asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will, as part of his investigation under the Companies Act into the affairs of Lonrho, also inquire into the ownership and activities of Nyaschere Copper Limited, linked to Lonrho through H.C.C. Investments Limited.

The inspectors can, for the purpose of investigating the affairs of Lonrho Limited, also investigate the affairs of subsidiary companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with BAC, HSA and Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited about the future structure of the British aircraft industry.

We are in frequent contact with the leaders of the British aircraft and aero-engine industries on matters such as this.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government to work for the ultimate elimination of all tariff barriers to industrial trade.

I believe that it is premature at this stage to set abolition of all industrial tariffs as a general goal.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now able to announce whether the HS146 and the Short SD3–30 aircraft projects are to receive Government financial assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the HS146 airliner project.

Discussions with Hawker Siddeley are still proceeding. As my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) was told on 23rd May, the Government intend to make a contribution of £4¼ million towards the SD3–30.—[Vol. 857, c. 85–71]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with Ministers of other EEC countries and members of the EEC Commission in respect of the formulation of a Community regional policy and in particular the designation of peripheral regions.

The creation of a Community Regional Fund and the designation of central areas are separate issues. There have been a number of contacts on both, and discussions are continuing. I have as yet no statement to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps designed to ensure that the other countries within the EEC will import a large volume of British coal during the next few years.

Our export opportunities will depend on the future competitive position of British coal. The National Coal Board has the full backing of Her Majesty's Government in its efforts to secure new outlets in Community countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the traffic control arrangements in the English Channel.

These have been and will be further improved. Last week agreement was reached with the French Government to set up a joint group of officials to co-ordinate planning for a Channel navigation information service and surveillance by radar and other means. A meeting of technical experts will be held next week and the group will hold its first meeting next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what co-ordination will exist between his Department and the new branch of the Scottish Economic Planning Department recently set up by the Scottish Office.

There is a close liaison on all matters of common interest. A special link now exists between Ministers in my Department and my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, covering his North Sea responsibilities. My Department is represented on the task force of officials appointed to support him.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of prices for which he has responsibility that have been reduced in the last three years.

Before the standstill on pay and prices the Government had no power to control prices but the nationalised industries co-operated fully in the CBI voluntary price restraint. Since the beginning of stage 1, action by the prices units and the weights and measures inspectors and the Price Commission has led to over 10,000 price reductions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the production agreement for Concorde is on the same 50–50 basis with the French Government as the original construction agreement; and how much in total has been spent by each Government so far.

Production is covered by the principle of equal sharing in the 1962 Treaty. The British Government have so far advanced £62 million in respect of production, and I understand that production expenditure by the French Government is at a similar level.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, having regard to the fact that both the TU 144 and Concorde, at low speeds, fly on the back side of the drag curve, he will require special safety tests to be carried out.

No. Flight tests already undertaken have established the drag characteristics of Concorde and demonstrated its ability to meet the safety requirements at low speeds. The certification authorities have been fully associated with this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the cost to public funds of the attempt to sell Concorde, including sales teams, travelling, market research, Press and public relations and advertising.

Apart from the cost of the Far East demonstration tour by Concorde in June 1972, which was part of the development programme financed directly by the British and French Governments, the costs of the general sales campaign is included in the manufacturers' general overheads.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Her Majesty's Government has any contractual relationship with Aerospatiale of France concerning Concorde.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at what point the original agreement for the construction and testing of Concorde was replaced by a production agreement; and if its terms were published at the time.

The 1962 agreement provides for the development and production of Concorde. There is no separate agreement on production.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he proposes to introduce legislation for the reorganisation of the electricity supply industry this Session.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the talks with the CBI and the TUC on the regional employment premium.

These consultations are proceeding. Initial meetings have now been held with both the CBI and the TUC.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects publication of the Monopolies Commission report on cross-Channel ferry services.

I expect to receive the report later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps designed to maintain an adequate research and development organisation for the British graphite industry following the decision of British Acheson Electrodes Ltd. to transfer its research work to its parent company in the United States of America, the Union Carbide Corporation, in view of the dominant position of British Acheson Electrodes in the supply of graphite for nuclear power plants, are furnace electrodes for the steel industry, and in the production of chlorine.

I am satisfied that the graphite industry is aware of the need for adequate research and development. I have no information to suggest that changes in the internal arrangements of British Acheson Electrodes Ltd. will adversely affect this.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that one of the two inspectors appointed to examine the affairs of Lonrho is a member of the firm of accountants who audit one of Lonhro's main subsidiaries; and whether in these circumstances he will appoint another inspector in his place.

As announced on Friday after consultation with officials of my Department, Mr. D. Garrett, FCA, has asked to withdraw from his position as an inspector into the affairs of Lonrho Ltd. under Section 165 of the Companies Act 1948. I have agreed to this and hope to announce the name of his successor shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the total manufacturing output within the United Kingdom of the first 25 of the 100 leading British companies as listed in The Times list of industries; and of this output what proportion is exported.

The net output in 1970 of the 25 largest manufacturing companies in The Times "1.000 list" was about £3,500 million and accounted for about 20 per cent. of the total net output in manufacturing. The same companies accounted for about 24 per cent. of exports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to provide that manufacturers' guarantees make clear to purchasers that their rights at common law are not prejudiced by signing a guarantee registration document.

The Fair Trading Bill will provide powers to protect consumers if the issuing of deceptive guarantees should become a widespread practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints of overcharging he received and investigated during the freeze; and in how many cases the outcome was a reduction in price.

My Department received some 13,600 complaints during the standstill about price increases other than those said to result from VAT; 7,429 cases were investigated, many covering more than one complaint. The great majority were found to be not substantiated or were outside the provisions of the standstill. In 609 cases firms agreed to make price reductions, often on a range of goods.These figures exclude standstill prices reductions secured by the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and by the weights and measures inspectors in connection with the introduction of VAT.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, on a national basis, is the extent to which the British Steel Corporation is failing to meet orders on time.

No simple measure of the shortfall is possible. The corporation infoms me that a substantial number of orders have been delayed by interruptions to supply, stemming in part from two industrial disputes which are now resolved. The corporation is doing all it can to remedy the shortfalls in delivery. And in the first five months of this year it exceeded by 13·2 per cent. its production of crude steel over the comparable period last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that North Sea oil will not be exported.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the present levels of steel production in the United Kingdom.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE STATISTICS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREAS APPROXIMATING TO NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 1970–1972 (all schemes)
						Number	Area (Thousand sq.ft.)	Estimated Additional Employment* Total
Applicationst†	…	…	…	…	…	317	5,508	8,269
Approvals	…	…	…	…	…	276	4,558	6,910
Completionst‡	…	…	…	…	…	128	2,409	2,970

Crude steel production in the first five months of this year was 11·48 million tonnes compared with 10·14 million tonnes in the same period last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had about the Sea Horse marine engine since last December.

My Department is in touch with the company concerned about this project.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy for energy, in the light of the latest developments.

Energy problems are kept under constant review in the light of developments at home and abroad. I have no further statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificate applications, approvals and completions were issued in Nottinghamshire from 1970 to 1972 inclusive, giving the number, area in square feet and number of new jobs expected.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for industrial development certificates for Staffordshire were withdrawn in 1972.

Eighteen.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what total area of factory space was approved by industrial development certificates for each planning region in Scotland in 1972: and what potential employment these figures represent.

Comprehensive figures are not available because IDCs have not been required in development and special development areas since July 1972. Following is the information available:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN EACH REGION OF SCOTLAND IN 1972 (ALL SCHEMES)
Region	Area '000 sq. ft	Estimated additional employment*
Glasgow	3,228	4,140
Falkirk/Stirling	155	380
Edinburgh	1,026	1,400
Tayside	647	290
Borders	†
South West	†
North West	634	130
Highlands	1,065	2,020
The exemption limit below which IDCs are not required was raised to 15,000 sq. ft. in July 1972.
* Jobs estimated by the applicants to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.
† Details cannot be given because of the risk of disclosing information given by firms in confidence

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the expenditure on investment grants to firms for the purchase of ships in each of the past 10 years in the United Kingdom and on Clydeside, respectively.

Annual figures of investment grants paid towards the cost of provision of new ships under Section 5 of the Industrial Development Act 1966 in the initial year 1967–68 and later years to 1971–72 are published in the annual reports made under the Act. The figure for 1972–73 was £99 million. Separate figures for ships built in the United Kingdom or on Clydeside are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total of British direct and portfolio investment in Canada; what are the industrial categories covered by direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the prospects for further British investment in Canada due to recent legislation in that country.

The book value of private direct investments in Canada, other than in oil, banking and insurance, was probably close to £800 million at the end of 1971; corresponding information is not available for portfolio investment. The direct investment is widely spread among different industries, with substantial holding in mining, tobacco, chemicals, engineering, paper, rubber and wholesale distribution. I am convinced that a continued high level of United Kingdom investment in Canada will be to the great benefit of both countries, and have expressed to the Canadian Minister for Industry, Trade and Commerce and to other Canadian Ministers my concern that the legislation now under consideration by the Canadian Parliament should not create any impediment to this healthy development, to the disadvantage of Canada as well as the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will indicate the position of British preferences in Canada and the prospects for their continuance, particularly the duty-free entry for British cars.

Canada has no remaining obligations to maintain preferences for British goods. The future of individual preferences and the extent to which these may be eliminated either by reduction in mfn rates or by raising preferential rates are for the Canadians to decide. The Canadian authorities have not indicated how they intend to proceed in this matter. They have given no reason to expect the immediate elimination of all the preferences.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will use his best endeavours to ensure that any effect on the trading interests of the United Kingdom's partners in the Commonwealth, particularly New Zealand, Australia and Canada, is minimised in the projected GATT negotiations due to be initiated in September;(2) if he will take steps to safeguard the legitimate trading interests of Canada in agricultural products in the interests of both the United Kingdom and Canada in the coming GATT negotiations.

The forthcoming GATT negotiations will be multilateral with participation open to GATT member

							United Kingdom		Federal Republic of Germany
							Number	£'000	Number	£'000
1968	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,685	1,171	6,596	4,715
1969	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,721	1,262	8,964	6,311
1970	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,776	1,465	9,560	8,074
1971	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,561	1,476	10,848	8,678
1972	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,344	1,527	16,738	15,859

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the total of British investment in Japan in each of the past five years.

The amounts of private direct British investment in Japan, excluding oil, during each of the last five years for which statistics have been compiled were as follows:

	£ million
1967	2·1
1968	1·2
1969	1·5
1970	3·0
1971	9·0

The book values of these investments, excluding oil, banking and insurance, at the end of 1968 amounted to £11 million, and by the end of 1971 was probably about £25 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total of Japanese investment in the United Kingdom and the percentage thereof attributable to Japanese banks operating either alone or in consortia.

The only information I have relates to the book value of countries and to any developing country. All Commonwealth countries, including New Zealand, Australia and Canada, will thus be able to take part in these negotiations which I fully expect to be held on the basis of mutual advantage and to benefit the trade of all countries taking part.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total number and value of cars exported to Japan in each of the past five years listed by make; and how the British performance compares with that of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Exports to Japan in total are shown below. The information is not available by make.Japanese private direct investment in the United Kingdom, other than oil, banking and insurance, which at the end of 1968 amounted to £1·7 million and by the end of 1971 was probably about £14 million. I regret that the information requested in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy towards the investment of Japanese capital in North Sea developments.

No Japanese companies have so far applied for licence rights on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. Should any do so in the future I would treat the application on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British companies have (a) 25 per cent. and under, (b) 50 per cent. and under and (c) 100 per cent. interest in Japanese companies and (d) loan stock or bond holdings in Japanese companies without an equity holding.

The only information I have is for the end of 1968, and relates to the book value of British direct investments in Japan; it does not cover oil, banking or insurance, British companies whose overseas investments throughout the world amount to less than £500,000, or investments in loan stock or bond holdings. The numbers of Japanese companies in which British direct investments were recorded were:

	Extent of interest	Number
Branches	100 per cent.	5
Subsidiaries	Usually 51–100 per cent	31
Trade investments	1–50 per cent.	6

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a breakdown of British invisible trade with Japan for the latest available year.

The Bank of Japan has published the following estimate of United Kingdom/Japanese transactions on services account in 1971 (in U.S. $millions):

JAPANESE CURRENT BALANCE OF PAYMENTS IN 1971 SERVICES TRANSACTIONS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM
			$million
	Credits (To Japan)	Debits (To Japan)	Net Balance (To Japan)
Transportation	164	424	-260
Insurance	143	172	-29
Travel	5	29	-24
Investment Income	35	143	-108
Government Services	0	2	-2
Others	40	109	-69
Total	387	879	-492

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government will sponsor a delegation to Japan, to interest Japanese capital in industrial projects in the United Kingdom, comparable to that recently sponsored by the United States Government in Tokyo for the investment of Japanese private funds in further projects in the United States of America.

My Department plans to take part in a seminar in September being organised by the Japan Industrial Location Centre. In addition, I hope to visit Japan later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when work will commence on the building of the nursery factories in Bala; and whether he will make a statement.

It is first necessary to purchase land at Bala for this project and a possible site is now under investigation. If all goes well the units could be completed by next June.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken by his Department to make the unused factory at Blaenau Ffestiniog available for reletting.

The Department is engaged in negotiations with three companies interested in the new 10,000 sq. ft. factory. Another company has expressed interest in the premises at present leased to Forgings and Fasteners (Wales) Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new job opportunities will be available in the steel industry by 1975 in Hartlepool and Teesside; what is the expected total work force; and how this compares with the present figures.

I am advised by the British Steel Corporation that about 350 new job opportunities are expected to arise on Teesside by 1975. At March 1975 the total BSC workforce in Hartlepool and Teesside (excluding those employed by Redpath Dorman Long Ltd. and BSC (Chemicals) Ltd.) is expected to remain close to the present figure of 26,000. However some 2,600 job losses will occur during the latter part of 1975 as a result of the second stage of the closure of iron and steel making at Hartlepool.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will establish an inquiry into trade malpractices by foreign-based computer firms.

No. I am not aware of any practices by foreign-based computer firms which would call for such an inquiry. If the hon. Member would care to let me know what he has in mind I shall, of course, look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will commence discussions with the Ffestiniog UDC to bring about the establishment of four nursery factories at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

I have been asked to reply.The Department will continue to be in touch with the Ffestiniog UDC and is quite ready to discuss with it the general factory requirements of the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications he has received for aerial spraying of bracken and gorse in the Dartmoor National Park area; and whether the applications specify the chemicals to be used.

Exemptions from the relevant provisions of Article 37 of the Air Navigation Order 1972 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority to enable agricultural aviation operators to carry out aerial spraying are not related to specific areas or operations. Such exemptions prohibit the use of parathion in any form and certain other specified chemicals other than in granular form.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that the Chrysler Corporation will continue to honour in full the remaining seven out of the eight guarantees given by it in 1967 in regard to Chrysler United Kingdom; and if he will now seek written confirmation from the corporation that these guarantees will be upheld.

The Chrysler Corporation confirmed, as recently as December 1972, that the undertakings given in 1967, where still applicable, remained in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the new nuclear company has been formed pursuant to his recent statement; and if not when it is proposed to do so.

The legal formalities should be completed soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, as a result of the negotiations leading to the formation of a nuclear company, to what firms the 35 per cent. holding has been allocated; and what is the percentage equity granted in each case.

The companies to be invited to subscribe and the conditions of shareholding are under consideration at present. Subject to decisions on certain legal and other matters, the necessary steps on the offer should be taken in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when it is proposed to allocate the first contract to the new corporation; and whether the House will be advised of the reactor choice before a firm contract is negotiated.

Proposals on the timing and type of the next orders for nuclear stations within this country are a matter for the electricity supply authorities. The Government's views will be made known appropriately before firm contracts are placed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total quantity of coal exported in the first quarter of 1973 and the quantity exported to countries within the EEC during that period.

Information is given under SITC(R) 321.4 in Table VI of the March 1973 issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all those products in which one company at present holds either one-half, one-third, or one-quarter of the market, and state in each case whether that company is United Kingdom or non-United Kingdom owned.

I would refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on Monday 5th March, listing the industries in which a single firm is believed to be responsible for between a quarter and a third of production. I regret that the additional information asked for is not available and could not be collected without undue expenditure of time and money.—[Vol. 852, c. 13.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the production by volume and value of the foreign-owned motor companies with production facilities in the United Kingdom in 1971, 1972 and the first four months of 1973; and what was the

TABLE A
PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS OF PASSENGER CARS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES BY THE MAJOR FOREIGN OWNED PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
		1971	1972	1973 (January-March)
Passenger cars
Total production (000's)	…	847	995	239
Increase over previous year (per cent.)	…	+0·4	+12·5	-1·5*
Production for export (000's)	…	326	†	†
Increase over previous year (per cent.)	…	-7·3	†	†
Commercial vehicles
Total production (000's)	…	273	259	69
Increase over previous year (per cent.)	…	-0·5	-5·2	+ 19·9*
Production for export (000's)	…	114	†	†
Increase over previous year (per cent.)	…	-2·0	†	†

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British companies are operating in Zaire; what is the total British investment in that

The available information on production and exports, conforming as closely as possible to that requested, is shown below; corresponding figures for imports are not available:country; and how it compares with that of Japan.

According to my information some 20 British companies are operating in Zaire through subsidiary or associated companies. The book value of the investments of these companies in Zaire has been estimated at about £25 million. A comparable figure for investments by Japanese companies is thought to be of the order of £18 million to £20 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether the Government propose to increase or decrease their investment in International Computers Limited, and what conditions have been imposed on the company in return for grants from public funds;(2) whether it is contemplated that further grants from public funds will be made to International Computers Limited; and whether an application has been made for additional moneys.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total of British funds that have been invested in land and property development in France, Benelux and the Federal Republic of Germany in each of the past four years.

I do not have these figures; but most such investment has been financed by foreign currency borrowing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to improve control over the methods adopted by debt collecting firms.

I intend to include in the proposed consumer credit Bill provisions subjecting debt collecting firms in the consumer field to a licensing system, with licences being granted on condition that a code of business conduct laid down by regulation is observed by them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to require that copies of letters sent out by debt collecting firms to debtors be sent to his Department for scrutiny.

The licensing powers which I intend to seek should be sufficient to prevent abuses in this field.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what effect the Government's cuts in public expenditure will have upon the provision of telephones for public and private use.

There will be a temporary reduction in the planned rate of expansion of the telephone system. The details are a matter for the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what studies have been undertaken by his Department into the future of data transmission; and whether he will make a statement.

Plans for the future data transmission form part of the Post Office's annual investment programme which I consider in accordance with Section 11(8) of the Post Office Act 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters he has recently referred to the United Nations Sanctions Committee.

So far this year Her Majesty's Government have submitted five Notes to the United Nations about suspected breaches of sanctions. The details of these must remain confidential until they are published by the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British Ambassador took up with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, respectively, of Libya, the new requirement regarding passports having to be in Arabic; in what manner; and with what result.

Her Majesty's ambassador at Tripoli had an interview with the Libyan Prime Minister at which he discussed Libya's passport and visa requirements on 21st February. Since then our ambassador has discussed this subject with the Foreign Minister of Libya and with his officials, on a number of different occasions, most recently with the Acting Foreign Minister on 24th May. From these conversations it is clear that the Libyans continue to maintain their Arabic language requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British businessmen and residents in Libya have experienced difficulty when going or returning to Libya due to the requirement that Arabic should appear as a language in their passports; what was the nature of the difficulties; and when they occurred.

No precise figures are available but many British businessmen and residents have experienced delay in being granted a visa or delay in being admitted into Libya even when they have had valid entry visas. There was a short period at the end of April and early in May when no British people were permitted to enter Libya at all. The position with regard to the families of British subjects working in Libya is obscure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Libyan Government's circular note of 5th April 1973 alleged that members of the British diplomatic mission had distributed alcohol to Libyan and other citizens.

It did not.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which diplomatists from what countries, other than the United Kingdom, were refused readmission to Libya, and on what dates.

We know of American, Bulgarian, German, Italian, Polish, Swiss and Venezuelan diplomats being refused readmission to Libya. In addition, a number of ambassadors accredited to Libya, but normally resident in neighbouring countries, have been refused entry visas. These incidents have occurred within the last two months but we have no record of the precise dates.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have any proposals for increasing the area of British fishing limits.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has now made to the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee about the rôle of Portugal in the routing of Boeing aircraft to Rhodesia.

The acquisition of Boeing aircraft by Rhodesia is the subject of a Note which we have sent to the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee. The details must remain confidential. The results of any inquiries will be published by the United Nations in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest developments concerning the proposed Channel Tunnel.

I have nothing to add to what I said in the House last Friday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses have been demolished and built, respectively, in the years 1964 to 1973 in Manchester; and what proportion of the national total of completions was in Manchester during those years.

Demolition or closure of 38,248 houses was reported from 1st January 1964 to 31st March 1973 as a result of slum clearance action in Manchester. In the same period 33,993 dwellings were reported completed, including those built for Manchester CB outside its own area, and these represented 1 per cent. of all housing completions in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of Manchester's slum clearance programme and the current level of rates, he will increase the housing subsidy to the city or the rate support grant.

No. Under the Housing Finance Act 1972 Manchester is eligible for a 75 per cent. subsidy on the net loss incurred in slum clearance operations in 1971–72 and subsequent years, and for rising costs subsidy which meets the bulk of the deficit arising in the housing revenue account as a result of increased expenditure on providing housing. The level of rate support grant for 1973–74 has already been fixed in consultation with the local authority associations. There will be further discussions later this year leading to the determination of rate support grant for 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council concerning the maximum allowable cost of improvement works; what has been his reply; and whether he will make a statement.

The council has represented that the present limit on the allowable cost of improvements to local authority dwellings is inadequate and should be increased. A meeting has been held with officials of the council and a reply to their letter will shortly be sent. No increase in the limit is at present proposed. The matter is, however, shortly to be discussed with representatives of the local authority associations in the course of consultations on the proposals in the recent White Paper "Better Homes—The Next Priorities".

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many schemes he has now approved for grants under Operation Eyesore on application from each local authority in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.

In the Yorkshire and Humberside Region 3,847 projects have been approved at an estimated cost of £7,988,236.The number and cost of approved projects for each local authority in the region is as follows:

	Number of Projects	Cost
		£
West Riding County Council	186	303,207
East Riding County Council	12	22,389
Barnsley CBC	114	163,646
Bradford CBC	148	731,190
Dewsbury CBC	50	29,280
Doncaster CBC	59	107,092
Grimsby CBC	66	165,979
Halifax CBC	146	650,456
Huddersfield CBC	61	166,931
Kingston upon Hull CBC	48	194,143
Leeds CBC	164	600,522
Rotherham CBC	140	280,259
Sheffield CBC	152	413,489
Wakefield CBC	125	226,109
York CBC	55	300,411
Batley BC	130	324,664
Beverley BC	12	29,472
Brighouse BC	61	51,063
Castleford BC	29	70,433
Cleethorpes BC	3	7,600
Goole BC	1	1,005
Harrogate BC	26	37,452
Keighley BC	21	64,870
Louth BC	3	100
Morley BC	67	44,753
Ossett BC	130	62,669
Pontefract BC	1	2,500
Pudsey BC	46	83,526
Ripon BC	15	15,916
Scunthorpe BC	40	46,469
Spenborough BC	48	38,714
Todmorden BC	43	57,882
Adwick le Street UDC	3	30
Aireborough UDC	30	39,535
Baildon UDC	21	65,521
Barnoldswick UDC	15	80,980
Barton upon Humber UDC	17	5,818
Bentley with Arkney UDC	13	3,465
Bingley UDC	42	85,015
Brigg UDC	12	7,610
Colne Valley UDC	7	7,689
Conisbrough UDC	9	27,771
Cudworth UDC	23	29,602
Darfield UDC	19	20,007
Darton UDC	25	39,739
Dearne UDC	13	4,477
Denby Dale UDC	27	31,730
DenholmeUDC	17	17,062
Dodworth UDC	10	8,096
Driffield UDC	3	1,405
Earby UDC	7	4,682
Elland UDC	57	78,852
Featherstone UDC	9	6,650
Filey UDC	9	5,280
Gainsborough UDC	2	3,693
Haltemprice UDC	13	67,437
Hebden Royd UDC	46	43,559
Heckmondwike UDC	29	29,898
Holmfirth UDC	11	3,977
Horbury UDC	18	12,493
Hornsea UDC	1	50,636
Horsforth UDC	16	26,887

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate he has made of the effect on the historic town of Market Harborough of the Department of the Environment's circular 56/71 entitled "Historic Towns and Roads";

The report on the results of the study carried out by Leicestershire County Council has been received only recently. Until this report has been adequately considered, it is not possible to reach a decision on the best way of dealing with Market Harborough's traffic problems. The historic importance of the town will be taken into account. The latest information on through traffic flows in the town is for June 1970 as follows:

• North—South: a maximum of 5,459 pcus per 12 hour day.
• East—West: 3,280 pcus per 12 hour day.

Figures for heavy goods vehicles are not available separately.I will be writing in more detail to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects the Reigate Hill to Godstone section of the M25 to be completed; and what are now the estimated completion dates for the other sections of the M25.

The Reigate-Godstone section of the M25 is due to be completed in autumn 1974. Subject to the completion of the necessary procedures, the remaining sections are planned to be completed between 1975 and 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a letter from the Paddock Residents' Association in Huddersfield concerning the proposed building of a freeway to link up with the M62; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received such a letter and a reply will be sent shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will advise local authorities in the Inner London area to suspend consideration of new applications for conversion, or for improvement, pending the implementation of the proposals contained in the White Paper "Better Homes—The Next Priorities".

No. It would be quite wrong to delay any progress in dealing with bad housing conditions in inner London or elsewhere.As stated in the White Paper, however, I see no reason why a local authority should make a grant in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that the scheme of improvement would have been undertaken without a grant because of its inherent profitability, or where the improvement would not, in the authority's opinion, contribute towards meeting the housing needs of its district.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to meet leaders of London borough councils to discuss with them his White Paper, "Better Homes—The Next Priorities" and if he will make a statement.

Detailed consultations on the White Paper are shortly to begin with a wide range of bodies, including those representing the London boroughs. There are no arrangements for Ministers to take part in discussions at this stage, but, of course, I am always pleased to see the London Boroughs Association and the GLC should that be helpful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific action he is taking with regard to land at present held by Government Departments in accordance with paragraph 24 (vii) of the Second Interim Report of the Action Group on London Housing.

My Department is in close and continuing contact with all landholding Government Departments and nationalised industries to ensure that all surplus land is released at the earliest possible moment and that the future of sites presently required is reviewed at intervals.Since August 1971 Government Departments have released a total of some 688 acres of land, of which something over half is appropriate to and has been allocated for housing purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from spokesmen of the Sikh community in Great Britain regarding their religious objection to wearing crash helmets; and if he will make a statement.

On 12th April last a deputation from the Supreme Council of the Sikhs in the United Kingdom explained to me the difficulties created for them by the new rule on wearing safety helmets. Since then written representations have been received from other Sikh groups. In reply I have explained why I do not feel able to recommend to Parliament that an exception should he made to the new rule for the Sikh community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet had discussions with leaders of local authorities, following Her Majesty's Government's recent statement of cuts in the financial expenditure of local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend met representatives of the local authority associations and the Greater London Council on 22nd May to discuss the implications for local government of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement on 21st May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what projects in the London Borough of Wands-worth will be delayed or cancelled, following Her Majesty's Government's recent decision to reduce local authority spending; and if he will make a statement.

That will be for the local authority to decide in the light of the rate support grant settlement and its allocation under the arrangements for locally determined capital expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking and proposes to take to encourage the letting of surplus accommodation now withheld from the market in areas of housing need.

The Government reaffirmed in paragraph 25 of the White Paper "Better Homes, the Next Priorities" (Cmnd. 5339) their determination that houses should not needlessly be left empty in areas of housing need. The Government will support local authorities in using their existing powers to achieve this. The White Paper announced their intention to give local authorities discretion to rate empty properties up to 100 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he is making in reviewing future policy for the railways; and if he will make a statement.

Over the past months the British Railways Board has been carrying out at my request a number of studies on future policy. Today the board is informing the railway trade unions of the general conclusions it has reached as a result of these studies. The Government will now be considering their attitude to the studies, in the light of the unions' views and other relevant considerations, including the important financial, social and environmental implications. I shall be presenting the Government's conclusions to the House as early as possible.