asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about his Department's monitoring of its investment in Norton Villiers Triumph motor cycles.

Arrangements have been made with the company to receive regular reports on its financial situation, prospects and progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet completed his investigation of allegations that steel purchased from the British Steel Corporation has been resold for export to other member countries of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

While supplies are short it is clearly unhelpful, even though not unlawful, if customers divert to export markets steel which has been sold to them, at the lower prices prevailing here, for use in the United Kingdom. I deprecate this, and have arranged with the steel producers to examine any instances where it is alleged to be happening.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take steps to prevent the export of types of steel plate which are in short supply in the United Kingdom.

Steel exports have already been reduced by the industry in order to assist the home market, and further limitation would prejudice the long-term development of its major export outlets.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in how many Common Market languages Department of Trade and Industry publications are published dealing with (a) export and (b) industrial investment incentives.

Including English, five on export matters and two on inward investment, with a third publication under preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the other European Economic Community countries about the use of air space over the English Channel.

None, Sir, but the Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for these matters, holds such consultations regularly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the arrangements being made for oil and petrol distribution in the Borders.

Although there was a local supply problem following the cuts in fuel supply announced to the House on 19th November, the steps taken by my Department in conjunction with the oil industry should ensure that the arrangements made for the distribution of oil and petrol in the Borders are now satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he gives to the Government-appointed directors of British Petroleum Limited in matters of policy relating to the present world shortage of oil supplies.

I am in direct touch with the chairmen of major oil companies, including British Petroleum, about the oil supply situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from the Ship and Boat Builders' National Federation about the supply of fuel oil both for work and pleasure boats and to hire fleet operators.

On 7th December I received a letter from this federation in which it has raised a number of points concerning fuel supplies. These points are being actively considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with the farming unions difficulties experienced by farmers, especially in Wales, in obtaining adequate oil supplies.

I have received no reports that farmers in Wales have encountered special problems in regard to supplies of oil. The operation of agricultural tractors, machinery and equipment in the production of food is a priority use and the steps already taken by my Department in collaboration with the oil industry should ensure that adequate supplies of oil are available to meet the essential needs of all farmers, including those in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for ensuring supply of fuel to private work and pleasure boat owners, and also to hire fleet operators, in view of their importance to tourism.

The arrangements that my Department has made in conjunction with the oil industry should ensure that all oil users are now obtaining reasonable supplies of fuel.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the effects on rural community life of the closure of village halls which have only electric heating, he will consider allowing electric heating to be used on a restricted basis outside times of peak demand for social and cultural activities in communities where no public building with alternative means of heating is available.

I share the hon. Member's concern for the rural communities, but the demand for electricity is heavy throughout the day and well into the evening. In the present situation there is no scope for any relaxation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that neither oil companies nor distributors are witholding petrol and oil supplies to retailers and consumers in anticipation of a price increase.

My Department is working closely with the oil companies to solve the problems created by the shortage of oil and I am satisfied that the companies are not withholding supplies. A contributing factor to the present difficulties over petrol in some areas may be that retailers are conserving stocks but this could be for reasons unconnected with a possible price increase. I am looking into this, and if my hon. Friend has any evidence that he would care to submit to me I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many accidents involving light aircraft took place during the 12 months up to 30th June 1973; and if he will give comparable figures for the preceding year.

During the 12 months up to 30th June there were 184 notifiable accidents to United Kingdom registered aircraft under 2,300 kilograms; the figure for the preceding year was 175.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the Chairman of the British Gas Corporation.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the chairman and other members on 5th November to discuss the British Gas Corporation's progress and prospects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give considerattion to a major programme of up-dated British Magnox-type reactors.

All thermal reactor systems including Magnox are under consideration for future orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the report of the Nuclear Power Advisory Board on the future of the Central Electricity Generating Board's nuclear programme.

I expect the Nuclear Power Advisory Board to make recommendations early in the new year on the choice of thermal reactor systems for the United Kingdom's next nuclear plant orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the location of all AGR reactors in the course of construction or on order in the United Kingdom, the date each was originally scheduled to be completed and expected dale of completion, the original estimated price and the reassessed cost.

I am asking the Chairman of the CEGB to send my hon. Friend such information as is not of a commercially confidential nature. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will also ask the Chairman of the SSEB to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the United Kingdom's visible trade surplus or deficit with the previous EEC six countries in 1973 to the latest date for which figures are available.

There was an accrued trade deficit of about £940 million, of which a substantial part is accounted for by increases in imports of industrial materials, machinery and fuel, totalling £816 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a White Paper outlining what the Government have done to implement the recommendations of the IMEG report.

I have no plans for the publication of a White Paper on the implementation of the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in his coming reform of company law, he will seek to put financial institutions on a par with all other companies in so far as disclosure of financial information is concerned.

The proposals I shall make will take account of consultations which are still continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from moped users concerning the emergency regulations debarring the purchase of petrol in cans.

I have received a number of representations on this issue, but the Motor Fuel (Restriction of Supplies) Order 1973 does in fact allow moped users who regularly purchase two-stroke mixture, or petrol for making up such a mixture, in cans to go on doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent in his plans for petrol rationing he has taken account of the effect on the efficiency of internal combustion engines of a reduction in the lead content in petrol.

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 27th November, the Government have deferred the reduction in the maximum lead content of petrol from 0·64 grams to 0.55 grams per litre originally planned to take effect from 1st January 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware of the practice of some garages in restricting petrol supplies to customers having an account at the filling station; and if he will take action, pending the possible introduction of petrol rationing, designed to ensure that cash customers get a fair allocation of supplies.

We have asked garage owners to share out available supplies fairly amongst all customers and to give priority to vital users such as doctors. I believe the great majority are doing so, but I will review the matter if there is evidence of this practice becoming widespread and operating against the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the work they do for the community, social service personnel employed by the local authorities will be entitled to supplementary petrol in the event of rationing, as has been arranged for other sections engaged on urgent natonal work.

Yes, Sir. Local authorities have been advised of arrangements under which they could, if necessary, obtain supplementary allowances for their employed or voluntary social workers if rationing were introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the fact that the Esso Petroleum Company Limited claims that, in allocating a 36 per cent. reduction on January 1973 in respect of January 1974 supplies to a constituent of the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge, it is acting in accordance with his instructions, if he will make a statement on the instructions relating to such matters that he has issued to petrol companies.

The only directions that have been issued to date to oil companies regarding restrictions in the deliveries of liquid fuel to their customers relate to the period ending 12th December. If my hon. Friend will let me have fuller details of the particular case he has in mind, I will gladly look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice or instruction has been given to oil companies about the allocation of petrol to filling stations; and on what basis current allocations are being made.

Oil companies have been directed to restrict the overall delivery of motor fuel to garages to 90 per cent. of that made in the corresponding period last year, but apportioned to each garage on the basis of deliveries made in September of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the regional employment premium.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 12th November.—[Vol. 864, c. 3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent official discussions he has had with the British Steel Corporation.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and I are in regular consultation with the corporation concerning many aspects of the steel industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will formulate proposals to cut back on non-essential imports in order to reduce the trade deficit.

I would not wish to take any action that could generate a decline in world trade with consequent loss of United Kingdom exports and employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if there have been any results from the dozen inquiries from industrialists to develop in the Bishop Auckland area which were forwarded from the Clerk's department of the Bishop Auckland Council to his Department in June 1973 and which were ignored by the regional office for two months.

The inquiries were received and dealt with by the Bishop Auckland Urban District Council. Representatives of the council met officials from this Department and the Department of Employment in August, and their advice was, no doubt, taken into account by the council in dealing with the inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he envisages the future of the British oil distilling industry; and whether he has been consulted in connection with the transfer of installations to other countries outside Great Britain.

The Government's policy is to encourage the building of refining capacity at least sufficient to meet domestic requirements. I am not aware of any proposals for transferring refining operations from the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the outcome of his correspondence with the EEC Commission about the payment of grants to the Marathon Company.

The Commission has not yet replied to our letter of 12th September in which we explained why we did not consider these grants to be contrary to the shipbuilding directive.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, during the period of fuel shortage, he will order the cancellation of all test and other flights by Concorde.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will authorise the exhibitors at the British Builders and Contractors Equipment Exhibition being held at Dubai Airport from 16th to 23rd March 1974 to travel to and from Dubai in Concorde.

It is not possible to arrange this because all Concorde aircraft are fully committed to the flight development programme during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the number of people now at work in the Northern Region as a result of Industry Act assistance; and if he will make a statement.

Assistance under the Industry Act has increased industrial confidence in the Northern Region and unemployment has fallen by nearly 37,000 since August 1972. Up to 30th November selective financial assistance totalling £20 million had been offered in respect of 165 projects estimated to create 15,000 new jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to limit the import of foreign manufactured motor vehicles into the United Kingdom from Europe and the Far East by imposing special import duties and/or quota controls, respectively, and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir. The most effective means of enabling the British car industry to increase its share of the British market would be a long period of high uninterrupted production.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation in order to reform the administration of estates of bankrupts in view of the inefficiencies and costs involved in the present system.

The Government cannot undertake that time will be available for major bankruptcy legislation in the present Parliament. But I hope to include in the forthcoming Companies Bill provisions aimed at restoring the values of monetary limits in the Bankruptcy Acts and at modifying audit procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what licensing and royalty arrangements have been made for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in waters adjoining Northern Ireland.

Designated areas beyond the territorial waters of Northern Ireland are regarded as part of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf and are subject to the licensing and royalty arrangements prescribed in the Petroleum (Production) Regulations 1966, as amended.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage the production and use of gas as a substitute for oil fuels in internal combustion engines.

To divert present gas supplies on any scale, for use in internal combustion engines, would simply make it necessary for existing gas users to find alternative sources of fuel and would not alleviate the overall fuel problem. Technical and safety matters connected with the distribution and storage of gas in a motor vehicle would also need to be carefully considered before any widespread automotive use of gas could be encouraged.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he refuses to make available to Members of the House of Commons the management study of Companies House conducted in 1971, for its relevance to the proposal to move Companies House to Cardiff.

It is not the practice to make confidential management documents available outside the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in finding new ownership and management for the Ryton Marine Company on Tyneside.

My right hon. Friend appointed a receiver of the assets of this company on 2nd October in response to a request from the company to do so. The receiver, Mr. William Mackey, has received a number of inquiries about the sale of the shipyard and is still negotiating with interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, from information available to him, the average well-head price paid for the crude oil now in stock in the United Kingdom, and the average well-head price paid for crude oil due for shipment to the United Kingdom in November and December; and if he will estimate the retail price including tax of three-star petrol derived from crude oil bought at the average current well-head price.

The information requested on the average well-head price is not readily available. The allocation of current crude costs to particular products is for the oil companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the loss of production and of exports resulting from the fall-off in deliveries, currently of the order of 40 per cent., of white spirit and paraffin to the tanning industry for the degreasing of sheepskins, if he will take steps to ensure that supplies are restored to the proposed 10 per cent. cut only.

The arrangements that my Department has made in conjunction with the oil industry should ensure that adequate supplies of paraffin will be available to meet such users' essential needs. White spirit is not covered by the measures which have recently been introduced and is not therefore subject to the 10 per cent. cut-back in supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ensure that the cut-back in fuel allocations to smaller road haulage firms in South-East Derbyshire is no more severe than the cut-back to British Road Services.

The reduction in the deliveries of motor fuel by oil companies is being applied equitably to all their customers in accordance with the directions issued to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Continental Shelf Act 1964 further to facilitate the recovery of oil from the Continental Shelf and properly to tackle the ancillary matters.

All aspects of Continental Shelf policy are now under review. A statement will be made to Parliament as soon as the review is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Her Majesty's Government will consider establishing a posted price or tax reference price for crude oil secured from the United Kingdom section of the Continental Shelf similar to that prevailing in the Persian Gulf.

I cannot anticipate the outcome of the review of Continental Shelf policy. Taxation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he anticipates that it will be possible to meet the demand for electricity at the current projected rate of growth to the year 2000.

The forecasts of growth and the consequent needs for additional generating capacity are carefully reviewed on a continuing basis by the boards concerned. At this moment no difficulty is foreseen in the long term in meeting the demand for electricity.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has recently had with EEC countries regarding the computer industry; and if he will make a statement.

I met my French and German opposite numbers in November 1972 to exchange views on computer industry matters. Since then officials of the three countries have had further discussions on matters of mutual interest. Preliminary discussions about a possible EEC policy for the computer industry have also been held with the officials of the EEC Commission and of the other

			1971		1972		1973
			Landings	Departures	Landings	Departures	Landings	Departures
April	…	…	314	238	364	31	427	23
May	…	…	283	235	436	36	463	25
June	…	…	265	239	532	84	559	69
July	…	…	337	254	605	120	563	50
August	…	…	306	220	605	96	515	42
September	…	…	332	231	546	115	504	35
October	…	…	310	221	485	34	380	21
Total	…	…	2,147	1,638	3,573	516	3,411	265

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now able to announce the restrictions on night jet movements at Heathrow for summer 1974.

Following upon the 10 per cent. reduction in summer night jet movements at Heathrow this year as compared with 1972, the aim will be to limit such movements in 1974 to 3,300, a member States. A copy of a policy paper put to the Council by the EEC Commission has recently been received and is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the names of companies currently exploring for minerals in the Duchy of Cornwall and in the Duchy of Lancaster, respectively.

Three companies are exploring on licences from the Duchy of Cornwall; none is licensed by the Duchy of Lancaster. It is not the practice to divulge the names of companies to which licences are isued.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the total numbers and monthly totals of all aircraft landings and departures and of jet aircraft landings and departures at Heathrow between 23.30 and 06.00 hours and between 22.00 and 07.00 hours local time from 1st April to 31st October in 1971, 1972 and 1973.

The details of jet landings and departures between 23.30 and 06.00 hours local time are as follows. The other information requested by my hon. Friend is not readily available but I will write to him as soon as possible.further reduction of about 10 per cent. In addition to this further reduction in the numbers of movements, I am also extending the hours during which the restrictions on departures apply by half an hour on weekdays to 06.30 local time, and by two hours on Sunday to 08.00 hours. The extended period on Sundays will apply to all jet aircraft but on weekdays noise certificated aircraft will be exempt from the effect of the extension. I shall shortly be considering the possibility of restrictions in winter months of 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the value of the sales of aircraft and missiles, including engine parts and spare parts,

(£ million)
		1967–68	1968–69	1969–70	1970–71	1971–72
		14·8	19·1	17·2	19·6	23·9
of which percentage for export	…	32·3	47·4	65·8	76·7	66·9
		per cent.	per cent.	per cent.	per cent.	per cent.

The turnover consists largely of sales of aircraft and missiles, engine parts and spare parts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what part of the work on the HS146 is to be subcontracted to Short Bros. and Harland; and what additional employment this work will provide in Belfast.

I am pleased to say that Shorts have obtained a contract to supply the pods for the HS146 engines. The company estimates that peak employment on this project will be about 450.

Standard Industrial Classification Order	Description			Number of offers	Estimated new employment
III	Food, drink and tobacco	…	…	10	701
V	Chemicals and allied industries	…	…	12	1,176
VI	Metal manufacture	…	…	15	875
VII	Mechanical engineering	…	…	30	2,561
VIII and IX	Instrument and electrical engineering	…	…	18	2,061
X	Shipbuilding and marine engineering	…	…	7	1,265
XI	Vehicles	…	…	5	718
XII	Metal goods not elsewhere specified	…	…	9	316
XIII	Textiles	…	…	16	1,813
XV	Clothing and footwear	…	…	6	820
XVI	Bricks, pottery, glass, cement	…	…	6	289
XVII	Timber, furniture, etc	…	…	19	856
XVIII	Paper, printing and publishing	…	…	10	450
XIX	Other manufacturing industries	…	…	9	715
XX	Construction	…	…	2	47
XXIII	Distributive trades	…	…	1	12
	Total	…	…	175	14,675

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, by Standard Industrial Classification, the number of successful applications for regional development grants in the Northern Region since August 1972, stating which were for plant and machinery assistance and which were for building and works assistance.

Up to 23rd November 1973 the Billingham regional development grants office had paid £21·7 manufactured by Short Bros. and Harland, in each of the past five years; and what proportion of these sales have been in the export market.

Short Bros. and Harland Ltd's total turnover, as published in the company accounts for its fiscal years ending 31st August, has been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, by Standard Industrial Classification, the numbers of offers of Industry Act selective financial assistance in the Northern Region since August 1972; and if he will estimate the number of jobs accruing under each classification.

The information requested up to 30th November 1973 is set out in the following table:million grant on plant and machinery in the Northern Region, and £4 million grant in respect of building work in the Northern Region and the Yorkshire and Humberside Region. A total of 5,898 applications had been received by the office. An analysis of these payments by Standard Industrial Classification is not readily available. An analysis by SIC order of grant paid in the assisted areas as a whole is included in the Annual Report on the Industry Act 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a comparison between the existing United Kingdom generalised scheme of preferences and that proposed in draft EEC Regulation R/2605/73, with particular reference to major changes affecting any one nation or dependency.

The principal differences are that the generalised preference scheme of the enlarged Community provides that for a certain number of industrial products preferential access is limited by quotas; and there are restrictions ("butoirs") on the share of these quotas that can be taken up by any individual beneficiary under the scheme. The United Kingdom scheme relies on a general safeguard provision and does not, therefore, include duty-free quota arrangements. The United Kingdom scheme has a wider coverage of agricultural products but excludes textiles. I do not expect any major change affecting particular beneficiaries, except that Hong Kong is excluded at present from preference on textiles and footwear.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the tariff which will be imposed on the main duty-free imports of packaged and processed foodstuffs from Commonwealth and Third World countries from 1st January next under the terms of EEC Draft Regulation No. R/2605/73.

The proposed generalised preference scheme for the EEC for 1974 covers nearly 200 items in the processed agricultural field. The rates of duty range from zero to 25 per cent. Full details of the final Community scheme, including the rates of duty applicable, will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he directed the National Coal Board to dispose of assets in the brick manufacturing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what directions he has given to the National Coal Board under Section 7 of the Coal Industry Act 1971 in respect of its assets in the brick manufacturing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will direct the National Coal Board, under Section 7 of the Coal Industry Act 1971, to halt any disposal of its assets in the brick manufacturing industry while the Monopolies Commission is investigating that industry.

The National Coal Board decided to sell its brickworks on commercial grounds and the sales were completed on 26th November. The question of a direction did not and does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware of the difficulties facing the caravan industry in Hull and East Riding due to the present oil situation with regard to lack of storage, road transport and shipping space; and if he will make a statement on what he intends to do in this regard.

In the present oil supply situation the Government in cooperation with the oil suppliers have taken steps to ensure that industry is affected as little as possible. Where cases of particular difficulty arise I shall be glad to examine them if the hon. Member will bring the details to my attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the shortage of raw materials for the caravan industry in Hull and the East Riding.

In view of the fast rate of expansion of the economy this year some shortages of raw materials have occurred, some of them reflecting international conditions. Now that the rate of growth is moderating to a figure more in line with underlying production potential, some of these difficulties should be eased. I shall be glad to look into specific problems if the hon. Member will let me have the details.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates his Department has made of the total United Kingdom consumption of oil fuels during 1972; what percentage of that consumption was used for public transport aviation and for general aviation, respectively; and, of the latter percentage, what proportions were consumed by business aviation, by private flying and by commercial training flying.

The estimated total United Kingdom consumption of petroleum products used as fuel during 1972 amounted to 92·72 million tons (157·62 million tons of coal equivalent).Consumption by the aviation sector was 40·1 million tons, equal to 4·3 per cent. of total oil used as fuel. These figures include consumption by international and other airlines, Her Majesty's Government and the United States Air Force. Separate figures for public transport aviation, business aviation, private flying and commercial training are not available.The above data are published in the United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1973, Table 43. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the Welsh and Scottish Councils on the effect of the regional aid proposals now being discussed by EEC members on Wales and Scotland.

Normal consultative machinery allows us to keep in close touch with the Welsh and Scottish Councils and to take full account of their views.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will reintroduce controls on hire-purchase transactions.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rise in the cost of food in the United Kingdom in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available, compared with the average rise in the six original member countries of the EEC.

The information for the most recent comparable periods is as follows:

CHANGES IN PRICE INDICES FOR FOOD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE SIX ORIGINAL MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EEC
	Month of measurement	Percentage increase 1972–1973
United Kingdom	September	15·1
Belgium	September	6·4
France	August	10·6
Italy	August	13·0
Luxembourg	September	4·8
Netherlands	September	7·8
West Germany	September	5·6

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish a table, from information available to him, showing the rise in the cost of food for each of the present member countries of the EEC and for each member of the old EFTA grouping from 1st January 1973 to the latest available date.

The information is as follows:

CHANGES IN CONSUMERS' PRICE INDICES FOR FOOD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, EEC AND EFTA MEMBER COUNTRIES.
	Period of measurement year 1973	Percentage increase between months
United Kingdom	January-October	13·7
Austria	January-September	2·3
Belgium	January-September	3·0
Denmark	January-August	12·0
Finland	January-September	11·7
France	January-October	9·7
Iceland	February-August	21·9
Irish Republic	February-August	4·2
Italy	January-August	7·8
Luxembourg	January-September	2·6
Netherlands	January-September	4·4
Norway	January-September	3·2
Portugal	January-August	2·6
Sweden	January-August	2·7
Switzerland	January-September	0·6
West Germany	January-September	2·8

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is intended to issue new export licences or renew existing export licences authorising the export of live animals for slaughter.

There is no intention of issuing or renewing any such licences pending the report of the Committee on the Export of Animals for Slaughter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the earliest date he expects to be able to publish the report of the O'Brien Committee.

We expect to publish this report early in 1974.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of agricultural land per acre on the latest available date; and what was the corresponding figure in June 1970.

The average price of all sales of agricultural land in England and Wales notified to the Inland Revenue during the six months ended 30th September 1973 was £506 an acre. The corresponding figure for the six months ended 30th September 1970 was £199 an acre. The average figure for the year ended 30th September 1973 was £442 an acre, as compared with £200 an acre for the year ended 30th September 1970. I regret that information for June 1970 is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he has replaced the previous system of improvement grants by the new Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme; what representations he has received about the complexity of the scheme and reduced levels of grant under it; and what replies he has sent.

I would refer my lion. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Tom King) on 14th November—[Vol. 864, c. 176–178.]—from which he will see that the proposed new system of grants is more favourable than the present system in some respects and less favourable in others. As might be expected, we have had criticism of the less favourable features and also of the complexity of the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme; we have explained that these arise from general requirements applying to all members of the European Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he expects the agriculture and horticulture industry to receive a higher total of grants under the new Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme and Capital Grants Scheme than under previous arrangements; and what are the comparable annual figures.

The new features of the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme make it difficult to estimate the likely response from farmers and growers. We do not anticipate, however, that the total grants payable under this and the new Capital Grants Scheme will differ significantly from the total amount paid in the current financial year under the Farm Capital Grant Scheme 1970 and the Horticulture Improvement Scheme 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the recent EEC draft instrument on pig production would have on the price to pig producers in the United Kingdom.

There is no EEC draft instrument on pig production under discussion in Brussels which would be likely to have a significant effect on pig prices in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of hard wheat purchased in the United States of America and Canada between the years 1968 and 1973.

Details of prices paid by United Kingdom traders for North American wheats depend on individual contracts and are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in considering the Medicines Commission's report on the retail sale of certain veterinary medicines to farmers, he will bear in mind the cost of employing pharmacists to supervise sales, difficulties of recruitment, and the effectiveness of the existing service to farming customers over the years.

My right hon. Friends and I will take these and all over relevant considerations into account in considering this report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a study of the problem of fire hazards caused by television sets.

This problem is already being studied by a technical committee of the British Standards Institution, on which the Home Office is represented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take powers to ensure that no dangerous toys are included among those toys from overseas countries which are imported by the United Kingdom at Christmas time; and if he will make a statement.

The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1967 apply to the sale in this country of all toys, including imported toys. Propoposals for more extensive regulations will shortly be circulated for comment and these new regulations will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why form RIA (application for registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies) invites applicants to describe their knowledge of English or Welsh as fair, good or excellent; and whether he will revise this form so as to make it clear that registration demands the minimum standard described in note F of Insruction A1.

The knowledge required is the same for registration as for naturalisation, as is made clear by Note E of Leaflet R1A. The adequacy of an applicant's knowledge of the language is judged on the basis of an interview. The question in form R1A to which my right hon. Friend refers has been found to serve no useful purpose and will not be included in future reprints of the form.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities exist at Metropolitan Police stations for the tape recording of interviews with suspects.

The Commissioner of Police informs me that tape recorders are available for use if required, but it is not the practice in the Metropolitan Police to tape-record interviews with suspects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will continue urban aid in respect of the dispersal of schoolchildren in heavily immigrant populated areas, such as the London borough of Ealing; and if he will make a statement.

If such authorities were to submit applications to continue urban aid for this purpose they would be considered in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of people who have lost their lives on British beaches during each of the past five years; and if he will seek powers to compel all local authorities to install a flag warning system.

Deaths from accidental drowning, not involving boats, in the coastal waters of England and Wales were as follows:

Year	Number
1968	124
1969	121
1970	119
1971	108
1972	108
	(provisional)

A flag warning system was among the measures recommended in a guide on the prevention of drowning accidents prepared by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and circulated to local authorities by the Home Office in 1969. My right hon. Friend is not convinced that compulsion is needed here, but this is one of the points that will be considered by the working party on drowning accidents which he announced on 14th November.—[Vol 864, c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give priority under the urban programme to provision of accommodation and services to young homeless persons.

In the most recent phase of the programme priority was given to social service projects in connection with homelessness, and some of them will be of direct benefit to young people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of people included in the electoral register for parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom for 1973–74; and what proportion this is of the total number estimated by his Department to be eligible.

40,136,980. The proportion cannot be estimated with any accuracy because the number of people registered in respect of more than one address is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the light of the report of the Home Office Gas Cylinders and Containers Committee, his Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances and the report of the Robens Committee on Safety and Health at Work in devising a system of statutory control for the storage of liquefied petroleum gases in portable containers; and when he expects to be ready to lay proposals before Parliament.

The Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972, made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, control the storage of liquefied petroleum gases at premises to which the Factories Act applies, and the Government's forthcoming legislation on health and safety at work will provide the opportunity for imposing further controls. In the meantime, a code of practice for the keeping of liquefied petroleum gases in cylinders and similar containers has been prepared and will shortly be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions in respect of corruption have taken place arising out of planning procedures in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why no action has yet been taken to install an effluent pipe to reduce the nuisance caused by Haldon Camp to the farm of Mr. Wells, concerning which the hon. Member for Tiverton was in correspondence with him; and when this pipe will be installed.

The installation of an effluent pipe may not be the right answer to this problem. My noble Friend the Minister of State will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what date he sent an application for a tariff increase in respect of London taxis to the Price Commission; and when he expects to be able to make a decision on this matter;(2) if he will list the statutory powers under which he submitted the application for a tariff increase for London taxis to the Price Commission.

The application was not submitted to the Price Commission, since London taxi fares are not subject to its control, but it was clearly necessary that it should be considered in the context of the price code. Discussions between Home Office and commission officials began on 17th August. It is hoped to announce a decision next week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average time over the last 10 years between the submission of an application for an increase in London taxi fares and the implementation of a permitted increase.

Seven to eight months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received an application for a tariff increase in respect of taxis in London.

Applications were received on 14th August and 6th September 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he intends to take to deal with the shortage of manpower in the inner London area.

My Department will continue to do all it can to encourage job seekers and employers in inner London and elsewhere to take advantage of our improved range of employment and training services.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the figures for unemployed males and females and the vacancies available in the Sidcup and Orpington employment exchange areas at the latest available date.

Following is the information for November 1973:

	Unemployed		Unfilled vacancies
	Males	Females	Males	Females
Sidcup	423	40	188	91
Orpington	387	31	193	167

The vacancy figures relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices and do not measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men working in the Hull and East Riding caravan industry have been laid off or are employed on short time; what are the reasons for the laying off and short-time working; what percentage of the men employed in the industry they represent; and what discussion he has had on the matter with representatives of employers and unions concerned.

Comprehensive statistics are not available for workers employed in the caravan industry. My Department, however, has been informed of short-time working affecting about 800 workers in the industry in Hull and East Riding. I understand that the reason for this is abnormal slackness in demand, particularly from overseas. I have had no discussions on this matter with representatives of the employers and unions concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he can now say whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to renew acceptance of Articles 25 and 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now announce the Government's decision on the renewal of Article 25 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Her Majesty's Government intend to renew their acceptance of Articles 25 and 46 of the convention for a further two years when the present period of acceptance ends on 13th January 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise, at the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations, the position of the inhabitants of Nagaland in their dispute with the Indian authorities.

No. We have no standing for raising this matter, which is a domestic responsibility of the Indian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the status, significance and outcome of talks in Mauritius between British emissaries and representatives of the illegal Smith régime in Rhodesia.

There have been no such talks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that no final agreement will be made with the other EEC countries on regional aid before the House of Commons has an opportunity of discussing the final proposals.

I am unable to give the hon. Gentleman such an assurance. I would remind him that we had a debate as recently as 27th November on European Community Affairs, with special emphasis on regional policy. In the forthcoming discussions in the Council the United Kingdom representatives will be able to act in full knowledge of the views of the House.—[Vol. 865, c. 215.]

asked the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Arab nationals are at present in the United Kingdom training as pilots on British helicopters; how much aviation fuel is consumed each month in the course of this training; whether any special arrangements are being made by the pilots' country of origin to supplement British oil supplies for this purpose; if consideration is being given to discontinuing the training programme until such time as adequate oil supplies are available for domestic purposes; and who bears the extra cost when the price of aviation fuel is increased.

It is not our normal practice to disclose details of individual contracts but I can say that 12 Egyptian helicopter pilots are undergoing a conversion course in this country. The arrangements for the fulfilment of training programmes are a matter for the firms concerned who are subject to the present restrictions on fuel supplies. I do not think that the scale of the training in question warrants any special measures as regards fuel supplies or the suspension of courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Nigerian Government on the delivery of Westland Wasp helicopters to South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

The matter has been discussed. But I cannot reveal the details of confidential exchanges between Governments. Seven Westland Wasp helicopters are being supplied for use on three South African anti-submarine frigates in conformity with our legal obligations under the Simonstown Agreement.My right hon. Friend told the House on 22nd February 1971 that we would issue export licences if requested and my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State confirmed on 13th December 1971 that a contract had been signed.—[Vol. 812, c. 34–42; Vol. 828, c. 37.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what disciplinary action was taken against Leading Writer Peter Francis Bryant following the fatal accident on 4th December 1972 at Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, Somerset.

Leading Writer Bryant was summarily tried on two charges under the Naval Discipline Act, found guilty on both, and fined £60.