotels in the West End but the purpose of the revaluation is to redistribute rate liabilities in accordance with up-to-date values. This is not, in itself, inflationary. The Government have already undertaken to give more grant to local authorities than ever before in order to moderate the average rate increases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those appointed to the rent assessment panel operating from Cresta House, Luton, including their dates of appointment and birth.

No. Lists of all rent assessment panel members, giving their qualifications, are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning applications for farm workers' accommodation in Hampshire which received a refusal went to appeal and how many were unsuccessful, over a recent convenient period.

During the last six months seven, six of which were unsuccessful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on the consideration he has given to extending the environmental improvement scheme beyond the proposed closing date of 30th June 1973.

I have been studying the many representations I have received that this scheme should be extended. Many factors have to be taken into account, and I cannot yet say whether an extension will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions were initiated in England and Wales in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available for offences under the Noise Abatement Act 1960; in how many cases convictions were obtained; and what was the average fine upon conviction.

In 1971, proceed-digs were taken under the Noise Abatement Act 1960 against 416 persons in England and Wales. Eleven charges were withdrawn or dismissed; 404 persons were found guilty and of these 401 were fined an average of £4·26 per person.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the average cost per intersection of the examination made by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory of 100 intersections over the last three years.

It is not possible to isolate these costs from those of the more general work undertaken by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory on the design of junctions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the Government's plans for the M25 and the A41(M) will necessitate the bringing up to six-lane motorway standards of the A41 (North Western Avenue) and the A405 (North Orbital Road) in order to cope with the influx of heavy traffic; and what the effect of this will be on the residents in the Meriden, Garston and Leavesden areas of Watford;(2) whether maps produced in connection with the Government's new ringway system showing a dotted line from the intersection of the A4I(M) and the M25 to the Al indicate that the Department is investigating an alternative route for the North Orbital Road between these points to relieve the existing A405.

There are no proposals to bring A41 (North Western Avenue) or A405 up to six-lane motorway standards. Improvements are being prepared on these routes as part of the Government's plans for a strategic trunk network. However, provision for future traffic needs between A41(M) and A1 is at present being further examined in the light of the recommendations of the panel of inquiry into the Greater London Development Plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute proceedings against Commercial and Trades Directories, 13 Royal Parade (rear of), Blackheath, London, publishers of the National Business and Professional Trades Directory, for contravention of the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act.

This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis who on the facts reported to him and after taking legal advice has found no evidence of an offence by the firm in question under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take action to deport a person whose name has been supplied to him who has not worked since he landed in Great Britain from Malta and has been living on immoral earnings for the past 11 years.

I am investigating the case about which the hon. Member wrote to us on 26th February and will write to him when I have done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how many men and women the Warwickshire and Coventry police force is currently under strength.

195 men and two women.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearm licences were issued by police constabularies in England and Wales during 1972; and if he will list the types of weapons to which they relate together with numbers of the types.

I regret that this information is not available. I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amounts are to be spent on the urban aid programme over the next five years.

In the White Paper (Cmnd. 5178) published in December 1972 total expenditure on the urban programme in 1972–73 to 1975–76 in Great Britain—excluding approvals under the infrastructure works programme—was estimated at some £54 million. Details are given in the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in 1969 and 1972, respectively, marches to, and demonstrations at, the Palace of Westminster took place which required the use of extra police.

Twenty-eight and 32.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has yet held an inquiry into the adverse social aspects of beer supply and the tied-house system as suggested by the Monopolies Commission and the Erroll Committee; and if he will make a statement.

Neither the Monopolies Commission nor the Erroll Committee suggested such an inquiry. The former recommended, in effect, that the licensing system should be relaxed so that the licensing authority should no longer be able to apply the criterion of need. The latter made a similar recommendation in the context of the extensive changes which it proposed in the liquor licensing law. When the committee's report was published on 5th December, my right hon. Friend said that he proposed to assess

The following table shows the expenditure authorised on education and other social services projects in England and Wales under each phase of the urban programme to date.public reaction and to consult interested organisations before reaching any decisions on its recommendations. This stage has not yet been completed, and he is not yet in a position to make a statement.—[Vol. 847, c.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will prosecute a person, whose name has been supplied to him, for living on immoral earnings, in view of the prima facie evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North.

The hon. Gentleman has supplied to me a newspaper cutting. Inquiries are being undertaken by the Metropolitan Police.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the beer price rises that have taken place within the five major breweries of Bass Charrington Ltd., Allied Brewers Ltd., Grand Metropolitan Hotels, Whitbreads and Imperial Tobacco Co. since June 1970.

My right hon. Friend has given no consents for any increase in the price of beer during the standstill. We do not have available information about all price changes between June 1970 and the beginning of the standstill for the hundreds of varieties of beer produced by the named brewers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give the dates upon which he agreed to price increases in food and other items coming within the control of his Department since the introduction of the November 1972 freeze, and the amounts of such increases in each case.

The dates on which my right hon. Friend agreed to the price

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of companies and firms which were running at very reduced profits or losses prior to his agreement to increase the price of their food products; and for how long these firms were in this situation before the price increases were made.

In considering the case for a price increase for a particular commodity my right hon. Friend does not look at the accounts of all the companies involved. In the meat products industry, the companies whose costs and profits he examined were all suffering a serious reduction in profits or a loss. In most cases this situation had gradually developed since the beginning of the prices standstill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence is in the possession of his Department as

The results of analyses carried out on food in this country indicate that minute quantities of polychlorinated biphenyls may be present in some foods. The analytical determination of these substances in food presents difficulties, since the minute quantities found are at or about the limits of determination of the methods available. I am advised that there is no evidence that the quantities so far found in food constitute any risk to the health of the consumer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action the Government are proposing to take under the Counter-Inflation Bill in view of the fact that firms buying the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme are proposing to raise the beer prices by up to five old pence per pint of beer.

Any price increases during the present standstill must conform with the requirements of the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972. Price increases after 28th April will be a matter for the Prices Commission under the powers contained in the Counter-Inflation Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the Government consider it necessary to put proposals to the EEC Commission for the implementation of directive EEC 72/161 of 17th April 1972, since there is no statutory obligation to do so.

The hon. Member will see from Article 10 of the directive that there is in fact a statutory obligation here; and that it serves to safeguard our right to claim a Community contribution towards the cost of implementing the directive.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the percentage change in anticipated United Kingdom marketings of cattle, sheep and pigs for each quarter of 1973 compared with the same quarter for 1972.

Marketing forecasts—particularly for periods as short as three months—are necessarily uncertain because weather conditions, retention of animals for breeding, imports of stores and exports can fluctuate quite unpredictably. However, during 1973 as a whole we expect marketing of cattle, sheep and pigs to be higher than in 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in the light of British membership of the European Economic Community, he will introduce legislation to make the appellation contrôolée system obligatory in the United Kingdom.

This French system for controlling the quality and origin of wines operates in circumstances which differ greatly from those of the United Kingdom, where very little wine is produced. A Community regulation on the description and presentation of wine is currently under discussion, and when agreed will have effect in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service why moneys are not available either through the Law Commission, the Statute Law Committee, his own Department or other Government agency for the purpose of development of arrangements for using the computer to make accessible the statute law and subordinate legislation.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 29th January. The research and development done by HMSO in this field represents a substantial contribution by public funds to the purpose in question.—[Vol. 849, c. 298–9.]

asked the Minister for the Civil Service why the recent recommendations of the Scottish Computer Research Trust on the use of computers for lawyers have not been followed up; and if he will now make a statement.

I have been asked to reply. The recommendations were made in a report to (not of) the Scottish Computer Research Trust. Its principal recommendation was that the trust should participate in the establishment of a British organisation, sponsored by the legal profession, to further developments in the application of computer techniques. I understand this proposal is at present under active consideration by the professional institutions concerned.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what was the value of orders placed by Government Departments with ICL for computers and associated equipment in each of the past five years;(2) what was the number and value of orders placed by Government Departments with IBM, Honeywell and Burroughs during the past five years;(3) what was the value of orders placed by Government Departments for computer associated equipment with Siemens, Philips and CII.

The table below shows the number and value of orders placed by Government for computers and

asked the Minister for Civil Service what general indication he can give of the average amount of incremental increases, or, if this is not possible, if he will list four examples which would include the smallest and the largest amount payable under the incremental increases.

Four examples of Civil Service salary scales, which include the smallest and one of the largest annual increments, are:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what special training is available to members of the Civil Service concerned with EEC matters.

The Civil Service College provides general courses lasting between one and four weeks, and shorter courses on specific aspects of the EEC. EEC studies are included as part of other courses at the college. Language training is provided by the Diplomatic Service Language Centre. Exchange visits with member countries and the Commission are arranged. In addition, Departments organise their own training on aspects of EEC policy which are particularly relevant to them.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the average increase given to those grades now in dispute in 1971 and 1972.

The estimated percentage increases in 1971 and 1972 on the grade salary bills for the main grades whose pay would have been determined by pay research from 1st January 1973 were as follows:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when the determination was made in 1971 of the Pay Research Unit findings; and whether a retrospective payment was made.

The 1971 pay research settlements were reached on the following dates:

Administration Group—clerical grades—7th June.

Administration Group—Executive and Administrative grades—10th June.

Scientific grades*—18th August. ^*By arbitration.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what are the latest dates of increase of comparable outside salary scales that are included in the Pay Research Unit findings;(2) what percentage of the outside salary scales used for comparison by the Pay Research Unit will apply for more than three months of the following year;(3) what percentage of the outside salary scales used for comparison by the Pay Research Unit will apply for more than six months of the following year;(4) what percentage of the outside salary scales used for comparison by the Pay Research Unit will apply for more than nine months of the following year.

Information of this sort is supplied to the Civil Service Pay Research Unit on a confidential basis.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether the findings of the current review which would have been applicable from 1st January 1973 are yet available.

The Civil Service Pay Research Unit has delivered the

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the highest percentage increase received by any grade of those now in dispute following the 1971 determination; and what was the increase awarded to that same grade in 1972.

The highest estimated percentage increase in 1971 on the salary bill for any one grade of those whose pay would have been increased following pay research from 1st January 1973 was 13·95 for the Senior Principal grade. This grade received 7 per cent. central pay settlement with effect from 1st January 1972.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish as much detailed information as is available giving the salary and pension scales paid to the 20 lowest paid categories of Civil Service grades as at 30th June 1970 and 31st December 1972 compared with the 20 categories in the highest paid grades.

The maximum of the pay scales and related rate of pension —assuming 40 years' service—of 20 of the lowest paid and 20 of the highest paid non-industrial Civil Service grades are as follows: