asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many stoppages, strikes and disputes have occurred during the past 12 months covering the supply of official papers to the Vote Office of the House of Commons; and what were the grounds for the disputes in each case.

During the 12 months up to 18th June 1973 the supply of official papers to the Vote Office of the House of Commons has been affected 23 times; on four occasions because of stoppages in production, on three occasions because of strikes and on 17 occasions because of disputes.Stoppages were due on two occasions to complaints about working conditions at the Parliamentary Printing Press; the other two stoppages were due to workers' sympathy with gaoled dockers and disagreement over some ancillary payments.Strikes were caused on one occasion by protest action against the Industrial Relations Act and on two occasions as a result of the Trades Union Congress call to protest against the pay freeze.On four occasions disputes were about methods of working and on four other occasions because of a pay claim by linotype operators. Action by members of the Civil and Public Service Association who were protesting against the pay freeze prevented the printing press on nine other occasions from delivering on time the official papers it had printed.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his proposals to reprovide in Orkney certain NATO facilities, hitherto afforded by the Keflavik base in Iceland.

I have made no such proposals.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether HMS "Royal Oak" in Scapa is scheduled as a war grave; and what permissions he has given to diving teams to search "Royal Oak" in the last 12 months.

The wreck of HMS "Royal Oak" contains the remains of those who went down with the ship and it does therefore constitute their grave. No diving group has been given permission to search the "Royal Oak" in the last twelve months and Her Majesty's ships in the area look out for any unauthorised diving there.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will publish the current rates of compensation payable to troops injured while on active service in Northern Ireland and the current rates of compensation paid to dependants of troops killed on active service there.

The current rates of benefit under the Armed Forces occupational pension scheme for regular Service personnel who are invalided, and for the widows and dependent children of those who die in service, as a result of injuries due to service, are assessed on the basis which my right hon. Friend announced on 2nd May. These rates apply regardless of length of service or the place where the injury was suffered, but they vary according to rank and, in the case of men invalided from the Service, according to the degree of disability. Pensions payable by the Ministry of Defence Are in addition to those payable under the war pensions instruments administered by the Department of Health and Social Security.—[Vol. 855, c. 317–18.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence when he expects to be able to publish the Report of the Defence Lands Committee.

As the House was informed on 10th May 1973, the Report will be published as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made—[Vol. 856, c. 767.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will give a decision on the future of the Wolstanton Grammar School; and whether she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is considering a number of related statutory proposals affecting secondary schools in Newcastle-under-Lyme, including proposals to enlarge and change the character of Wolstanton Grammar School so as to admit boys and girls of all abilities. She will give her decisions as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes in the machinery for negotiating teachers' salaries she has under consideration.

I am always ready to consider proposals for changes which are likely to command widespread support.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state the number of officers in her Department who have served or are serving upon committees in this country or abroad which function as part of membership activity within the EEC, with the titles of the committees involved and the principal subjects which are or have been under consideration.

The number of officers of the Department of Education and Science who have served or are serving on committees which function as a part of membership activity with the EEC is seven. Two additional officers have attended informal meetings of an ad-hoc nature.The subjects involved are the European University Institute, European schools, co-operation in the field of education, mutual recognition of qualifica- tions and collaboration in scientific and technological research.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will institute an inquiry into the manner in which a number of employees were made redundant recently by the British Carpets factory at Cumnock.

A manpower adviser of the Conciliation and Advisory Service of my Department has been in close touch with both the management of the company and trade union representatives and there have been joint discussions on this matter. I do not consider further inquiry would be useful.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the price index for domestic electricity on 1st January 1960, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973, taking the price on 1st January 1960 as 100.

The figures requested are not available for 1st January. The changes in the retail prices index for the domestic consumption of electricity at mid-January each year were as follows: 1960, 100; 1965, 128; 1970, 159·2; 1971, 161·4; 1972, 181·9; 1973, 190·2.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if, in his comprehensive review of the statutory quota system for employment of disabled people, he will consider using the classification of disability set out in the Amelia Harris Report, a copy of which is in his possession;(2) if, in his comprehensive review of the statutory quota system for employment of disabled persons, he will consider increasing the existing quotas.

Yes. These and all other suggestions offered by organisations or individuals concerned will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has made of the effect of road traffic from Maplin on transport congestion in London.

Road traffic for the airport should be within the capacity of the road system planned for Greater London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish the progress reports of discussions currently being held between the Department and the Nature Conservancy research team concerning the wild life of Foulness island and Maplin sands.

The contract for the wildlife research programme for Maplin requires the Natural Environment Research Council to submit progress reports to my Department. These deal with the stages reached on each component of the project. The research staff have working contacts with Government scientists in related fields, for example at the Hydraulics Research Station, and meetings at the Department have been concerned mainly with ensuring that there is adequate liaison.The Nature Conservancy is free to make scientific data available and are, in fact, in regular touch with voluntary organisations interested in conservation. The research is not yet sufficiently advanced for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to provide greater security of tenure for those persons living permanently on caravan sites.

None. We do not think that it would be in the best interests of caravan dwellers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in a census of people using a major road, the number of children who may have to cross such a road is included.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total expenditure on sport by local authorities in each of the last five years.

I am sending the hon. Member such information as is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total mileage of rail passenger routes closed in Wales between October 1964 and June 1970, and the total mileage of passenger routes in Wales closed since June 1970.

240 miles in the first period and 17 miles in the second.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a White Paper on his policy towards giving grants for loss-making passenger routes in Wales, indicating the extent to which he takes account of annual revenue and all running, maintenance and capital costs.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the way in which co-ownership housing schemes are working; and to what extent the Housing Corporation is receiving complaints from participators.

Co-ownership is a new form of tenure in this country. That it fills a real need is evidenced by its increasingly rapid growth. Some 26,000 families now live in co-ownership societies' houses, and another 19,000 houses have been approved or are under construction. In this context the few complaints the corporation receives—about 0·5 per cent. per year of the numbers housed—are an indication that the scheme is on a sound basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the hon. Member for Eccles on the imposition of VAT under Smoke Control Orders; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his similar Question on 13th June and the answer on 7th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Redmond).—[Vol. 856, c. 34.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the number of officers in his Department who have served or are serving upon committees in this country or abroad which function as part of membership activity within the EEC, with the titles of the committees involved and the principal subjects which are or have been under consideration.

It would require disproportionate time and effort to establish in detail the exact subjects and number of officials involved in the many committees and working groups which have been set up here and in Brussels. Attendance at meetings varies according to the business to be discussed. The general heads under which discussions involving the Department's officials are held are environmental policy; transport policy (including road, rail and inland waterways); technical standards for motor vehicles; regional policy; and local authority questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of further representations made to him, he will now extend the time allowed for comments on the Green Paper "The Control of Firearms in Great Britain: A Consultative Document".

In view of difficulties in obtaining the Green Paper experienced by some of those who ordered copies by post immediately after publication, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided to extend the period of consultation until the end of July, and all comments received by that date will be taken into account. A plentiful supply of copies of the Green Paper is available at all Government bookshops.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have been involved in costing the taking of a 51 per cent. interest in the first 25 of the 100 leading companies; what cost to public funds this has involved; and whether he will make a statement.

The cost to public funds of the work carried out by two officers in connection with the answer to a Parliamentary Question was about £17.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated value, from the latest figures available, of the importation of pornographic books, films and magazines.

The information is not available. The hon. Member may like to know that in 1972–73, 63,000 books, 2,470 films and 932,000 magazines were seized as being indecent or obscene articles whose importation was prohibited under the Customs Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he now has to publish the Page Report on National Savings; and if he will make a statement.

The Report of the Page Committee on National Savings is being published today. I should like to record my gratitude to Sir Harry Page and the members of his committee for undertaking such a major task.The report makes a large number of recommendations to which we have now given preliminary consideration. We shall need to consult a number of organisations, including the National Savings movement and the Trustee Savings Banks Association, before reaching final conclusions.There is, however, one point on which I should like to state the Government's general position from the outset. The Government do not accept the recommendation that the voluntary National Savings movement should be wound up. Not only has the voluntary National Savings movement a long and distinguished record of service to the community, but we believe that there is a valuable and constructive rôle for it to play in the future. Changes will be needed to bring this rôle into line with the conditions of the 1970s. We shall discuss these changes with the National Savings committees.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has, for the years 1964–1972 inclusive, showing the percentage of net disposable income after tax spent on food for those earning average industrial earnings or less in each of the years concerned.

I have been asked to reply.I am investigating what information it may be possible to prepare and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has, for the years 1964–1972 inclusive, showing the hours which would have to be worked to purchase, at current prices in each of the years concerned, a representative sample of goods or commodities normally included in the cost-of-living index, including foodstuffs.

I have been asked to reply.I am investigating what information it may be possible to prepare and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many small primary schools in the Hillsborough, Dromara, Carryduff area have been closed since 1960; what schools are involved; how many pupils were on the rolls at the date of closure; what is the estimated present number of children of primary school age in that area who have to travel from home to the nearest primary school by transport; and how this figure compares with the number who travelled by transport to school in 1960.

The information is as follows:

School	Date Closed	Enrolment
Reilly's Trench	31.7.63	8
Ballykeel-Ednagonnell	31.8.63	15
Muninabane	23.9.64	22
Finnis	23.9.64	58
Artana	24.10.66	70
Backnamullagh	31.8.67	15
Blaris	1.1.68	25
Killynure Primary	31.8.68	55
Ballyvicnacally	31.8.69	19
Ballyknockan	31.12.69	11
Clintagh	31.8.70	32
Burren	31.8.70	26
Total number of schools 12:
Total number of pupils involved		356

Some 420 children in the area travel to primary schools in free school transport provided by Down County Education Committee. The corresponding figure for 1967 is estimated to have been 100; records for earlier years are not now available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how it happened that the Belfast-Bangor bus, driven by the late Mr. Samuel Rush, was allowed to enter an area where disturbances were already in progress; and why no action was taken by the security forces to divert or stop traffic.

The incident in which Mr. Rush met his death occurred at 10.20 p.m. on 10th June 1973. Before that, there had been only one serious incident in the whole of East Belfast during the evening in question—at 7 p.m. when three shots were fired at Mountpottinger RUC Station, which is not on the route followed by the bus. The shot which killed Mr. Rush was fired during an attack on the Army vehicle check point at the junction of Woodstock Road and Albertbridge Road. This was the first intimation that the security forces had of a disturbance in the area. It is not correct to say that they permitted traffic to flow into an area where disturbances were already in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the statement made by a representative of the Ministry of Home Affairs at a public meeting in Newtownards on 13th February 1973 that the proposed remand home at Kiltonga House would not be required for more than four years was made with his authority.

Yes. Kiltonga House will be required for use as a specialised remand home and training school until buildings designed for the purpose are ready. These buildings, which are now being planned, will be on a site elsewhere.The period for which Kiltonga House will be used will depend on the time it takes to complete the new building. Provided there are no unforeseen difficulties this should not exceed four years.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will protect the glass curtain wall at Aldergrove airport by the use of either tape or wire mesh.

Northern Ireland Airports Ltd. has already taken steps to

Year			January	February	March	April	May	June
1971	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	21
1972	…	…	72	73	80	83	118	141
1973	…	…	84	93	78	90	88	—
Year			July	August	September	October	November	December
1971	…	…	52	75	53	117	103	89
1972	…	…	94	116	97	133	97	68
1973	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—
The average grant over the period was £854

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the rate rebate scheme ended for city centre properties in Belfast; how much was paid under the scheme; what notice and consultation took place before the scheme was terminated; and what proposals he has to review the situation of city centre traders, so as to help them in their present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the Ulster Airport Authority has refused to restrict the access of casual visitors and sightseers to Aldergrove Airport on the basis that such a restriction would have a detrimental effect on bar takings; and, whether he is satisfied with that reason.

The possible effect on bar takings played no part whatsoever in the decision by Northern Ireland Airports Ltd. not to restrict the access of casual visitors to the airport. The decision was taken on the grounds that it would not be practicable to distinguish such visitors from the families of air travellers to whom great inconvenience would be caused were such restrictions to be imposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for improvement grants there have been in each month since 8th June 1971; how many have been accepted; and what was the average grant payable over that period.

Details of the number of applications for improvement grants submitted to housing authorities are not available. The following table shows the number of grants approved in each month since 8th June 1971.

The scheme originally applied to rates payable for the year ending 30th September 1972. It was subsequently extended to 31st March this year. The total amount paid to Belfast city centre traders so far is £710,000, though some claims are still outstanding.The scheme was an emergency measure, intended to help maintain the general commercial life of the city centre at a time of exceptional difficulty. There were encouraging signs earlier this year of an overall improvement in Belfast city centre trading compared with a year ago.While there is no reason to believe that the general commercial life of the city is now at risk, any representations which might cause a different view to be taken would be carefully considered. In the meantime the supplementary scheme of employment grants for traders in danger of closure, announced last November, remains available to assist firms which are in particular difficulties.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will improve television reception in and around Woodgate Valley, Birmingham, by providing a booster station between Droitwich and Quinton.

The improvement of the coverage of their services is primarily a matter for the BBC and IBA, which are not aware of any difficulty in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for borrowing approval he now has before him for recreational projects which local authorities in the Cumnock and Doon Valley areas wish to pursue; and when he expects to decide on the applications.

Cumnock District Council have sought borrowing consent for six recreational projects and I expect to let the district council have my decision on four of them shortly. As regards the remaining projects, the district council submitted proposals last week for one, and I am waiting for further information from them about the other. Cumnock Town Council and Dalmellington District Council have each sought borrowing consent for one recreational project. I am awaiting further details about both of these.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were killed in road accidents in Scotland in each of the past five years.

I refer the hon. Member to my Answer of 16th May 1973.—[Vol. 856, c. 324.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will allow disabled persons who have production line vehicles issued by his Department to have this vehicle purchased by a surviving disabled person when the other disabled member of the family has died, become bedridden or house-bound; and if he will make a statement.

The arrangements described by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services in his reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member today apply also in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recommendations he has made concerning the importing of birds carrying psittacosis and making psittacosis a notifiable disease.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I reviewed the question of import controls on psittacine birds following the Report of the Review Panel on the Newcastle Disease Epidemic, 1970–71. We concluded that the risk to health, whether human or otherwise, was not sufficient to justify such controls, and we have no proposals for making psittacosis a notifiable disease.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to provide the necessary finance to enable the City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, to increase its recruitment of nurses.

Funds are already available for the increased recruitment of trained and student nurses and staffing levels are at present limited only by the number who can be recruited.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of nurses that would be needed to be added to the staff of the City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, to prevent the cancellation of operating sessions because of the shortage of nursing staff.

Seven.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to ensure that the operating theatre at the City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, is more fully utilised; and whether he will make a statement.

The fullest use is being made of the operating theatre with the present staff available. I am hopeful that the continuing efforts being made to improve recruitment of trained staff will enable the theatre to be more fully utilised.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average wait for a hospital place in Birmingham for children who need ENT operations.

The information requested about children is not readily available. The average waiting time in 1972 for a hospital place by ENT cases of all kinds and of all ages was 28·3 weeks; more than half the admissions were children in the 0 to 14 years age group. Emergency cases are admitted immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when it is expected that the number of beds in use at the North Staffordshire hospitals will equal these in use at June 1970.

It is impossible to forecast how many beds will be available at a particular time in the future because this depends on staffing levels and on maintenance and capital works in pro- gress. Every effort is being made to recruit trained staff and student nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will investigate the policy on recruitment to the hospital service of casualty officers in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

In this region, as in others, there are some difficulties in recruiting medical staff for accident and emergency departments. Hospital authorities recruit staff through all the usual advertising channels, and make full use of general practitioners who are prepared to work in these departments part-time. Three new consultant posts have been established in the region, and four more approved for establishment this year; this should help directly in staffing these departments, and also make them more attractive to junior staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why, in his Department's advertisements for the posts of area treasurers and of regional administrators, it is assumed that the successful applicants will he male, and in advertisements for regional nursing officers and area nursing officers it is assumed that the successful applicants will be female.

The advertisements were placed by the NHS Staff Advisory Committee for England; the wording follows the normal practice for advertisements of this kind and implies no discrimination on grounds of sex.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria are now laid down by his Department for local authorities to follow in nominating members to the regional health authority.

Local authorities will not nominate members to the regional health authorities, but will be among the bodies whom the Secretary of State is required to consult before making appointments. Guidance on the qualities sought in members was given in the letters addressed to such bodies on 24th April, of which a copy is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if his Department has made an estimate of the requirements for different types of care in the future for the disabled and aged; what emphasis it proposes to lay on each type of care in planning future expenditures on the care of the disabled; and if he will make a statement;(2) what study his Department has made of the pattern of care for the disabled which permits integration with the community as a whole; if a study has been made of the economic and social balance between care at home, in institutions and in group dwellings; and if he will make a statement;(3) if his Department has now made an estimate of the number of disabled people who will have to be cared for over the next 20 years; if it has made an estimate of the need for an increase in social services to meet this requirement; and if he will make a statement;(4) what assessment his Department has made of the comparative costs of caring for disabled people at home, in hospitals, in institutions and in group dwellings; if account has been taken of the social costs involved in providing care; and if he will make a statement.

In the light of such knowledge as is at present available suggestions as to the need for services were made to local authorities in August last to assist their planning, and I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the circular concerned. All the matters to which the hon. Member refers are under constant review by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals his Department is prepared to make to encourage community care as official local government policy; what financial support will be made available to allow local authority social services departments to keep the disabled and aged within the community; and if he will make a statement.

The responsible local authorities are aware of the Government's policy to develop the provision of services in the community as rapidly as resources permit, and I am sending the hon. Member copies of circulars sent to them. The recent rapid growth in the expenditure on personal social services shows that local authorities have given these services high priority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he accepts the projections made by the Economist Intelligence Unit and Action Research for the Crippled Child monograph "Care with Dignity" regarding the needs of the disabled in the future in terms of social and economic costs; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 24th May.—[Vol. 857, c. 122–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department will allow disabled persons who have production line vehicles issued by his Department, to have this vehicle purchased by a surviving disabled person when the other disabled member of the family has died, become bedridden or house-bound; and if he will make a statement.

Cars withdrawn, for whatever reason, which can be reconditioned economically, are reissued to other eligible disabled people already on the waiting list; those that cannot are normaly sold by public auction, though exceptions have been made when justified by circumstances of individual cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, following the closure of the Old Trafford Limb-Fitting Centre and in the light of the information he has received from the honourable Member for Eccles, he will now consider better transport facilities for patients going to the Limb-Fitting Centre at Withington; if he will consider giving better waiting rooms and elementary catering facilities; and if he will make a statement.

Warwick Road had to be vacated and the centre was, in any event, unsuitable for its purpose. The new Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre at Withington Hospital represents a great improvement in every way except that, inevitably, it is less conveniently sited for some people just as it is more so for others. I am making inquiries into the individual case the hon. Member has raised with me and I will write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department will give close study and support to the benefits to the economy and society of prevention or cure of some of the present crippling diseases such as multiple sclerosis and spina bifida; and if he will make a statement.

A large body of relevant research with these objects is being undertaken under the auspices of the Medical Research Council, universities and others, and the Government will continue to give it every support.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the period of office of chairmen and members of the new health authorities.

I propose that members of regional and area health authorities and family practitioner committees should hold office for four years, with half the members retiring every two years, unless they are reappointed. This rule will not apply to the AHA members appointed by local authorities, as local authorities will be free to determine their tenure of office. Appointments will be made to regional health authorities and area health authorities respectively in alternate years.For the transitional period beginning with the new appointments in 1973, half the regional health authority members will be appointed to 1976 and half of them to 1978. All area health authority members will be appointed to 1977; after that a rotation will be set up by the regional health authority for its appointments at two yearly intervals; of those members appointed or reappointed after 1977, half of them will serve to 1979 and half to 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many applications have now been made for the full or reduced attendance allowance;(2) how many applications for the attendance allowance were initially rejected by the Attendance Allowance Board; and how many were subsequently allowed on a further review;(3) how many applicants who were refused an attendance allowance by the Attendance Allowance Board appealed to the National Insurance Commissioner; and what were the results.

From 1971 up to 12th June this year there have been nearly 240,000 claims for attendance allowance of which about 98,000 were initially rejected, but 15,600 were subsequently allowed on review. 508 applications for leave to appeal have been dealt with by the National Insurance Commissioners resulting in 205 successful appeals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will name the 25 companies in the United Kingdom with the largest number of employees;(2) whether he will name the 25 companies in the United Kingdom with the highest stock market quotation;(3) whether he will name the 25 largest joint stock companies registered and publicly quoted in the United Kingdom;(4) whether he will name the 25 companies in the United Kingdom with the largest trading profit;(5) whether he will name the 25 companies in the United Kingdom with the largest turnover.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will name the 25 largest United Kingdom companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange under the following criteria; (1) employees in the United Kingdom, (2) turnover, (3) trading profits before tax, and (4) market capitalisation at the last convenient date.

The lists which follow are based on the most recent information readily available. The rankings depend upon the dates to which the information relates and are liable to change as further information becomes available. The dates are indicated in the lists; for some companies there are later figures for profits or turnover than for number of employees.The 25 largest quoted companies may be identified by omitting the non-quoted companies indicated by an asterisk, and adding the quoted companies next in order of size, which are also listed.

COMPANIES WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
	Average number	Year ending
General Electric Company	181,000	31.3.72
British Leyland Motor Corporation	164,207	30.9.72
Imperial Chemical Industries	135,000	31.12.72
Courtaulds	128,046	31.3.72
Grand Metropolitan	88,969	30.9.72
Unilever	84,933	31.12.72
Guest Keen and Nettlefolds	77,045	31.12.72
Thorn Electrical Industries	76,192	31.3.72
Associated British Foods	75,975	31.3.72
Joseph Lucas Industries	72,292	31.7.72
Ford Motor Company*	67,000	31.12.72
Reed International	67,000	31.3.72
Hawker Siddeley Group	65,500	31.12.72
Philips Electronic and Associated*	64,065	31.12.71
Plessey	61,778	30.6.72
Imperial Group	61,000	31.10.72
Sears Holdings	59,000	31.1.72
Boots	58,772	31.3.72
Bass Charrington	58,341	30.9.72
Rank Hovis McDougall	57,179	31.8.72
F. W. Woolworth	56,020	31.12.72
Tube Investments	52,997	31.12.72
Dunlop Holdings	52,000	31.12.72
Allied Breweries	50,305	30.9.72
Cavenham	49,000	(at 1.4.72)
* Non-quoted company. The two quoted companies next in order are:
Great Universal Stores	48,998	31.3.72
Trust House Forte	45,000	31.10.72

COMPANIES WITH THE HIGHEST MARKET CAPITALISATION
	Estimated value of ordinary shares at 15th June 1973
	£ million
British Petroleum	2,201
Shell Transport and Trading	1,845

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the danger to children, he will give a general direction to the CEGB to review safety precautions at electricity sub-stations throughout the country.

No. I am satisfied that the CEGB and the area electricity boards are continually reviewing their safety precautions to prevent unauthorised access to substations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the assurances confirmed by Chrysler in respect of its United Kingdom operation as recently as December 1972; and which assurances have been allowed to be broken and why.

Of the eight undertakings given in January 1967, the following five remain in force;

(i) Chrysler will not initiate any action to impair either the home or overseas operations or the management and direction of Rootes as a British Company in its relations with the Government, labour, its British shareholders, and the public.

(ii) Chrysler undertakes to maintain a majority of British Directors on the Board of Rootes.

(iii) Chrysler confirms the plans of expansion covering development work at various factories and especially at Linwood in Scotland where the major development will take place and where it is planned to increase employment by several thousands; these plans are essential if Rootes is to remain competitive, achieve its proper share of exports and return to reasonable profitability.

(iv) Chrysler plans to achieve a progressive increase in the export of Rootes products without restriction to all practicable markets and to continue to make available its full international organisation for this purpose. They note that, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, the test of the fulfilment of this undertaking would be that the export percentage of the products of the Rootes Group should be at least as high as the average for the British Motor Vehicles Industry as a whole.

(v) Chrysler will nominate a Rootes Director (British) to each of the Boards of Simca SA and Chrysler International SA; and it is understood that a Simca Director (French) will be nominated to the Board of Rootes.

Undertakings (vii) and (viii) were discharged in January 1972, and Chrysler was released from undertaking (vi) in December 1972. None of the remainder has been broken.

asked the Secretary of State Trade and Industry if the assurances given by Chrysler in respect of its operations in the United Kingdom extend to the plant at Ryton-on-Dunsmore; and whether this means that the Ryton plant cannot be closed down, diminished in size or moved to another site without the asurances being broken.

Chrysler's assurances apply generally to its operations in the United Kingdom. While they do not have the specific implications mentioned in the Question. Chrysler re-affirmed in December 1972 its intention of continuing the operations of Chrysler UK in manufacturing vehicles for the British market and for export and of utilising as fully as possible its extensive plants in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many research programmes into means of quietening existing jet engines are currently being undertaken by Government establishments; what work is being done in conjunction with Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited; and how the present level of expenditure compares with that of 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972.

It is not practicable to isolate expenditure on quietening existing engines since the research programmes sponsored by this Department also relate to the design of future engines. Government expenditure on these programmes was £1·5 million in 1969–70, £1·1 million in 1970–71 and £1 million in each of 1971–72 and 1972–73. In the current financial year, expenditure will be about £1·25 million of which nearly 70 per cent. will be spent in industry and universities and the

	British Government	French Government	Both Governments
	£m.	£m.	£m.
Actual costs from 29th November 1962 to 30th April 1973 at the prices and exchange rate prevailing when the costs were incurred	380	350(4,550MFr.)	730
Estimated costs from 30th April 1973 to completion of programme at January 1973 prices and at an exchange rate of £1 = 11·44FF	145	190 (2,210MFr.)	335
Totals	525	540 (6,760MFr.)	1,065

The differences between the latest estimate of £1,065 million at January 1973 prices and the former estimate of £970 million at January 1972 prices is as follows:

						£m.
Former estimate at January 1972 prices	…	…	…	…	…	970
Pay and price increases since January 1972	…	…	…	…	…	35
Adjustments for variation in exchange rates	…	…	…	…	…	30
Revision of Estimates	…	…	…	…	…	10
Later date for obtaining Certificate of Airworthiness		…	…	…	…	20
Present estimate at January 1973 prices	…	…	…	…	…	1,065

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, having regard to the inquiries pursued by his Department, whether he will make a statement on its findings to date in the matter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be making a further announcement on the cost of Concorde.

The latest estimate of total development costs in Britain and France is £1,065 million at January 1973 prices. Of the total increase of £95 million compared with the previous estimate, £35 million is due to pay and price increases in Britain and France, £30 million to changes in the exchange rates, and the balance to revision of estimates and date for certification. The manufacturers are studying a number of possible improvements, in particular those relating to noise, for introduction after the aircraft enters service. The costs of these, if approved, would be additional to the current estimate.The estimate of £1,065 million is divided as follows between actual past expenditure and estimated future expenditure:of the Saint Christopher Motorists' Association; whether he has decided his policy in regard to this Association; and whether he will make a statement.

Reports of inquiries into the affairs of St. Christopher Motorists' Association Limited are being considered and at this stage I am not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to make available the report of the committee inquiring into flight time limitations under the chairmanship of Group Captain Bader and if he will make a statement.

I am informed by the Civil Aviation Authority that the report is being published today and I have arranged for copies to be made available in the Vote Office. I understand that the authority will invite comment from interested parties on the implementation of the proposals and recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of contracts with details of the contracting parties and the purpose of such contracts, between his Department and private security companies or firms.

These contracts are small and entered into locally as occasion requires; details of contracts could not be made available without disproportionate expenditure of time and effort. The purpose is the protection of public property.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to enter into new contracts with private security companies or firms, and what would be the purpose of such contracts.

The services of these firms will continue to be used to protect public property when circumstances require it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers of search, detection or arrest without warrant, and of the exercise of force beyond common law and existing statutory powers conferred on persons other than constables are currently available to employees of private security companies or firms who have contracted with his Department; and what plans he has to extend the powers of such persons.

The answer to both parts of the question is: none.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers of search, detection or arrest without warrant, and of the exercise of force beyond common law and existing statutory powers conferred on persons other than constables are currently available to employees of private security companies or firms who are engaged in duties at airports or seaports in the United Kingdom; and if he will give precise details of the plans which he has to extend such powers

Private security organisations as such have no powers beyond those of any other private citizen to search, arrest or use force at airports.Any change in this position would depend on the provisions of the Protection of Aircraft Bill, and I cannot anticipate the outcome of discussion on the remaining stages of this legislation.I am not aware of such powers either being available or being sought in respect of seaports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees of private security companies or firms are now engaged in security work at airports or sea ports in the United Kingdom, specifying the number employed at each airport or sea port.

Full information in the form requested is not available. Including its own employees, the British Airports Authority employs 190 civilians on security duties at its airports; BOAC 190 and British Caledonian 43 in the United Kingdom; and BEA 138 at Heathrow. No figures are available for seaports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the number of officers in his Department who have served or are serving upon committees in this country or abroad which function as part of membership activity within the EEC, with the titles of the committees involved and the principal subjects which are or have been under consideration.

Disproportionate time and effort would be required to compile a comprehensive answer to this Question. There are, for example, many council and commission committees and working groups, some of an ad hoc nature, which have been, or are, attended by officials of the Department.On average, about 30 officials travel to Brussels each week and many of these visits are for the purpose of attending meetings of committees or working groups; usually a smaller number of officials would be involved in formal meetings in the United Kingdom concerned with Community matters.The principal subjects which have been, or are, under discussion are industrial policy, energy policy, technical standards, right of establishment—self-employed persons—tariffs and trade, company law, competition policy, science and technology policy, regional policy, consumer protection, industrial pollution, insurance and cinematograph films.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department will allow disabled persons who have production line vehicles issued by his Department, to have this vehicle purchased by a surviving disabled person when the other disabled member of the family has died, become bedridden or house-bound; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security which applies equally to my Department,

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if Her Majesty's Government's ambassadors in foreign countries are accredited to Governments or Heads of State.

The letters accrediting Her Majesty's Ambassadors are addressed to the Head of State concerned at the time of the ambassador's appointment.