asked the Secretary of State for Wales what dates are now envisaged for the completion of the M4 to Carmarthenshire; and whether any of its stages, and if so which, will have to be deferred as a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's public expenditure statement.

There will be no delays to the M4 programme as a result of the announced cuts in public expenditure. The road as a whole will be completed as rapidly as possible, consistent with the carrying through of the appropriate statutory procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will detail the effect of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recent public expenditure statement on Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 25th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).—[Vol. 857, c. 217–218.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what environmental schemes will be deferred or cancelled as a result of the cuts in Government spending in Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 25th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).—[Vol. 857, c. 217–218.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to be able to approve the scale of charges proposed by the Dee and Clwyd River Authority in connection with the award of contracts for the construction of the Brenig reservoir.

The inspector's report of the public local inquiry into objections to the authority's application for revision of their charges scheme is being urgently considered and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I hope to publish our decision very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take account of the steady increase of population in the area of the new Vale of Glamorgan District Council in assessing future road improvement needs.

My plans for the improvement of trunk roads, including motorways, take account of the future needs of the increasing population of the district. Future improvements on other roads in this district will be in the first instance a matter for South Glamorgan County Council to consider.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take account of the steady increase of population in the area of the Vale of Glamorgan District Council in assessing future development of hospital services in the area.

This will certainly be a factor to be taken into account in the future planning of hospital services.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what delay he expects before commencing the Brecon bypass as a result of the cut in public expenditure; and if he will announce the expected date of commencement.

The commencement of the Brecon Bypass will not be delayed as a result of the cuts in public expenditure announced for 1974–75.Work on the scheme is expected to start in the first half of 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the total estimated commitments outstanding on 31st March last and the total estimated new commitments in 1973–74 in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for principal roads and loans to highway authorities, respectively.

The information in respect of new construction and improvements is as follows:

	Commitments outstanding at 31st March 1973	Estimated commitments 1973–74
	£m.	£m.
Trunk Roads (including Motorways)	25·5	34·0
Principal Roads	7·3	14·8
Loans to Highway authorities	Nil	Nil
	32·8	48·8

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the estimated cost of the trunk road schemes in the preparation pool at 31st March 1973.

The estimated cost of trunk road and motorway schemes in the preparation pool at 31st March 1973 was £142 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now meet the new local authorities elected to serve the area of Mid-Wales in order to discuss with them the future of the Mid-Wales Industrial Development Association.

This is a matter for the local authorities themselves to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of tourism in Wales.

The industry has shown an encouraging rate of growth, and the Government will continue to foster its development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what pro- gress has been made towards establishing a wholly British offshore drilling capability as recommended in the IMEG report.

Some companies have announced steps they have taken to enter the field of offshore drilling. Discussions are in progress between other companies and my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the steps taken in his department to improve liaison with the Scottish Office over matters concerned with North Sea oil development.

Present arrangements ensure the fullest consultation between the two Departments at both ministerial and official level.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the plans his Department is making for the establishment of refining capacity to refine the estimated production of 100 million tons of North Sea oil in 1980.

We estimate that the production of North Sea oil in 1980 will fall within the 70–100 million tons range. The estimated refining capacity by the end of this year will be about 135 million tons. The expansion of plant or the building of new refineries are matters for the commercial judgment of the oil companies but it is Government policy to encourage home refining.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many letters he has received about the third London airport; and how many are in favour and how many against.

This issue has been the subject of debate for a decade or more and it is therefor not practicable to provide the information sought.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Pan Am. TWA, Air France, Lufthansa, National Airlines or KLM have been consulted by his Department concerning the decision to build a major international airport at Foulness.

The decision to site the third London airport at Maplin was one which the United Kingdom Government alone could make, after taking all views into consideration. We were fully aware of the views which the airlines had expressed in their evidence to the Roskill Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to the proposed partnership between Boeing and the British Aircraft Corporation for the production of a new short-range take-off airliner, including giving Government backing to such a project; and whether it is proposed that British participation would include the Rolls-Royce RB 211 engine.

No proposal has been put to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Supply of Goods (Implied Terms) Act so as to cause exclusion clauses in contracts for the sale of cars and other goods partly for business and professional purposes and partly for private purposes to be included within the definition of "consumer sales".

The Act already gives protection to all business buyers, including those buying partly for private purposes, against unreasonable exclusion of the buyer's implied rights.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements have been made through the Economic Development Council for the Wool Textile Industry for assistance to that industry under the Industry Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to be able to announce his plans for improved assistance to the wool textile industry.

The Economic Development Committee's detailed proposals and my Department's response to them are to be discussed at a meeting of the EDC tomorrow. It is hoped to be able to announce an agreed scheme soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now refer the Slater Walker—Hill Samuel merger to the Monopolies Commission.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 23rd May to the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis).—[Vol. 857, c. 465–72.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the proposed £3,000 million investment programme for the steel industry is to go into steelmaking facilities; and what proportion into steel finishing.

I can provide a breakdown only for the first five years. In this period about half of the British Steel Corporation's investment will be in casting, rolling and finishing processes and half in iron and steelmaking.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further representations have been made to him regarding the supply of newsprint following the proposed closure of Peter Dixon and Sons Limited; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations which suggest that the arrangements made by the newspaper industry are not working satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will intervene to prevent the closure and disposal of the assets of the Watling Street Tool and Gauge Company Limited of Markyate, in view of its contribution to development work in the British aerospace industry.

No. I consider that this is a matter for the commercial judgement of the parent company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reappraisals he has made of the likely potential for supersonic civilian air travel, in the light of the recent Paris air show.

I consider the potential of supersonic travel to remain unaltered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what instructions he has given to the Price Commission to ensure that it complies with the provisions of the counter-inflation legislation which require it to give an opinion upon such applications within 40 days of their receipt.

No such instructions are needed. The Price Commission's responsibilities are clearly set out in the Counter-Inflation (Notification of Increases in Prices & Charges) Order 1973 (S.I. 664).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to deal with the shortage of forging quality steel; in particular, whether he will lower the tariffs on imported steel from Common Market countries; and whether he will make a statement.

Steel production and supplies are a matter for the steel industry and particular problems should be taken up direct with the suppliers. However, to help the present situation import duties on a number of steel products are currently suspended and my Department is willing to consider other applications wherever these are relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has now had a reply from the Canadian Air Transport Committee about Discount 50 fares.

I have been informed by the Canadian Air Transport Committee that it has postponed implementation of its proposal to abolish Discount 50 fares for passengers arriving on charter flights until 1st October 1973. Discount 50 fares will be abolished completely as from 1st January 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a table covering the years 1963–1972 showing the total which has been spent by Her Majesty's Government in grants, REP, rent-free factories, training grants, etc., in the various regions for the purpose of dealing with regional unemployment and problems arising therefrom.

This information is not fully available in the form requested and there are in any case considerable difficulties in making comparisons arising, for example, from differences in treatment for taxation purposes. I hope, however, to write to the hon. Member shortly giving such information as is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the standard arrangements for the declaration of interests by full- and part-time members, respectively, of public boards which are his responsibility; and if he will indicate in what manner the declared interests are made available to the general public.

When he is invited to serve on public boards the attention of a prospective member is drawn to any legislation which requires him to declare his business and financial interests. Where there is no relevant legislation, or where the onus is on me to satisfy myself that such interests will not prejudice the performance of his functions and are not incompatible with the appointment, I obtain particulars of all directorships, shareholdings and other interests at the outset and from time to time thereafter. Attention is also drawn to the requirement that if a member has a personal interest in a matter under discussion by his board he is to disclose the nature of that interest at the meeting and have this recorded in the minutes. The disclosure may in many cases be effected by the member's giving a general notice at a meeting of the board that he has a financial interest in a specified company or firm and is consequently to be regarded as interested in any business affecting it. Information about a person's declared interests is not usually made available to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the expected expenditure on reclamation and all other work in connection with the proposed Maplin Airport in each of the financial years 1973, 1974, 1975, and thereafter, respectively.

Reclamation expenditure during Stage 1 of the project will vary between £12 million and £20 million a year. The proportion of this expenditure attributable solely to the airport cannot yet be assessed on an annual basis. Other expenditure on the airport will probably not begin until 1976 and is estimated to total £80 million by the time the airport opens.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what alterations he is proposing to make in present United Kingdom regional policy.

As already announced the Government intend to maintain the system of incentives introduced last year at least until 1st January 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what aspects of present United Kingdom regional policy will need to be changed to comply with Articles 92–94 of the Treaty of Rome.

None. These articles set out powers and procedures rather than policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many aircraft engines currently under manufacture by Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited are dependent on sub-contracting by the Canadian-owned International Nickel Company and its subsidiaries for turbine blades.

This is a matter for Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have recently taken place regarding EEC participation in United Kingdom aerospace projects; and if he will make a statement.

We continue to take every opportunity to keep in touch with other members of the EEC on aerospace matters. The initiation of project proposals is a matter for the firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that navigation charges levied by States which participate in the Eurocontrol organisation are to be increased as from 1st November next by percentages ranging from 25·74 per cent. for Spain, to 147·91 per cent. for the United Kingdom; whether it conforms with Her Majesty's Government counter-inflation policy; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom and other States participating in the Eurocontrol route charges system have taken a general decision that these charges should be based on a 30 per cent. rate of cost recovery for the period 1st November 1973 to 31st October 1975 in place of the previous rate of 15 per cent. for the period 1st November 1969 to 31st October 1973. Even at this increased rate the Exchequer is still bearing 70 per cent. of the cost of en-route navigation services and it is the Government's objective to achieve 100 per cent. recovery in the next few years.The variation in the increases as between countries is largely due to the differences in their rates of traffic growth; the figure for Spain reflects the great increase in tourist traffic over recent years to that country.Since air navigation service charges are determined by international agreement these charges, in accordance with Clause 6(vi) of The Counter-Inflation (Price and Pay Code) Order 1973, are not subject to control.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971 will come into force.

The Act gives effect to the Brussels Protocol of 1968 and recent consultations with other States indicate that the ratifications needed to bring that protocol into force are unlikely to be forthcoming before the end of 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when legislation will be introduced to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the 1971 Convention on the Establishment of an International Compensation Fund for Oil Pollution Damage.

Legislation for this purpose is in course of preparation and, it is hoped, will soon be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the terms on which he has agreed to support Norton Villiers Triumph Limited.

Following negotiations between the companies concerned, offer documents were sent on behalf of Norton Villiers Triumph Limited (NVT) to the stockholders of the Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited (BSA) on 7th June. The offer is conditional on its acceptance in respect of not less than 90 per cent. of the stock of BSA or such lower percentage—in excess of 50 per cent.—as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and Norton Villiers Triumph Limited may determine. The Board of BSA recommends acceptance of the offer.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunication what discussions he has had with the Post Office regarding applications which it will submit to the Prices Commission for price increases.

I naturally maintain close touch with the Post Office on all revelant matters but I have nothing to add on this subject to the reply I gave on 21st May to my hon. Friend the Member for Derby-shire, South East (Mr. Rost)—[Vol. 857, c. 2].

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will list the projects which will be deferred or cancelled as a result of the cuts in Government expenditure.

The Post Office plan to save £30 million by making economies over a wide range of its capital programme. These will be effected by slowing down, to some extent, the planned improvement and expansion of the telephone service, the introduction of new facilities, and letter mechanisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps designed to reverse the drift of tonnage from London to Antwerp, Rotterdam and other competing continental ports; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for recent loss of business.

Movement of trade between ports is in general influenced by the degree to which customers' requirements are met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the effect of the Channel Tunnel on trade with Europe.

It is not possible at this stage to give any very precise forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has received as to the daily output of tachographs by the suppliers of these instruments in the United Kingdom.

I am satisfied that the supply will be adequate to meet the demand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the time taken by the Motor Insurer's Bureau to decide claims presented to it in the light of the case of Miss C. McMullins, whose case has been under investigation by the bureau since March 1972.

I am satisfied that the Motor Insurer's Bureau carries out its obligations. I have no reason to suppose that the time spent in detailed investigations is unnecessarily long; but will call its attention to the case referred to in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the standard arrangement for the declaration of interests by full- and part-time members, respectively, of public boards which are his responsibility; and if he will indicate in what manner the declared interests are available to the general public.

The statutory arrangement for the declaration of interests by a full-time or part-time member of a nationalised transport board is that anyone directly or indirectly interested in a contract made or proposed to be made by the board has to disclose the nature of his interest at a meeting of the board. This disclosure has to be recorded in the board's minutes, and may be effected by his giving a general notice at a meeting of the board that he is a member of a specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract that might be made with that company or firm. Such a disclosure is not made known to the general public. There are no such formal arrangements for the public bodies for which I am responsible which are not of a commercial character.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the current estimated dates of commencement and completion of the Boughton A2 Bypass; and if he will decide whether they are affected by the recent announcement about the level of Government expenditure.

The relative priorities of schemes are still being reviewed. I am well aware of the importance of the A2 route.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce lines of route for new transport facilities connecting Maplin airport with central London.

I hope to publish shortly a consultation document on the selection of a route for a road and rail corridor from outer London to Maplin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the need for improvement of the insulation standards of buildings with a view to assisting to solve the shortage of energy problem; and when he expects the building regulations will be revised for that purpose.

Representations about the need for higher thermal insulation standards have been received from certain trade organisations and the matter has also been raised in this House and in another place. Under present powers, however, building regulations can be made only in the interests of health and safety and without further legislation can- not take account of the need to conserve energy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in view of the need to widen the scope of building regulations and bring them up to date, he will indicate when the necessary legislation for that purpose can be submitted to Parliament;(2) if he will now indicate when he is intending to introduce legislation based on the Consultative Document containing proposals for a Building Bill which was published in August last year.

The Government recognise the need to widen the scope of building regulations, improve procedures and co-ordinate more effectively the various controls affecting building. Comments on the consultative document "Proposals for a Building Bill" have been under examination, but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to introduce legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of rented office accommodation for civil servants employed in central London on the basis of the cost for each employee; and how this compares with the cost per employee in the Northern Region.

The information cannot be provided in the form requested without an undue expenditure of time and effort.However, the following figures of average rental costs per square foot of office accommodation held on lease in Central London and in the North Eastern and North Western Regions of the Property Services Agency are available:

	£
Central London	2·30
North Eastern Region (Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire (Lindsay)).	0·62
North Western Region (Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire, Isle of Man, Cheshire, Derbyshire (High Peak)).	0·84

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average rent per square foot for office accommodation in central London; and how this compares with office rents in the Northern Region.

It is estimated that the average rent per square foot for office accommodation being offered on the market in Central London is about £7 and in the Northern Region about £1·25.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the additional office space made available through new office development in London from 1964 to the nearest available date on an annual basis.

Estimates prepared by my Department on the basis of figures collected by the Inland Revenue for rating purposes show the following net increases in office floor space in London for the periods shown:

	Million square feet
1964–65	4·1
1965–66	4·3
1966–67	4·6
1967–68	5·2

It is further estimated, using provisional data from the same source, that the average net increase between 1968–69 and 1971–72 was of the order of 4¼ million square feet a year.The figures include offices in commercial, local government and central government use, but exclude those in industrial premises and those of most nationalised bodies, public utilities and transport undertakings; the space measured is the net internal area excluding corridors, lifts, staircases, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish the results of his discussions with the local authorities concerning the possibility of designating official routes for heavy lorries through urban areas.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will authorise further studies into disc parking schemes such as the one presently operating in Oxford.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the results of the investigations he has recently sponsored into the problems of bus operation in cities.

Reports on projects in Leicester, Tottenham and Reading are already published and available in the Library. Other reports will be published later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to encourage the development of park-and-ride facilities within the transport system.

In 1971 I authorised 50 per cent. grant towards the cost of a major demonstration project on Merseyside designed to evaluate and cost various park-and-ride arrangements suitable for introduction by local authorities within their existing powers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on future policy in regard to the Serpentine Gallery.

Since 1970, the gallery has been available to the Arts Council, without charge, for the display of works primarily by young artists in the United Kingdom who would otherwise have little opportunity to show their works in London. It is my right hon. and learned Friend's policy to continue this arrangement and also to continue to allow, from time to time, the use of the enclosed east lawn for exhibitions which do not obtrude visibly or audibly upon those who wish to enjoy the other amenities of Kensington Gardens.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking, and what progress he has made, towards the standardisation of symbols on dashboard controls on vehicles throughout the countries of the EEC and internationally.

Proposals have been submitted to the Economic Commission for Europe and the International Standards Organisation. The work is at an early stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total estimated commitments outstanding on 31st March last and the total estimated new commitments in 1973–74 in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for principal roads and loans to highway authorities, respectively.

The provisional total for England of commitments outstanding on 31st March 1973 are as follows:

	£ million
Trunk roads (including motorways)	549
Principal roads (Grants)	231
Loans	3
	783

and the estimated new commitments in 1973–74 are:

	£ million
Trunk roads (including motorways)	275
Principal roads (Grants)	99
Loans	6
	380

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the estimated cost of the trunk road schemes in the preparation pool at 31st March 1973.

£1,576 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will meet a deputation of commuters from the Mansfield—Alfreton growth zone.

If the hon. Member would let me have an idea what matters such a deputation would wish to discuss, I would of course consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the new proposals of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for cuts in public expenditure will affect the following roadworks in Hertfordshire: the widening of the four-lane stretch of the M1, the North Orbital extension from Maple Cross to Hunton Bridge, the stretch of the A41 from Hun-ton Bridge to the junction with the North Orbital Road, and the North Orbital Road, respectively.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Dr. David Owen) on 24th May.—[Vol. 857, c. 147].

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost and economic rate of return on the Ellesmere Port Motorway now under construction.

The current estimated cost of the section now under construction, that is, from A5032 to A5117, is just under £8 million. At the time of programming the first year rate of return was 12·4 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost and economic rate of return on the proposed extension in a southerly direction of the Ellesmere Port Motorway.

The current estimated cost of the proposed extension of the Motorway from A5117 to A56 at Hoole is about £5 million and the first year rate of return about 20 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost and economic rate of return on the proposed extension in a southerly direction of the M53.

I regret that it is too early to say.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost and economic rate of return on the proposed extension in a westerly direction of the M56 motorway.

This scheme has been evaluated by the COBA (cost benefit analysis) method. The first year rate of return, comparable to the former ERR, is 19·1 per cent. The present estimated cost is £9¼ million.

asked the hon. Member for Chelsea, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, what are the reasons for the delays taking place in the negotiations for certain leaseholders on the Chiswick Estate to acquire their freeholds; and when he expects these negotiations to be completed.

These freeholds are not the commissioners' property, but as they belong to a benefice the commissioners' consent is required to any sale. The commissioners were first approached on 24th May and are dealing with the matter as speedily as possible.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list projects affected by the Chancellor's statement of public expenditure retrenchment announced on 21st May which fall on his Vote, and indicate the total savings expected for the current and prospective year.

None. For the effect on my Vote of the policy on Civil Service manpower announced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to his Question to the Minister for the Civil Service.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in the light of the disclosures revealed by the Lonhro affair, lie will move to appoint a Select Committee to investigate to what extent these practices are in operation in other companies; and what action the Government should take to prevent such practices.

No. In its current review of company law the Department of Trade and Industry is considering inter alia the extent to which further disclosures should be required from companies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he now intends to take to ban the export of live animals to the Continent.

Exports of store sheep and sheep for slaughter were suspended because of evidence of widespread evasion of the requirements of the Balfour Assurances in the trade in sheep. The Governments concerned have been asked to examine recent alleged breaches of the assurances involving cattle. We will take any further necessary action as soon as we receive a reply to these inquiries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received about current discussion on EEC poultry marketing regulations that could prevent the sale in 1973 or 1974 of New York dressed turkeys; and if he will make a statement.

Representations have been received from the National Farmers' Union, British Poultry Meat Association, and the Multiple Food Retailers' Federation and from Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents. These representations are being fully taken into account in the discussions now in progress on the draft poultry marketing regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what effect EEC health directives would have on the sale of the traditional rough-plucked turkey in the United Kingdom; and when such directives will become enforceable;(2) what representations he has received about the effect of Community regulations on the sale of rough-plucked turkeys and chickens in the United Kingdom; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received representations from the poultry industry, the National Farmers' Union, and Members of Parliament on behalf of constituents. He has explained the reason for the EEC requirements, but has said that he recognises the concern of producers and that the problems which arise from the poultry meat directive are currently being considered with the Commission and our fellow members in the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what proportion of turkeys are sold in the United Kingdom as New York dressed or rough-plucked, as opposed to fully eviscerated birds.

It is estimated that about 30 per cent. of the turkeys sold in the United Kingdom are New York dressed or fresh plucked the rest are fully eviscerated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if cobalt is, or has been, a permitted additive for food and drink for human consumption; and, if so, what tests were made, and with what result, before its use was permitted.

Cobalt, and its salts, is not, and has not been, specifically permitted to be added to food and drink by regulations made under the Food and Drugs Act 1955. The use of these substances in food—including drink—is subject to the general provisions of the Food and Drugs Act 1955, Section 1 of which, in particular, prohibits the addition to food of any substance which renders the food injurious to health. The onus is, therefore, upon anyone wishing to add them to food and drink to ensure that they are not injurious.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the expected expenditure in each of the years 1973, 1974, 1975 and thereafter, on the removal of the firing range from Shoeburyness and its re-establishment elsewhere.

Three million pounds was included in 1973–74 Defence Estimates. So far as other years are concerned I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson) on 29th March.—[Vol. 853, c. 395.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many men have been recruited into Her Majesty's Forces during each of the years 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972, in Northern Ireland; how these figures compared with other regions in the United Kingdom and how this recruitment is made up by age categories.

Recruitment by regions for the years 1968–69 to 1971–72 was given in my replies to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) in 24th May.—[Vol. 857, c. 135–6.]Recruitment by regions for the financial year 1972–73 was as follows:

Region	Number of Recruits
Northern Ireland	962
Northern	3,280
Yorkshire and Humberside	3,851
North Western	5,456
East Midland	2,831
West Midland	3,272
East Anglia	1,117
South Eastern	7,894
South Western	3,020
Wales	1,866
Scotland	4,671
United Kingdom Total	38,220

Recruitment by age categories in 1972–73 in Northern Ireland was as follows:

Age on entry	Number of Recruits
Under 17	459
17	186
18	107
19	58
20	39
21	22
22	21
23	15
24	14
25 and over	41
Total	962

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the projects affected by the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of public expenditure retrenchment announced on 21st May which fall on his Vote, and indicate the total savings expected for the current and prospective year.

Expenditure by the Duchy of Lancaster is not borne on Votes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated cost of the site for the proposed St. Gabriel's Primary School, Upper Holloway, N.19.

I understand that the current value of the site is about £650,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have now submitted their lists of nursery education projects in response to Circular 2/73; how many nursery classes and nursery schools, respectively, are included; and what is the total estimated capital cost.

By the end of last week 140 local education authorities in England had submitted proposals for capital programmes, at 1972 prices, of about £22 million in 1974–75 and about £22 million in 1975–76. They were not asked for details of individual projects. The remaining six authorities have been asked to submit their proposals as soon as possible and my right hon. Friend hopes to announce allocations for both years before the end of the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish the report by the two departmental keepers at the Science Museum on the 1870 switchboards, wiring, bulbs, circuits, accumulators and the electrical theatre equipment in Broomhill House, Tunbridge Wells.

No. The report is merely an internal note, representing the personal view of two departmental keepers. It is not a document suitable for general publication, but I have arranged for it to be made available to the Secretary of State for Social Services, in whom the property at Broomhill House is vested.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that employers are aware of their obligations under the Equal Pay Act.

My Department has today published a leaflet explaining the practical steps which firms need to take in planning implementation of the Act. Copies of the leaflet and of a guide to the Act's detailed provisions are being distributed to some 400,000 employers, and other interested organisations. My regional manpower advisers are available to give advice and assistance where needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British diplomatists and how many members of their families already accredited to the Libyan Government have not been permitted to return to Libya from abroad.

None. But diplomatists of some other countries have recently been refused re-admission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice Her Majesty's Government have given to British subjects in Libya regarding the requirements of the Libyan Government that they should have Arabic in their passports, their health documents or their international driving licences, respectively.

Our embassy at Tripoli has regularly informed British subjects in Libya of the passport and immigration requirements and practice of the Libyan Government. As far as passports are concerned, the embassy has made it clear that we regard the Libyan requirements as unacceptable. I understand that most British subjects resident in Libya already have health and driving documents in Arabic.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requirements have been made since 1st January 1973 by the Libyan Government which affect British diplomatists and their families other than that referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West on 18th May 1973; and what advice Her Majesty's Government have given to British subjects in Libya regarding such requirements.

Since 1st January 1973 the Libyan Government have introduced no requirements affecting British diplomatists and their families other than the one referred to in my reply on 18th May 1973.—[Vol. 856, c. 403.] But whereas until recently the requirement has not been insisted upon in the case of diplomatists already accredited to Libya, there have been instances recently of diplomatists of some countries other than the United Kingdom being refused re-admission to Libya.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the Libyan Government have banned the import of alcoholic drinks for consumption by British diplomatists and their families in their homes or on official premises occupied by them; and when such ban was introduced and in what terms.

Alcoholic drinks have been forbidden in Libya since 1969. But until 5th April 1973 diplomatic missions were exempt from the ban. On that date a circular Note to all missions made the ban universal, on the grounds that some diplomatic missions had misused their privileges by distributing alcohol to Libyan and other citizens.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British businessmen or residents in Libya other than diplomatists or their families have not been exempted from the requirement that all foreigners should have Arabic as one of the languages in their passports, health documents and international driving licences.

British businessmen and residents in Libya, other than diplomatists and their families, have usually been exempted from these requirements. A number of British businessmen and residents have experienced difficulty when going or returning to Libya. But we are not aware of any who have in the end failed to be admitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Libyan Government since 1st January 1973 in respect of their imposition of new requirements on British diplomatists, the families of British diplomatists, British diplomats or British residents in Libya, respectively.

We have made repeated representations to the Libyan Government about the new requirement regarding passports. In particular, Her Majesty's ambassador has taken the matter up with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Libya.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in accordance with Resolution 2925 of the United Nations General Assembly, he has conveyed to the Secretary-General the Government's views on strengthening the United Nations and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

This is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation the Warsaw Pact nations enjoy at the Court of St. James's; what is the number of their nationals engaged in consular, cultural and trade activities; and how this compares with the United Kingdom representation in these countries.

Section A of the following table shows the total numbers of staff serving in the embassies in London of nations belonging to the Warsaw Pact

SECTION A
			Total staff	Consular	Cultural	Commercial
Bulgaria	…	…	33	1	1	15
Czechoslovakia	…	…	76	1	—	2
German Democratic Rebublic		…	14	1	—	2
Hungary	…	…	39	—	—	8
Poland	…	…	50	13*	—	6
Romania	…	…	51	—	—	15
Soviet Union	…	…	83	—	—	3
* Polish Consulate-General in London.

SECTION B
			Total staff	Consular	Cultural	Commercial
Bulgaria	…	…	20	1	1½†	3
Czechoslovakia	…	…	27	3	3‡	4
German Democratic Republic		…	18	1	—	2
Hungary	…	…	31	4	2‡	4
Poland	…	…	38	7	6§	5
Romania	…	…	22	1	2‡	4
Soviet Union	…	…	58	5	1† plus 2‡	8
† Diplomatic Service Officers.
‡ Officers of the British Council attached to the Embassy.
§ Officers of the British Council not attached to the Embassy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Grenada Constitutional Conference.

The conference was held in Marlborough House from 14th to 18th May and was attended by delegations led respectively by the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in Grenada. The Grenada Government sought Her Majesty's Government's agreement that independence should be conferred on Grenada by Order in Council made under Section 10(2) of the West Indies Act 1967. After considering this request in the light of all the arguments advanced at the conference by both delegations, Her and, as far as the embassies have notified the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the numbers of officers within each total who specialise in consular, cultural and trade matters.Section B of the table shows the total numbers of officers on the Diplomatic Service Vote who serve in British embassies in those countries and the numbers of those officers whose duties are concerned primarily with consular and commercial matters. Cultural matters are dealt with mainly by the British Council and its staffs in the countries concerned are included in the table.Following is the table:Majesty's Government have decided that it would be right to accede to it. Subject to the approval of Parliament, therefore, they will recommend to The Queen that an Order in Council should be made accordingly.The following is the text of a message which I, as chairman of the conference, sent to the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in Grenada on 31st May to inform them of this decision:"At the conclusion of the constitutional conference which was held in London from 14th to 18th May, I said that I and the United Kingdom delegation had listened very carefully to the arguments advanced by both the Grenada Government delegation and the Opposition delegation on the request which had been made to Her Majesty's Government that independence should be conferred on Grenada by Order in Council made under section 10(2) of the West Indies Act 1967. I promised that Her Majesty's Government would consider the matter, taking carefully into account not only everything that had been said at the conference, but also all other information that was available to them. I promised that Her Majesty's Government's decision would be made known as soon as possible.Sir Alec Douglas-Home and I have since consulted our colleagues who have given very careful consideration to the question which we all recognise as being of great important to the people of Grenada. As you will remember, I told the conference that it would not have been convened if Her Majesty's Government had not been of the opinion that independence could legally be conferred on Grenada by Order in Council under section 10(2) of the West Indies Act 1967, provided that they were satisfied that in all the circumstances this was a justifiable course.Having considered all the arguments put to them and the information available to them, Her Majesty's Government have now decided that it would be right and proper to confer independence on Grenada in accordance with that procedure.Subject therefore to the approval of Parliament (as required by section 17 of the West Indies Act 1967), Her Majesty's Government will be prepared in due course to recommend to the Queen that an Order in Council should be made under section 10(2) of that Act to terminate the status of association of Grenada with the United Kingdom as from a date to be specified in the Order.Her Majesty's Government will also be prepared, on receiving the request and consent of the State signified in accordance with section 19(5) of the West Indies Act 1967. to recommend to the Queen that an Order in Council should be made under section 5(4) of that Act to make appropriate contitutional provision for independence to take effect on the termination of association.The introduction into the Grenada legislature of the necessary resolution to signify the "request and consent" referred to above will provide opportunity for the expression of public opinion on the form of the proposed independence constitution as discussed at the recent constitutional conference in London."The report of the conference will be made available as a White Paper in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs what communication he has received from Dr. Joseph Luns, Secretary General of NATO, regarding his intervention as negotiator in the Icelandic fisheries dispute.

Dr. Luns has been asked by the NATO Council to use his good offices in trying to get negotiations between the British and Icelandic Governments resumed. He has been in touch with both Governments about this on several occasions and discussions are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet available the 1972 figures for receptions of non-criminal prisoners divided as in Table C.9 of the 1971 Prison Department Statistical Tables.

The full analysis is not yet available, but the provisional figures for the total number of such receptions in England and Wales are 5,595 male and 83 female.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has in respect of recent years of the periods of imprisonment served by non-criminal prisoners committed by the county courts and by magistrates' courts and on the periods for which such prisoners were originally committed.

I am having an analysis made of the available information and shall write to the right hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has undertaken or commissioned into the means and circumstances of noncriminal prisoners committed to prison by county courts and magistrates' courts.

None. But a magistrate's court exercising its civil jurisdiction may not impose imprisonment for non-payment of a sum adjudged to be paid unless it is proved to the court's satisfaction that the default was due to the defendant's wilful refusal or culpable neglect to pay. Magistrate's courts therefore have a duty in such cases to inquire into the defendant's means and circumstances. I understand that similar principles apply in the county courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has undertaken or commissioned into the circumstances and means of persons sentenced to imprisonment in default of payment of a fine.

The Home Office financed a study of fine defaulters received into Birmingham prison in 1966, which included an analysis of their weekly incomes. Details of the analysis are given below.

WEEKLY INCOME AT TIME OF CRIME
	Men convicted of
Amount	Drunkenness	Other Offences	Total
£
0	4	6	10
1–5	9	5	14
6–10	4	5	9
11–15	7	12	19
16–20	2	11	13
21–25	0	4	4
26 and over	0	1	1
	26	44	70
Not known	18	21	39

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has available the 1972 figures for receptions into prison of men and women in default of payment of a fine.

The provisional figures are 10,394 men and 490 women in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent information he has regarding the circumstances and means of persons committed to prison in default of payment of a fine; what sums of money are owed; and, in relation to the length of sentence imposed on them, how long these prisoners actually spent in prison.

I regret that information to answer the first two parts of this Question is not available. Information about the time spent in custody by those committed in default of payment of fines is being analysed and my noble Friend the Minister of State will write to the right hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend by a further two months the date by which representations have to be made to him on "The Control of Firearms in Great Britain" in order to give more time for such representations to be proposed and presented by the individual persons and associations affected.

For the reasons given in the reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Faulds) on 25th May, I am not prepared to extend the date, but this is not to say that I shall decline to take account of representations which reach me during the following few weeks.—[Vol. 857, c. 195.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he consulted the Deputy Director and Trustees of the Imperial War Museum before publishing the Green Paper on Firearms Control.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his Question on 25th May about consultation with those interested in historic arms.—[Vol. 857, c. 195.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received in support of increasing the pay of police officers in the Metropolitan Police force; what replies he has made; and if he will make a statement;(2) What consideration he has now given to the payment of a differential increase in pay for police officers in the Metropolitan Police force; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement;(3) If he will confirm that any differential increase in pay for police officers in the Metropolitan Police force will in no way affect the total amount of the award to be negotiated for the federated ranks in the police service under Stage 2 of Her Majesty's Government's prices and incomes policy; and if he will make a statement.

Police pay is a matter in the first instance for the Police Council and any settlements that are reached must be notified to the Pay Board.No claims for differential payment have yet been submitted, and my right hon. Friend will not be able to make any statement for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what during the past 18 months has been the average time, the shortest time and the longest time between the application of a Pakistani resident in Great Britain for registration as a British citizen, and the granting of citizenship.

The average time has been about four months. The other information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the shortage of forms for Commonwealth and Pakistani citizens in the city of Manchester wishing to register for British citizenship, he will take immediate steps to ensure that ample supplies of such forms are made available without difficulty.

I understand that local offices in Manchester still have forms, but further supplies have been sent and more can be made available if necessary.