The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 26

26 Saturday Januany 28 1978 Chancellor calls for more work creation Prior promises unions 'no big changes' ealey moves to put brake on jobless cent the loan money distributed 3n Britain under the Industry Act over the past five years had gone to Scotland creating and protecting some 90,000 jSibs. Mr JGealey's forecast that a 2,500 millions improvement to Britain's balance of payments could allow sufficient economic expaasion to create up to a million netsv jobs was based on a at yesterday's news conference to announce their rcew contract OFF V0 1TV Eric and Ernie Eric and Ernie take their sunshine to ITV Bv Peter Hetherington and John Carvel The Chancellor, Mr Healey, yesterday responded to growing pressure for urgent Government action to tackle rising unemployment in Scotland, the North of England and other regions, by promising measures to preserve jobs. In the longer term he called for a shift of emphasis from job preservation to job creation in new fields particularly the service industries by providing the necessary incentives to encourage entrepreneurs. But in a speech in Glasgow he also offered the prospect of up to a million new jobs at the end of the decade as a result of the successful implementation of the Government's industrial strategy. Mr Healey suggested that from the reports which will be presented to next week's meeting of the National Economic Development Council Britain's balance of payments could be improved by about 2.500 millions by 1980, quite apart from the direct benefits of North Sea oil.

if the strategy achieved its obiectives. This should enable the Government to run the ecoaomy at a higher level of demand sufficient to produce between half a million and a million additional jobs," he said. Mr Healey is expected to come in for some criticism at Neddy next week for drawing excessive optimism from figures which were never intended to be used in this way. The figures are derived from only a relatively small part of British industry and depend on the future behaviour of companies' management and workforce for their authenticity. After bitter criticism from leaders of the Labour Party in Scotland and the Scottish TUC over the level of unemployment now at 9.2 per cent, the highest in Scotland since 1939 there were indications last night that new measures would be announced in the Commons on Monday by the Employment Secretary, Mr Booth.

These could include an exten signed up Arthur Lowe, formerly the star of the BBC's long-running Dad's Army series. He will play a 1 Roman Catholic priest in a new series, Bless Me Father. Morecambe and Wise are hopeful of a Thames-inspired breakthrough into the American TV market. Mr Philip Jones, Thames head of light entertainment, said We believe there's good chance we can give the magic touch for the American market." Eric and Ernie commented To become international you have got to have the American market. It's all very well to have the British market, hut the American market doesn't accept British products." Story John Andxeios Picture Peter Johns made by Euston Films, a Thames subsidiary which recently produced a film of The Sweeney.

For the BBC, the blow is grievous. The duo's last Christmas show pulled in more than 20 million viewers a rating well-noted by Thames's advertisers. Now Eric and Ernie are preparing for an autumn special and a Christmas extravaganza onthc commercial channel. Jimmy Gilbert, head of BBC Light Entertainment, said After so many successful years we are obviously very sorry to lose Eric and Ernie. But the BBC is not a film company and cannot compete- with a large offer that links a feature film to a TV contract." It was also announced yesterday that London Weekend Television has ERIC and Ernie have left their Auntie.

In a champagne atmosphere, Messrs Morecambe and Wise yesterday their defection from the s-Ctarlty of the BBC to the commercial aradise of Thames Television. ut the parting has been amicable. Britain's best-loved comedians the wicra who brought Angela Rlppon's legs to line -viewing public have changed s3d(- oraly because Thames have CMEraisleed to produce an Eric and Erade feature film. TBie hard financial facts of the new eonrtract were not revealed. But the commitment was clear.

Horecambe and Wise are to star in fourr television specials for CTiiane-s over the next two years, in adiLitlon to the film, which will be Switch over whisky sion of the job release" scheme, offering more inducements for early retirement so that opportunities can be created for school leavers, and specific proposals to create more jobs in small firms. But the Labour Party whose Scottish Secretary, Mrs Helen Liddell kicked up hell with the Chancellor did not seem over impressed. It fears that Mr Healey Excessive optimism rising unemployment could seriously hamper its attempts to retain the Glasgow Garscadden constituency against a strong challenge from the Nationalists where a spring byelection is likely. Mr Healey, who earlier yesterday was sympathetic to demands for an increase in the Scottish development agency's 300 millions five-year budget was at pains to answer criticism from both Mrs Thatcher and the Nationalists. Indicating that unemployment would remain high in the foreseeable future, Mr Healey maintained that Britain still led the world in developing a range of special measures to counter unemployment.

In Scotland, 53,000 people benefited from job measures, and unemployment was 28,000 lower than it would have been otherwise. Moreover, in its five special development areas Scotland had received 31 per cent of the interest free grants available to industry nationally while 38 per ment as to where th. confederation stands on the Polish order," he said. Our view is that the shins must be built in British yards. We are "not for building anything at the expense of other workers but we are concerned about the future of the whole industry and we feel that the Heavy seas at yard, page 19 dispute is not helpful for the coming struggle to retain the British shipbuilding industry intact." There is little doubt that the Govan workers would be happy build the ships given the blessing of the confederation.

And in Middlesbrough the Smith Dock shop stewards announced yesterday that they would definitely build the fourth ship. But the chairman of the con price rise promotional costs necessary to compete against brandy, grappa and other Continental delights. It needed however to stop the opportunism of British merchants who could buy cheaper whisky in Britain and sell it elsewhere in the EEC. Distillers' response was to withdraw Johnnie WaUker Red Label and Dimple JIaig from sale in Britain and o-pply for price increases on four' of its main British brands to bring them into line with EEC prices. The company knew that this would hurt its British sales, but judged that it was more important to protect the 85 per cent of its business done overseas than the 15 per cent ira Britain.

Exports last year were worth 220 millions. The result of its coiinpromise will almost certainly be that paper ftroisi the National Economic Developmeiit- Office which will be presented to the Neddy council arreting next week. This paper summarises the conclusions reached by about 1,000 industrialists, trade unionists an-d civil servants on working parties covering about 40 key sectors of manufacturing mdustrr. committees have tried to establish objectives for future p-crformance in their in-dustrLes, About half of them have set targets to increase exports or reduce imports by improving productivity and identiiyang: new commercial prospects. If all these ambitions are added Cog ether, Britain's balance payments in 1980 would bee improved by about 2,500 railLions, compared with 1975.

Thais would be a genuine discounting inflation, because alt the figures are calculated at 1977 prices. The statisticians have, however, been more than usually nervous about this estimate. It rests oil ambition rather than It relates to tnly about 20 per cent of manufacturing industry responsible for about 25 per cent of exports. Mr ICealey was careful to note -that the sector working parties aid not expect employment to increase dramatically within their own industries. After meticulous analysis of their problems they have co me to the conclusion that it as perfectly possible to increa.se the productivity of these se ctors sufficiently to improve our balance of payments by sorsie 2i billions by 1980 this is quite independent of the direct benefits of North Sea oil," he said.

federation's shipyard committee, faohlcrmakers' leader Mr John Chalmers has asked the Govan. stewards not to move hastily. He: hopes that a solution map be worked out soon nn the pay -differentials dispute involving Swan Hunter boiler-makers. The uarg-ent need to find a solution to Swan Hunter's problems was underlined last night by an amncuncement from the Industry Minister, Mr Gerald Kaufiraaia tliat he expected another shEpiing contract to come Britain's way within days. Speaki ng at Heathrow before flvine tin Warsaw in rnnrlnrl( arrangements for the Polish deal, klr Kaufman said 'There are some good things coming lop for the shipbuilding industry but I would prefer not to give; at the moment." He sai "that a useful contract oOd be signed shortly trying to sound relatively conciliatory and open-minded about the poss ibLe outcome of the Malta talBcs.

The interim agreement is wital to us it is a military agreement which takes the pla cc of war. Following that a ceas-efbre can be discussed," he, said. Mr Nkomo reserved most of his vertoim for Mr Smith who he refers to as "that little criminal," The inrternal Rhodesian talks he dismissed with less than convincing bliL-ster as "a circus Yard summit on Polish switch Bj JToh Carvel, IndaslrriaL Correspondent Tbe Price Commission has forced the Distillers company to com3pron1i.se on the 50p-a-bottle wiiislty price increases which it waivSei to introduce in Britain on "Wednesday to protect its busiaess from an embarrassing ruling "by the European CoimmLssion. Two of: the company's top-selling brands, Black and White and Fat 69, will go up as plaiunenl but a similar increase onWIotc Horse has been abandoned and the rise on Dewar's has Tjcen halved to 25p a bottle. Piic-es of two de luxe brands, Johnni "Walker Black Label and The Antiquary, will go ahead at 25p a bottle, as Distillers requested.

But the company has also agreed that it will mpasse Contliocil from page one lesgSh of a restriction order wouLd be governed by the same principHes used for ordinary ofienders, and could be modified on appeal. An indefinite sentence -would probably only folloTV "conviction of an offence in-voEving serious violence. At the moment, says MIND, patitenls can be detained in hos over mental health By Derek Brown, There will be no sweeping changes in industrial relations law if the Tories win the next election, their Employment spokesman, Mr James -Prior, promised yesterday But lie claimed that existing law favoured the trade unions, and said there would have to be limited amendments." Mr Prior was speaking during the Second Reading Debate on Mr Ian Mikardo's Private Member's Bill which seeks to amend the 197H Employment Protection Act. The Mikardo Bill, drafted in the aftermath of the Grunwk affair, seeks to give workers dismissed during a recognition dispute the right to appeal to an Industrial Tribunal. More contentiously, it seeks to restore to the TUC the right to discipline member unions which use the Advisory, Conci- Parliament, page 4 nation and Arbitration Service as a court of appeal from the TUC's own disputes procedure.

me last proposal was bitterly opposed by Tories yesterday, and they will seek to remove it i from the Bill in committee. Mr Prior took the opportunity for a more general review of industrial relations a review which confirmed his position on the moderate wing of the party. Challenged at one stage to say whether he agreed with the views of an unnamed Shadow Cabinet colleague published in the National Association for Freedom paper, Mr Prior said blandly that he never read it. He was heard for the most part in silence as he explained his belief that industrial relations legislation of the last three years had favoured the trade unions. Just as there had been a feeling that the Tory Act of 1971 had favoured employers, so now there was a feeling of intransigence among management about more recent laws.

The more measures there were, the more the employers would seek loopholes in the law. "We believe that neither unions nor management wish for another great upheaval in our industrial relations law. We have said that when we come back to office we will not under take sweeping changes in the law." He went on If we are to enjoy good industrial relations in a free society, then the wea- pons' we must employ have to be education, persuasion, de bate, and trust. The Government and unions must avoid resorting to the law simply to promote narrow sectarian interest." It was paradoxical that unions which traditionally resisted involvement with the law were now using it to gain a privileged plaee in society. But most people opposed the power of union extremists, and were perturbed by measures like tne closed shop.

The time has come when, in return for the immunities and privileges which unions seek under the law, they must accept certan obligations and responsibilities," Mr Prior said. BELOW: Mr Prior" no great upheaval" about once too often and he died. They say I took his body away and buried it. I want to tell you now that these stories are completely untrue and these lies are making life hell for us. I can prove I didn't do it, because I was with other people at the time Lester disappeared." Mr Chapman gave details of his movements on the day Lester disappeared up to the time he reported him missing at Reading police station.

Early in the search Mr and Mrs Chapman were questioned by police about Lester's possible death. One senior police officer said yesterday The more we look into it the further his parents move out of It was disclosed yesterday that -police made a report to' Berkshire County Council social services department after Lester had been found wander-, ing in Reading on December 30, 12 days, before he disappeared. Police found marks on his back and said he claimed he had been beaten with a plastic toy sword. Lester ran away again on January 2, and was again re turned home. A social worker was appointed to the family on January 4.

THE WEATHER hold the prices of its 50 other whiskies at least until July. This compromise has allowed Distillers to escape the problems of a three-month investigation by the Price Commission, during which all its whisky prices could have been frozen. It has, however, left the company exposed to many of the European marketing problems which its British price rises were designed to evade. The problems were sparked off by an EEC ruling that Distillers must end its policy of price discrimination in the UK market. Distillers had been selling whisky to Europe at about 6 more per case than the price charged to the British market.

There was nothing wrong with that under European regulations, and the company justified it by pointing to the heavy develops pital for many years on such ordersj although they may have committed offences which' would have earned them far lighter sentences had they not been mentally ill. It is understood that the Home Office is completely opposed to such a reform. An internal Home Office memorandum on the subject, which has AROUND BRITAIN Reports for the 24 hours ended 6 p.m. yesterday: Sun- Max. shine Rain temp Weather hrs.

in. (dav) EAST COAST .13 3 37 Rain .12 3 37 Snow Lowestoft .07 5 41 Rain Clacton .10 7 45 Rain Heme Ban 1.3 .03 7 45 Showers SOUTH COAST Folkestone 1.1 .01 7 45' Showeri Hastings 0.8 8 46 Cloudy Eastbourne 0.6 .01 8 46 Cloudy Brighton .02 9 48 Showers Worthing .09 8 46 Hall Littlehamplon .03 8 46 Cloudy Bognor. 0.5 .02 8 46 Gale Southsea 0.1 .02 9 48 Rain Shanklin .02 8 46 Dull .11 7 45 Rain Poole .28 8 46 Rain Swanage 0.1 .11 9 48 Rain Weymouth- 0.6 .22 9 48 Rain Exmouth, 1.3 .33 9 4S Rain ,1.7 .44 10 50 Rain Torquay il 10 50 Rain Falmouth 0.5 .28 9 48 Rain Penzance .48 5 Rain WEST COAST Douglas .68 6 43 Rain' Morecambe .18 7' 45 Sleet Blackpool .16 6 43 Snow Southport .17 6 43 Sleet Colwyn .09 7 45 Rain Anglesey .35 8 46 Rain lifracombc .45 10 50 Rain Newquay .29 9 48 Showers Islesuf .21 9 48 Rain SCOTLAND Lerwick .28 1 34 Snow Wick 4.6 5 41 Sunny Slornoway 3.7 3 37 Snow Klnloss 2.5 32 Sunny Dyic 3.6 2 35 Sunny Tiree 3 3T Cloudy Leuchars .01 4 39 Sleet; Abbotslnch .20 1 34 Snow Prestwlck 2 .36 Sleet- .39 1 34 Snow IRELAND Belfast: ,6 43 Rain SATELLITE PREDICTIONS The figures give In1 order, lime and visibility, where rising, maximum elevation, and direction of setting. An asterisk denotes entering or leaving. eclipse.

walks out of talks proposals British customers will switch from Black and White and Vat G9 (which go up by 50p a bottle) to brands lik.e White Horse (which stays at the old price). And Distillers' European distributors may' stop promoting White Horse because their price can now be undercut. The Price Commission regards this outcome as the best balance between safeguarding the balance of payments and protecting the interests of consumers in Britain, who wilL still be able to choose between- a wide range of brands which will be unchanged in price." The European Commission may be less satisfied. Its officials have pointed out that their ruling was designed to bring EEC whisky prices down to -British levels. They are limbering up to draw Teachers whisky through the same The memorandum states ''It is considered that the- restrictions should, continue to "be regarded as an element 'treatment' order and not as, a penal power, and that indeterminate restrictions allow a- desirable flexibility in dealing with the needs of each case according to the patient's re sponse to treatment." Rain, sleet or snow A DEPRESSION will move NE--England and Wales will liave'ripn, sleet or snow and Scotland.

ind Ireland will be cloudy. London area: SE, SW and Cent England, Channel Islands Showe-y outbreaks of rain. Sleet or snow over higher ground. Wind SW to fresh or strong. 'Max temp 5C (41F).

Anolla, Midlands, Cent, and NE England Showery outbreaks of sleet or snow. Wind SW, strong. Max temp 4C (39F). Midlands: and Wales, NW England, Lake District, Isle of Man Showery outbreaks of sleet or snow. Wind variable or SW.

light to moderate, becoming NW, moderate to fresh. Max temp, 4C (39F). Borders, Edinburgh and Dundee. Aberdeen. Glasgow and Moray Firth areas, SW.

NE and NW Scotland, Cent Highlands; Argyll. Shetland. Ireland Cloudy, occasional snow. Wind to NE. strong to gale.

Max temp 2C (36F). Outlook Brlqht, but wintry showers; SEA PASSAGES Southern North Sea, Strait or Dover, English Channel (E): Very rough. St George's Irish Sea: Moderate, becoming rough. TOMORROW LIGHTING-UP TIMES Belfast 5 25 p.m. to 7 48 a.mj Birmingham 5 16 p.m.

to 7 24 a.m., Bristol 5 23 p.m. to 7 23 a.m.- Glasgow 5 13 p.m. to 7 46 a.im London 5 13 p.m. to 7.13 a.mj Manchester 5 15 p.m. to 7 29 a.mj Newcastle 5 06 p.m.

to 7 32 a.mj Nottingham 5 12 p.m. to 7 24 a.mj HIGH-TIDE TABLE London Bridqe 4 35 a.m. 4 59 p.m.- Dover 1 38 a.m. 2 00 p.m Liverpool 1 56 a.m. 2 06 p.mj SUN RISES 7 44 a.m., SUN SETS 4 41 p.m., MOON SETS 9 39 a.m, MOON RISES 10 46 p.m.

MOON: Last quarter Jan. 31 LONDON READINGS From 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. yeslerr day: Mln temp 2C (36F). From 6 a.rh"rto 6 p.m.

yesterday: Max temp 8C 46F)i Total period: Rainfall. sunshine, nllj The Guardian 119 Farfingdort Koad, London, EC1R 3ER All departments 01-278 2332 881174678 (GUARDN G)-164 Deansgate, Manchester, M60 2RR Editorial and Advertising: 061-832 7200 Tele Adsr 061-832 7200 Ext. 2U61 Printed and Published by Gparrjlan Newspapers Limited at 119 Farrinodon Road, London EC1R 3ER, and at 164 Deansgate, Manchester M60 2RR for and on benall of. the Guardian and; Manchester Evening News Limited. 40,888, Saturday, January 28.

1978. Registered as a newspaper at the. Post Office. assumed the radical mantle at the talks, much to the discomfiture of both Mr Sithole and Mr Smith. Victoria Britain adds from Nairobi Mr Joshua Nkomo, joint leader of the Rhodesian Patriotic Front, left Nairobi yesterday for Lagos on his way the Malta talks after a press conference which left the impression he is annoyed by the progress of the talks between Smith and the internal Black Rhodesian leadership.

Mr Nkomo was apparently reached the Guardian, indicates that it prefers the conclusion reached by the Butler committee. This said that the Mental Health Act should be revised to make it clear that a restriction order was intended to arotect the public from serious harm and that restriction orders should invariably be made without limit of time. SNOW REPORS Depth State gf Wthr In. in. Piste Davos 18 44 Good Fine -6 Fhine 42 84 Good Fine -14 KitzbOhel 6 22 Hard Fine 1 Les Aics 50 78 Good Fine -7 Les Menulres 68 120 Good Fine -6 Saas-Fee 52 84 Good Fine -7 St MoritJ: 30 34 Ggod Fine -9 Sauze d'Oulx 30 52 Good Fine 0 Vcrbiur' 26 74 Good Fine -1 Wcngen 14 28 Good Fine -2 In the above reports, supplfed by the Ski Club of Great Britain, refers to lower slopes ana to upper slopes.

TBie following reports have been received from other sources: NORWAY Flnse 52 56 Good -10 Gtilo 36 40 Good -10 Gol 20 24 Good -11 Ullehammer 16 32 Good -8 Norefjell 52 56 Good -7 Olio Good -7 Riukan 28 32 Good -11 Voss 36 38 Good -7 SPAIN Baquera-Boret 32 4B Good Snow -1 Cerler, 24 36 Good Sun -2 La Molina 18 48 Good Sun 0 La Tiica 18 AO Good Cloud 1 Masella 10 20 Good Sun -5 San Isldro 20 60 Icy Cloud -3 TODAY LIGHTING-UP TIMES Belfast .5 '23 p.m.- to-. 7 SO a.m. Birmingham 5 14 p.m. to- 7 25 a.m. Bristol 5 21 p.m.

to- 7 24 a.m. Glasgow 5 11 p.m.' tot 7 48 a.m. London 5 11 p.m. to- 7 14 a.m. Manchester 5 13 p.m.

If 7 31 a.m. Newcastle 5.04 p.m.. to- 7 34 a.m. Nottingham 5 ,10 p.m.' ttu'7 25 a.m. HIGH-TIDE TABLE London Bridge'.

4 03 a.m.-.., 4 36p.m. Dover 1 05 a.m. 1 24 p.m. Liverpool 1' 22 a.m. 1 31 p.m.

SUN RISES 7 46 a.m. SUN SETS 1 41 p.m. MOON SETS 14 a.m. MOON RISES 1 37 p.m. MOON: Last Quarter Jan.

31 MANCHESTER REAMNES From Thursday to 6 a.m;. yesterday: Mln tempAC (34F). From 6 at-m 6 p.m. yesterdays Max temp 8C (46FI. otal period: Rainfall ORIn.

Sunshine nil. 1 By Peter Hildrew. Northern Labour Correspondent The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering unions is to hold a special meeting of its shipyard committee next week to discuss the re-allocation of the last four ships from the 115 millions Polish order. Following the labour troubles at the Swan Hunter yards on Tyneside, British Shipbuilders now intends to build one of the ships at Smith Dock on the Tees and the ether three at Govan on the Clyde. But Govan shop stewards yesterday deferred a decision on whether to accept the work.

The Govan yard convenor, Mr James Airlie, said the confederation had been asked to give a firm policy lead on the issue. We want a report on the position on the Tyne and a state uzorewa Continued from page one puzzled by the UANC leadership's acceptance of such a constitutional principle in the first place since it clearly prohibited any claim to majority rule on a one man, one vote basis. The angriest of all parties to the talks is understandably Mr Sithole who himself compromised this week to accept a ten year duration for white entrenched safeguards under pressure from the Bishop and Mr Smith. Now the United African National Council has Police dig Detectives in the garden of the to to Mr up garden in hunt for Lester GROUND THE WORLD (Lunch-time reports) 12 54 6 43 7 45 Dr 1 34 7 45 12 54 17 63 16 61, 3 37 16 61 7 45 Sn -6 21 Sn -1 30 2 36 12 54 3 37 -3 27 13 55 10 50 Sn -4 25 6 43 1 34 -7 19 16 61 Ajaeclt AkrotliS Algciti AmstiicSani 3.2 54 17 63 FZ15 59 4 39 S-I4 57 SH3 55 4 39 7 45 C20 68 3 37 SHI 52 4 39 3 37 F20 50 5 41 Lisbon Locarno London Lux'boura Madrid Majorca Malaga Malta Man cbester Miami Milan Montreal Moscow Munich Naples Newcastle New York Nice Onorto Oslo Paris AUMIS Barcilieii Belfait Belli tad as Bermudas Berlin Siarrltr- BifrnltiDiai biacKixo Borditrx Boulcin-e Brlrtol BraslilB Budapist CartJIfl 8 46 4 39 4 39 8 46 Casabltnti F36 61 Chlcan ir -34 7 Colwti 6 43 Coo'liU 0 32 Pranue Reykjavik Rhodes Rome Ronaldsway Salzbura' Francisco Stockholm Strasbourg, Tannler Tel-Ai Tenerife Corfu F3.4 57 5 41. S33 55 Dublin.

Oub remit Edlntiirt) Faro Florwtei FranUuut Funcbil Eeiteii Rlasqam Cutaway, HelslntlT InnsbiMck Imemwi litasikia Jertr) Us. Plluull iuiw rata; 13 55' 5 41 5 41 9 48 -6 21 1 34 315 59 sai 52 4 39 FH8 64 5 41 S3.7 63 7 3b 8 46 C-H4 7 1 34 3 27 S10 50 8 46 F39 66 F. (air; snow. 5 41 17 63 16 61 13 55 Sn -7 19 16 61 14 57 5 41 6 43 4 39 0 32 3 37 Toronto Tunis Valencia Vancouver Venice, Vienna Warsaw Zurich cloudy: Cr, drizzle; WOniSH SKI REPORTS Caliitagtini: Main runs 'and lower stones: All tooii xoTOttte. 'new snow on a firm baser.

"VM-lul runs access roads cleatri suisr GlMsbic Main runs: Most complete, hares" Liver slopes, ample nursery areas. Hard jioi, Vertical runs access roads' clnr; Snow level 'Clmctll (lain runs and lower slopes; all runs 14 mlestt, powder snow on -firm base. VertluB lions access rtiads clear: snoia levil 90Qft. FVoiicaili Cloudy with heavy snow for most of Sllurliiy, Considerable drifting In strong to oit'liaru north-easterly wind. Visibility seriooil-y ifffttlcdiby fog, snow and drifting sn.v, wriBzliir at all levels, By ToitiShatrratt Police searching for Lester Chaprnan, the eight-year-old Reading hay who has been missing for raoie than two weeks, dug up peart of the small back garden art his home yesterday.

Two dettectives spent three hours, dlyjging to a depth of four feci but found nothing. Two otSier officers carried out an incli-by-Ench search of the terrace haouse in Wensley Road and took away some of Lester's possessdoms, including an exercise book- They also took photographs otf the interior of the house. 'Lester's mother, Mrs Linda aged 25, was at home as police searched. Her husband Leslie; aged 26, a van driver, was at w-rk- Polic emphasised that the search wsas carried out simply ta allay ruaours that have been circulafclng about the boy's dls-appearane. Supt.

Peter East, who is'leaadliig the search, said There; Is mo reason to suspect anything as far as they are concerned." In am aarltcle in a local newspaper yesterday, Mr Chapman said: 'Sossips have accused me killing my stepson Lester. Tfcaey say I knocked him Chapman home yesterday.