asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the additional troops being sent to South Armagh, following the Prime Minister's statement to Parliament on 12th January, are already in Ulster; or whether they will be sent from regiments at present stationed in England or overseas.

The additional troops to which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister referred on 12th January are from outside the Province.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours on Harriers, and how many hours on the Harrier flight simulator, were logged, respectively, in each of the last three months by each of the pilots killed in the Harrier crashes on 19th January 1976.

To the nearest whole number, the flying hours logged by the two instructor pilots from No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit on Harrier aircraft were as follows:

	Flight Lieutenant Roberts	Flight Lieutenant Downey
November 1975	14	16
December 1975	11	14
January (to 19th) 1976	8	16

During the same period, Flight Lieutenant Roberts, who had flown a total of 1,00 hours on the Harrier, did not log any hours in the simulator, while Flight Lieutenant Downey, who had flown 911 hours on the Harrier, logged one hour in the simulator.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the placing of a contract for the building of a T42 naval vessel at the Wallsend yard of Swan Hunters Shipbuilders Limited.

The contract, for a Type 42 guided missile destroyer, is being placed today. The ship will be named HMS "Exeter".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of (a) officers, (b) NCO's and (c) other ranks who obtained educational grants for boarding education from his Department in the latest convenient year, the cost of such grants in each category and the average cost of each grant.

In the financial year 1974–75, boarding school allowances were paid to 9,972 officers in respect of 16,501 children, and to 3,479 Service men in respect of 5,246 children. It is not possible to state how many of the Service men were NCOs, but such information as is available suggests that they were in the majority.The total cost—including loading for income tax—of all education allowances was £16·069 million, of which £13·135 million was for officers and £2·934 million for Service men. After excluding day school allowances, which are estimated to have totalled £60,000, the average annual cost per child was £795 for officers and £551 for Service men.As explained in reply to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Litterick) on 27th November 1975—[Vol. 901. c. 300–2.]—the maximum rates of boarding school allowance payable are common to all ranks and are neither wage- nor rank-related.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider placing a ban on the despatching of small animals such as terrapins, lizards, frogs, etc., by post.

We have considered this proposal, which would require legislation, but we do not think such a ban would be appropriate. The despatch of living animals by post is subject to arrangements prescribed by the Post Office. If there is any evidence that the practice results in unnecessary suffering, then proceedings may be brought under the Protection of Animals Act 1911.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances a police officer who has been acquitted in a court of law on a criminal charge may be called upon to answer a substantially similar charge before a police disciplinary tribunal.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the general advice given on this matter in paragraphs 12–16 of Home Office Circular No. 21/1967 of which a copy is in the Library of the House. It is for the chief officer concerned to decide on the propriety of any particular charge in the light of the exact circumstances of an individual case. Any officer found guilty of a disciplinary offence has a right of appeal to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the provision and financing of a fourth television channel for Wales, following his consideration of the Siberry Working Party report.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Merioneth (Mr. Thomas) on 11th December 1975.—[Vol. 902, c. 291.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total prison population in England and Wales at the latest available date.

39,211 on 30th December 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the continuing investigations being made by the Derbyshire and other police authorities arising out of the police raid on White Meadows, Porwich Lane, Bradbourne, Derbyshire, made under Section 46 of the Firearms Act on 28th September 1975.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer) on 19th January.—[Vol. 903, c. 304–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those firms in the United Kingdom which have Soviet officials attached to them as factory inspectors.

Taking the term "factory inspectors" to include contract inspectors, quality examiners and marine supervisors, the firms are:

• V. A. Afif Ltd.
• John Brown Engineering (Clydebank) Ltd.
• C.J.B. (Contractors John Brown) Ltd.
• Clark International Marketing.
• City & West East Ltd.
• Dimo International Ltd.
• M. Golodetz (Overseas) Ltd.
• Girling Ltd.
• Global Watches
• Hartle-Stedall Ltd.
• Hudson Bay & Annings Ltd.

PROJECTS APPROVED FOR WOLVERHAMPTON SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE URBAN PROGRAMME
Project				Cost initially approved (£)
Circular 1	(a) Capital Project:
	Nursery School, Bushbury	…	…	16,000
	Nursery School, Whitmore	…	…	13,000
	Nursery School, Ashmore	…	…	13,000
	Nursery Class, Green Acres	…	…	5,775
Circular 2	(a) Capital Project:
	Two Childrens Homes	…	…	66,000
	Beckminster House Teachers Centre	…	…	8,000
	Eastfields School	…	…	12,000
	(b) Recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Four Additional Health Workers	…	…	3,750	p.a.
	Amenity Grants for Schools equipment	…	…	3,000	p.a.
	Transport of Immigrant Pupils	…	…	12,000	p.a.
	Language Classes	…	…	1,000	p.a.
Circular 3	(a) Capital Projects
	Nursery School, Eastfield	…	…	12,000
	Nursery School, Blakenhall	…	…	16,000
	Nursery Training Centre	…	…	21,000
	Low Hill Community Centre	…	…	45,000
	Nine Playgrounds	…	…	24,000
	Class Room for Immigrant Groups	…	…	5,500
	(b) Recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Amenity Grant for Designated Schools	…	…	3,500	p.a.
	After-school Clubs	…	…	400	p.a.
	Housing Department Assistant for work on GIAs	…	…	2,000	p.a.
	Playleader	…	…	2,000	p.a.
Circular 4	(b) Recurrent Non-capital Project
	Two Playleaders	…	…	2,900	p.a.
	Grant to subsidise Playgroups in EPAs	…	…	1,500	p.a.
Circular 6(Holiday Projects)	(c) Non-recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Holiday Playleadership in Parks	…	…	520

• International Computers Ltd.
• Kellogg International Corporation.
• Machine Tool Agencies.
• Prinex Ltd. (Courtaulds).
• Satra Motors Ltd.
• Serck Controls.
• Sim Chem Ltd.
• Simon Carves Ltd.
• Singer Company (U.K.) Ltd.
• Staveley Machine Tools Ltd.
• Stone Wallwork Ltd.
• Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd.
• Vickers Ltd.
• Wilkinson Sword Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report all the projects provided in Wolverhampton under the urban aid programme since its introduction and also the projects requested by the local authority for the current financial year but not approved, and those submitted for 1976–77.

Following is the information:

	Project		Cost initially approved (£)
Circular 7	(a) Capital Projects.
	Nursery School, Bilston	…	24 000
	Sports Hall	…	52,000
	Adventure Playground, Phoenix	…	2,000
	Hostel for Mentally Handicapped Adults	…	87,000
	(b) Recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Educational Supervision of Gypsy Children	…	3,500	p.a.
	Direct Family Planning Service	…	6,000	p.a.
	Playgroup Organiser	…	750	p.a.
	CAB Legal Advice Centre	…	650	p.a.
	Community Caseworker for the Elderly	…	2,300	p.a.
Circular 8 (Holiday Projects).	(c) Non-recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Playscheme at two Schools	…	960
	Stowlawn Adventure Playground Scheme	…	280
	Adventure Playground, Phoenix, Two Playleaders	…	200
Circular 9	(a) Capital Projects:
	Day-care Centre for the Elderly and Handicapped, Ashmore Park.		55,000
	Kingswood Camp	…	35,000
	(b) Recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Information Office at Mander Centre	…	7,350	p.a.
	Playleader at Whitmore Reans	…	1,650	p.a.
	Playleader at Steelhouse Lane GIA	…	1,650	p.a.
	(c) Non-recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Information Office at Mander Centre	…	2,750
Circular 10(Holiday Projects)	(c) Non-recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Seaside Holiday for the Elderly	…	423
	Multi-racial Holiday Project	…	1,250
	West Midlands Holiday Courses for Gypsy Children	…	2,090
Circular 11	(a) Capital Projects:
	West Midlands Gypsy Education Scheme	…	36,500
	Intermediate Treatment Centre and Organiser	…	7,200
	(b) Recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Intermediate Treatment Project	…	4,000	p.a.
Circular 12	(a) Capital Projects:
	In-service Training Centre for Teachers in Multi-racial Schools		65,000
	Family Day Centre	…	4,212
	Adventure Playground, Phoenix, Indoor Play Centre	…	1,000
	(b) Recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Mothers and Toddlers Club	…	550	p.a.
	Caseworker on secondment to CRC	…	4,000	p.a.
Circular 13(Holiday Projects)	(c) Non-recurrent Non-capital Projects:
	Seaside Holiday for the Elderly: Age Concern	…	503
	Playschemes at Compton Park and Parkfield	…	2,500

UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS BY WOLVERHAMPTON METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL FOR PROJECTS, TO START IN 1974–75 OR 1975–76
Circular 11	…	…	(a) Capital Projects:
			Co-ordinated Projects in Low Hill/Scotlands	…	7,200
			Community Facilities, Masefield Road Youth Club	…	60,000
			Home for Mentally Handicapped Children	…	97,500
			Darlington Street Youth Club	…	72,000
			Ashmore Park Youth Centre, Sports Hall	…	36,000
			Warstones YWCA Community Centre	…	60,000
			Hostel for Maladjusted or Deprived Children	…	78,000
			Short Stay Childrens Home	…	97,500
			Dormobile for Peripatetic Houseparents	…	2,700
			Family Advice Centre and Area Office	…	85,000
			Old Heath Estate, Adventure Playground	…	2,500
			Lunt Estate, Adventure Play Centre	…	40,000

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what percentage of the working population is now employed in the Civil Service.

Three per cent.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total number of non-industrial civil servants employed by central government, local government and statutory bodies at the end of 1975; and what were the comparable figures in 1955 and 1965.

At 1st October 1975 there were 540,172 non-industrial civil servants in post. The numbers—excluding Post Office employees—at the same date in 1955 and 1965 were 385,258 and 423,347, respectively. The employees of local government and statutory bodies are not civil servants.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total cost of, and number of people employed in his Department in 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1974–75.

The following were the total departmental costs and numbers of civil servants employed in the Civil Service Department, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Central Office of Information and the Government Actuary's Department in the years in question:

		Cost	Staff
		£
1970–71	…	24,654,000	11,483
1971–72	…	28,484,000	11,664
1972–73	…	31,671,000	11,952
1973–74	…	35,531,000	13,484
1974–75	…	44,869,000	13,765

NOTE. These figures include the transfer of 393 staff from the Ministry of Defence and Department of Trade and Industry on 1st April 1972 and the transfer of 1,651 staff from the Ministry of Defence on 1st April 1973.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service by how many the number of civil servants in his Department and other categories of public sector officials, including any industrial civil servants, increased between 1970–71 and 1974–75.

Between 1970–71 and 1974–75 there were increases in the total numbers employed by the Civil Service Department and the Government Actuary's Department of 3,021 and 12, respectively. In the same period there were decreases in the total numbers employed in the two other Departments for which I am responsible—the Central Office of information and Her Majesty's Stationery Office—of 201 and 550, respectively. The main reason for the increase in the size of the Civil Service Department was the transfer of certain functions and staff from other Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to introduce tests for new vehicles before they are permitted to be used on the roads, in accordance with practice current in Sweden and other European countries.

I have already consulted interested parties about the introduction of type approval of new vehicles similar to the systems in force in most other European countries. I hope to be able to lay regulations before Parliament shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his examination of coastal shipping as part of his review of transport policy will be of similar scope and depth to that of road and rail freight.

The review has concentrated on problems related to inland surface transport, since it is clear that coastal shipping is already well equipped to take the suitable available traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that tractors used in the fishing industry exclusively for the haulage of boats on and adjacent to the shore and which are not otherwise used on public roads except when being garaged or serviced can be licensed in the same category as agricultural tractors.

We would welcome evidence in support of the request made by the hon. Gentleman; a point previously made by my hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Mr. Tinn)—[Vol. 902, c. 1639]. We shall then consider it with due sympathy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how many the number of civil servants in his Department and other categories of public sector officials, including any industrial civil servants, increased between 1970–71 and 1974–75.

Between 1st April 1971 and 1st April 1975 the number of staff in the Department, including local authority staff in road construction units, fell by 638. The Department was not created until November 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of mortgage advances made by building societies to borrowers in the Northern Region was made to first time buyers in each of the past 10 years.

Estimates are given in the table below. Figures for earlier years are not available.

Percentage of building society mortgages made to first-time purchasers
					Northern Region
1969	…	…	…	…	62
1970	…	…	…	…	60
1971	…	…	…	…	58
1972	…	…	…	…	62
1973	…	…	…	…	57
1974	…	…	…	…	51

Source: 5 per cent. sample survey of building society mortgages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the freight tonnage carried on British Waterways in 1974 and 1975.

Freight carried in 1974 on waterways operated and maintained by the British Waterways Board was 3·86 million tonnes: the provisional figure for 1975 is 4·17 million tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the premises occupied by the Countryside Commission and the number of personnel employed at each of the premises.

The Countryside Commission's headquarters are at John Dower House, Crescent Place, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The Commission also has an office at 8 Broad Street, Newtown, Powys which is its office for Wales. The numbers employed at these offices are 103 and 6 respectively. The Commission also has the use of two rooms at its former premises, 1–2 Cambridge Gate, London, but has no staff there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his housing responsibilities in Scotland other than those under general housing legislation.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has no responsibilities for housing in Scotland except in the context of his sponsorship function for the construction industry and of the provision by the Property Services Agency of housing accommodation for Government Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present position in respect of the application of the National Coal Board for planning permission to develop the Selby coalfield.

The inspector's report on the public inquiry into this application has now been received and is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons his Department is refusing to allow a draft road closing order to be made in respect of Attneave Street, E.C.1; and if he will take into account the fact that failure to make such an order will delay and render more expensive housing development in the area.

The Department has only recently received the London borough of Islington's proposals for controlling the considerable volume of traffic that would be displaced to other routes by the pedestrianisation of part of Attneave Street. A draft order will be advertised shortly and early consideration will be given to the proposals with due regard to any objections which may be received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many double journeys are made by official cars each year for the purpose of conveying Ministers between home and office; and what is the purchase price of the average official car, all figures being expressed as rough approximations without excessive research.

It is estimated that the number of double journeys made by official cars each year for the purpose of conveying Ministers between office and home—or London address or station, or airport—is probably between 15,000 and 17,000. The cost of the present ministerial cars at the time of purchase averaged £2,365.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, having regard to the difficulty of some authorities in securing school crossing patrol officers, he will review the criteria for the installation of pelican crossings and the circumstances justifying the relaxation thereof.

I am always prepared to look at particular cases; but in general a pelican crossing is not a satisfactory substitute for a school crossing patrol, and I should need to be convinced that the circumstances are exceptional.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the studies prepared by British Rail putting forward various means of carrying the additional traffic expected in the 1980s between London and the Channel ports; and if he has come to any conclusion.

British Rail consideration of the appropriate cross-channel strategy is still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to public funds of the advertisement on Independent Television about the Ridgeway Path, broadcast on ATV at approximately 8.50 p.m. on Sunday 18th January and placed by the Countryside Commission; and what television advertising budget he has authorised for the Commission for the current financial year.

No advertising cost was incurred by the showing of this film. It is one of many short television items, broadcast free of charge by commercial television companies as a public service. The Countryside Commission has no funds for television advertising in the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total value of advertisements dealing with road safety placed by his Department on all independent television channels during the month of January 1976; and what is the total authorised budget for this purpose in the current financial year.

The cost of road safety advertising on television during January 1976 will be £140,000. The total budget for television advertising on all road safety subjects in 1975–76 is £1·38 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the conclusions of the Cairncross Committee which reported last April on the viability of the Channel Tunnel he accepts; and what action, if any, has been taken on these.

The main tasks of the Cairncross Group were to consider the adequacy of the economic and financial studies being carried out by consultants and to indicate points that should be taken into account in assessing any future Tunnel project. Most of the Group's findings did not, therefore, call for immediate action. However, I am discussing with my colleagues and others a number of matters raised in the Report—in particular, the effect of peak pricing on shipping capacity, possible improvements in traffic forecasting, and the co-ordination of investment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the total amount of compensation to be paid to the companies that were to build the Channel Tunnel has yet been established; and what is the latest figure.

The price paid for acquiring the companies' shares was £18·7 million. This includes £8·6 million in additional compensation to the shareholders. These costs were shared equally between the Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the French Government have indicated their willingness to renegotiate the terms on which the Channel Tunnel might be constructed; and what response he has made.

Not since the project was abandoned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the French Government have asked Her Majesty's Government to assume responsibility for the French share of any compensation due following the United Kingdom's decision to abandon the construction of the Channel Tunnel; and what reply has been given.

No. The two Tunnel companies claimed abandonment of the project; it was not a unilateral decision of the British Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether letters inquiring about the availability of figures on the costs of home loss payments have yet been issued from the Department of the Environment to local authorities, local authorities' associations, or to district auditors; and to which of these three sources.

Figures have been obtained from a sample of local authorities and are being collated. I shall write to my hon. Friend when the results are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is Government policy to subsidise rail commuter lines outside cities.

The net losses of these services are being met by the Government grant paid under Section 3 of the Railways Act 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government are considering the withdrawal of subsidies which are likely to result in increases of between 15 per cent. and 50 per cent. in commuter rail fares.

Rail fares are among the matters being studied in the Transport Policy Review. No conclusions have been reached at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis local authorities which have direct labour forces award contracts.

The decision on the award of work to a direct labour organisation is a matter for the local authority concerned, except where there is specific Government financial involvement. The Government have, however, advised that the efficiency of direct labour organisations should be tested in competition with private contractors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities employ direct labour forces.

424 local authorities in England in April, 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons were employed in direct labour forces by local authorities in 1975, 1974 and 1973.

The number of operatives employed in direct labour forces by local authorities in England was as follows:

April 1973	…	…	138,900
October 1973	…	…	139,700
October 1974	…	…	127,100
April 1975	…	…	134,400

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what, following the recent water survey, is his estimate of the number of households in England and Wales, and Scotland, which have water lead levels (a) higher than the present WHO limit and (b) higher than the proposed new WHO and EEC limits;(2) if he has yet made the statement to Parliament promised before the European Secondary Legislation Select Committee on 9th December on the matter of water lead levels;(3) what advice his Department has given to households found to have high water lead levels during the recent survey;(4) to what factor he attributes the increase in water lead levels between the stopcock and the tap found during the recent household survey;(5) what percentage of households in the recent water survey was found to have water lead levels higher than the present WHO limits

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer given on the 16th December to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newton (Mr. Evans). I there explained why the survey of lead in water had been set up, the nature of the limits recommended by the World Health Organisation and proposed by the European Commission, and I described the preliminary results of the survey. I also said that the detailed results would be published, I hoped, in about three months' time.Preliminary figures based on the sample are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Property Services Agency has a department dealing with Post Office requirements; and, if so, if he will make a statement outlining the work of any such department.

The Directorate of Post Office Services has overall responsibility for the programme of building work undertaken by the Property Services Agency for the Post Office. The Directorate also provides buildings for the Post Office, mainly in London. Most new building elsewhere, and the maintenance of Post Office buildings, is carried out by the PSA territorial organisation. The PSA also undertakes estates and supplies services for the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Property Services Agency is involved in any way in any developments being undertaken by the Post Office Corporation in Birmingham city centre; and, if so, which developments.

The only Post Office developments in Birmingham City centre with which the Property Services Agency is involved are the rebuilding of the new Birmingham Midland telephone exchange, now in progress, and a proposed new telecommunications building in Charlotte Street for which consultant architects have been commissioned to carry out a feasibility study. Proposals for a new telephone manager's office in Fleet Street have also been under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report housing figures for each of the new towns to show the number of completions planned over the next three years or other convenient period, prior to recent changes in grants, and the reductions or other effects on these plans which it is estimated that the changes will necessitate.

There have been no recent changes in grants to new town development corporations in respect of expenditure on new housebuilding and I am therefore unable to assist my hon. Friend. If, however, he will write to me explaining what he has in mind I shall endeavour to be more helpful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis the traffic commissioners decide on applications to operate private bus services from outlying areas into towns.

The traffic commissioners decide all applications on merit for road service licences or permits, in the light of the criteria laid down in Section 135 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 and Section 30 of the Transport Act 1968, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to remove the statutory restrictions preventing the development of flexible transport arrangements in rural and semi-rural areas operated by individuals or groups on a self-financing basis; and if he will make a statement.

No. Consultations on rural transport problems have shown that there is no general agreement about the extent to which alterations to the public service vehicle licensing code would offer rural communities an assurance of improvement in transport provision. This was explained in the statement by my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 3rd December 1975—[Vol. 901, cols. 613–4.1—in answer to the hon. Member for Rye (Mr. Godman Irvine). The statement also set out the Governments intention to promote a number of experimental schemes to test out on the ground what can be done to help rural communities, both under the present licensing code, and by modest relaxations of it, within the areas of the experiments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made following the July 1974 consultation paper on routes for heavy lorries; and if he will make a statement.

I have now made an appraisal of the full and valuable response to the consultation paper issued by my predecessor. The Department will shortly be discussing our preliminary conclusions with the main organisations concerned.We propose to establish a network of through routes for heavy lorries that will, as far as practicable, keep them away from environmentally sensitive areas and will at the same time recognise the need to provide for the efficient distribution of goods which is essential to the preservation of our standards of living.The 3,100-mile network in the consultation paper will not be completed for a long time, and the consultation has confirmed that even then it will be too small to be workable. It is, however, important that we make a start. We propose, therefore, to devise a system under which roads should become lorry routes as and when they are suitable for this purpose. Those routes would be signed accordingly and, at least initially, would be advisory.I hope that discussions can now start with the authorities concerned to decide which routes are suitable. We have made a preliminary selection for the discussions of about 8,000 miles of the existing 11,000 miles of motorways and primary routes. I hope that a consider- able mileage will be agreed for signing in the first round of discussions, but many gaps will necessarily remain to be filled before a comprehensive network can be agreed.The system will need to be regularly reviewed and altered as new or improved roads become available. Given present restraints on public expenditure, a comprehensive network will take several years to achieve.In the meantime, the motorways and primary routes will continue to provide the framework for local authorities' traffic and lorry plans, and the authorities could usefully concentrate their own work under the Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Controls and Regulations) Act 1973 on prohibitions of heavy traffic from unsuitable roads and on dealing with local trouble spots in towns. Any additional expenditure to implement local lorry plans will have to be matched by reductions in other expenditure on transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring system he has set up since the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act came into force to ensure that new hotels in Scotland meet the requirements of the Act; and if he will make a statement.

Section 4 of the Act places the responsibility for making provision for access by disabled persons to a building on the developer. I have issued advice, but do not monitor schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will define the relationship between the Assembly, as proposed in Command Paper No. 6348, and the Scottish Economic Planning Department.

The following are the main responsibilities of the Secretary of State which are presently discharged by the Scottish Economic Planning Department and which, under the proposals in Cmnd. 6348, will become the responsibility of the Scottish Assembly:New Towns.Bus and shipping services operated by the Scottish Transport Group.Subsidies for Scottish internal air and shipping services.Factory building, as described in Section 8(i) of Appendix D of Cmnd. 6348.Functions relating to the Highlands and Islands Development Board.Tourism.