asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the number of visas that have been granted since 1971 for persons to come to Great Britain for one year to study from Russia and other stated countries outside the British Commonwealth and the numbers refused and similar details for the stated countries of the Commonwealth.

Statistics of visas granted and refused to foreign students are not kept in the form referred to in the Question.The numbers of entry certificates granted and refused respectively to Commonwealth students in 1971 were 17,986 and 889 and in 1972 18,670 and 1,000. The figures for 1973 are not yet available.

asked the Secreary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take action to make known to overseas students the existence of bogus education colleges in the United Kingdom.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science on 11th December 1973.—[Vol. 866, c. 177.] The list of all recognised qualifications prepared by the Department of Education and Science is readily available in British missions and British Council offices abroad and overseas missions in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect the present cuts in public expenditure will have on the representation of the United Kingdom abroad; and whether he will make a statement.

The Diplomatic Service will be reduced by a further 1 per cent. by manpower cuts announced last May. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State told the House on 21st December—[Vol. 866, c.460.]—the latest cuts do not specify a reduction in expenditure on overseas services, though all programmes are subject to continuing review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest progress in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The second stage of the conference resumed work on 15th January. Delegates will now be engaged in seeking to draft agreed conclusions on the basis of the many detailed proposals which have been put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints or comments he has received from hon. Members who attend the European Parliament concerning the poor or inadequate quality of documents translated into the English language.

I am not aware of any recent complaints. On the contrary, I am advised that the translation services of the Community institutions have shown a steady improvement over the year or so since the United Kingdom's accession.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support the establishment of a once-a-year summit meeting between the United States of America and European States, in order to anticipate and alleviate problems arising between allies.

The North Atlantic allies are in constant touch through the machinery of the alliance, and Foreign and Defence Ministers meet regularly twice a year.We hope that if President Nixon comes to Europe this spring he will meet the leaders of allied Governments together. But I am inclined to doubt whether arrangements for annual summit meetings are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the issue of passports by British authorities to Rhodesians outside Rhodesia, with particular reference to the criteria used to determine eligibility and the methods used to measure applicants against those criteria.

Concessionary British passports are normally issued to Rhodesians who are resident outside Rhodesia in conformity with the policy introduced by the previous administration.The validity of these passports was extended in November 1972—[Vol. 845, c. 1211.]—from six months to one year.Applicants must establish their Rhodesian citizenship and provide satisfactory evidence to show they are resident outside Rhodesia.This facility is withheld from certain categories of people such as prominent supporters of the régime, known sanctions breakers, and those engaged in the promotion of violence. Each case is considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken or intends taking to discipline the two diplomats involved in a fracas in Germany, details of which are in his possession; and whether he will make a statement.

The case is to be considered by a disciplinary board.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the murder of Mr. Austin by Zambian troops on the Zambian border in February last, the kidnapping of Mr. John Smith by Zambian troops in the same month, the snatch of Mr. Donald Coles by Zambian troops in November, and of other kidnappings, he will list the amounts of compensation so far paid by the Zambian Government, and raise this matter in the United Nations or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

We have made representations where appropriate to the Zambian Government. But the question of compensation is in the first instance one for the person concerned or his next of kin. So far as I know, no claim has been made.I do not think it would be helpful to raise the matter with the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a detailed statement, giving as much information as may be available, of the advantages and disadvantages that have occurred during Great Britain's first year in membership of the European Economic Community; and to what extent trade, prices, rules and regulations imposed or agreed in Brussels have affected this situation.

Following the hon. Member's recent letter to him on this subject, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be writing to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will have discussions with the new local authorities, as created by the Local Government Act 1972, with a view to their including in their first rate demand notice information about the local ombudsman, his name, address, and responsibilities, and how to approach him with a complaint; and if he will make a statement.

Subject to the enactment of the Local Government Bill now before Parliament my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Development will be discussing with the local authorities, through their associations, the preparation and publication of explanatory material on the local complaints procedure. The distribution of suitable leaflets with rate demands will certainly be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take into account the recommendations of the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council, contained in its report, "Environmental Progress 1966–73", sections 5, 13, when future applications are being considered for new industrial development, or for the change of use of existing industrial plant, in the Doncaster area.

Yes, Sir, though in the first instance this will generally be a matter for the local planning authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the use by local authorities of powers contained in the Housing Finance Act 1972 which enable them to refer to a rent officer the rent of a private dwelling without application being received from the tenants; and whether he will publish such information.

Up to 31st December 1973 local authorities in England and Wales had referred to rent officers 3,406 rents payable under regulated tenancies, and decisions had been reached on 2,663 of these. In 1,071 cases the rent officers found the rents payable more than fair, and registered fair rents accordingly, and in 1,592 they found the rents equal to or less than fair rents, and made no registration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will reconsider his rejection of the inspector's recommendation to include a nominee of the Tyne/Wear Metropolitan County on the reconstituted Port of Tyne Authority.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of local feeling and the need for playing fields to be accessible to children in the vicinity, he will call in, and establish a public inquiry into, the application by Portsmouth Grammar School to develop playing fields at Hilsea for residential purposes.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the amount of rate support grant for Humberside County Council.

The first estimate of the needs element for Humberside County Council in 1974–75 is £31·6 million. The county council will also receive a share of the resources element paid to the county districts estimated to amount to about 32 per cent. of its expenditure net of needs element.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the current economic situation, he will refuse loan sanction for the construction of Block 1B of Portsmouth's Guildhall civic offices.

Expenditure on this building falls within the locally determined sector. As such it is for the local authority to decide what work should go ahead within their total allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the starting date for the construction of the Clenchwarton-Terrington St. Clement and Walpole Cross Keys bypass on the A17.

This scheme has not yet reached the stage of preparation where it can be considered for acceptance in the firm programme but we expect to be able to do this in the first half of the next year. At that point its timing will also be decided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in order to provide further recreational opportunities from United Kingdom Rivers and waterways, if he will seek powers to strengthen the penalties which can be imposed on persons responsible for their pollution.

The Protection of the Environment Bill now being considered in another place provides for the extension of present controls to prevent pollution and for substantial increases in penalties, including the alternative of prison sentences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has not yet invited representatives of Rolls-Royce to give evidence about quiet aero-engines to his departmental inquiry re-examining the Maplin project, whether he will now do so;(2) if he has not yet invited the appropriate representatives of the EEC to give evidence to his departmental inquiry reexamining the Maplin project, whether he will now do so;(3) if he will seek evidence on the effects on air traffic in Scotland of a decision to build an airport at Maplin for the departmental inquiry on the Maplin project;(4) if he will seek evidence on the effects on air traffic in Wales of a decision to build an airport at Maplin for the departmental inquiry on the Maplin project.(5) if he has not yet invited representatives of the Institute of Freight Forwarders to give evidence about the future prospects for air freight traffic to his departmental inquiry re-examining the Maplin project, whether he will now do so;(6) if he has yet invited any of the following airlines, current users of London Heathrow Airport, to give evidence to his departmental inquiry re-examining the Maplin project, namely Pan American, TWA, National, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Air France, Iberia, TAP, Sabena, KLM, SAS, Aeroflot, JAL, SAA, and Qantas;(7) if he will list all those non-statutory bodies that he has invited to give evidence to his departmental inquiry re-examining the Maplin project;(8) if he has not yet invited representatives of British Caledonian Airways to give evidence to his departmental inquiry examining the Maplin project, whether he will now do so.

It is open to any body, statutory or otherwise, to let us have views on Maplin at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the efforts being made to seek to attract the Brent goose away from the Foulness and Maplin area by means of growing elsewhere in the United Kingdom the food on which these birds feed.

Studies being carried out by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology for my Department, as part of the research programme into wildlife at Maplin, cover both the food plants on which the Brent goose feeds and possibilities of attracting the geese away from Maplin. Initial experiments in transplanting to other sites the Zostera which forms an important element of the Brent goose's diet have been successful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the number of applications for operators' licences to the licensing authorities in each of the years 1970 to 1973; how many were granted; and what were the main categories of reasons for refusal.

The numbers are as follows (Licensing years 1st October to 30th September):

	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73
Applications received (including renewals)	30,545	23,569	36,568
Applications granted	26,830	20,216	31,903
Applications refused	600	534	569

The main reasons for refusal were unsatisfactory maintenance facilities and failure to appear when summoned to public inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has reviewed his recently announced policy of restricting the issue of office development permits; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I am satisfied that in present circumstances it is necessary to continue the restrictions in both the public and private sectors for the time being. I have, however, decided that there is a limited number of classes of application where it would be unreasonable to withhold permits if the applications are otherwise acceptable.These categories are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the names of the chairman and members of the new Advisory Committee on Theatres and state its terms of reference.

The names of the chairman and members are as follows:The Earl of Drogheda, KG, KBE, Chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of convictions was recorded in each of the years from 1970 to 1973 for the overloading of heavy goods vehicles; and what percentage of these was for overloading one axle only.

Prosecutions for overloading taken by DOE were as follows: 1970, 2707; 1971, 3192; 1972, 3066; 1973, 3,999.

Consolidated figures from all sources for 197031–72 are available in "Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles" published annually by HMSO at the order of the House of Commons.

I regret that figures for overloading of one axle only are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent it is estimated that the reduction of vehicle speeds to 50 mph has reduced the number of accidents in Bedfordshire.

Statistics of road accidents and casualties in local areas are a matter for the local authorities concerned. I suggest that my hon. Friend contacts the Bedfordshire County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions his Department has had with Manchester Corporation on its Consultative Document on Housing Action Areas; what representations he has now received from the city; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement;(2) when he will be making his Department's Consultative Document on Housing Action Areas generally available; and if he will make a statement on the progress of consultations about the document.

I had an informative and encouraging discussion with members and officers during my visit to Manchester last month. The Department will be replying shortly to the letter the town clerk afterwards wrote.The wide range of consultations which have taken place since the publication of the Government's two White Papers on housing are reflected in the Housing and Planning Bill, presented to Parliament last week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to preserve the City Club, built by Philip Hardwick in 1831 in Old Broad Street, now in danger of demolition, as it is one of the last buildings left in the City in the classic revival style.

Since the original decision not to list this building, my right hon. and learned Friend has been advised that if a building is of special architectural or historic interest, he is bound to include it in the appropriate list. Since he has been advised that the building is of such interest by current standards, he is arranging to include it in the list. I should explain that the decision to list a building implies no decision about its preservation but requires a consent to be obtained under the statutory procedures before it can be demolished.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the care of the temporary homeless after 1st April next when local authorities will no longer be obliged to undertake these responsibilities; and what proposals there are for Nottinghamshire in particular.

The long established duty on social services authorities to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people under Section 21(1)(b) of the National Assistance Act 1948 will not come to an end on 1st April. It will be continued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, by a direction under Section 195(3) of the Local Government Act 1972. This direction will apply to all social services authorities.In addition, I shall very shortly be publishing, jointly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, a circular designed to encourage local authorities to deal more effectively with the problems of the homeless.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of represent tations from residents in the Barnborough area about plans by the National Coal Board to conduct mining operations there, whether he will call in the application for decision by himself.

No planning application has yet been made and it would be premature to consider the question of call-in. When any application is made the local planning authority will no doubt consider whether it should be reported to my right hon. and learned Friend as a substantial departure from the development plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what part of the estimated £37 million additional costs resulting from the Government's decision to introduce regional water authorities in April 1974 is attributable to staffing.

No national figures of additional staff costs are available, but one of the authorities has informed the Department that these will be of the order of 1½ per cent. of the total revenue expenditure of the authority.No estimate of £37 million has been made by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that regional water authorities do not overprovide for staff, bearing in mind that the total additional cost of local government reorganisation has been estimated at £23 million.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Development has urged upon the water authorities the need to exercise the utmost restraint on revenue expenditure in 1974–75 and this will inevitably constrain them in provision for staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish statistics in his possession relating to accidents involving persons walking through glass windows and glass walls, mistaking them for doors.

My Department has no statistics of such accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take the lead in the EEC Council of Ministers for the adoption of severe controls on toxic metal pollution throughout the EEC.

The EEC Environment Programme adopted by the Council of Ministers in July last year contains a number of proposals for action to minimise metal pollution in the Community. Experts from the United Kingdom are already actively participating in work to implement these proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take urgent steps to minimise the release of lead and other toxic metals into the air.

An inter-departmental committee has been considering since 1972 the problems of heavy metals in the environment. Its first report on lead, which will be published shortly, reveals that numerous measures are already being taken to reduce people's exposure to this metal. Further measures will be taken where appropriate. The working party is expected to report on the problems associated with mercury and cadmium in the course of 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the loss of grant, due to the proposed revision of distribution formula for needs element in the rate support grant, by the new Durham County Council, he will consider the proposals of the council that in a new county where the level of unemployment exceeded the national average by 0·5 per cent. or more, a special grant should be made when the total level of unemployment exceeded the national average.

Details of the 1974–75 grant settlement were given in Command Paper No. 5532. I have said that I am ready to consider possible improvements in the formula for later years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he rejected the plan to build an overnight lorry park near Bury Hill Park, off the New Wolverhampton Road, in Warley.

The proposal was dropped in 1972 following opposition from the borough council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will expedite a decision on a suitable site for the building of an overnight lorry park in Warley close to the M5, in view of the inconvenience caused to many local people by the parking of lorries in residential streets.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he is giving to local authorities in regard to the under-occupation of council houses and in particular its effects on widows and spinsters in sole occupancy of three- and four-bedroom houses.

Local authorities have had their attention drawn to recommendations contained in a number of reports of sub-committees of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee to the effect that they should seek to arrange, where appropriate, for transfers of tenants to achieve the best use of their housing stocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Government's current attitude to the Oceanspan proposals of the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) which have been brought to his attention.

I have always taken the view that the study of development possibilities contained in the Oceanspan reports of the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) represents a valuable contribution to thought on regional economic problems which, as actual initiatives taken by the Government before and since the reports have shown, is in many respects in line with the Government's policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many disabled persons are receiving social work services from local authorities in Scotland; and what is his estimate of the total number of disabled people in Scotland.

At the end of 1972, about 28,300 disabled persons were receiving general social work support and 24,400 disabled persons were receiving assistance from the home help service. Figures are not available of disabled persons attending day centres or receiving meals services, and it is not known to what extent all these groups overlap. There were about 1,100 residents in homes for the disabled, but the number of disabled persons in homes for the elderly is not known. The Government's social survey report "The Handicapped and Impaired in Great Britain", which was published in 1971, estimated that there were about 108,000 substantially and permanently handicapped adults in Scotland, of whom 51,000 were severely or very severely disabled.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long he has now been considering the planning applications of Chevron and ORSI in respect of proposed developments at Hunterston.

I am not yet in a position to consider these applications. The current ORSI application was submitted in May 1973, the current Chevron application in July 1973. On 30th May 1973 I gave notice of the criteria for approval of oil refineries at Hunterston. Satisfying these criteria involved consultation between the oil companies and others. I have not yet heard of definitive results from these consultations. In addition, I am awaiting a report on the nuclear safety aspect which is expected soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now fixed on a date for the publication of a Green Paper on devolution.

The Kilbrandon Report is being actively con sidered by the Government, but a great deal of work is involved and we are not in a position to say when it will be completed. The Government welcome the submission of views by interested bodies and persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the number of tenants in local authority, Scottish Special Housing Association and new towns corporation houses who have had their rents increased since June 1970; and what is the total value of such rent increases.

Available information, which is not held centrally in the form requested, is published annually in "Rents of houses owned by public authorities in Scotland", the last publication being Cmnd. 5260, April 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he can now state what health service projects in the area covered by the North-East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board are to be affected by public spending cuts;(2) if he can now state what effects the public expenditure cuts will have on proposals for health clinics in the city of Aberdeen.

Full details of the effects of the reductions in capital expenditure estimates for 1974–75 on health service projects are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now state what effects the cuts in public expenditure will have on teacher supply in the city of Aberdeen.

None of the recently announced restrictions on public expenditure need affect the national supply of teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now state what effect the public spending cuts will have on capital programmes for Aberdeen City Council.

Local authorities' programmes are subject to the arrangements announced in the House on 17th December and notified to all local authorities in SDD Circular No. 124/ 1973. Since for most services a programme for 1974–75 had not been approved, it is not practicable to identify the effect on individual authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on the effects of public expenditure cuts on education in the city of Aberdeen.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 15th January to the hon. Members for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars) and Central Ayrshire (Mr. Lambie).—[Vol. 867, c. 87.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now state what effects the public expenditure cuts will have on road works in the city of Aberdeen.

The intention is that road works already in progress will be allowed to continue. The implications for schemes which have not yet started are being examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now state what effects the public expenditure cuts will have on proposed welfare homes for the elderly in the city of Aberdeen.

I expect to notify local authorities soon of the building projects for which borrowing consent will be available in 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sum of money was recovered in Scotland during the financial year from prescription charges.

£2,578,058 was recovered from prescription charges during the financial year 1972–73. In addition, £59,429 was received from the sale of prepayment certificates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a state ment about indiscipline and truancy in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct an investigation into the problems caused by unruly pupils in schools.

While I have no reason to believe that there is a danger of a serious breakdown in discipline in schools, it is clear that indiscipline is a cause of real and continuing concern to teachers and parents alike. I am also aware of the general concern about truancy which, in some of its forms, is another manifestation of indiscipline, and the Scottish Crime Council has drawn my attention to the link between truancy and juvenile delinquency.I have carefully considered how I can best assist education authorities to deal with these problems and I have decided to appoint a committee of inquiry with the following terms of reference:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to control visits to the United Kingdom, without passports, of foreign diplomats accredited abroad; and if he will make a statement.

Foreign diplomats accredited to some other country are subject to immigration control, and in accordance with the immigration rules—rule 3 of H.C. 81—must, on arrival in the United Kingdom, produce on request by the immigration officer a passport or other document establishing identity and nationality. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall be very ready to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to ban films that are in his judgment harmful to public morality.

No. Cinematograph licensing authorities already have powers to control the type of films shown in licensed cinemas in their area and my right hon. Friend does not regard censorship as a proper function of the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into reported incidents of violence associated with the showing of films based on violent themes.

My right hon. Friend is naturally concerned to consider any reliable evidence suggesting that the showing of such films stimulates violence, and he has called for a report on the particular incident to which my hon. Friend has drawn his attention; but, on the information at present before him, he would not feel justified in setting up a general inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Metropolitan Police to increase recruitment to the Special Constabulary; and what additional powers special constables have under the state of emergency.

The Commissioner of Police, with the support of the Home Office, has recently been conducting a publicity campaign to stimulate recruitment to the Metropolitan Special Constabulary. There have been displays at a wide variety of places, including shops, libraries and cinemas. As to the second part of the Question, a special constable as such has no additional powers under the Emergency Regulations 1974 now in force; but as a special constable has all the powers of a constable in the area for which he is appointed, the powers available to a constable under the emergency regulations are to that extent available also to a special constable.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek reciprocal arrangements with the United States of America in order that United States vessels can serve North Sea oil rigs, and United Kingdom vessels can serve rigs off the United States of America.

No. Such action would in any case be unlikely to succeed, in view of the United States Government's traditional reservation of such trade to ships of its own flag: and any threat to exclude United States ships from work on North Sea oil rigs would prejudice the swift development of these essential resources, as well as being inconsistent with our liberal approach to participation in the coastal trades.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive, and when he hopes to publish, the report of the Civil Aviation Authority inquiry into provincial airports.

The Civil Aviation Authority is carrying out a number of studies. I understand that the authority expects to receive a report in March from the consultants on the Central England Study and will make recommendations as soon as possible thereafter. I will give consideration to publication of the authority's recommendations when I receive them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive from the Civil Aviation Authority the report it is preparing at his behest on the airport needs of the Bristol area and Severnside.

I understand that the Civil Aviation Authority expects to make its report in the summer of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much coking coal was exported during the month of December 1973.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT 15th January 1974; Vol. 867, c. 33.] gave the following information:There were no exports of coking coal in December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rates of economic growth of the nine member countries of the EEC in 1973.

I regret that no information is yet available on the rate of economic growth in 1973, as a whole, for any of the member countries of the EEC.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentages of total income and income from property, respectively (excluding non-taxable benefits) accrue to the top 1 per cent., the top 5 per cent. and the top 10 per cent., of taxpayers.

On the basis of the coverage and definitions of income given on page xi of "The Survey of Personal Incomes 1970–71" published by HMSO, the figures are as follows:

	Percentage covered by the top
	1 per cent.	5 per cent.	10 per cent.
Total net income	6	16	24
Net investment income	30	50	60

The figures relate to all persons with incomes above £420 per annum, whether or not they actually paid tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the receipts from capital gains tax in 1969–70 and in 1971–72, and for the latest available period.

Net receipts of capital gains tax in 1969–70 and in 1971–72 were £128 million and £155 million respectively. The corresponding figures for corporation tax on gains of companies, for years ending on 31st October, were about £100 million and £65 million.Net receipts of capital gains tax for the period 1st April to 30th November 1973 were £195 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what taxes are to be harmonised in the second stage of EEC economic and monetary union; and what is the attitude of Her Majesty's Government to such harmonisation.

Her Majesty's Government are ready to consider appropriate measures of tax harmonisation on their merits, and discussions are continuing on the tax harmonisation measures which might form part of a second stage of EEC economic and monetary union.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the gross national product in each year from 1960 to 1972, or the latest available date, went to rent, profit and interest.

The information is as follows:

TOTAL OF RENT, TRADING PROFITS AND SURPLUSES, AND NET INCOME FROM ABROAD, AS A PROPORTION OF (A) GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AND (B) NATIONAL INCOME
		Per cent.
	(A)	(B)
1960	25·5	19·5
1961	24·1	17·9
1962	24·0	17·7
1963	25·3	19·1
1964	25·4	19·2
1965	25·1	18·9
1966	23·9	17·4
1967	24·3	17·7
1968	24·6	18·0
1969	24·0	17·1
1970	22·4	15·0
1971	22·3	14·7
1972	22·2	14·5

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum of money was collected in Scotland from personal taxation and corporation tax during the financial year 1972–73.

About £470 million for direct personal taxation and £80 million for corporation tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, regarding his answers on 18th January to two Questions from the hon. Member for Oldham, West concerning real take-home pay at different gross income levels, what would be the real take-home pay levels for each year after 1970 on the basis that the gross incomes of men earning at each of the stated levels in 1970 increased each year in line with the percentage rise in national average earnings.

I Annual Earnings			Net Pay (£)
(at October 1970)		October 1970	October 1971		October 1972		October 1973
£		A	A	B	A	B	A	B
1,000	…	863·00	964·26	881·33	1,126·69	955·43	1,229·06	947·61
2,000	…	1,524·09	1,701·61	1,555·27	1,964·96	1,666·29	2,169·00	1,672·30
3,000	…	2,217·10	2,485·10	2,271·38	2,866·81	2,431·05	3,184·07	2,454·92
5,000	…	3,527·68	3,981·41	3,639·01	4,574·96	3,879·57	5,072·85	3,911·17
8,000	…	5,064·20	5,732·32	5,239·34	6,283·05	5,328·03	7,190·71	5,544·04
10,000	…	5,912·81	6,672·11	6,098·31	7,212·68	6,116·35	8,277·96	6,382·31
20,000	…	7,598·81	10,138·66	9,266·74	10,355·82	8,781·74	12.289·81	9,475·44

Column A shows the net pay at October each year on the basis that the gross incomes at October 1970 have increased each year in line with the percentage rise in national average earnings. Column B shows the net pay at October 1970 prices. The general index of retail prices for October in the years referred to has been used in all these calculations.

II Annual Earnings			Net Pay (£)
(1970–71)		1970–71	1971–72			1972–73			1973–74
£	…	A	A	B		A	B		A	B
1,000	…	862·14	881·33	+	2·2	952·05	+	8·0	952·24		0·0
2,000	…	1,522·57	1,555·27	+	2·1	1,658·38	+	6·6	1,674·59	+	1·0
5,000	…	3,524·15	3,639·01	+	3·3	3,859·48	+	6·1	3,908·86	+	1·3
10,000	…	5,906·90	6,098·31	+	3·2	6,112·68	+	0·2	6,432·67	+	5·2
20,000	…	7,591·21	9,266·74	+	22·1	8,786·63	−	5·2	9,554·62	+	8·7

Column A shows the net pay for each year on the basis that the gross earnings for 1970–71 have increased each year in line with the percentage rise in national average earnings and after applying the tax rates in force for the relevant year and converting the post tax figure to October 1970 prices. Column B shows the percentage annual change in take-home pay in real terms. The general index of retail prices has been used in all these calculations. For 1971–72 and 1972–73 the conversion has been made by reference to the average for the year; for 1973–74 the index used has been based on the average for the first nine months.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT 28th January 1974; Vol. 868, c. 20], gave the following information:Figures calculated in the way requested are largely meaningless in that the pay limits in stages 2 and 3 of the counter-inflation policy have produced smaller than average percentage increases for the higher paid, and larger increases for the lower paid; and the increases for the higher paid have furthermore been subject to the individual pay limits of £250 in stage 2 and £350 in stage 3.The figures are:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further improvements he proposes in agricultural marketing.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 21st January to my hon. friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison).—[Vol. 867, c. 228–9.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will compare the total butter stocks of the nine EEC countries in June 1973 with those of September 1973 and at the latest date for which figures are available.

Public intervention and aided private stocks in the Community were as follows:

Tonnes
	30th June 1973	30th September 1973	30th January 1974
Public intervention stocks	245,000	156,000	96,000
Aided private stocks	78,000	159,000	68,000
	323,000	315,000	164,000

Figures for other private stocks are not available for the whole of the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect of oil prices on fertiliser supplies and production; what the shortfall in fertiliser production is as a result of the oil shortage; and to what extent he estimates that a shortfall of fertilisers in the spring would adversely affect production and yields.

I met representatives of the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association on 16th January. They assured me that production was being fully maintained and that they did not foresee any shortfall in supplies for use by farmers in the spring.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his present forecast of the trends of beef production until the end of this year.

The national cattle breeding herd has been expanding considerably in recent years and we expect increasing quantities of home-fed beef throughout this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will prepare a model byelaw on straw burning which will protect both the legitimate interests of agriculture and allay public anxiety, and which will be available to any county authority wishing to legislate on this subject.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Ralph Howell) on 17th January.—[Vol. 867, c. 146.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the headquarters of the National Farmers Union requesting an acceleration of the harmonisation arrangements for British agriculture negotiated with the EEC in the Treaty of Accession.

No formal representations have been made, but this is a matter which may be discussed in the Annual Review which is at present taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will arrange for the inspectorate to examine instruction methods for the learning of classical and colloquial Chinese in view of the increasing importance of Chinese contacts to the British economy.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the need for appropriate Chinese language studies. Her Majesty's Inspectors are informed of current instruction methods for the learning of Chinese. The Department is contributing, together with the Nuffield Foundation and the Universities China Committee, towards research at Cambridge University to develop intensive methods for the learning of Chinese. The results of this research will be available to Her Majesty's Inspectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will consider a special increase in the Arts Council's grant in view of the council's intention to foster amateur activities in the arts;(2) by how much she intends to increase the grant to the Arts Council, in view of the current economic situation.

The size of the Arts Council's grant for 1974–75, which will be included in estimates presented to Parliament in due course, is being considered in the light of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement on savings in public expenditure in 1974–75. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that I am not proposing any reduction of the Arts Council's recurrent grant compared with that for 1973–75. It will be for the Arts Council, as an autonomous body, to decide on the detailed allocation of its recurrent grant for the year, once it has been notified to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she intends to introduce public lending right.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave yesterday to the Question by the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins).—[Vol. 868, c. 224.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will announce a starting date for a school for handicapped children in Swindon and district; and if she will ensure that the provision of such a school is not delayed by the recently announced cuts in educational expenditure.

A proposal for a school for physically handicapped children in Swindon was submitted by the Wiltshire local education authority for the 1973–74 design list, and I shall include it in a building programme as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many grant-aided United Kingdom research associations were located in Scotland in 1970, and at the latest available date.

I have been asked to reply.In 1970 one grant-aided research association had its main laboratories in Scotland and four others had regional offices or laboratories located there. Since then, the research association based in Scotland has wound up and the corresponding figures are at present nought and four.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the estimated total number of unfilled employment vacancies at the end of November 1973, including vacancies not notified to employment offices.

At the count on 5th December 1973 the total number of vacancies notified to my Department was 456,278. I have no information as to the number of vacancies not notified. It has been estimated that about 25 per cent. of the flow of all vacancies are notified to my Department, but it is probable that the proportion of vacancies outstanding—namely, the stock of vacancies—which have been so notified is higher than 25 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the increasing pressure for the management of Remploy to cut losses by improved efficiency, and thus to sign on personnel who are less severely disabled, he will increase the grant he makes to it.

Adequate financial resources are made available to Remploy to enable it to provide facilities for a steady increase in the number of severely disabled people year by year. There is no pressure on Remploy to recruit less severely disabled personnel in order to reduce losses and increase efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the possible cancer risk connected with the use of vinyl chloride in industry, what action he is taking for the protection of workers who might be at risk.

Anxiety has been aroused by the report of a United States of America study published on 24th January 1974 concerning the industrial use of vinyl chloride monomer. The evidence needs careful scrutiny before the risk can be substantiated. The death of a retired worker aged 71 formerly employed on the process in this country is also being investigated.Employment medical advisers and inspectors of factories are in consultation with the leading industrial users and have advised them to inform their workers. Members of my Department have begun discussions to decide what further action may be necessary to protect the workers who may be exposed to a risk. A chemical inspector has arranged to visit firms concerned within the next few days.

asked the Minister for Energy what has been the cost of the advertising space on television, and in newspapers, &c, on the appeals to save electricity.

The cost of advertising appeals to save electricity has been £593,051 for television and £88,989 for newspapers.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on oil allocations in February.

I do not propose to change the present level of allocations; some adjustments for the February allocations will be made to reflect the seasonal pattern of consumption.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) in view of the disquiet in Northern Ireland at the refusal of the Army in various places at various times to summon the legal representatives of detained persons, whether he will take steps to ensure that detained persons are afforded access to legal representation; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he is aware that persons arrested under Section 10 of the Emergency Provisions (Northern Ireland) Act 1973 and held for 72 hours in a police station or interrogation centre are not being permitted the services of their legal representatives even when they ask for them specifically and by name; and if he will seek to ensure that the right to such representation cannot be denied them;(3) in view of the disquiet in Northern Ireland at the refusal of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in various stations at various times to summon the legal representatives of detained persons when they have been requested to do so, if he will take steps to end this practice; and if he will make a statement;(4) if he is aware that persons arrested under Section 12 of the Emergency Provisions (Northern Ireland) Act 1973 and held for up to four hours by members of the British Army are not being permitted the services of their legal representatives even when they ask for them repeatedly, specifically and by name; and if he will take steps to end this practice.

The power of arrest for up to four hours vested in Her Majesty's Forces under Section 12 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act is of such short duration and limited purpose as to make the granting of legal representation impracticable. But those arrested and detained by the police under whatever legislation are granted facilities for legal representation, subject only to the usual proviso that there should be no unreasonable delay or hindrance in the process of investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the central office of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association situated in Marquis Street, Belfast, was subjected to a military search; what charges have been laid against the officers or members of the association; and if he will make a statement

The reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army on 25th January to a Question from the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Tope) gave the reasons for the search of the NICRA offices.—[Vol 867, c. 363.]No charges have been laid against an officer of the association, but one person was arrested during the incident.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current method of valuing houses which are to be acquired under the owner-occupier scheme relating to persons who have suffered hardship, and, in particular, whether the basis of valuation is to be the value of the premises at the date the house was vacated by the owner, rather than a minimum of six months thereafter.

This is now a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. .

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the numbers of people in Scotland in receipt of family income supplement, family allowances, supplementary benefit, attendance allowance, invalidity benefit and sickness benefit during the financial year 1972–73.

The average numbers in 1972–73 receiving these benefits in Scotland were:

Family income supplement	11,500
Family allowances	439,000
Supplementary benefit	326,000
Attendance allowance	6,500
Invalidity benefit	45,000
Sickness benefit	59,000

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what sum of money was paid in Scotland during the financial year 1972–73 for death grant, maternity benefit and industrial injury benefit;(2) what was the sum of money paid in Scotland during the financial year 1972–73 under the family income supplement, the family allowances, the supplementary benefit, the attendance allowances, the invalidity benefit and the sickness benefit schemes, respectively;(3) how many people in Scotland were in receipt of retirement pensions, widows' pensions, war pensions, and war widows' pensions; and what total sum of money was paid out in each case during the financial year 1972–73;(4) what was the gross amount of national insurance payments paid in Scotland during the financial year 1972–73;(5) what sum of money was paid out in Scotland during the financial year 1972–73 in unemployment benefit.

It is estimated that in 1972–73 there were, on average, 674,000 people in Scotland receiving retirement pensions or old persons' pensions, 65,000 receiving national insurance widow's benefit, 32,150 receiving war disablement pensions and 9,350 receiving war widow's pension.Estimated expenditure in Scotland in 1972–73 is as follows:

£ million
Death Grant	1
Maternity benefit	4
Invalidity benefit	22
Sickness benefit	34
Retirement pension and old persons' pensions	207
National Insurance widow's benefit	26
Unemployment benefit	35
Attendance allowance	2
Industrial Injuries benefits	12
Total payments under National Insurance and Industrial Injuries schemes	343
Family income supplement	1·3
Family allowances	35
Supplementary benefit	81
War disablement pension	9
War widow's pension	5

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will set up an inquiry into the actual use or non-use by patients of hearing aids provided under the National Health Service.

Any decision on the carrying out of a study of this kind must depend upon the views of the joint working party recently set up by the Medical Research Council to consider research related to problems arising from the social, educational and rehabilitation needs of the deaf. I am arranging to pass on the hon. Member's suggestion to the working party on which Health Departments and the Socal Science Research Council are represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will present evidence to the Whitley Council of the different interpretation of pay and conditions of service for chiropodists in each of the London boroughs in order that there shall be a common agreement and that there shall be no incentive for a chiropodist to move from one borough to another.

A common agreement already exists and responsibility for complying with it and securing uniform interpretation rests with the local authorities concerned which are parties to it through their representation on the Management Side of the Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to publish the draft order relating to his preferred route for the Colcon Expressway in the Colwyn Bay area.

I hope to publish my draft proposals for the line of the new trunk road between Llandulais and Aber sometime in April. Draft orders dealing with the alteration of side roads on the length between Llandulais and Conway Morfa should follow about two months later.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the public inquiry that will follow the publication of the draft order relating to his preferred route for the Collcon Expressway to commence its sittings.

The need for a public inquiry will depend on public reaction to the draft proposals. If a public inquiry proves necessary it will probably be held toward the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many official translations of official documents have been made to date under the Welsh Language Act 1967.

There are at present 399 Welsh or bilingual versions of official forms, of which 212 have been prescribed under the provisions of the Act.