asked the Chancellor of of the Exchequer when he will make a further statement on his plans for stimulating public works in the North-East Development Area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further proposals he now has to stimulate regional development.

My right hon. Friend is paying close attention to the economies of the regions. As regards public works, I would refer hon. Members to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Tilney) on 25th January.—[Vol. 829. c. 1175–77.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will propose to permit barristers and other professional people to retain a tax-free cessation payment comparable to the tax-free golden handshakes they might expect to receive had they retired at like age from industry or the Armed Forces.

Section 20(3) of the Finance Act, 1971, provided for non-taxable retirement lump sums to be available to self-employed persons, including professional people.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, in the last three months, have been the changes from six months earlier in the retail price index, excluding seasonally variable food prices; and what trend this indicates.

The percentage increases in the retail price index for "all items except seasonal food" in each of the latest three months for which data is available, compared with six months earlier, were for October, 1971, 3·4 per cent.; for November, 1971, 3·1 per cent.; and for December, 1971, 2·9 per cent. These figures show a welcome downward trend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is now taking to avoid the delays which are now occurring in the refund of Pay-As-You-Earn overpayments to unemployed men and women.

In general there are few delays in making tax repayments to unemployed men and women. My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary has written to the hon. Member on a particular case he raised with me in which delay occurred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to eliminate the fiscal disadvantages that were imposed by the Finance Act, 1965, upon stock-option schemes for employees.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of public concern over the indiscriminate disposal of poisonous wastes, he will seek to change the law so as to qualify for capital allowances expenditure on the conveyance, treatment or disposal of trade effluents, now held not so to qualify.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion. As he will be aware, a very large part of this expenditure already qualifies for allowances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of continuing uncertainty as to the effects of the tax, he will prepare an explanatory statement on the effects of value-added tax and circulate it to all manufacturing and service industries.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, in his examination of value-added tax, consider excluding books and equipment for the use of schools and other educational institutions from the effects of value-added tax.

My right hon. Friend announced in his Budget speech last year that books will get relief from value-added tax. We are not yet ready to announce further details of the coverage of the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further representations he has now received from professional football clubs and other sports organisations concerning the effects of a proposed value-added tax; and what reply he has sent.

A number of professional football clubs and other sports organisations have sent representations to my right hon. Friend who has assured them that these will be taken into account when the time comes to take decisions about the scope of the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking in co-operation with the European Economic Community and other European nations to establish a common unit of currency for reserve working capital, and to fix narrower margins of fluctuation between the same European currencies.

Proposals for progress towards economic and monetary integration are being re-examined in the changed circumstances following the Washington settlement. We are naturally being consulted by the E.E.C.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that liquid petroleum gas engines compare favourably as regards toxic emissions with ordinary petrol engines and in certain respects with diesel engines, he will withdraw his plans for placing a tax on this gas.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Simeons).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his future policy is on the prediction of the levels of economic activity.

Work on improving the statistical data, methods of analysis and techniques of forecasting is a continuing process.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent his taxation plans for fuel for road vehicles are influenced by environmental considerations.

All relevant considerations are borne in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take action to reduce the amount of the motor vehicle Road Fund tax.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the net financial effect on skilled workers of all the Government's fiscal and welfare measures since June, 1970.

The Government's measures have benefited all sections of the community.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement clarifying the Government's policy in regard to the voluntary regulation of prices and incomes.

We welcome the voluntary price restraint policy that the C.B.I. is operating. Unions and employers both know that the Government would be prepared to discuss any proposals for a realistic voluntary incomes policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now seek to grant tax relief to retirement pensioners who receive an income through employment.

I do not think that it would be right to single out for extra tax reliefs retirement pensioners who go out to work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on behalf of unquoted and smaller companies concerning the effects that the proposed changes in the structure of corporation tax, as outlined in the Government's Green Paper, will have in relation to their application to small businesses.

We have received representations from 11 representative bodies and have also seen the observations on this matter of the Select Committee on Corporation Tax. The views of all these bodies are being given careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the United States Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of the convertibility of the United States dollar into gold.

The December talks in Washington and Bermuda naturally included discussion on future official convertibility for the United States dollar.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the low level of earnings at which workers with small families are frequently liable to income tax; and what steps he will take to remedy this.

Last year's increase in the income tax child allowances raised the tax threshold of families with children. The Chancellor will, as usual, be reviewing personal taxation before the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in the yield of income tax in the year 1970–71.

The Consolidated Fund receipts of income tax rose by £823 million (17 per cent.) compared with 1969–70.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing a £325 minimum earned income allowance in replacement of the two-ninths earned income relief under the old, non-unified system.

About £650 million for a full year, on the assumption that taxpayers remain entitled to two-ninths earned income relief on incomes about £1,462 per annum (the level where two-ninths produces £325).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what could be the cost of increasing family allowances, respectively, to all children to £2 per week and £2 to the second and subsequent children plus £1 for the first child, respectively, with clawback and without clawback.

If the hon. Member means to recoup the whole of the increases proposed by reducing personal allowances then the cost would be in the region of £75 million and £50 million, respectively, since the full benefit would accrue only to those below the new tax threshold. If the hon. Member does not wish to recoup in this way, the gross costs are £1,130 million and £760 million, respectively, for Great Britain for the full year 1971–72.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent Government purchasing is aimed at alleviating regional unemployment; and if he will investigate the implications of making greater use of Government procurement as a tool of regional policy.

The Government have greatly increased expenditure in the development and intermediate areas and, as part of their regional policies, operate contracts preference schemes to assist firms in the development areas. But the scope for employing suppliers in particular regions naturally depends on the ability of those regions to supply the goods required.

asked the Chancellor Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of changes in the terms of trade for the United Kingdom up to the end of 1972–73.

My right hon. Friend will be referring to matters of this kind in his Budget Statement or in the Budget Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average pre-tax personal income for the latest year for which figures are available in the United Kingdom, the South-West of England, and Cornwall, respectively; and if he will list the countries in the United Kingdom where the average pre-tax personal income is lower than in Cornwall.

Following is the information:The incomes for tax purposes divided by the population give the following average incomes per head for 1969–70.

	£
United Kingdom	528
South-West Region	482
Cornwall	435

The counties in the United Kingdom where the corresponding average is less than that in Cornwall are:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has recently received regarding changes in income distribution under his administration.

My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary have received letters from the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to take steps to free from estate duty wills which include a specific request that the money must be used to help charitable societies in their work for the sick.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose the exemption from purchase tax of articles designed by modern artists which have no practical use.

I do not think that such an exemption could be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of all stock, including material, work in progress and finished stock, carried in Great Britain; whether he will express this as a percentage of national income at the present time; and from information available to him from international sources, if he will compare it with the equivalent figures for major European countries and the United States of America.

The book value of United Kingdom stocks and work in progress at the end of September, 1971, is estimated at £18,100 million. Quarterly estimates of national income are not available, but the book value of stocks at the end of 1970 was £17,211 million. This represented about 44 per cent. of the estimated national income for that year. Equivalent figures for other countries are not available from international sources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates is the current rate of growth in gross domestic product; and if he will make a statement.

The current rate of growth of gross domestic product is in line with the estimate of 4 to 4½ per cent. which my right hon. Friend made last July. This is twice as fast as the average rate of growth between 1964 and 1970. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the debate on unemployment on 24th January, there is no reason why 4 to 5 per cent. growth should not continue for many years provided our international price competitiveness is maintained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now announce the date of the forthcoming Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now announce the date on which he will give his Budget statement.

As my right hon. Friend indicated last November, he will open his Budget before Easter, so as to give the maximum time for consideration of the legislation on value-added tax, which will be published concurrently with the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Central Office of Information has spent during the past year on Government advertising through advertising agencies; which agencies have been employed for this purpose; and how much has been spent through each of these agencies.

During 1971 £8,588,290 was spent on Government advertising through officially appointed advertising agencies.Following is the information:

PRESS, TELEVISION AND CINEMA ADVERTISING
Agency	Amount
	£
Charles Barker Ltd (Classified only)	540
Benton & Bowles Ltd	267,505
Clifford Bloxham & Partners Ltd.	872,579
T. B. Browne Ltd	28,747
Brunning Advertising Ltd.	11,860
Leo Burnett-LPE Ltd	993,257
C. R. Casson Ltd.	200,087
Rupert Chetwynd & Partners Ltd.	12,341
Collett, Dickenson, Pearce & Partners Ltd	95,058
Col man Prentis & Varley Ltd	1,172,688
Foote, Cone & Balding Ltd.	11,088
Freeman Mathes & Milne Ltd	110,202
Graham & Gillies Ltd	255,519
Hobson Bates & Partners Ltd.	131,273
Horniblow, Cox-Freeman Ltd	76,480
K. M. P. Partnership Ltd.	29,940
Austin Knight Ltd.	6,263
David Macauley Advertising Ltd	19,532
Masius Wynne-Williams Ltd.	950,104
Napper Stinton & Woolley Ltd	512,453
Ogilvy & Mather Ltd	55,784
S. H. Benson Ltd.	297,770
Overmark, Smith-Warden Ltd.	2,113
Rex, Stewart & Associates Ltd	44,808
Saward Baker Ltd.	24,838
Sells Ltd.	5,583
J. Walter Thompson Co. Ltd.	869,205
C. Vernon & Sons Ltd	996,698
David Williams & Ketchum Ltd.	249,404
	8,303,719

POSTER ADVERTISING
Agency	Amount
	£
Advertising Agencies Poster Bureau Ltd.	161,359
A. W. Newton Ltd.	55,823
Poster & Outdoor Services Ltd.	67,389
	284,571

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to avoid the delays in local authority land and house valuations that are now occurring in the Northern Region through delays in district valuers' offices.

Valuation offices across the country are working under considerable pressure. The hon. Member has recently been in correspondence with my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary about two individual cases and generally. I will look into this and write to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the level of investment in manufacturing industry over Great Britain as a whole and in the less prosperous regions, respectively.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost, to the extent that it is calculable, of implementing the recommendations of the Bolton Committee, during the next financial year.

It is not possible to give an estimate of the cost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, at the next meeting at which he takes the Chair at the National Economic Development Council, he will ask the council to discuss unemployment.

As the hon. Member knows, the council has lately been considering a wide range of econo

	Second and third quarters	Second and third quarters	Percentage increase
	1964	1971
(1) Gross trading profits of companies (£ million) (a)	3,321	2,910(b)	25·4
(2) Index of average earnings(January, 1970 = 100)	70·0	119·8	71·1
(3) Total domestic income before providing for depreciation and stock appreciation (£ million)	14,676	23,715
(4) (1) as percentage of (3)	15·8	12·3

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to publish a White Paper on services for the mentally ill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to increase from £100 to £150 the additional personal allowance granted to working widows with young children.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if in his Budget he will take steps to reduce the level of taxation imposed on gaming machines in the premises of non-profit making sports and social clubs.

We will consider this but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated increase in gross trading profits of companies, and in the index of average earnings, in the second and third quarters of 1971 as compared with the corresponding quarters of 1964; and what was the ratio of gross trading profits of companies to gross domestic product at each of these respective periods.

The estimates are as follows:

I do not propose to do so. The general strategy is clear and we are seeking the development of services in combination with one another. The guidance on hospital services for the mentally ill which was issued in December though mainly addressed to hospital authorities was also sent to local authorities, executive councils and general practitioners. It emphasised the need for co-operation and the importance of relating hospital services to other services as part of a comprehensive plan. Further guidance is in preparation on the community services needed by the mentally ill, and on community and hospital services for persons suffering from mental illness related to old age.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will direct the holding of an inquiry into the complaints made by Mr. and Mrs. T. Jackson, of 43, Staghill Road, Walsall, about which his Department has received correspondence from the hon. Member for Walsall, North, with reference to Walsall General Hospital.

These complaints have been the subject of an inquiry by the Walsall Hospital Management Committee and as I explained in my letter of 11th November to the hon. and learned Member, I do not feel that there is a need for a further inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what number of telephone installations has been granted for the housebound in Scotland and in Dunbartonshire, respectively.

The Supplementary Benefits Commission has made available three telephones in Scotland and one in Dunbartonshire. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that information about numbers of telephones provided in Scotland by local authorities is not available centrally. Dunbarton County Council has provided for the installation of five telephones for handicapped people.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now re-examine the criteria set down for the granting of telephones to the disabled; and if he will make a statement.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the criteria laid down by the Supplementary Benefits Commission. The commission uses its discretionary powers to provide extra help with the cost of a telephone only in a small number of special cases where it would be the only means of communication in an emergency. In view of the powers of local authorities it would not be appropriate to invite the commission to take on additional responsibilities in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons over the age of 80 years are disqualified from receiving a retirement pension; and what is his estimate of the annual cost of paying pensions to them.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give a breakdown of social security benefits given to miners and their families relating to wives, dependants and single men, since the start of the current dispute.

The figures are shown on the following table. Separate figures for wives and other dependants are not available.

Week ended	Wives and other Dependants	Single Men
	£	£
11th January	600	—
18th January	68,607	21
25th January	969,047	3,049
1st February	891,157	20,761
8th February	920,659	31,709
Total	2,850,070	55,540

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the aggregate cost to date to public funds of supplementary benefit paid to those involved in the miners' strike, and their families, respectively; and of any payments made after resumption of work.

From the beginning of the strike until 8th February £55,540 was paid for strikers and £2,850,070 for dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the aggregate cost to date to public funds of supplementary benefit paid to those involved in the Linwood and Bathgate strikes, and their families, respectively, and of any payments made after resumption of work.

From the beginning of the dispute at Chrysler, Linwood, to 8th February, £17 was paid for the strikers themselves, and £60,248 for their dependants. Details of payments made on resumption of work are not yet available.From the beginning of the dispute at British Leyland, Bathgate, to 8th February, £24,155 was paid, wholly to strikers' dependants. The strike is still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how long the waiting list for hysterectomy operations is in the area covered by the Southampton Group Hospital Management Committee.

There are 130 patients on the waiting list.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decision he has reached on the application for a grant which the Central Council for the Disabled made to him.

I have approved payment of a grant of £5,000 for each of the next three financial years for development of the council's information service. In particular this will enable the council to prepare specialist leaflets on problems likely to be encountered by handicapped people.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the maximum combined concentration of cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury which his Department advises should not be exceeded in marketable shellfish; and what steps he is taking to ensure that this maximum concentration is never reached in British inland waters.

This is not a field where a combined limit of these four substances in shellfish is desirable or likely to be effective. Levels have to be considered in relation to the total intake from food. My Department is maintaining a close watch on the total diet, which includes shellfish, for heavy metals and I am advised that they do not reach a level which would be a risk to the consumer.We are well aware of the need to restrict quantities of these substances finding their way into inland waters. Controls over effluents containing them is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to require the food known as fish fingers to contain a minimum content of 60 per cent. fish.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins) on 31st January, 1972.—[Vol. 830, c. 30.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what account he has taken of recent studies in the United States of America on possible cancer hazards from saccharin, details of which are in his possession; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the statement by the United States Food and Drug Administration about the preliminary results of one of a number of studies about the safety of using saccharin. When the results of all relevant studies are available they will be examined by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee and the Pharmacology Sub-Committee so that an informed assessment can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent submissions he has received from the Greater London Council on its plans for the restrictions of the movement and parking of heavy lorries in the greater London area.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the problems for the residents of New Hey Road, Huddersfield, of increasing road menaces, speed, noise and pollution, since the volume of traffic increased because of the proximity of the M62 motorway; what action he will take; and if he will make a statement.

It is appreciated that the opening of the Pennine section of M62 has posed new problems for Huddersfield County Borough Council as highway authority for New Hey Road, though these will be eased when the length of M62 from Outlane to Gilder-some is completed. Only one member of the public has written to the Department about problems on New Hey Road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will assist local authorities to clean up the scrap collection depots for abandoned cars, road vehicles and domestic appliances, in order to eliminate eyesores, and provide a more speedy delivery of scrap to steel works, including the stockpiling of ingots in anticipation of renewed demands for basic steel for industrial expansion.

My right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider any proposals from local authorities for dealing with eyesores. But the speed with which scrap is processed depends on commercial factors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the departmental working party set up under the chairmanship of Dr. F. H. H. Valentin of the Warren Springs Laboratory to examine the problem of unpleasant odours emitted by offensive trades is expected to report; and whether it is intended to publish the report.

A first report is expected by autumn, 1973, but in view of the extensive field which the working party has to cover, a further report will be needed. These will provide material for a departmental handbook of technological advice to local authorities and those engaged in these trades, which will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations were consulted before decisions were made concerning the persons to be invited to serve on the Sports Council.

Organisations formally invited to suggest candidates were the governing and other national bodies of sport as a group, and the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current grant made by his Department to the Royal Automobile Club to encourage learner training schemes for motor-cyclists; and on what basis these grants are allocated.

£2 for each pupil enrolled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent he studied the legislation of the State of Victoria governing the compulsory wearing of seat belts before formulating his own policy on the matter.

I shall keep the results under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what, for the current financial year, is the total amount of financial assistance specifically allocated for improving the infrastructure of the development and intermediate areas of the United Kingdom, giving details of the principal uses for which this sum is provided; and what are the projected total figures for the years 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1974–75.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the special programme of works in development and intermediate areas. Under the infrastructure works programme provision has been made for additional expenditure over a wide field including hospitals, local health and social services, roads,

	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	Total
	£m.	£m.	£m.	£m.	£m.
Infrastructure Works	39	102	23	—	164
Housing Improvement	9	25	16	3	53

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of cars in Great Britain which each year have been written off by insurance companies as a total loss and have subseqently been rebuilt and put on the road again.

Such figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to end the situation whereby an annuity is apportioned for the purposes of income tax between income and capital, but counts entirely as income for rate rebate purposes.

FAMILY EXPENDITURE SURVEY
Average weekly gross household income
£ per week·
Years		Northern		East and West Riding	North Western	North Midland	Midland	Eastern
1961–63	…	18·53		20·01	20·37	20·10	23·55	20·39
Years		London and South Eastern		Southern	South Western	Wales	Scotland	Great Britain
1961–63	…	22·77		22·56	19·94	19·07	19·50	20·90

Years		North		Yorkshire and Humberside	North West	East Midlands	West Midlands	East Anglia
1964–66	…	21·12		24·12	23·94	24·88	27·43	23·42
1967–68	…	26·63		25·55	27·76	28·22	30·68	28·36
1969–70	…	31·64		31·20	33·09	31·91	34·08	31·19

Years				South East	South West	Wales	Scotland	Great Britain
1964–66	…	…	…	28·21	23·19	22·72	23·87	25·26
1967–68	…	…	…	32·67	27·86	26·13	27·72	29·22
1969–70	…	…	…	38·04	32·15	30·45	32·50	34·00

The treatment of annuities for the purpose of rate rebates will be considered during the course of our current review of the rating system in the light of the Green Paper "The Future Shape of Local Government Finance".

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average annual gross level of income per family for Great Britain and for each standard region within Great Britain in 1971, or for the most recent year for which statistics are available; and what were the equivalent figures for each year since 1961.

The information is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the average annual gross level of income per family for each individual development area and intermediate area for each year since their designation.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what replies he now sends to those letters addressed to him on the subject of youth unemployment.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State and I receive many leters on various aspects of youth unemployment. Each letter is answered individually, according to the points raised.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a list of redundancies in the Northern Region that have been notified to his Department in each month since June, to the latest available date.

Redundancies in the Northern Region involving the following numbers of workpeople were notified to my Department between 9th June, 1970, and 10th January, 1972:

9th June, 1970–13th July, 1970	1,150
14th July, 1970–10th August, 1970	640
11th August, 1970–14th September, 1970	1,090
15th September, 1970–12th October, 1970	850
13th October, 1970–9th November, 1970	1,030
10th November, 1970–7th December, 1970	1,790
8th December, 1970–11th January, 1971	890
12th January, 1971–8th February, 1971	2,330
9th February, 1971–8th March, 1971	2,070
9th March, 1971–5th April, 1971	2,340
6th April, 1971–10th May, 1971	5,630
11th May, 1971–14th June, 1971	2,030
15th June, 1971–12th July, 1971	1,000
13th July, 1971–9th August, 1971	1,410
10th August, 1971–13th September, 1971	1,520
14th September, 1971–11th October, 1971	2,570
12th October, 1971–8th November, 1971	920
9th November, 1971–6th December, 1971	1,410
7th December 1971–10th January, 1972	1,520
Some of the redundances listed are not due to become effective until later in 1972

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will announce a day's national holiday on 9th January of each year.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees in the Chester-le-Street constituency area have been made redundant as a consequence of firms reducing their labour force since July, 1970, to the latest available date, listing the industries involved separately.

Redundancies involving the following numbers of workpeople in the Chester-le-Street constituency area have been recorded as due to occur in the period 1st July, 1970, to 11th February, 1972:

Industry	Numbers Redundant
Mechanical and Instrument Engineering	81
Metal Goods Manufacture	33
Bricks. Pottery, Glass, Cement	42
Other Manufacturing Industries	183
Construction	27
Hotels and other Residential Establishments	52
Other Industries and Services	20
Total	438

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state how many males and females, respectively, are known to be on short-time working in the Newport, Monmouthshire,, employment exchange area at the latest available date.

At 10th January,. 108 males and three female temporarily stopped workers were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Newport and Newport Docks employment exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men, how many women and what percentage of the total work force in the city of Leicester were unemployed in the month of January, 1971; and how many men, how many women and what percent age of the work force were unemployed in January, 1972.

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN THE AREA COVERED BY THE LEICESTER EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE
		Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total	Temporarily stopped included in total	Percentage rate
January, 1971	…	2,736	53	364	36	3,189	130	1·6
January, 1972	…	5,336	137	654	59	6,186	696	3·0

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers employed in Scotland at the end of 1971, or the nearest convenient date, in coal-mining, metal manufacture, shipbuilding, ship repairing, marine engineering, general engineering and electrical, vehicles, textiles, clothing, construction, agriculture, transport, distribution, local government and public service.

Estimates for 1971 are not yet available and the following table shows figures for June, 1970:

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN SCOTLAND AT JUNE, 1970
	(Thousands)
Coal mining (minimum list heading 101 of the Standard Industrial Classification)	36·1
Metal manufacture (Order VI of the Standard Industrial Classification)	46·6
Shipbuilding and ship repairing (MLH 370.1)	33·3
Marine engineering (MLH 370.2)	11·1
Mechanical, instrument and electrical engineering (Orders VII to IX)	187·0
Vehicles (Order XI)	41·1
Textiles (Order XIII)	84·7
Clothing and footwear (Order XV)	172·5
Agriculture and horticulture (MLH 001)	45·9
Transport and communication (Order XXII)	142·7
Distributive trades (Order XXIII)	259·9
Public administration, including local government service (Order XXVII)	121·1

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the total value of the recent public works programme allocated to Scotland; and what was the actual amount spent in Scotland.

Following is the information:

Between July and December work worth £60 million was approved under the special programme on projects within my field of responsibility. A further £3 million has been allocated to Scotland within the programmes of Great Britain Departments. As the programme will not be substantially completed until March, 1973, the actual amount spent cannot yet be assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the local authorities in Scotland with derelict land capable of being renewed which failed to deal with any acreage in 1971.

Comprehensive surveys of remaining dereliction are not at present available for all local authority areas in Scotland. While progress generally has been good, I should like to speed it up; and I have this week invited all Scottish local authorities to submit five-year programmes of clearance, based on the best survey information available to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further plans have been submitted to him by local authorities since the last published figures in respect of residential homes for the elderly; and what is the number involved.

No further proposals have been submitted since my reply to the hon. Member on 13th December, 1971.—[Vol. 828, c. 36.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now make his promised announcement about further starts of residential homes for the elderly.

I hope to make an announcement soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give early consideration to the recently published report of the research and intelligence unit of his Home Department concerning the provision of groups of homes for the elderly.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children are attending secondary local authority schools; and what latest estimate he has made for each of the next four years.

At January, 1971, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 314,442 secondary pupils in education authority schools. The estimated numbers for the four following years are:—

1972	325,100
1973	344,000
1974	379,450
1975	391,950

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to improve coordination between the Departments of Education and Science, Health and Social Services, and Employment, in respect of discrimination as between the treatment of males and females.

It is because the Government recognise the importance of coordination between Departments in combating discrimination between men and women that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked my right hon. Friend to assume particular responsibilities in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons required for questioning in connection with Irish Republican Army activities in the United Kingdom are known to be in the Republic of Eire.

This is not a matter in which any certain information can be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what offers have been made by his Department to Rubery Owen, Darlaston to assist that company in obtaining overseas orders in view of the need to maintain the productive efficiency of this plant.

Rubery Owen, as a wide-ranging subscriber to the Export Intelligence Service, has daily access to all the export opportunities and other intelligence circulated through it. It has been offered, through the European Components Service which is now part of the Department, the opportunity of bidding for several specific export orders. In addition it has taken advantage of other export services made available to it by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will give a general direction to the Electricity Council to desist from employing transport contractors who use non-union labour for strike-breaking purposes;(2) if he will give a general direction to the Electricity Council to prohibit the driving of unlit lorries on their property in view of the risk to the employees; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now give the details of estimates of jobs expected to arise in existing premises and in non-manufacturing employment in each of the Scottish special development areas within the next four years in authorised new industrial buildings and in existing buildings taken over by manufacturing firms.

The service and distributive industries are not subject to the I.D.C. control and I regret therefore that no figures are available for jobs in prospect for these fast growing sectors of the economy. The following table gives the figures for jobs at present expected by the applicant firms to arise in each of the Scottish special development areas in the next four years in authorised new industrial buildings and in existing buildings taken over by manufacturing firms.

		Male	Total
1.	West Central Scotland S.D.A. (including the Lesmahagow, Sanquhar and Shotts employment exchange areas)	6,830	13,251
2.	Girvan E.E.A.	117	168
3.	Leven and Methil E.E.A.	852	1,518
4.	Glenrothes New Town	585	1,224
5.	Livingston New Town	1,391	1,802
	Total	9,775	17,963

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what airfields are used for training airline pilots in the United Kingdom; what percentage of

					1968	1969	1970	1971
Stansted	…	…	…	…	38,579	42,477	44,486	41,679
Prestwick	…	…	…	…	29,960	34,153	44,102	41,812
East Midlands	…	…	…	…	31,657	37,855	35,170	39,675
Bournemouth	…	…	…	…	33,680	42,312	49,088	60,270
R.A.E., Bedford		…	…	…	22.729	26,599	27,095	34,599

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has received from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Secretariat for information on action by Her Majesty's Government the resolutions adopted by the last session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; what replies he has sent; and whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT Her Majesty's Government's answers to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development questionnaire, TDO231.

It is not the practice to publish replies to questionnaires like TDO321 in which the Secretary-General of U.N.C.T.A.D. asked for information from member States to assist him in preparing a report for the forthcoming third conference on the implementation total movements connected therewith was allocated to each site in 1971, or the last year for which figures are available; and what was the total number of aircraft movements reached in each site for the years 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

Aerodromes principally used for airline pilot training are Stansted, Prestwick, East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports and R.A.E., Bedford. At East Midlands and Bournemouth the figures available to the D.T.I. (published in the Business Monitor Series, CA1, Table 1) do not distinguish between airline pilot training and other test and training flights. The number of airline training movements at the remaining aerodromes during 1971 was as follows:

Stansted	10,116
Prestwick	20,921
R.A.E., Bedford	15,630
Total	46,667

The total number of aircraft movements at all these aerodromes during the last four years was as follows:of conference recommendations and U.N.C.T.A.D.s rôle in the International Development Strategy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, following the finding of a lifeboat from the "Germania" on the beach at Porlock Weir, Somerset, thus indicating the risk that further items from this ship may come ashore on the Somerset coast, what special arrangements have been made to keep a close watch on this coast.

The Coastguard, which patrols the Somerset coast daily, has been instructed to keep a particular lookout for any cargo that might be washed up from the "Germania".

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total in square feet of industrial building approved by his Department for which industrial development certificates were issued in each of the economic planning regions in 1971; and what are

AREA OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED (for schemes of 10,000 sq. ft. and over)
'000 sq. ft.
Region					1968	1969	1970	1971
North	…	…	…	…	11,356	9,187	7,847	4,580
Yorkshire and Humberside			…	…	7,589	13,834	7,402	5,043
East Midlands	…	…	…	…	6,152	5,798	5,821	4,624
East Anglia	…	…	…	…	4,148	5,754	2,717	2,752
South East	…	…	…	…	18,132	22,748	19,522	17,375
South West	…	…	…	…	5,318	5,761	5,208	3,364
Wales	…	…	…	…	8,196	7,604	8,030	2,981
West Midlands	…	…	…	…	9,900	8,630	7,701	5,595
North West	…	…	…	…	15,950	15,125	14,410	7,484
Scotland	…	…	…	…	11,269	8,556	10,342	8,122

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will hold an inquiry into the current practice of some bedding manufacturers of double pricing, thereby enabling buyers to be deceived and the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, to be contravened; and whether he will make a statement.

Although the hon. and learned Member has been good enough to send me a copy of the letter which prompted his Question, I am not clear what particular practice is causing concern. I will write to him about this.

asked the Prime Minister how many official meetings he had in 1971 with heads of nationalised industries.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to a similar Question from the hon. Member on 16th December, 1971.—[Vol. 828, c. 187.]

asked the Prime Minister what replies he has sent to miners' wives who have written him asking him to intervene in the miners' strike.

Following is the information:

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3rd February to a Question from the hon. Lady the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short).—[Vol 830, c. 195.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to make an official visit to Tanzania.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister, when he proposes to pay his next official visit to Northern Ireland.

I visited Northern Ireland on 23rd December. While I have at present no plans for a further visit, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I remain in very close touch with the Government of Northern Ireland, and had talks with Mr. Faulkner in London on 27th January and 4th February.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has to enable Pay As You Earn to be deducted from the amounts paid to members of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions are proceeding with the Board of Inland Revenue. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can to let him know the outcome.