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Written Answers

Volume 868: debated on Tuesday 5 February 1974

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 5th February 1974

Education And Science

Research Establishments (Scotland)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of Government research establishments in Scotland in 1970; and what is the present figure.

The research establishments and units with which my Department is concerned are those run by the research councils. Of these, 24 are in Scotland, compared with 21 in 1970.

"Education, A Framework For Expansion"

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a revision of the figures and tables which appear in the White Paper "Education A Framework for Expansion". which takes account of recent cuts in the education budget.

No. The detailed effects on particular education programmes of the reductions in education expenditure during 1974–75 announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December 1973 have already been explained to the House. As short-term measures these reductions will not in themselves affect the tentative expenditure projects for 1981–82 in the last table of Cmnd. 5174 though, in accordance with paragraph 164, the scale and pace of some of the measures announced in it are currently under review in the light of new demographic and other statistical data.

British Crafts Centre

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the annual cost to public funds of the British Crafts Centre.

The British Crafts Centre is an independent body to which grant is paid on the advice of the Crafts Advisory Committee. The estimated grant for 1973–74 is £60,000, of which £32,000 is attributed to non-recurring capital expenditure on premises occupied by the centre.

School Building

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the effects of public expenditure cuts on educational building programmes in the city of Bournemouth and Christchurch.

The Department's Circular 15/73 announced that of major school building projects only those to meet basic needs for additional places would be eligible for approval between 1st January 1974 and 30th June 1975. Two major projects to replace old primary schools in the Bournemouth local education authority area, Boscombe Church of England Junior School and Holy Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, will therefore be delayed until after June 1975. No projects in the Christchurch area of the Hampshire authority are affected. Local education authorities are responsible for deciding which minor projects should be carried out within their minor works allocations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which school building proposals of the Northumberland County Council will be affected by the public expenditure cuts.

The Department's Circular 15/73 announced that of major school building projects only those to meet basic needs for additional places would be eligible for approval between 1st January 1974 and 30th June 1975. Replacement projects for Red Row County Infants School, Ellington County Infants School, Buddle County Middle School in Wallsend and Blyth Roman Catholic Aided Primary School will therefore be delayed until after June 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which school projects have been deleted from the 1974–75 and 1975–76 building programmes for the Bradford metropolitan district as a result of the Government's economy measures.

The following major improvement/replacement projects, programmed to start in the year 1974–75, will be deferred until after 30th June 1975:

  • Wood Royd First.
  • St. Augustine's C/E First.
  • Thornton C/E First.
  • Daisy Hill Middle.
  • Bankfoot First.
  • Shipley Wrose First.
  • Queensbury First.
  • Ilkley, All Saints C/E First
  • Keighley Swire Smith Middle.
  • Shipley Wrose Middle.
Arrangements for the period following June 1975 have yet to be decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which major works programmes will be affected in Bolton due to recent cuts in public spending; and what the effect will be on the number of school places in the immediate foreseeable future.

One major project, to improve Oxford Grove Primary School, planned to start during 1974–75, will be deferred under the terms of Circular 15/73. This deferment will not affect the number of school places available.

Veterinary Education

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to introduce at least one course for veterinary education into the polytechnic sector.

No. The Swann Committee appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is at present examining the future rôle and educational needs of the veterinary profession and will be reporting in due course.

Blind Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to make a statement on the Vernon Report on the blind.

"National Cash Limit"

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will define the "national cash limit" specified in Department of Education and Science Circular 15/73;

(2) if she will specify the size and extent of the "national cash limit" referred to in paragraph 6 of the Department of Education and Science Circular 15/73;

(3) if she will undertake that inflation in the building industry will not result in approved work under the general needs capital programme being postponed be cause it exceeds the total "national cash limit" specified in Department of Education and Science Circular 15/73.

The national cash limit will be a sum representing the total starts value of projects eligible for approval up to 30th June 1974. The value of projects approved by the Department will be contained within this total. Its size will be determined with reference to tender levels judged to be reasonable as the measures initiated by the Government take effect and as the economic situation develops. It will not allow for price rises at the very high rate obtaining before the deferment of programmes announced on 8th October 1973, nor would individual tenders showing price increases on this scale be approved. With that qualification, the national cash limit will cover the value of projects now being notified to LEAs as eligible for approval in the period up to 30th June 1974.

Public Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement as to the effect on towns in the Heywood and Royton constituency of the cuts in education referred to in the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December.

Two major projects, to replace St. Mary's RC Primary School, Littleborough and St. James' CE Primary School, Royton, will be deferred until after July 1975. The Lancashire local education authority is responsible for deciding which projects should be carried out within its minor works allocations and for deciding how the necessary savings in recurrent expenditure should be made.

Energy

Coal Prices

asked the Minister for Energy what is the average retail price of a ton of coal to domestic consumers in the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom, respectively.

The following figures have been taken from the latest published ILO statistics and relate to October 1972; grade and qualities are not denned and are not necessarily comparable.

Coal for domestic use £ per tonne
Germany20
France28–34
Belgium29–32
United Kingdom19
Source: International Labour Office. Bulletin of Labour Statistics, 2nd quarter 1973.
Typical retail prices of Group C house coal in the United Kingdom vary from £14·50 to £23·00 a ton, depending on the location of the consumer. Very little bituminous coal of comparable quality is sold in Europe for domestic purposes.

asked the Minister for Energy what is the average price per ton paid by the steel industry for coking coal in the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy and the United Kingdom, respectively.

Prices paid for fuel by the British Steel Corporation are matters of commercial confidence between the corporation and its suppliers. Similarly, I have no knowledge of prices paid for coking coal by the privately-owned sector of the United Kingdom steel industry.The latest published information from EEC sources shows the following figures:

Coking fineslist prices
October 1972 $ per tonne
Germany29–31
France27
Belgium25
Source: Statistical Office of the European Communities Energy Statistics Yearbook 1972.

Coking Coal Stocks

asked the Minister for Energy what tonnages of coking coal are in stock at pitheads and held by the British Steel Corporation, respectively.

At 26th January 1974 the National Coal Board held 01 million tons of coking coal and the British Steel Corporation held just over 1·3 million tons; obviously there is some unevenness in the distribution of these stocks.

Fuel Supplies (Restrictions)

asked the Minister for Energy (1) how many complaints have been made to his Department about alleged breaches of the restrictions on the use of electricity which have led to contact being made by his officials with the person or persons complained against;(2) what checks are made on the validity of complaints of breaches of the restrictions on the use of electricity made to his Department before the person or persons complained against are contacted by his officials;(3) what records are maintained by his Department of complaints and complainants concerning alleged breaches of the restrictions on the use of electricity in business premises and of the action taken on such complaints;(4) what investigation was made into the complaint made against Mr. S. J. Hogg, a constituent of the hon. Member for Consett, for alleged breach of the electricity restrictions, in order to establish if the complaint was justified before an official of his Department telephoned Mr. Hogg on 8th January 1974;(5) in what manner a complaint was made to his Department that Mr. S. J. Hogg, a constituent of the hon. Member for Consett, had breached the electricity regulations and which led to a telephone call to Mr. Hogg on Tuesday afternoon, 8th January 1974, by an official of his Department.

Since the electricity restrictions were introduced many members of the public have informed the regional offices of alleged infringements of the regulations. The practice is to bring these to the attention of the person concerned as infringements have frequently proved to have been accidental. Records are kept in some instances and this was so in this case. However, enforcement of the restrictions is a matter for the police. Serious cases brought to the attention of my Department are passed to the police who make what investigations and take what action is appropriate.

Home Department

Drugs (Security)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the danger and extent of misuse of dangerous drugs and in view of the vulnerability of many chemists shops, he will introduce legislation to require all dangerous drugs to be stored more securely.

The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 made general provision for the safe keeping of controlled drugs from 1st July 1973 and will require additional special standards for their security in retail chemists' shops from 1st October 1974.

Aliens (Motoring Offences)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give such information as is readily available with regard to the number of fixed penalty tickets issued to foreign driving offenders and the proportion and number that remain unpaid.

It is not possible to identify those fixed penalty notices issued to or paid by foreign drivers. The only information available is that, out of 2,562,123 fixed penalty notices issued in England and Wales in 1972, there were 142,084 cases in which payment could not be enforced because the driver was a visitor from abroad who had left the United Kingdom before inquiries could be completed.

Prisoners (Breaches Of Discipline)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of prisoners brought before visiting magistrates or boards of visitors for alleged breaches of prison discipline

Manual WorkersOctober 1970October 1971October 1972
Gross weekly earnings (£)28·0530·9335·82
Income tax4·114·134·60
National Insurance contributions:
Flat rate0·880·880·88
Graduated0·770·971·26
a. Net pay at current prices22·2924·9529·08
b. Net pay at October 1970 prices22·2922·8124·65
a.—b2·144·43
Notes:
The figures of take-home pay do not include family allowances (£0·90 per week for all years) but the tax on the family allowances and "drawback" have been taken into account.
The figures for gross weekly earnings are as obtained from the annual October inquiry by the Department of Employ-

during 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973; what was the number found not guilty of a breach of discipline; what was the number found guilty of a breach of discipline; and what was the punishment inflicted.

Details of offences punished and punishments awarded at each establishment in England and Wales are published in the annual reports on the work of the Prison Department. I regret that these do not distinguish between awards by governors and boards of visitors, or include details of charges which have not been found proved. It would involve disproportionate cost to obtain this further information, but if the hon. Member would like to have current information about this particular establishment I should be happy to arrange this.

National Finance

Personal Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, regarding his answer on 23rd January 1974, columns 301–2, on personal incomes, what are the equivalent figures for the male manual worker on national average earnings, that is excluding male non-manual workers; and what are the equivalent figures for the male non-manual workers, that is excluding male manual workers.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL, REPORT 1st February 1974; Vol. 868, c. 180], gave the following information:Figures for non-manual workers are only available for April of each year. Figures for male manual workers for October 1973 are not yet available. Those for earlier years are:ment into earnings of manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries.

Special Preference Scheme

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the working of the special preference scheme and introduce changes to give further assistance to contractors in the development areas.

I have noted the references to this subject in the Second Report from the Expenditure Committee for 1973–74, and these are being studied.

Scotland

Roads

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has completed his review of the criteria governing the eligibility of roads for grant assistance under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act 1897; and if he will make a statement.

I recently received the views of all the county councils concerned. I am now studying them and shall complete my review as soon as practicable.

School Places

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many new primary school places were created in Scotland in every year from 1961 to the latest available date;(2) what was the number of new secondary school places created in Scotland in each year from 1961 to the latest available date.

The information is as follows:

Number of school places in projects completed in period
YearPrimary (including Nursery)Secondary
196117,78620,830
196217,71927,342
196322,01323,580
196423,00219,602
196528,81931,094
196624,15330,184
196726,35923,165
196826,06419,594
196936,03538,664
197022,54051,725
197119,99049,355
197222,59739,835
1973 (Nine months to September)29,79232,140

Cowglen Hospital

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the timing for the assessment centre for Cowglen Hospital.

A 1974 start is planned, subject to the effect of the reductions in capital expenditure in 1974–75 of which full details are not yet available.

Trade And Industry

Newmans Fabrications Ltd, Bristol

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set up an inquiry under the Companies Act into the sale of Newmans Fabrications Limited at Feeder Road, Bristol.

I have no information which suggests that the Department ought to exercise its investigatory powers under the Companies Acts. If the hon. Member will let me have any such information he may have I shall consider it.

Imports (Eec Countries)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of manufactured consumer goods, capital goods and raw materials, respectively, imported from the EEC in 1973; and what percentage increase on 1972 figures these represent, in terms of both value and volume.

Following is the information for value:

Imports 1973 £ million cifIncrease over 1972 Per cent.
Manufactured consumer goods (1)73342
Capital goods (2)1,45450
Raw materials (3)52140
(1) Selected headings in sections 7 and 8 (finished manufactures) of the Overseas Trade Statistics, which include mainly consumer goods; includes cars
(2) Remainder of sections 7 and 8 after deduction of (1)
(3) Section 2 (crude materials, inedible), section 3 (fuels) and section 4 (animal and vegetable oils and fats) of the Overseas Trade Statistics
The information by volume is not available for geographical areas.

Companies' Registration

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies are now registered; what is the total number of quoted companies registered; and if he will give the number of all companies more than two years in arrears in filing their accounts with the Companies Office.

Latest published details of companies on the register are given in "Companies in 1972" published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Corresponding figures for 31st December 1973 are not yet available but the effective number on the register at that date is estimated at about 550,000.Quoted companies are not recognised as such by the Companies Acts but are understood to number approximately 4,500.The provisions of the Companies Act 1948 relating to the filing of accounts are such that it is not possible to identify companies more than two years in arrears.The new Companies Bill contains provisions designed to remedy the position.

Packaging

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the rising cost of all packaging materials, if he will recommend that a utility standard of packaging be adopted in the interests of reducing costs to consumers.

I recognise a measure of public concern on this matter but I do not consider that action on these lines would be appropriate.

Aviation Fuel

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the scientific evidence on which he based his conclusion that JP4 fuel is only marginally more dangerous than JP1 fuel.

My hon. Friend should seek this information from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Boat Tackle (Safety)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Porthcawl area regarding the need for legislation covering safety equipment carried by the small boat owner; and whether he will make a statement.

So far this year my Department has received one letter from the Porthcawl area, which suggested that legislation be introduced to ensure that basic essential safety equipment is carried on small craft. Such legislation would, however, be very difficult and costly to enforce and my present policy is to concentrate on education and information such as the "Seaway Code" which is to be published later this month.

Coal And Oil Exports

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the level of coal and oil exports, respectively, each week between 1st October and 30th April for each of the last five years; and what are the figures to the latest available date.

The information is not available, as the overseas trade statistics are compiled and published on a monthly basis.

Trade Balances (Eec And Efta)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will provide, on a balance of payments basis, the total visible trade deficit in 1973 first with the other eight members of the EEC and secondly with all those countries with which the United Kingdom was a member of EFTA up to the end of 1972.

Following is the available information for 1973:

£ million
EECEFTA as in 1972
Trade deficit on balance of payments basis1,120n.a.*
"Crude" trade deficit†1,168776
* The deficit on a balance of payments basis with countries which were members of EFTA in 1972 is not being compiled for 1973
† The "Crude" trade deficit represents the difference between imports cif and exports fob as reported in the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom

Charter Flights (Italy)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions on the ban of the Italian Government on British charter flights to and from Italy; and if he has obtained long-term assurances of the ban being lifted.

The ban on British charter flights to Italy was withdrawn while discussions took place between the two Governments. A further round of these discussions is at present taking place in Rome.

Hearing Aids

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications he has received in the last 12 months from foreign-based manufacturers of behind-the-ear hearing aids to establish a factory, grant-aided or otherwise, in an assisted area for the manufacture of this equipment; and what were the results of such applications.

Two. One is now established in a factory in an assisted area. The other expects to be shortly.

Ship Repairing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the consultants' report on ship repairing; and if he will make a statement.

I have received the consultants' report on the United Kingdom ship repair industry and am studying it. I shall make a statement at a later date.

Norton Villiers Triumph Limited

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent developments there have been in the negotiations between Norton Villiers Triumph Limited and representatives of the former workforce at the Meriden factory; and if he will make a statement.

In October of last year Mr. Poore of NVT told the Meriden workers that he would be prepared to afford them the opportunity of acquiring the Meriden plant and factory if equipment, drawings and finished motor cycles there were released to NVT. At a meeting, which I chaired on 30th November, it was agreed in principle by both parties that the Meriden workers, who wished to try to form themselves into a co-opera- tive, should work for a period on subcontract for NVT and be given the option subsequently to purchase the plant and factory. A detailed agreement to this effect was concluded on 18th January which was subject to ratification by both sides. It was never proposed by either party nor suggested by the DTI in any of these discussions that public money should be involved in these arrangements.The NVT board has since concluded that because of the financial stringencies and uncertainties, imposed by electricity shortages, NVT cannot now undertake to finance the supply of components to a Meriden co-operative during the proposed interim period. In answer to a recent inquiry from NVT the DTI said that no financial assistance for this purpose could be made available by the Department. NVT has, I understand, informed the workers that, while it cannot ratify the agreement reached on 18th January, it is prepared to continue discussions on a proposal made by the Meriden workers for the prompt purchase of the factory and plant.Work is proceeding at the NVT plants at Wolverhampton and Small Heath, Birmingham. The export prospects for motor cycles continue to be very substantial particularly in the important United States market. It therefore remains much in the interest both of NVT and the Meriden workers that the impasse at Meriden should be resolved as quickly as possible. The security for the Government's investment, as accepted by the DTI and its Industrial Development Advisory Board, remains as described in my answer of 11th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, South (Dr. Stuttaford)—[Vol. 857, c.

229–31.]—and in the offer documents sent out on 7th June 1973 on behalf of NVT.

Environment

Lambeth (Housing)

27.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now reach a decision on Lambeth Council's application to build houses on land owned by Lambeth Council in the London borough of Croydon for which the latter borough has refused planning permission.

28.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now permit the Lambeth Council to build houses on the land in Croydon owned by Lambeth Council for which planning permission has been refused.

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering representations he has received from the Lambeth Council and hopes to be in a position to notify the parties concerned of his proposed action shortly.

Raf Houses, Church Lawfield

29.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made towards disposing of the RAF houses at Church Lawfield, Rugby.

It has been established that the houses are not required by another Government Department and the Department's Property Services Agency heard from the Rugby Rural District Council on 30th January that it is interested in purchasing. Negotiations for sale are now proceeding.

Dockland (London)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce the membership of the joint committee to co-ordinate the redevelopment of the dockland area of East London which is to include representatives of the Greater London Council and the five London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Southwark, Greenwich and Lewisham; and if he has appointed a chairman.

A joint committee has been set up by the GLC and local authorities concerned, under Section 102 of the Local Government Act 1972 to co-ordinate action in preparing an overall plan and to acquire land for the redevelopment of this area. The membership will include representatives from the GLC and London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Southwark, Greenwich and Lewisham as well as four co-opted members invited at my suggestion. They are Lord Goodman, Mr. George Dobry, QC, Mr. C. A. Prendergast and Mr. Neil Thorne. The first meeting of the committee was held on 23rd January at which Sir Reginald Goodwin took the chair.

Railways (Lost Property)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a general direction to British Rail to increase the scale of compensation for articles lost by them.

Channel Tunnel

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the three-day week, to what extent the July 1975 completion date and £30 million estimated cost for phase 2 work on the Channel Tunnel are to be revised; and when he expects to receive the first progress report.

I am kept regularly informed of progress and understand that at the moment both the work on site and the manufacture of the tunnelling machine are on programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that the Channel Tunnel sponsoring consortium is capable of meeting its obligation under the 5th Schedule of the Phase 2 Agreement to raise £4·2 million non-guaranteed equity capital by June 1974; if he has received representations from the sponsors to relieve them of any part of this obligation; and if he has granted any such relief.

I have received no such representations and I have no reason to believe that the British Channel Tunnel Company will not be able to comply with its obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent Treasury guarantees on loans up to £35 million for Phase 2 Channel Tunnel work have been affected by counter-inflation measures; and what are the terms and conditions for such loans.

I have been asked to reply.Such guarantees have not been affected by these measures. Bank borrowing of up to £13·5 million has been guaranteed by the Treasury. It is customary not to disclose the terms and conditions on which such guaranteed loans are made.

Housing (Soundproofing)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in how many houses double glazing has already been installed or has been authorised to be installed, respectively, in accordance with regulations under the Land Compensation Act issued on 1st September 1973.

None so far in relation to trunk roads but preparations are now well advanced in a number of schemes. Roads other than trunk roads are the responsibility of the local highways authority.

Neasden Underpass

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if compensation for loss of amenity through excessive traffic noise caused by the Neasden Underpass will be available for residents adjacent to it.

Yes, for those entitled to compensation under the Land Compensation Act 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the dates given to the hon. Member for Willesden, West for the completion of work on the Neasden Underpass; and if he will now state when the contractors will finally finish all the outstanding work.

The hon. Member has put down Questions about completion dates on three previous occasions. On 17th May 1972 the opening date was expected to be in spring 1973. On 7th February 1973 an autumn completion date was anticipated, with the underpass open to traffic in July. On 25th October 1973 a December date was given for the remaining road works, with site clearance, some accommodation works and landscaping to be carried out subsequently.The underpass was partially opened on 5th August 1973 and fully on 19th September 1973. All outstanding works are expected to be completed by the late spring, subject to satisfactory delivery of materials.

Conservation Areas (Bedfordshire)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the acre- age covered by the 99 designated conservation areas in Bedfordshire and the number relating to north Bedfordshire.

Twenty-two of the 49—not 99—conservation areas are in north Bedfordshire. I regret that the acreages are not readily available.

Pelican Crossing, Tottenham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make inquiries into the delay which has occurred since his promise to mount pelican crossing traffic lights on a gantry spanning Broad Lane at the junction of Talbot Road, London, N.15; and if he will now make a statement as to when this work will be completed.

I understand that the Haringey London Borough Council will shortly be seeking quotation for the work, which is expected to be completed later this year. The reasons for the delay are complex. I am writing to the hon. Member.

Rate Support Grant (Oldham)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the latest rate support grant payment to Oldham under the old formula; what is the estimated payment under the new formula; what are the equivalent figures for the area comprised by the new Oldham metropolitan district; and how these payments compare with rate support grant payments under both the old and new formulae in the case of all other towns with a population between 100,000 and 150,000.

Rate support grants payable to the county borough of Oldham for 1973–74 following the Rate Support Grant (Increase) (No. 2) Order 1973 are:

£ million
Needs Element5·326
Resources Element2·404
Domestic Element0.274
Under the proposed new formula the needs element payable to Oldham metropolitan district in 1974–75 will be £8·714 million at November 1973 prices. The resources element to be paid in 1974–75 will depend on the rates levied by the district; the 1974–75 domestic element has not yet been calculated.

Insufficient information is available to apply with a sufficient degree of accuracy the old rate support grant formulae to the new district, or the new formulae to the existing county borough, or to other boroughs and county boroughs of comparable size.

Avon County (Finances)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what money it is anticipated that the county of Avon will receive from Government sources under rate support grants for the year 1974–75.

The needs element of the rate support grant payable to the new county of Avon for the year 1974–75 will be £32·8 million—at November

NETWORK NUMBER 1—SCOTLAND
Group NumberGroup Name and Services Comprising GroupGrant payable under Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 £000
101Glasgow North Suburban:—
Glasgow Electrics North1,692
Springburn-Cumbernauld
102Glasgow-Gourock-Wemyss Bay1,056
103Glasgow-Hamilton/South Suburban:—
Glasgow Electrics South2,069
Glasgow-Hamilton
104Glasgow-Lanark/Edinburgh:—
Glasgow-Lanark1,000
Glasgow-Shotts-Edinburgh
105Glasgow-Barrhead/East Kilbride:—
Glasgow-Barrhead634
Glasgow-East Kilbride
106Ayr-Stranraer292
107Glasgow-Kilmacolm/Ayrshire:—
Glasgow-Ayr1,588
Dalry/Kilwinning-Largs
Glasgow-Kilmacolm
108Carlisle-Glasgow (via Dumfries)272
109Glasgow-Dunblane/Falkirk Grahamston:—
Glasgow-Stirling-Dunblane254
Glasgow-Falkirk-Grahamston
110Edinburgh-Glasgow (via Falkirk)731
111Edinburgh-Fife/Dundee/Montrose:—
Edinburgh-Kirkcaldy-Dundee1,269
Edinburgh-Dunfermline-Markinch
Montrose-Dundee-Perth
112Edinburgh-North Berwick/Dunbar112
113Glasgow/Edinburgh-North and East:—
Glasgow-Dundee2,222
Glasgow-Aberdeen
Edinburgh-Aberdeen
Glasgow-Perth-Inverness
Edinburgh-Stirling-Perth
114Inverness-North/East:—
Inverness-Wick/Thurso1,265
Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh
Aberdeen-Inverness
115Glasgow-West Highlands:—
Fort William-Mallaig1,025
Glasgow-Oban
Glasgow-Fort William

1973 prices. The resources element will depend on the rates levied by the districts in the county; the domestic element has not yet been calculated.

Railways

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the support he intends to provide for unremunerative railway passenger services in 1974 and about the future of those services which are under threat of closure.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL, REPORT 28th January 1974; Vol. 868, c. 38–9], gave the following information:The list of services is as follows:

NETWORK NUMBER 2—NORTH EAST

Group Number

Group Name and Services Comprising Group

Grant payable under Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 £000

203Newcastle-Middlesbrough/Darlington/York584
204Newcastle West Line:—
Newcastle-Carlisle675
Halt whistle-Alston
205Darlington Area:—
Darlington-Bishop Auckland986
Darlington-Saltburn
Middlesbrough-Whitby
206Newcastle-Berwick-Edinburgh365
207York-Durham-Newcastle310

NETWORK NUMBER 3—NORTH WEST
301Manchester-Stockport-Crewe332
302Manchester-Stoke-Stafford536
303Manchester-Buxton286
305Manchester-Romiley-Rose Hill25
306Manchester-Huddersfield39
310Manchester-Blackburn162
311Manchester-Bolton-Wigan-Southport475
312Manchester-Blackpool755
314Manchester-Northwich-Chester312
315Manchester-Styal-Crewe155
317Birkenhead North/New Brighton-Wrexham262
318Rock Ferry-Helsby-Chester274
319Liverpool-Ormskirk44
320Liverpool-Southport EMU (electric multiple-unit)243
321Liverpool-Wigan-Bolton234
323Liverpool-Crewe297
324Liverpool-Warrington-Manchester334
325Liverpool-Patricroft-Manchester180
326Liverpool-St. Helens-Wigan321
327Preston and North West:—
Ormskirk-Preston2,054
Preston-Colne
Preston-Barrow
Lancaster-Morecambe
Barrow-Whitehaven
Whitehaven-Carlisle
Preston-Windermere
328Manchester-Warrington-Chester337
329Kirkham-BIackpool South312
331Liverpool-Wigan-Preston10
332Derby-Sheffield-Manchester145

NETWORK NUMBER 4—YORKSHIRE
401Sheffield and Humberside:—
Doncaster-Cleethorpes1,451
Sheffield-Retford-Cleethorpes
Sheffield-Retford-Lincoln
Hull-Doncaster
Sheffield-New Mills
402West Riding:—
Leeds-Bradford710
Leeds-Huddersfield
Huddersfield-Wakefield
403Leeds-North Eastern:—
Leeds-Harrogate-York1,612
Leeds-York
Leeds-Hull
Leeds-Goole
404Leeds-West Coast:—
Leeds-Morecambe1,340
Leeds-Carlisle
Leeds-Liverpool

Group Number

Group Name and Services Comprising Group

Grant payable under Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 £000

405South Yorkshire:—
Huddersfield-Clayton West/Sheffield1,193
Leeds-Barnsley-Sheffield
Sheffield-York
Leeds-Doncaster
406Sheffield-Doncaster277
407South Humberside:—
Cleethorpes-Newark481
Cleethorpes-New Holland/Barton
408Derby/Nottingham:—
Derby-Nottingham1,148
Nottingham-Lincoln
Derby-Matlock
Derby-Crewe
409Nottingham-Skegness:—
Grantham-Nottingham945
Lincoln/Grantham-Boston/Skegness
410East Yorkshire:—
York-Scarborough1,619
Hull-Scarborough
York-Selby-Doncaster/Hull
411York-Shrewsbury20
413Leeds/Bradford-Ilkley283
414Bradford-Blackpool168
415Bradford-Manchester457

NETWORK NUMBER 5—MIDLANDS
503Birmingham-Stafford95
504Birmingham-Kiddersminster Worcester223
507Birmingham-Lichfield95
508Birmingham-Henley-Stratford178
509Birmingham-Rugby274
510Birmingham-Leicester/Derby:—
Birmingham-Leicester220
Birmingham-Derby
511Birmingham-Lapworth-Stratford49
512Birmingham-Leamington204
513Rugby-Stafford163
514Leicester-Nottingham-Peterborough:—
Leicester-Nottingham220
Leicester-Peterborough
515Leamington-Stratford131
516North Wales:—
Wolverhampton-Chester1,722
Chester-Holyhead
Llandudno Junction-Ffestiniog
Crewe-Chester
Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth
517Birmingham-Barnt Green-Worcester13

NETWORK NUMBER 6—ANGLIA

Group Number

Group Name and Services Comprising Group

Grant payable under Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 £000

602Cambridge Group:—
Cambridge-Kings Lynn838
Cambridge-Peterborough
Cambridge-Norwich
603East Anglia-Midlands-North686
604Ipswich Group:—
Colchester-Sudbury1,080
Colchester-Ipswich
Manningtree-Harwich
Ipswich-Felixstowe
Ipswich-Lowestoft
Ipswich-Cambridge
605Norwich-Coast Group:—
Norwich-Yarmouth581
Norwich-Lowestoft
Norwich-Sheringham

NETWORK NUMBER 7—WESTERN
701Cornwall:—
Plymouth-Liskeard-Penzance925
St. Erth-St. Ives
Truro-Falmouth
Par-Newquay
Liskeard-Looe
Plymouth-Gunnislake
702Exeter:—
Exeter-Paignton/Plymouth1,449
Exeter-Barnstaple
Exeter-Exmouth
Exeter-Salisbury
703Bristol:—
Bristol-Salisbury1,368
Bristol-Weymouth
Bristol-Taunton
Bristol-Severn Beach
704Cardiff Valleys:—
Cardiff-Penarth1,484
Cardiff-Coryton
Barry Island-Treherbert/Merthyr
Cardiff-Rhymney
705Crewe-South Wales:—
Cardiff-Crewe885
Swansea-Shrewsbury
706Severnside:—
Cardiff-Bristol1392
Cardiff-Gloucester
707West Wales:—
Swansea-Milford Haven608
Whitland-Pembroke Dock
708South Midlands:—
Oxford-Worcester1,468
Worcester-Hereford
Swindon-Gloucester-Worcester
Didcot-Bristol
Oxford-Leamington
709Paddington-Oxford/Westbury:—
Paddington-Reading-Oxford449
Reading-Westbury

NETWORK NUMBER 8—LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST

Group Number

Group Name and Services Comprising Group

Grant payable under Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 £000

801Southern Region-London and South East Area14,017
802Ashford-Hastings269
803Reading South:—
Reading-Tonbridge927
Reading-Salisbury
804Isle of Wight228
805South Coast:—
Brighton-Portsmouth3,671
Brighton-Ore
Hampshire-DMUs (diesel multiple-units)
806Bournemouth-Weymouth828
807Paddington Suburban:—
Paddington-Slough-Reading837
Ealing-Greenford
Twyford-Henley
Maidenhead-Marlow
Slough-Windsor
808Kings Cross Suburban:—
Kings Cross-Hertford-Hitchin2,967
Kings Cross-Welwyn Garden City
Kings Cross-Royston
Kings Cross-Cambridge (Buffet)
Kings Cross-Cambridge (Stopping)
809Colchester-Clacton/Walton426
810Kings Cross-Grantham/Stamford75
811Liverpool Street Suburban:—
Liverpool Street-Southend375
Liverpool Street-Gidea Park-Shenfield
Liverpool Street-Chelmsford-Witham
Liverpool Street-Colchester
Liverpool Street-Clacton/Walton
Witham-Braintree
Wickford-Southminster
Romford-Upminster
Tottenham-North Woolwich
Liverpool Street-Cambridge
Cambridge-Bishops Stortford
Liverpool Street-Broxbourne-Hertford
Liverpool Street-Enfield
Liverpool Street-Chingford
Liverpool Street-Bishops Stortford
812London Tilbury and Southend:—
Fenchurch Street-Shoeburyness via Laindon3
Fenchurch Street-Shoeburyness via Tilbury
Upminster-Grays-Tilbury
Kentish Town-Barking
813Marylebone:—
Marylebone-Harrow-Aylesbury688
Marylebone/Paddington-High Wycombe-Aylesbury
814Princes Risborough-Banbury304
815St. Pancras/Moorgate-Luton-Bedford134
816Euston Suburban:—
Euston-Tring-Bletchley1,223
Euston/Broad Street-Watford
Watford-Croxley Green]
Broad Street-Richmond
Watford-St. Albans
817Bedford-Bletchley212