asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state their reasons for rejecting the EEC's draft Resolution on Guidelines for a Common Science and Technology Policy.

The Commission's proposals for guidelines for science and technology are to be considered by the EEC Council of Ministers along with the opinions of the European Parliament and the Scientific and Technical Research Committee, CREST, on this subject. In preparation for this, Her Majesty's Government, like the Governments of other Member States, have been studying the guidelines. They have been making their assessment in the light of the value they attach to a selective approach to science and technology in the European Communities, and the need for effort to be concentrated on a sensibly limited number of carefully chosen research and development projects. They see considerable value in the Commission's work as a statement of broad policy, and regard the guidelines as an interesting and detailed compilation; but they think that the formal approval of these guidelines by the Council would imply more than a general recognition of their value. In these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government think it would be appropriate for the Council to take note of the guidelines.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make available in the

The Board of Airline Representatives in the United Kingdom has advised that the notice will carry the wording printed below:

"Notice to Passengers

Airline flights may be overbooked, and there is a slight chance that a seat will not be available on a flight for which a person has a confirmed reservation. A person denied boarding on a flight may be entitled to a compensatory payment. The rules for denied boarding compensation are available at all airport ticket counters."

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the reconstruction of the A.9 trunk road between Aviemore and Kingussie has been postponed to 1981 and what factors are affecting adherence to the original five year programme for the 140 miles of reconstruction from Perth to Invergordon.

The reconstruction of the road between Kingussie and Aviemore is programmed to start in 1980–81. The main factors affecting the timing of work on the A.9 are the periods required to complete the statutory procedures and the availability of resources. Of the 137 miles between Perth and the North shore of the Cromarty Firth, 34 miles are complete, seven miles will be opened shortly, and 43 miles are under construction.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the proposed restrictions on noisy aircraft, announced in the recent White Paper on airport policy, will not apply to foreign-registered aircraft.

Many countries are considering similar measures and the Government are working towards an international agreement on the phasing out of all the noisier subsonic jets. In the meantime it would be unhelpful to extend United Kingdom legislation to foreign-registered aircraft.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the types of aircraft presently on the British register which do not comply with ICAO Annex 16 noise requirements.

The following types of subsonic jet presently on the British register do not comply with ICAO Annex 16 noise requirements:Boeing

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the MAFF and DAFS representatives Mr. J. H. Cuthbert and Mr. Harry Thomson will be giving evidence at the public inquiry about the mink farm on Westray on 21st February.

The Mink Keeping Regulations are administered in Scotland, on behalf of the Secretary of State, by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, which will be represented at the inquiry by the head of the appropriate division.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any invention, patentable or otherwise, or know-how or new technology has arisen in the course of the activities of the Group for Aeronautical Research and Technology in Europe set up in 1973 and commonly known as GARTEur; and if so what steps have been or will be taken to exploit such inventions, know-how and technology to the advantage of the EEC economy as a whole.

The programmes involving collaboration under the aegis of the Group for Aeronautical Research and Technology in Europe (GARTEur) remain parts of the respective national programmes. They are designed to improve the know-how and technology in their areas which will be patented where appropriate in accordance with the rules of the participating Governments; but it is not practicable to separate the benefits in these terms from the remainder of the national programmes.House adjourned at twenty minutes past nine o'clock.