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the Hong Kong Government at the appropriate time.
:
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC
COMMUNITY
Renegotiation
́ ́ 36. Mr. Molloy asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, as part of the renegotiation of the terms of Great Britain's accession to the EEC, he will call a meeting of Com- monwealth Ministers to discuss the issues involved.
Mr. Hattersley: We are in close and continuing touch with Commonwealth Governments on all matters of common interest. We therefore see no need for a special meeting, and no Commonwealth country has suggested that one should be held.
38. Mr. Thorne asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to present to the House an interim report on renegotiation of the British terms of membership of the Common Market.
Mr. Hattersley: We will keep the House fully informed of significant devel- opments as they occur. The first six- monthly report on Community activities will be published shortly and will cover questions raised in renegotiation.
ENVIRONMENT
Vehicle Excise Duty Licences 40. Mr. Specd asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimated saving in staff and annual financial saving in administration if vehicle excise duty licences for private vehicles were to be abolished.
if
Mr. Mulley: When vehicle licensing is fully centralised, there would be a saving of about 3,000 staff and of about £12 million a year.
Invalid Cars (Vehicle Tests)
41. Mr. David Steel asked the Secre- tary of State for the Environment if he will extend the compulsory MOT test provisions to invalid cars.
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Mr. Mulley: No. I see no benefit to be gained from extending the MOT test to invalid vehicles supplied, maintained and tested under arrangements made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.
Cement (Alumina Content)
Mr. Frank Allaun asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on alumina content in cement; whether any houses are affected; and to what extent.
Mr. Kaufman: On 8th February 1974 a precast prestressed concrete roof beam over a swimming pool at a Stepney school collapsed with very little warning. A second beam fell later. An investigation by the Building Research Establishment confirmed that the collapse was caused by deterioration in the strength of the high alumina cement concrete of which the beams were made.
The reasons for the loss of strength were not apparent and it was therefore concluded that all buildings containing long-span structural members made of
this material should be examined. Action has been taken to publicise the problem and steps have been taken to bring home to owners of such buildings the advis ability of having them professionally appraised and of taking safeguading measures where necessary.
It is thought that few houses will be found to have high alumina cement con- crete roof or floor construction.
Local Government Expenditure
Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities in England about the rate of inflation that should be allowed for in preparing schedules of expenditure in the coming year, in particular in relation to the labour-intensive character of local government.
Mr. Crosland: None. This is a matter I shall be discussing with the local autho ritics in the negotiations about the next rate support graut settlement.
Mobile Hones
Mr. Madel asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for extending the Government's tent policy to owners of mobile homes.