asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will pay an official visit to Shetland.

I have no plans to visit Shetland at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now introduce legislation to amend the Transport Act 1968 to make it impossible for heavy goods vehicle drivers to be hired through or recommended by anyone other than trade unions or owners or operators of such vehicles.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the form of public inquiry appropriate for the Channel Tunnel.

A Hybrid Bill would be necessary if the project were to go ahead. The Government would certainly wish to take the fullest account of local opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what undertakings have been given to the French Government concerning the date of a decision to commence the next stage of the construction of a Channel tunnel.

The position is as set out in Agreement No. 1 which was signed in parallel by the British and French Governments with the companies and a copy of which was made available to the House last November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to requisition empty dwellings in areas of housing stress.

No. The White Paper "Better Homes: The Next Priorities" includes the Government's proposals for ensuring that the best use is made of empty houses, particularly in areas of stress. These proposals would give additional powers to local authorities and discourage those who keep houses needlessly empty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement about the work of the Action Group on London Housing.

Having completed its initial series of visits to London boroughs, the Action Group is presently considering its third interim report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the effect on Manchester's road programme of the cuts in Government expenditure announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 21st May.

I am examining the details of the programme and will make a statement as to how these will be affected as soon as possible. All existing contracts will be continued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what publicity he has given to his anti-pollution measures to collect mercury cell hearing aid batteries which are discarded by the users; how much has been spent on this publicity; when the scheme was announced; and what results there have been to the latest convenient date.

Publicity for existing schemes of collection through the National Health Service, through hearing aid clubs or through retail outlets is a matter for the organisers of such schemes. Detailed statistics about their success are not collected by my Department but I understand that about 40,000 batteries have been recovered under the National Health Service scheme introduced in 1972 to recover batteries issued to children under the Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the increase in the number of oil refineries in the Thames Estuary, close to a growing residential population, he will now set up a planning inquiry commission or some other suitable body to inquire into the economic, social and environmental implications of such development, having particular regard to present overcrowding in the South-East and the expected development of the North Sea oil and gas industries.

No. I have no power to set up a planning inquiry commission in the present circumstances. Decisions on applications for new refineries take full account of the factors mentioned by my hon. Friend. Particularly careful attention is given to the pollution, health and other environmental aspects but I will consider whether any further action might be taken to reassure local opinion. We expect the local planning authorities in the Thames Estuary to take account of the wider implications of the existing and proposed refinery development in the preparation of their structure plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of unlicensed cars in use.

I have nothing to add to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 12th April.—[Vol. 854, c. 330.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the publication by the Ordnance Survey of a complete series of 2½ inch maps.

The Ordnance Survey and the Department of the Environment are reviewing the need for publication of an entire series of maps at the scale of 2½ in. to the mile. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider the outcome of this review together with the representations he has received on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is consulting the interested organisations, such as the National Farmers Union, professional associations dealing with land and the Ramblers Association, before reaching a final decision about continuing to publish the two and a half inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government subsidy on relief of domestic rates in 1973–74 will cover the cost of circulating information about the scheme to tenants of private landlords who are eligible for the relief although they pay gross rents which are inclusive of rates.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of rates are paid by Government central funds expressed as a percentage nationally and what proportion is paid in this way in respect of Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow.

The proportions which rate support grants and specific grants bore to expenditure which would otherwise have fallen to be met from rates in 1971–72, the latest year for which comparisons can be made, were 57½ per cent. in England and Wales, 47 per cent. in Manchester, 55 per cent. in Liverpool and 51 per cent. for Birmingham. Figures in respect of Scotland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the environmental issues due to be discussed at the next meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers.

The European Commission's draft proposals for a Community environment programme have been deposited in the Vote Office. These are now being discussed by officials of the member States.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research studies into the take-up of rent rebates and rent allowances are being undertaken by his Department in Greater London and elsewhere in England and Wales.

A number of housing studies now in progress will throw light on take-up in England and Wales, including Greater London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ease the loss for small bond-holders of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company considering that because the port has to be kept open they cannot sue for the partial return of their assets.

No.

					Accidents				Casualties
Year					Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total	Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
10th October–31st December 1966					—	1	2	3	—	2	2	4
1967	…	…	…	…	3	4	3	10	4	18	7	29
1968	…	…	…	…	1	5	—	5	1	20	2	23
1969	…	…	…	…	1	4	—	5	2	7	6	15
1970	…	…	…	…	—	5	2	7	—	6	2	8
1971	…	…	…	…	1	5	1	7	1	17	4	22
1972	…	…	…	…	—	7	1	8	—	12	7	19
1st January–11th June 1973*					—	1	2	3	—	5	2	7
* Provisional figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Retail Planning Unit is making in its investigation of shopping trends and shopping needs; and if he will make a statement.

The Retail Planning Unit, which is a proposal of the Economic Development Committee for the Distributive Trades, has not yet been set up. I understand that the Committee has appointed a steering group to arrange for its establishment within the framework of the Centre for Environmental Studies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has completed his consultations with the Chairman of British Rail about proposals for rail closures; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing, at present, to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson) on 18th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual accident record in terms of damage, injuries and fatalities at the Halfway House Crossroads, Crick, the junction of the Weedon-Brownhills trunk road (A5) and the A428, since the replacement of the original "Halt" signs on 10th October 1966 by the present "Give Way" signs.

Following is the information relating to accidents and casualties. I regret that information concerning damage is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment upon what evidence his Department's estimate that the average price of new houses increased by 42 per cent. in 1972 was based; and what in money terms was the amount of this increase.

The estimate is based on a large number of new dwellings mortgaged with building societies in Great Britain. The 42 per cent. increase in new house prices between the fourth quarters of 1971 and 1972 was equivalent to an average money increase of £2,520.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will encourage housing authorities to construct and offer for sale "shell" houses at reduced prices, so that the purchasers could finish them to their own requirements and, if desired, with their own labour.

If a local authority were to propose a scheme on these lines I would be glad to consider it in the light of the policy of encouraging building for sale set out in Circular 60/73.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the aspects of property speculation where large blocks of offices are left empty, depriving the community of large sums in rates.

As already announced in the White Paper "Better Homes: The Next Priorities", the Government propose to introduce legislation enabling local authorities to charge 100 per cent. rates on empty property.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the Port of London Authority regarding the causes for the diversion of traffic away from the Port of London to Continental ports and the authority's methods of meeting customers' requirements.

The Port of London Authority has informed me that there is no evidence to suggest that London is losing business to Continental ports. The marketing of its facilities is a matter for the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what stage has been reached in the preparation of legislation to enable tenants to challenge landlords' service charges.

Discussions are still taking place on the report of the Leasehold Service Charges Study. I hope to be able to make an early statement of the Government's intentions in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inspectors are employed by him to deal with planning appeals; and whether he is satisfied that the number is adequate to deal with the backlog of appeals currently awaiting inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inspectors are employed by his Department to examine and decide upon local planning appeals.

Two hundred and two, which is an increase of over 60 per cent. during the past six months. Of those, 136 are engaged full-time on local inquiries and site visits into planning appeals. Recruitment is continuing, but the Department's ability to deal with the backlog depends not only on an adequate number being available but also on the capacity of local authorities to undertake additional appeals work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average length of time between the submission of a planning appeal and the holding of a public inquiry and between the inquiry and the announcement of the ministerial decision in the last month for which figures are available.

40 and 20 weeks for the appeals decided by my right hon. and learned Friend and 36 and 8 weeks for those decided by inspectors. The figures relate to appeals decided in May 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning appeals are awaiting a decision at the present time (a) by himself after a local inquiry, (b) by an inspector after a local inquiry, (c) by himself after written representations, and (d) by an inspector after written representations.

Following is the information requested:

(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)
2,482	2,016	728	3,713

The figures relate to the position at 31st May 1973. They do not include appeals where the inquiry or site visit has been held but the decision not issued—1,898—or appeals undergoing preliminary examination or held in suspense at the request of the parties—5,564.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the time taken to reach a decision on planning appeals; and, if not, what steps he will take to improve the situation.

I am aware that there are serious delays in reaching decisions on planning appeals; as to the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hands-worth (Mr. Sydney Chapman) on 13th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision following the visit by his inspector to the site for the diversion of the public footpath DT11 at Walgrave, Northamptonshire, on 1st May.

The order was confirmed without modification on 14th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to hold consultations with the building industry and local authorities who wish to accelerate slum clearance programmes but are unable to obtain contractors who are willing to place tenders, with a view to assisting in the matter.

I have not had reports or representations from local authorities that slum clearance operations are being delayed. As regards tenders for new council house building schemes I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today to a Question by the hon. Member for Gateshead, West (Mr. Horam).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any, and if so what, applications for dispensation from the obligations under the Caravan Sites Act have been made by the Kensington and Chelsea borough council; and what decision has been made on any such application.

Kensington and Chelsea London borough council has applied for exemption from the duty under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 to provide accommodation for gipsies and for the designation of its area under the Act. The Department has recently had a meeting with the council and has invited it to provide further information in support of its applications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to reduce to a minimum spray thrown up by the rear wheels of heavy goods vehicles on wet surfaces of motorways and trunk roads.

I am commissioning further research into the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will hold a public inquiry on the future of the Albert Bridge before any decision is taken either to reopen it to traffic or to close it.

No. The present temporary closure order cannot be extended after the completion of the current works. The Greater London Council may arrange a public inquiry into its intended permanent closure order if it sees fit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to deal with the long delays which occur before lorries and other vehicles are tested at his Department's Caernarvon depot; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that if proper notice is given only a minority of operators experience more than a few days' delay. Temporary exemption certificates are issued to cover such periods. I am writing to the right hon. Member about the case he raised with the Goods Vehicle Centre at Swansea.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what method a district authority under the new system of local government can seek to retain office, style and title of mayor and, where relevant, lord mayor.

Circular No. 51/73 recently issued by the Department of the Environment contains full information on these matters. I am sending a copy of the circular to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to amend the Local Government Act 1972 to retain the office, style and title of Lord Mayor and Mayor in the reorganised system of local government.

No amendment of the Act is needed. The styles "Mayor" and "Lord Mayor" can be continued after reorganisation. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Department's Circular No. 51/73 which explains the relevant provisions and advises authorities as to the procedure to be adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to associate local authority museums with the proposed regional archaeological units in rescue excavation and field survey, publication and preservation to ensure full co-operation between the excavations, conservation facilities and the storage and proper display of archaeological material.

Yes. Officers of my Department have already arranged to discuss these proposals, which are still tentative at this stage, with representatives of the Museums Association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of road schemes in Hampshire which he will propose for rescheduling or elimination following the recent policy statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I intend to announce soon a list of those schemes which will need to be deferred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue a general direction to British Rail to ensure that whatever cuts are necessitated by the recent policy statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer the rebuilding of railway stations needing modernisation will not again be delayed.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consult with the British Transport Docks Board and the British Steel Corporation about the possibility of establishing a MIDA development at Uskmouth.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is aware that there are cases of local planning authorities failing to give applicants notices of decisions on planning applications until a month after such a decision has been made; and if, consequently, he will seek powers to impose a limit of three days for the provision of such notices;(2) if he will introduce legislation to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 as necessary, so that limits of the duration of a planning permission shall be calculated from the date the local planning authority informs the applicant of the permission, instead of from the date the permission is granted.

While time between a decision being reached and its issue should be as short as possible I do not think it would be useful to impose a limit of three days for the issue of decisions. I intend, however, to bring this matter to the attention of planning authorities in a forthcoming circular. I am also considering the case for providing that the effective date of the permission shall be the date of issue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 as necessary to make it obligatory on a local planning authority to give a decision on any planning application within four months of receiving the application.

No. The Circular on streamlining procedures to which I referred in reply to my hon. Friend on 13th June will, however, point to ways in which the time taken to reach planning decisions can be kept to a minimum despite the recent increase in applications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that some local planning authorities are refusing to ask applicants to agree to an extension of the statutory two-month period when they think this necessary for consideration of applications, stating that they are not legally required to do so; and if he will issue a circular clarifying the position.

I am aware that some authorities give decisions beyond the two-month period without seeking the applicant's agreement to the extension of the time and that the courts have held such decisions to be valid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received from local authority organisations, the Society of County Borough Treasurers, the IMTA and other financial officers' associations about the proposal to change the system of local government finance; what replies he has sent; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the rate support grant as a source of central Government's financial support for local government;(3) what steps he is taking to ensure that any new system of local government finance will be finalised in sufficient time to enable local authorities effectively to implement it by April 1974.

The Government have received representations and comments on the Green Paper about local government finance (Cmnd. 4741) from the local authority associations and the Greater London Council, and consulta tions have already taken place with representatives of those bodies. The Government's proposals are set out in a consultation paper which I have today sent to the representatives of local government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue a circular to county boroughs advising them on the most appropriate areas of research for information which they are gathering to present to the Society of County Borough Treasurers in preparation for forthcoming discussions between the Society and Her Majesty's Government of any new rate support grant formula.

No. In the discussions on a proposed new rate support grant formula which are taking place between officials of my Department, other Departments concerned and the local authorities associations, all information and research results held by the Departments are made available and any other information which the associations make available is also considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the review of local government finance.

I am today sending a consultation paper setting out the Government's proposals about local government finance to the representatives of local government in order to complete the consultations begun in 1971 following the publication of the Green Paper (Cmnd. 4741). Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider taking the necessary steps to exercise legal control over labour-only subcontracting in the construction industry;(2) if he will now seek powers to assert control over labour-only sub-contracting in the construction industry.

As I told the House on 18th May, the Government would be looking urgently at self-employment in the industry and discussing it with both sides of the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further representations he has received concerning disposal of colliery waste on Durham beaches; what replies he has sent; and what action he proposes to take to end this practice.

As the hon. Member will know, I received a deputation from Durham County Council and Easington Rural District Council on this matter last year. Since the hon. Member's last Question on the subject, on 6th December 1972—[Vol. 847, c. 419.]—a letter has been received from Seaham Urban District Council inviting my right hon. and learned Friend to visit the Durham beaches. I told the council on 4th June that, as I had personally seen the beaches and was being kept informed of the situation, I was fully aware of the need for resolution of this longstanding and difficult problem. It is under active consideration and the local authorities will be informed as soon as a further pronouncement can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking or proposes to take to encourage the letting of surplus accommodation in houses at present under-occupied other than the exercise by local authorities of coercive powers.

Coercion is not the answer to this problem. I hope that local authorities as part of their overall responsibilities for housing will encourage the letting of surplus accommodation where this is short. Local authorities, and builders, can help by providing more small dwellings to give a choice to people who find their present accommodation too large.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what percentage starts in the building of council houses have changed between the year ended 1st June 1970 and the year ended 1st June 1973.

Figures for 1973 are available to the end of April. In the preceding period of 12 months council house starts in England and Wales were 32 per cent. fewer than in the 12 months to April 1970. Private sector starts and improvement grants approved were greater by 48 per cent. and 196 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions he has reached about the sale and use of non-British Standards Institution approved child restraints.

All seat belts, the purpose of which is to prevent or reduce injury, are required by law to be marked with the appropriate British Standard number. I do not think it would be sensible to apply the same standard to devices which can be, and are, used elsewhere than in a car and which, though useful to restrain a child in a car, are not designed to protect it in the event of an accident. Following discussions with my Department, the manufacturers and importers concerned have agreed to subscribe to a voluntary code of practice under which every child car seat or harness not BSI approved will be marked prominently and legibly with the words:

"This seat is not designed to prevent or lessen injury to the occupant in the event of a road accident."

I hope this will make clear to purchasers the limited use of the article they are buying.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations have been made to him since he published his proposal to remove the 50 mph speed restrictions on parts of the A46 Widmerpool—Newark—Lincoln road; whether a public inquiry will be held; and how soon he expects to come to a decision.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 73; to the second. No; to the third, shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has approved the application of Hampshire County Council for the installation of traffic lights on the A32-A333 crossroads at Wickham; and what reply he has sent.

The installation of traffic signals has been agreed in principle. Details of associated minor improvements still have to be agreed with the county council as highway authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will circularise local authorities setting out a model code for councils for the hearing of appeals by council tenants against the rents being proposed by councils to go to the rent scrutiny boards.

No. I do not believe that local authorities need detailed advice on how to carry out this function.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the Goverment's reduction in local authority expenditure, if he will pay special regard to the Merseyside development area.

The distribution of the reduction in programme for 1974–75 will depend largely on new arrangements for distributing rate support grants and allocations for locally determined capital expenditure which are being considered with the local authorities associations. The importance of providing adequate resources for the development areas is being borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to local authorities on arrangements for the collection and processing of waste paper following the reorganisation of local government.

Under the Local Government Act 1972 powers will be available to both district councils and county councils to sort and bale waste paper collected separately by district councils. Arrangements between authorities must be a matter for settlement in the light of local circumstances, and I can give no general guidance on this. Local authorities have already been advised to ensure, before undertaking or enlarging a waste paper collection, that they have long-term contracts for the sale of the paper at prices which cover their true costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is satisfied with current and future availability of supplies of plasterboard for the building industry; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he is satisfied with the current and future supplies of Sirapite and Thistle plasters for the building industry; and whether he will make a statement;(3) whether he is satisfied with the current and future availability of supplies of Carlite for the building industry; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware that there are now shortages of these materials. Deliveries were being made promptly up to the end of 1972, but after a mild winter during which building continued with little interruption demand has increased sharply. The manufacturers have increased production at existing plants and are bringing new plant into operation shortly. They are confident that shortage will not continue beyond the autumn if demand stays at the present level. In the meantime they are importing some plasterboard and are rationing supplies of plaster to merchants at a level 10 per cent. higher than that ordered during the quarter ending 31st January 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider making special help available to persons who have been required to live in accommodation provided by employers to assist them in purchasing their own homes on retirement.

The new measures outlined in the White Paper "Widening the Choice: The Next Steps in Housing" (Cmnd. 5280) should help to create a more stable housing market with greater opportunities for house purchase. Substantial assistance is already available to prospective house purchasers who obtain mortgages, through tax relief on mortgage interest or the option mortgage subsidy.If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, I would be glad to receive details.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will undertake consultations with industry with a view to preventing the extension of the use of non-returnable bottles;(2) if he will undertake consultations with industry with a view to reducing waste and consequent pollution from the packaging of goods.

Three working parties covering the use of plastics, metal and glass in packaging have been set up by the industries concerned and include representatives from interested Government Departments including the Department of the Environment. Their reports should provide a useful guide for action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with local authorities concerning the recycling of waste materials.

Advice concerning the recycling of waste materials from refuse is included in the report of my Department's Working Party on Refuse Disposal, which was sent to local authorities in April 1971. Circumstances vary, and recycling is not always economic or free from technical problems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a commission to examine future methods of waste disposal with particular reference to recycling materials where appropriate.

Comprehensive advice on methods of waste disposal was given in my Department's Working Party's report on Refuse Disposal, which was published in April 1971. The report includes references to possible future methods of waste disposal and advice on the recovery of waste materials from refuse. In addition the Department's Standing Committee on Research into Refuse Collection, Storage and Disposal has recently published its first report. Research projects into several aspects of waste disposal, including reclamation, are being undertaken by my Department on the recommendation of this committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint someone from the Irvine New Town area to the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board being constituted under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972.

Members of health boards are being selected for the individual contribution they can make to the work of the boards rather than as representatives of any particular interest or area. I shall be appointing the balance of membership towards the end of this year and shall take account of any specific suggestions made to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the names of the advisory council on oil.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Banff (Mr. W. H. K. Baker) on Monday 18th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the application by Coat-bridge Town Council for financial approval of a sports complex at Rosehall, Coatbridge; and if he will make a statement.

I approved the town council's proposals for recreational facilities at Rosehall in principle in October 1971 and since then the council has been preparing detailed plans and costs which I understand it expects to send to me shortly. When they are received I shall consider giving formal borrowing consent for the project.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce his decision on the recommendations in the report of the committee on the training of occupational centre instructors.

I have asked for comments from all the interested bodies. Most have now replied and I am considering their views carefully before reaching decisions on the recommendations made in the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom delegation at the Security Council on 22nd May abstained from voting on a resolution to strengthen sanctions again Rhodesia and vetoed the resolution directed against South Africa and Portugal which sought to inhibit trade with the illegal régime now usurping Great Britain's authority in Southern Rhodesia.

We abstained on Security Council Resolution No. 333 because, although it included proposals agreed unanimously by the Sanctions Committee, the sponsors regrettably introduced disagreed proposals which were unacceptable to Her Majesty's Government and others. The second draft resolution contained entirely objectionable proposals and we voted against it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Icelandic shelling of the British trawler "Everton" on 26th May 1973.

Whilst fishing on the high seas some 30 miles off the north coast of Iceland the British trawler "Everton" was repeatedly fired upon by the Icelandic coastguard vessel "Aegir", and was hit by nine solid shots, which caused severe damage. The "Everton" was fishing alone and too far away for the nearest Royal Naval vessel to be able to assist her when she was attacked.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations were held by his Department before the promulgation of Queen's Regulation No. 4 of 1972 granting absolute power to the commissioner to remove persons lawfully in the New Hebrides without reasons and without judicial challenge.

None, but an amendment is being considered to provide that the power of deportation shall not apply to a person who has acquired by birth or long residence the right freely to enter the New Hebrides without a permit and further to provide a right of appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement giving his reasons for retrospectively approving jointly with the French Government the text of the New Hebrides Joint Control of Land Sub-division (Amendment) Regulation No. 24 of 1972.

The New Hebrides Joint Control of Land Sub-division (Amendment) Regulation No. 24 of 1972 was signed on 4th October 1972 under the provisions of Articles 2 and 7 of the 1914 Protocol and came into effect when it was published in the Condominium Gazette of October 1972. The validity of the regulation is now being challenged in legal proceedings pending in the New Hebrides and in France, on the grounds that there was no power to make the regulation or if there was such power it was not effectively exercised. Because of the importance of the subject matter of the principal regulation amended by Regulation No. 24 of 1972, Her Majesty's Government, in consultation with the French Government, considered it in the public interest to put the validity of the regulation beyond doubt.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many regulations having retrospective effect have been made by the Resident Commissioner in the New Hebrides in the last three years; what is his policy with regard to retrospective legislation there; and what consultations he has had with the French Government on these matters.

If the Question relates to joint regulations, the following nine having retrospective effect have been made by the British and French Resident Commissioners in the New Hebrides since 1970:

1. The Joint Public Water Supply (Tanna) Regulation No. 11 of 1971 (made 8th July 1971 retrospective to 1st January 1971).

2. The Joint Advisory Council (Amendment) Regulation No. 25 of 1972 (made 17th October !972 retrospective to 4th September 1972).

3. The Joint Water Supply (Amendment) Regulation No. 14 of 1973 (made 13th March 1973 retrospective to 1st January 1973).

4. The Joint Telephone Service (Amendment) Regulation No. 13 of 1973.

5. The Joint Telegraphic Addresses (Amendment) Regulation No. 11 of 1973.

6. The Joint Business Licences Regulation No. 10 of 1973.

7. The Joint Sanitation Charge (Amendment) Regulation No. 9 of 1973.

8. The Joint Amusement Machines Tax (Amendment) Regulation No. 8 of 1973.

• (4–8 were all made on 30th March 1973 retrospective to 1st January 1973).

9. The Joint Advisory Council (Amendment) Regulation No. 5 of 1973 (made 7th March 1973 retrospective to 1st January 1973).

Seven of the nine joint regulations listed amend or impose taxes or other financial charges and none has retrospective effect beyond the commencement of the financial year in which it was made. The remaining two regulations prolong the life of the Joint Advisory Council. Retrospective legislation is enacted only where it is considered to be in the public interest.There have been no consultations with the French Government on the regulations listed above, since they are within the competence of the British and French Resident Commissioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the latest proposals by the EEC Commission for strengthening the powers of the European Assembly.

The Commission's latest proposals, which were communicated to Her Majesty's Government on 18th June, are being studied. Copies of the proposals will shortly be available to hon. Members through the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what study he has made of the effect on Parliament of any strengthening of the powers of the European Assembly.

In deciding their attitude to proposals for such a step, Her Majesty's Government are taking account of all the implications, including the effect on Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the status and what are the functions of the EEC Political Committee mentioned in the Press statement issued after the meeting of EEC Foreign Ministers on 5th June.

This committee is composed of senior officials of the nine member States of the European Communities. The committee operates within the framework of arrangements established by the First Luxembourg Report of 1970 on European political co-operation. These arrangements were also the subject of paragraph 14 of the October 1972 Paris summit communiqué.The committee presents reports to Foreign Ministers of the member States of the Communities on progress in political co-operation and prepares the meetings of Foreign Ministers, which are now held four times a year, for co-operation on foreign policy. Under the direction of Foreign Ministers the committee organises the increasing effort towards foreign policy harmonisation by the nine Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost to the British taxpayer of subsidising the citizens of Gibraltar, apart from the Armed Forces.

Britain gives no grant-in-aid to Gibraltar, but provides development aid, particularly in the fields of housing and education. In 1972–73 we provided a total of £2,360,000. We also spent £30,000 in 1972–73 on the provision of technical assistance experts, and a further £11,000 on training Gibraltarians in Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in discussing the administration of Gibraltar with the Government of Spain arising out of the recent visit by the Foreign Minister of Spain to the United Kingdom.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Gregor Mackenzie) on 16th May.—[Vol. 856, c. 341–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of his estimated cost of £175 million for the reclamation of the Maplin Sands he estimates is attributable to reclaiming land for the proposed airport; and what his estimates are of the total cost of the airport to the British Airports Authority and the income he expects it to receive per year after five years of airport operation.

The attribution of the reclamation costs will be subject to a formula to be determined by the Secretary of State for the Environment after the Maplin Development Bill becomes law. A rough estimate indicates that about £115 million of the estimated £175 million may represent expenditure on airport land. No estimate of total British Airports Authority costs can be made at this stage as additional costs will be incurred throughout the life of the airport. No estimate can yet be made of BAA's income as this will depend on decisions yet to be taken on services at Maplin and pricing policy; but we are determined that over time the airport will not be a burden on the taxpayer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ensure that there is no reduction in the capital investment of the British Steel Corporation over the next 10 years and in particular over the next two years.

The 10-year development programme planned by the British Steel Corporation is to go ahead. The Chancellor's recent announcement about public expenditure reductions will affect the corporation's capital expenditure over the next two years, but it is not intended that these reductions should impair the progress of the development strategy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals exist to manufacture International Computers Ltd. products under licence in China; and whether he will make a statement.

Marketing issues of this kind are matters of day-to-day management for decision by the company on commercial grounds. However, requests for export approval of any manufacturing licences involving China would, of course, be considered in the light of our international obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what technical information is available to his Department on the limits to the reduction of aircraft noise.

There may be physical limits to the reductions that can be achieved in aircraft noise from engine and aerodynamic sources. As engines become quieter, airframe noise becomes more significant. Limited information on some existing large jet transport aircraft indicates that on the landing approach the noise level of the airframe alone is about 8–10 EPNdB below the level measured with engines running. The full extent to which aerodynamic noise may be reduced in future designs is not yet known and my Department is supporting research directed towards better understanding of the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will compare the size of Great Britain's five largest companies with that of the five leading Japanese enterprises, giving the number of people employed in each case, capital structure, profitability and gross sales.

A true size comparison cannot be made, principally because Japanese company accounts are not fully consolidated. The most recent data

United Kingdom company groups
Data are for the year ending 31st December 1971, except for British American Tobacco for which he figures relate to the year ending 30th September 1971.
		Turnover*	Profit after tax	Capital employed†	Number of employees in UK
			£m.	£m.
British Petroleum	…	3,153	154	2,027	28,000
Shell Transport and Trading	…	2,923‡	163	2,200‡	32,000§
British American Tobacco	…	1,847	84	834	20,000
Imperial Chemical Industries	…	1,524	96	1,852	137,000
Unilever	…	1,357	40	581	89,000
* Including the turnover of overseas subsidiaries.
† Tangible assets net of depreciation less current liabilities and sundry provisions (other than bank loans and overdrafts and future tax).
‡ 40 per cent, of figure for Royal Dutch Shell Group.
§ Figure for all companies of the Shell group, including Shell Mex and BP.

Japanese industrial companies (excluding trading, banking and insurance)
Data are for years ending between 1st April 1971 and 31st March 1972; they are based on the dollar figures published in "The President Directory", converted to sterling at average rates of exchange in 1971. or at the rate of exchange at 31st December 1971.
				Turnover	Profit after tax	Capital employed ║	Number of employees
					£m.	£m.
Nippon Steel	…	…	…	1,627	21	2,679	88,000
Toyota Motor	…	…	…	1,363	50	646	41,000
Nissan Motor	…	…	…	1,304	45	1,129	48,000
Hitachi	…	…	…	1,040	28	1,279	97,000
Matsushita Electrical Industrial				995	54	654	46,000
║ Stockholders' equity plus borrowed capital.

Japanese trading companies
Data are for years ending between 1st April 1971 and 31st March 1972; they are based on figures expressed in yen published in the Japan Economic Journal of 23rd May 1972, converted to sterling at the average rate of exchange in 1971
		Turnover
		£m.
Mitsubishi Corporation	…	6,138
Mitsui and Co.	…	5,853
Marubeni Corporation	…	3,662
C. Itoh and Co.	…	3,358
Sumitomo Shoji	…	2,696

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies still registered have not filed accounts since 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970, respectively; how many of these are breaking the law; and how many legal cases have been brought against defaulting companies in 1970, 1971 and 1972.

It will not be possible to answer the first part of the Question with-

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to standardise bottle shapes and sizes.

No. I do not consider there is a need for legislation for this purpose at the present time. This is a matter for the industries concerned to decide and I understand that discussions are proceeding in the British Standards Institution with the object of achieving a greater degree of standardisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will sponsor and finance a research programme to discover and develop uses for waste materials.

Warren Spring Laboratory is already engaged in such studies. The reclamation industry has been invited to submit specific research and development proposals to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the figures for changes in output per man-shift in the coalmining industry, both at the coalface and overall during the course of the last 12 months.

The relevant figures are:

OUTPUT PER MANSHIFT AT NCB MINES
	Face	(cwts) Overall
June 1972	148·19	45·51
July 1972	143·06	42·95
August 1972	142·84	41·84
September 1972	143·66	44·28
October 1972	149·02	46·21
November 1972	150·88	46·75
December 1972	153·70	47·81
January 1973	151·99	47·29
February 1973	153·62	47·56
March 1973	156·75	48·27
April 1973	153·93	46·99
May 1973	158·41	47·66
12 months ended 20th May 1972*	139·65	42·21
12 months ended 26th May 1973	150·65	45·95
change	+ 11·00	+ 3·74
	(+8%)	(+ 9%)
* The figures were depressed by the miners' industrial action

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, in view of the present level of stocks of distributed and undistributed coal and a summer's stockpiling still to come, will be his policy when total stocks exceed 40 million tons.

My Department is keeping a close watch on the movements in stock levels and to date there is nothing which warrants a change in the Government's coal policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the level of stocks of coal at pit heads and at power stations, he will give consideration to issuing a general direction to the CEGB to halt the conversion of coal-fired power stations to oil, to re-convert those which have dual-firing equipment back to coal, and to build more coal-fired stations.

I keep energy policy under continuous review. The availability of coal is only one of many factors affecting the fuelling of power stations. The present level of coal stocks does not justify the fundamental changes suggested by the right hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now seek to ban imports of coal from all non-EEC countries.

No. Imports are currently at the rate of only about 2 million tons a year, and about half consists of qualities of coking coal not available from British mines.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the full terms of the reference to the Monopolies Commission of the regulation of charges by scale fees on the part of architects and surveyors.

I expect to publish the references shortly when my Department has concluded its discussions about their precise terms with the professional organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce the appointment of the Director of the Scottish Petroleum Office.

I am pleased to announce that Mr. T. B. Buyers, at present Commissioning Manager for British Petroleum for the expansion project at Baglan Bay, has accepted this important post.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now make a statement on public holidays.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange (Mr. Parry) on 7th May.—[Vol. 856, c. 40–41.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he can now announce proposals for the disposal of the 72 dwellings at Bircham Newton; and if he will make a statement.

Under earlier plans no requirement was seen for 72 of the Service married quarters at Bircham Newton. However, we are currently reviewing our deployment plans and it now seems likely that we shall require to retain all these quarters for Royal Air Force occupation. I hope to be able to announce a final decision shortly.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the implications for the civilian industrial and non-industrial staff in Royal Naval dockyards of the current developments in the Fleet maintenance units.

There are no plans to alter the existing allocation of the upkeep task between dockyard employees and uniformed personnel of the Fleet maintenance groups. These groups undertake first-line maintenance and are essentially extensions of ships' staffs performing work that is within the skills and capabilities of Royal Navy personnel. Changes in the composition of the Fleet and the increasing complexity of ships equipments are requiring some expansion of the groups, particularly at Devonport and Portsmouth, for the continued accomplishment of this maintenance task. Dockyard employees are being kept fully informed on the rôle of the Fleet maintenance groups.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the current average number of industrial workers per available hand basin, first, in workshops or factories and, secondly, in amenity centres for workers in ships in each of the four Royal Naval dockyards in Great Britain; whether he will publish the relevant figures after the completion of currently approved development plans; and whether he will make a statement on the plans and timetable for general improvements in lavatory, washing, eating and resting amenities for workers in these dockyards.

At present the scale and type of washing facilities vary considerably in different parts of the dockyards. The current overall average figures are not available but even if they were they would be likely to be misleading particularly as they would not reflect the differing needs according to the type of work on which the men are employed.Where the facilities are inadequate they are being brought up to modern standards broadly in line with the following scales:

	Number of Basins
	First 100 men	Each 100 men
		thereafter
Clean conditions	5	4
Average conditions	7½	6
Dirty conditions	10	8

I am giving information on amenity improvements in the dockyards in my reply to a further Question by the hon. Member today.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of improvement costs to the Semaphore Tower in Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard and the total cost of constructing the nearby new landing stage since work was originally started on it.

The cost of improvements to the Semaphore Tower was £55,800. The total cost of constructing the new landing stage was £950.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the total expenditure on amenity improvement in each of the four British Royal Naval dockyards during the past financial year and of all authorised future expenditure in this respect.

The table below shows the expenditure in 1972–73 and authorised future expenditure on amenity improvements in Her Majesty's dockyards in the United Kingdom. The figures cover new toilets, ablutions, canteen and messing facilities, clothes lockers and drying facilities, covered tool box stowage and other improvements to working conditions generally which are being incorporated in the various modernisation projects.

	Expenditure in 1972–73	Authorised future expenditure
	£	£
Portsmouth	317,000	1,580,000
Devonport	81,000	3,800,000
Chatham	137,000	125,000
Rosyth	75,000	440,000

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the proposed expenditure within Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard on improved amenities for visitors on their way to and from HMS "Victory".

Expenditure on improving these amenities is expected to be about £80,000. This includes the provision of colonnades, walkways and display areas—£60,000; staff accommodation—£8,500, and public toilets—£3,000.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will undertake a special review of the wages and salary structure for civilian industrial and non-industrial staff in Royal Naval dockyards and other defence establishments in relation to such structures in private shipyards and other firms undertaking contract work for the Ministry of Defence.

The general pay structures for civilian industrial and non- industrial staff employed by the Ministry of Defence are those which apply to the Civil Service as a whole, and are negotiated centrally in accordance with agreed procedures. No special arrangements for reviewing them are, therefore, required. Studies are, however, currently being undertaken of the pay arrangements for industrial employees in the Royal Naval dockyards where, in addition to basic pay, remuneration includes bonuses payable under productivity and payment-by-results schemes. It is too early to forecast the outcome of these studies.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the implications for amenity improvements for civilian workers in Royal Naval dockyards and other defence establishments of the recent decision by the Government to curb expenditure on defence.

Details of the defence measures to be taken are still being worked out but amenity improvements for civilian workers are not likely to be significantly affected.

asked the Minister of State for Defence when he expects the work of the Seebohm Committee inquiring into welfare services in the Royal Navy to be completed.

Lord Seebohm's Committee of Inquiry into the Naval Welfare Services is now completing its work and I expect to receive a copy of its report very shortly.