asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his actions in the Council of Ministers concerning the British sugar beet acreage; and if he will give an indication of the probable acreage of sugar beet in the United Kingdom for the 1974–75 season.

The Council of Ministers has not yet discussed in any detail the Commission's proposals for beet sugar production quotas after 1974, but I have already made it clear that I regard them as unsatisfactory. I expect this year's beet crop to total about 488,000 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will continue to support savings during 1974 by encouraging home production of commodities at present imported.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in pursuance of his policy for the continued expansion of British agriculture, he anticipates that the price review in February will continue to permit expansion at the levels which have been attained in recent years.

It continues to be Government policy to encourage the expansion of efficient farming, and the determinations to be made following the review will be framed accordingly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the figures for the changes in the output of British agriculture for the two periods 1964 to 1970 and 1970 to 1973 measured in real terms and as a percentage.

The net product of United Kingdom agriculture increased—at 1964–66 average prices—by £44 million or 5 per cent. between 1964–65 and 1969–70 and by £99 million or 11 per cent. between 1969–70 and 1972–73.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the purpose of the import levies now being imposed on butter and cheese, and import duties on mutton, lamb and beef.

Duties on beef and levies on butter and cheese form part of the Community system of support for agricultural production. Import duties on mutton and lamb act in a similar way, although these commodities are not, of course, subject to a common organisation of the market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present import levy on cheese imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC.

After applying the monetary compensatory amounts the general levy applied to imports of cheese from third countries is £187·85 a ton. Imports from New Zealand are subject to the special arrangements provided for under Protocol 18.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much revenue was raised in all import duties and levies on food imported into the United Kingdom, in 1973.

£67 million, which is appreciably less than 1 per cent. of consumer expenditure on food.

asked the Minister or Agriculture Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the present level of food prices, he will suspend all import taxes and levies on food in 1974.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what levies or import duties are now charged on barley and maize, respectively, imported into the EEC.

No import levies or duties are being charged, at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what records he has of the numbers of trees, or groups of trees, felled other than in Forestry Commission areas each year; and what was the number in 1973.

Records of the number of trees or groups of trees felled are not kept, but the volume of timber licensed by the Forestry Commission for felling each year is given in its annual report In the year ended 31st March 1973 this amounted to 471,000 cubic metres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much he estimates the price of a slice of bread and butter has risen since June 1970.

This depends on the thickness of the slice and the butter, but a slice taken from a medium sliced loaf with ¼oz. of butter would have gone up in price by about one-fifth of a new penny.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices since June 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage food prices have risen since June 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the cost of food has risen since 18th June 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the cost of food has risen since 18th June 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices since June 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on food prices.

This increase was discussed fully in reply to Questions from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Carter) and others on 31st January.—[Vol. 868, c. 603–7.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the rise in the price of milk to the consumer by ½p per pint would have on the food price index and the retail price index; and to what extent this would offset the Milk Fund deficit.

A ½p rise in the retail price of a pint of milk would mean an increase in the food price index of nearly 0·7 per cent. and an increase in the retail price index of nearly 0·2 per cent. It would yield about £67 million in a full year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage, at the latest available date, the cost of food in the United Kingdom as illustrated in the official index is lower than the average cost of food calculated on the same basis in each of the other countries of the European Economic Community.

Differences between the various official retail food price indices mean that no reliable calculation of this kind can be made. But as the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Ralph Howell) on 13th November 1973—[Vol. 864, c. 126–8.]—indicates, prices of many important foodstuffs in the United Kingdom are amongst the lowest in Europe.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates to be the effect on the common agricultural policy of the French decision to float the franc.

The normal rules of the common agricultural policy for dealing with currency changes have been applied.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to complete his consultations with the fishing industry regarding beam trawling.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further consideration he has given to the views recently put to him by hon. Members representing Sussex coastline constituencies urging the banning of heavy beam trawling within 12 miles of the shore; and if he will make a statement.

After very full consultation I have concluded that, as the condition of sole stocks is causing anxiety, it would be prudent to ban the use of this very efficient gear within our 12-mile limit until conservation is assured by internationally-agreed catch quotas. Regulations, which will exempt shrimping from the ban, will be laid before the House shortly. I shall review this decision within two years, in the light of the international measures to restrict catches then obtaining.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what figure of cost increases is being taken into account in the current Price Review discussions; and what percentage of change this represents on the previous year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the price of feeding stuffs since the last annual Price Review; and what action he proposes to take to minimise the losses at present being suffered by dairy and pig farmers.

These are matters currently under discussion at the annual review and hon. Members will appreciate that it has never been the practice to anticipate its outcome.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the price reviews.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he hopes to publish the annual price review.

I hope to announce the determinations before the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is meant by the expression "further reductions in production grants and subsidies to be decided upon following the 1974 Annual Review" in paragraph 6 on page 30 of Command Paper No. 5519.

On 21st May my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced forecast cuts in public expenditure. The agricultural proportion of this was left for consideration at this year's annual review. This is currently taking place and I cannot speculate on the outcome.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much wheat was denatured in the United Kingdom in 1973 under Intervention Board arrangements.

The latest statistics published by the board show that subsidy claims have been passed for payment in respect of 2,179,766 tons of wheat denatured in the months February to November 1973.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increases in the price of feeding stuffs were approved by the EEC Council of Ministers in January 1974.

No increases in the price of United Kingdom animal feeding stuffs were approved by the EEC Council of Ministers in January 1974.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the price of dairy concentrates increased by £6·50 per ton during the week ended 12th January; and if he will take this into account when he makes his decision on the future price of milk to dairy farmers.

I am aware of the recent further increaes in feeding stuff prices and will naturally bear them in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage the average cost of animal feeding stuffs has risen since June 1970.

The increase in the average price of compound animal feeding stuffs in Great Britain since June 1970 has been about 96 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the size of the national dairy herd in 1972 compared with that of 1973; how milk production in November 1972 compared with that in 1973; and what the shortfall in milk deliveries was to manufacturing creameries in England and Wales.

The sample livestock inquiry for England and Wales conducted in September 1973 shows that the dairy herd had increased from 2,875,000 head in September 1972 to 2,952,000 head.Total milk sales in November 1972 were 223 million gallons and in November 1973 216 million gallons. Of these totals 83 million gallons was available for manufacture in November 1972 and 74 million gallons in November 1973.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had in recent weeks from milk producers in Kent and elsewhere; and what action he proposes to take in consequence.

Since December I have received over 100 letters from hon. Members and milk producers throughout the country about the problems facing dairy farmers. In my replies I have explained that these matters are being fully examined in the annual review. Any action necessary will be taken in the light of the conclusions reached.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what forecast he has made of trends in milk production until the end of 1974.

It is particularly difficult to make forecasts at the present time, and this is one of the issues being considered in the annual review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action to alleviate the problems facing milk producers in Northamptonshire.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of the recent statement by the Chairman of Dorset NFU, a copy of which has been made available to him, indicating the financial difficulties of Dorset milk farmers, he will take immediate action to assist in this matter.

I fully recognise the problems facing all dairy farmers at this time. They are being fully examined in the annual review and any action necessary will be taken in the light of the conclusions from the review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take immediate action to ensure that the supply of home-produced milk and milk products will not be reduced.

The situation and prospects in the milk sector are being considered at the annual review which is now in progress. I shall announce the outcome as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now expects the results of the research done partly by his Department into deep sea fishing, at depths greater than normal, in the Celtic Sea; what action he is taking to promote sales of such fish caught at greater depths; and if he will make a statement.

A full report on the results of the exploratory voyages in deep water west of the British Isles is being published by the White Fish Authority, and I am placing a copy in the Library. Trade demonstrations of products made from the catches have also been held.The catching, processing and marketing of unfamiliar kinds of fish present many problems which I have discussed with leaders of the catching and processing industries, so that they can assess the practicability of exploiting these resources on a commercial basis.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what experiments are being carried out into fish farming and the exploitation of new species of fish for food; and if he will make a statement.

Research in my Department's laboratories is concentrated on rearing turbot and sole, which are the marine species offering the best commercial prospects, and the White Fish Authority is developing techniques for rearing the fish to marketable size at Ardtoe and Hunterston. Some projects for farming salmon and marine fish are also being undertaken by commercial enterprises.As regards the exploitation of new species, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I have today given to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received concerning difficulties of shipment of food imports; what priority ships carrying food imports to the United Kingdom received at bunkering points; and if he has any evidence of speculation in food commodities, in view of present difficulties in shipment.

In the early days of the cut in our supplies of oil there were a few reports of difficulties with bunkering, but there is no evidence to show that difficulties of shipment are affecting supplies of food coming to this country or that it is causing any other difficulties in the food sector.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of swine vesicular disease have occurred in the past six months, (a) in Hampshire and (b) in Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1st August 1973 there have been 70 outbreaks of swine vesicular disease in Great Britain, of which five have been in Hampshire.Our objective remains to eradicate this disease because its clinical symptoms are indistinguishable from foot-and-mouth disease. The industry, and swill feeders in particular, can make a significant contribution to our aim by ensuring that the current regulations on the processing of waste food and the marketing and transport of pigs are strictly observed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that there will be adequate supplies of crude and manufactured fertiliser at reasonable prices in the United Kingdom to meet demand in the spring.

Yes; I have been so assured by officers of the Fertiliser Manufacturers' Association.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage the average cost of fertilisers has risen since June 1970.

The average cost of fertilisers rose by 23 per cent. during the period June 1970 to the end of November 1973, which is the latest date for which information is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food approximately how many coypu have been destroyed in each of the last four years in England and in East Anglia, respectively; and whether he will make a statement.

The coypu is confined to East Anglia where the numbers destroyed during this period were 1,137 in 1970; 2,196 (1971); 3,243 (1972); and 8,336 (1973). Although these figures reveal a sharp and encouraging increase in the returns from the trapping efforts, which have been intensified of late, they leave no room for complacency. The recent succession of mild winters has been exceptionally favourable for breeding, and coypu numbers have been tending to increase. We are aiming for a significant net reduction in the population over the next few months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the latest estimates for investment in agriculture have been for each year since 1970; and what proportion of this has gone into capital improvements such as buildings and fixed equipment.

Following is the information:

INVESTMENT* IN AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE, UNITED KINGDOM
£ million
Year	1970	1971	1972
Plant, Machinery and Vehicles	133	152	192
Buildings and Works	117	133	159
Total	250	285	351
* The figures represent gross expenditure before crediting any grants which reduce the cost to the owner or occupier.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dairy farmers have left the industry in the past month; and how this compares with the same period in the three preceding years.

The latest figures available from the Milk Marketing Board show that the number of registered milk producers in England and Wales dropped between November and December 1973 by 264. This compares with reductions of 388, 293 and 138 for the same period in 1970, 1971 and 1972 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will include in this year's price review for dairy producers an adjustment system that could allow for rapid and substantial variations in costs of feeding stuffs.

These are matters appropriate to the annual review in which I am now involved, and hon. Members will appreciate that I cannot comment on specific suggestions at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of beef has been bought by intervention in the EEC since 1st January 1973; and what stocks thus bought are now held in store.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins) on 1st February 1974.—[Vol. 868, c. 168.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give an assurance that beef will not be bought for storage by the United Kingdom Intervention Board in 1974.

No, Sir. To do so would remove the assurance which producers need if they are to maintain production and supplies at levels which will prevent a shortage developing and prices rising.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet received the report of the committee of inquiry into the export of live animals; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now received the report of the O'Brien Committee on export of live animals.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive the report this week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has of the export of ponies to the Continent with false valuation certificates; if he will take action to prevent this from happening in the future; and whether he will make a statement.

I have no evidence that ponies have been exported to the Continent with false valuation certificates; but revised arrangements were introduced on 1st August 1973 to secure strict enforcement of the regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that the EEC has proposed a 4 per cent. increase in the price of milk, the fourchette agreement prevailing before the announcement of this increase remains in force.

The terms of Regulation (EEC) No. 749/73 are not affected by the Commission's price proposals, but its application in 1974–75 is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the concern felt in south Caernarvonshire at the decision not to fill the vacant post of NAAS officer in Pwllheli, whether he will reverse this decision.

The decision taken was to base all four agricultural advisers serving Caernarvonshire on the Ministry's divisional office in the town of Caernarvon, and thus to provide a comprehensive and efficient advisory service to farmers in the county as a whole. The Pwllheli office is not being closed, although an agricultural adviser will not be stationed there permanently in future. I am satisfied that there will be no deterioration in the standard or availability of advice to the farmers in south Caernarvonshire as a result of this decision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, bearing in mind the cost of feeding stuffs and pressures on profit margins, what is his latest estimate of the effect on milk output, and beef production in total, and on marginal and hill farms six months and 12 months hence; and how this will differ from current production and production a year ago.

The matters are all currently under discussion in the annual review and can clearly be affected by the outcome of that review. In these circumstances it would not be right for me to comment at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated effect of increased fuel prices to trawlers on the price of fish.

First-hand prices of fish are basically determined by auction, and so increased costs of catching have no direct effect on them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate the research which has been undertaken into the use of sodium and potassium ferrocyanide in food which forms the basis of his proposed regulations issued on 26th April 1973.

Sodium and potassium ferrocyanide have been the subject of a number of toxicological studies involving animals in this and other countries. Research data on human reaction is also available. The Government's expert advisory committees, having examined the results of these studies, have now classified these substances as provisionally acceptable for use in food. The Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations/World Health Organisation Expert Committee on Food Additives has also classified them as acceptable for use in food on a provisional basis.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the decline per capita in the consumption of beef and lamb, respectively, since January 1973.

Between January-March 1973 and October-December 1973, the latest period for which provisional total consumption figures are available, per capita consumption of beef and veal—edible weight—has risen by 3 per cent. and per capita consumption of mutton and lamb has fallen by 17 per cent.

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the average price of milking cows now being sold at market; how this compares with the position a month and two months ago as well as over the same period last year; and how prices at markets in south Yorkshire, south Lancashire, Cheshire and Derbyshire have differed from the national average.

(£ per head)
					November 1973	December 1973		Week ending 30th January 1974
England and Wales	…	…	…	…	190·18	184·72		182·97
					November 1972	December 1972		Week ending 31st January 1973
England and Wales	…	…	…	…	199·20	205·97		216·73
					November 1972	December 1972	November 1973	December 1973
South Yorkshire	…	…	…	…	192·15	194·19	191·24	181·15
South Lancashire	…	…	…	…	212·67	206·67	204·60	198·09
Cheshire	…	…	…	…	188·70	195·79	191·29	185·51
Derbyshire	…	…	…	…	180·06	187·75	179·28	155·97

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cows have been slaughtered in each of the past 10 weeks; how this compares with the number slaughtered in the same period a year and two years ago; what

NUMBER OF COWS AND BULLS* SLAUGHTERED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Week ending	…	'000†	Week ending	…	'000	Week ending	…	'000
17th November 1973	…	17	18th November 1972	…	21	20th November 1971	…	20
24th November 1973	…	21	25th November 1972	…	22	27th November 1971	…	20
1st December 1973	…	20	2nd December 1972	…	20	4th December 1971	…	20
8th December 1973	…	21	9th December 1972	…	21	11th December 1971	…	18
15th December 1973	…	19	16th December 1972	…	19	18th December 1971	…	16
22nd December 1973	…	15	23rd December 1972	…	13	25th December 1971	…	10
29th December 1973	…	8	30th December 1972	…	6	1st January 1972	…	9
5th January 1974	…	14	6th January 1973	…	14	8th January 1972	…	15
12th January 1974	…	21	13th January 1973	…	18	15th January 1972	…	18
19th January 1974	…	22	20th January 1973	…	16	22nd January 1972	…	17
* Separate slaughter figures for cows and bulls are not available. The number of bulls included is small.
† Provisional.

CENSUS NUMBERS OF DAIRY COWS
United Kingdom				June 1973	June 1972	June 1971
Cows and Heifers in milk	…	…	…	3,038,167	2,941,520	2,852,964
Cows in Calf but not in milk	…	…	…	398,107	383,040	380,681
Total	…	…	…	3,436,274	3,324,560	3,233,645
England and Wales				September 1973	September 1972	September 1971
Cows and Heifers in milk	…	…	…	2,346,877	2,300,986	2,223,020
Cows in Calf but not in milk	…	…	…	605,442	573,783	537,424
Total	…	…	…	2,952,319	2,874,769	2,760,444

UNITED KINGDOM SALES THROUGH MILK MARKETING SCHEMES
(Million gallons)
November 1973	…	215·6*	November 1972	…	223·1	November 1971	…	209·1
December 1973	…	217·3*	December 1972	…	226·0	December 1971	…	211·2
January 1974	…	218·4†	January 1973	…	228·0	January 1972	…	213·0
* Provisional.
† Part estimated.

The average prices of first quality Friesian cows in milk were as follows:—are now the number of milking cows; and what is the output of milk, indicating how this compares with a year and two years ago.

The information requested is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has of bulls being kept in farm buildings other than purpose-designed bull pens; how many serious accidents have occurred to farmers and farm workers as a result of bull handling in the past 12 months; and what proposals he has to improve farm safety in this respect.

Inspections have revealed that relatively few bulls are kept in purpose-designed pens, and that the majority are housed in farm buildings adapted for the purpose.Our farm accident statistics do not include injuries to the self-employed, and the latest available figures cover the 12 months ended 30th September 1973; during this period one farmer and two workers were killed as a result of handling bulls, and 16 workers were seriously injured.The Department has long been concerned with measures to improve effective custody and safe handling of bulls on the farm and we are already considering the scope for further improvements under the new safety régimes envisaged in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Bill and in the recent Bull Beef Report of the Advisory Council for Agriculture and Horticulture. We hope shortly to be in a position to start consultations with all interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the Food Standards Committee on novel proteins.

I understand that the committee hopes to complete consideration of its draft report shortly and to submit it to Ministers before the end of April.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agricultural workers have died during each of the past six years due to contracting the disease known as "Farmers' Lung"; and if he will make a statement on what action he is taking designed to remove the causes of this disease.

The number of deaths of agricultural workers from farmers' lung notified under statutory requirement in the Agriculture (Safety, Health & Welfare Provisions) Act 1956 since 1968 is as follows:

1968	1
1969	—
1970	—
1971	2
1972	1
1973	1

Our approach to this problem is, firstly, to alert all those at risk to the dangers involved by our publicity and advisory effort; secondly, to tell those at risk that the only effective way of removing the cause of farmers' lung is to prevent the formation of mould spores on crops by proper curing in the field before they are baled and stored; thirdly, by making our advisory services available to deal with every occasion when their services are requested for advice on how to prevent mould on crops.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fatal accidents have occurred in the agricultural industry during each of the past six years; and what is the rate per 1,000 employees.

Following is the information:

FATAL ACCIDENTS IN AGRICULTURE: ENGLAND AND WALES
	Fatal Accidents		Rate of fatal accidents to employees per 1,000 employees
	(1 Total*)	(2 Employees)
1968	114	52	0·14
1969	115	58	0·16
1970	105	31	0·09
1971	118	49	0·14
1972	95	42	0·12
1973†	90	30	0·09
* Includes accidents to farmers, self-employed contractors, children etc.
† Provisional.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT statistics showing the total amount of sugar imported into the United Kingdom for non-food uses for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

I regret that statistics collected on sugar imports do not differentiate between intended end users. It is therefore impossible to comply with this request.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to control the movement of diseased elm; and if he will make a statement.

The Forestry Commission has been authorised to make an order under the Plant Health Act 1967 the general effect of which will first of all be to prohibit movement of diseased elm out of the severely affected areas unless it has been debarked or treated in a prescribed manner, and, secondly, to permit control of any movement of diseased elm elsewhere in the country.Apart from introducing these movement controls the Forestry Commission will also be informing local authorities of the circumstances in which they will authorise use of special powers of inspection or control for dealing with the disease itself. The guiding principle here is that the powers will be made available only where they would be meaningful, and where the local authority which wants to use them can show that efforts to deal with centres of infection by voluntary measures are not succeeding. Thus, the powers will not normally be appropriate in areas where the disease is too widespread to be contained effectively. However, even in such areas the commission will not preclude applications for selective use of powers in local situations where there are good natural barriers to the disease, and where special provision may be justified to supplement voluntary action which would otherwise be frustrated. Local authorities concerned will be expected to meet the administrative costs of any small-scale measures of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement outlining the effect his statement on 17th December 1973 will have on public expenditure in the Yorkshire and Humberside regions.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Dormand) on 24th January—[Vol. 867, c. 317.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will tabulate the components of the net weekly income of a man with a wife and two children under 11 years of age, assuming a wage of £35 a week and that the previous year's pay was at the same rates, showing relevant tax payments, repayments and any welfare benefits in the following circumstances, (a) for a week's work after 39 weeks at the appropriate rate and (b) when unemployed after 39 weeks' employment and when qualifying for earnings-related benefit.

The figures are:

	A
	£
Weekly wage	35·00
Family allowances	0·90
	35·90
National Insurance Contributions:
Flat rate	0·84
Graduated	1·32
Income tax	4·35
Net income	29·39
	B
	£
Unemployment Benefit:
Flat rate	15·60
Earnings Related Supplement	7·63
Family allowances	0·90
Income tax refund	6·20
Net Income	30·33

Column A shows the components of the net weekly income when at work for week 40 in the tax year.Column B shows the components for week 42 on the assumption that this is the third consecutive week of unemployment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will tabulate the components of the net weekly income of a man with a wife and two children under 11 years of age, assuming a wage of £30 per week and that the previous year's pay was at the same rates, showing relevant tax payments, repayments and any welfare benefits in the following circumstances, (a) for a week's work after 39 weeks at the appropriate rate and (b) when unemployed after 39 weeks' employment and when qualifying for earnings related benefit.

The figures are:

	A
	£
Weekly wage	30·00
Family allowances	0·90
	30·90
National Insurance Contributions:
Flat rate	0·84
Graduated	1·07
Income tax	2·85
Net income	26·14
	B
	£
Unemployment Benefit:
Flat rate	15·60
Earnings Related Supplement	6·85
Family Allowances	0·90
Income tax refund	6·20
Net income	29·55

Column A shows the components of net weekly income when at work for week 40 in the tax year.Column B shows the components for week 42 on the assumption that this is the third consecutive week of unemployment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if current EEC discussions on tax harmonisation include proposals to harmonise the scope of value added tax.

There have been preliminary discussions on proposals made by the EEC Commission in a draft Sixth Directive on VAT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why VAT is charged on postage and packing when goods are returns to customers after servicing, the service charge also being subject to VAT.

The supply of the service of packing and delivering goods is liable to VAT at the standard rate. A charge made for such a supply by a taxable person bears tax accordingly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will abolish the £10 tax which fishermen are charged for their fish allowances.

My hon. Friend no doubt has in mind the arrangements under which the value of the benefit to certain employees from the provision of free fish has been taken at £10 yearly. These arrangements apply where the employee comes within the scope of the special legislation relating to employees earning £2,000 per annum and upwards, and the figure of £10 has I understand been agreed with the employees' trade union. But it is of course open to an individual employee to take the matter to appeal if he considers the figure of £10 to be excessive.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the relative value of the £ sterling at the latest possible date, as compared with June 1970.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling as 100p in June 1970, its value in December 1973, the latest date available, is estimated to be 743½p, on the basis of the change in the General Index of Retail Prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's response to the proposals of the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund about the management of the impending glut of Arab funds.

As indicated in my right hon. Friend's statement on 22nd January, Her Majesty's Government warmly endorse the study of a possible new fund facility to assist in the channelling of the surpluses of oil producers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many company directors or other persons received pay increases during the last year, based partly or wholly on commission or profit or on analogous criteria; what was the average percentage gross pay increase in these cases; what was the range of percentage gross pay increases; and what were the comparable figures over each of the last five years.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, regarding his answer on take-home pay on 30th January, columns 121–122, what he estimates to be the appropriate figures at each income level for the year to October 1973; and what are the criteria on which each of his revised figures for this year are based.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the tax concessions available to divorced mothers who do not receive maintenance from their former husbands; whether he is satisfied with their fairness compared with the concessions available to divorced men who are maintaining in whole or part their children; and if he has plans to enlarge such concessions.

I presume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the income tax allowances and reliefs. A divorced woman who receives no maintenance from her ex-husband is entitled to claim the child tax allowance for any child of her former marriage; and she can also claim the additional personal allowance of £130 if the child is living with her. As regards maintenance, tax relief is given for maintenance payments made under legally binding agreements arising out of the dissolution of a marriage. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular difficulty in this field in mind and will write to me about it, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many stock option or share incentive schemes in accordance with criteria laid down in the Finance Act 1972 have been approved, even if not yet implemented under the stages 1–3 regulations; how many persons are involved; what are the main types of schemes; and what is estimated to be the likely average gain under each of these main schemes to executives at different income levels.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th February 1974; Vol. 868, c. 350], gave the following information:Formal approval under the 1972 legislation has been given to 315 share option schemes and 41 share incentive schemes. In addition, 271 share option schemes and 46 share incentive schemes have been accepted as approvable if adopted by shareholders: of these, five option schemes and two incentive schemes are savings—related schemes introduced under the terms of the 1973 legislation. Of the 87 incentive schemes to which approval, formal or conditional, has been given, 74 involve loans by the company for the purchase of the shares, and 13 were of the deferred payment type. Information about the number of participants in approved schemes will be available after the annual returns from the companies whose shares have been used in the schemes have been received. Estimates of the likely average gain to participants are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual cost to the revenue of tax relief for personal bank loan interest other than on house-purchase loans.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th February 1974; [Vol. 868. c. 351], gave the following information:The information required to answer this Question precisely is not available. The estimated figure for 1973–74 is about £40 million but this estimate is subject to a considerable margin of error.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new recruits joined the West Yorkshire Constabulary during each of the past six years; how many of them have now left the police force; and if he will also give the number required to bring the police force up to the required standard.

Following is the information:

Year	Number of recruits oining during the year	Number who had left by 31st December 1973
1968	177	69
1969	271	85
1970	297	87
1971	299	58
1972	240	42
1973	293	19

On 31st December 1973 there were 689 vacancies on the authorised establishment of 4.663.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in his investigation into the safety of imported toy jumping beans which can easily be mistaken for antibiotic capsules.

I understand that the distribution of these particular beans, known as "Space Wobblies", was discontinued in November last following representations made by a local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of convictions in the Greater London Council area during each of the last three years for the parking of motor vehicles on public footways.

Convictions of obstruction, dangerous parking or the contravention of waiting restrictions relate to roads and do not distinguish between offences committed on the carriageway and on the footway. In the area of the Greater London Council there were no convictions of the specific offence of parking on a footway which was created by the Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Controls and Regulations) Act 1973 during its first six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the level of aid to Stretford and Urmston under the urban aid programme for each of the years for which figures are available; and what is his estimate for the years 1973–74 and 1974–75.

Following is the information:

Year of approval	Value of approved projects (£)
	Capital	Non-Capital
1969–70	3,467	4,000
1970–71	44,650	2,000
1971–72	—	900*
1972–73	13,000	1,500†
1973–74	52,325	1,830
1974–75	To be announced later in 1974
Total	113,442	10,230
* Once-only.
† 2 years.

In addition, running costs are usually payable for five years on capital projects. The non-capital figures show one year's running costs of non-capital projects. Unless otherwise stated, such costs are payable for each of five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce the costs from public funds involved in Mr. Francis Bennion's private prosecution of Mr. Peter Hain.

This information is not yet available.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will arrange for priorities for oil used for grass drying to be given to British farmers, in view of the fact that the EEC Commission's proposals on the review of the Common Agricultural Policy proposed that alternative forms of protein, such as grass drying, should be stimulated within the EEC.

The production of feedingstuffs, which is regarded as including grass drying, is already a priority use for the purposes of the oil allocation scheme. Any farmer whose allocation is insufficient to meet his essential needs should contact his local DTI regional office through his normal oil supplier.

asked the Minister for Energy (1) if he will publish a table showing increase in miners' basic and average earnings since 1960, in money terms and at constant prices, including the current offer under phase 3, and categorised under (a) non-craftsmen on surface, (b) non-craftsmen underground, (c) craftsmen on surface, (d) craftsmen underground, and (e) national power loading agreement workers;(2) if he will publish a table showing basic wages and average earnings in the mining industry in 1970, 1972 and 1973 and as estimated under the phase 3 wage offer for each of the following five groups: (

I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister for Energy, on the basis that the average weekly number of hours worked by underground workers in the mining industry in 1973 was 27·7 hours, excluding winding time undeground, if he will give the average hourly earnings that this represents, including the allowance for free coal.

I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister for Energy if he is satisfied that the United Kingdom resources in skills, material and industrial capacity are being fully used in the North Sea oil rig construction and exploration programme.

I should like to see more orders for oil rigs placed with shipyards in the United Kingdom. It is one of the prime tasks of the Department of Energy to encourage British industry to modernise and plan ahead for further participation in the exploration and exploitation of offshore resources.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will publish a table showing the net outflow of miners, over and above recruitment, from the mining industry in each year since 1960; and, of these, how many left voluntarily before normal retirement age, and how many became redundant.

Figures on wastage and net outflow from the mining industry for 1960 and 1965–1972 were published in Table 25 of "United Kingdom Energy Statistics, 1973" (HMSO, 1973). This table relates to all wage earners on NCB colliery books, and shows—among other causes of wastage—how many became redundant and how many left voluntarily before normal retirement age. It is not possible to analyse the net outflow by cause of wastage. The following figures relate to years not included in the published table:

Year	Net outflow	Total voluntary wastage*	Number total redundancies
1961	21,822	52,333	401
1962	24,952	35,552	Not available
1963	25,618	23,589	4,334
1964	26,037	35,013	2,227
1965	37,731	44,902	1,844
1966	32,434	39,893	3,243
1967	32,001	28,168	7,196
1968	57,257	29,175	24,418
1969	24,949	24,673	9,582
1970	16,472	22,398	6,148
1971	4,299	15,240	4,182
1972	12,859	9,673	6,817
1973†	20,559	21,360	7,264
* "Other wastage" in published table.
† Provisional.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will publish the total wage bill of the National Coal Board, together with the amount of its current offer to the National Union of Mine-workers.

The total wage bill of the National Coal Board in 1972–73 was £467·4 million. The annual cost of the board's offer to the National Union of Mineworkers is £44·5 million, calculated in accordance with the current Price and Pay Code. That amount represents 13 per cent. of the miners' pay bill, as defined in the code. In addition, the board has proposed, subject to approval by the Pay Board, to introduce a productivity scheme which could add a further 3½ per cent.

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

A typical delivered price for general industrial coal in the United Kingdom is estimated to be about £9·30 a ton. Up-to-date information for the other countries is not readily available. Such limited information as is available suggests that prices for comparable coal are about 20 per cent. higher in France and about 50 per cent. higher in Germany and Belgium.

asked the Minister for Energy what is now the pithead price of the main grades of coal produced in this country; what would be the average price and percentage increase if the National Coal Board were to meet its profit target, pay current interest rates on all loans, forgo all social, production and price subsidies and implement its latest offer to the National Union of Mineworkers; and how this would affect the price of coal to the domestic consumer.

The current average pithead prices for the main categories of NCB coal are as follows:

Power station coals	6·50
Coking coals	9·60
General Industry coals	7·60
Domestic coal Bituminous (all groups)	9·60
Naturally smokeless (all groups)	15·50

In view of the present situation in the industry it is impossible to say what price levels would enable the industry to break even on the conditions postulated, but in a normal year the NCB offer—£56 million, including a possible productivity deal—and the social and operational grants estimated for 1973–74—£155 million—alone represent average costs of £1·55 per ton on all coal. The price to the domestic consumer would of course reflect the merchants' margin as well as any increase the NCB might introduce.

asked the Minister for Energy whether he will take steps to exempt manufacturers of surgical appliances from the provisions of the three-day week.

Any application from such a manufacturer which is supported by the Department of Health and Social Security will be considered by the regional office of the Department of Trade and industry. Licences granting exemp- tion from the regulations will be given when necessary.

asked the Minister for Energy what consideration he is now giving to opening an office of his Department in Aberdeen in addition to the petroleum office in Glasgow.

None at present, but the position is being kept under review.

asked the Minister for Energy how much electricity he estimates has been saved each week since 1st January as a result of the three-day week regulations; how this saving is composed as between different sectors; and what savings he attributes to each of the main particular regulations for this purpose.

My Department has been publishing estimates of the electricity savings based on the difference between actual consumption and the Electricity Council's estimate of the natural demand. Since 1st January the figures have been:

Week ending	Saving per cent
5th January	21
12th January	19
19th January	20
26th January	21
2nd February	20

An analysis of this saving amongst the different sectors and the different regulations has not been possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the savings of the Army, Navy and Air Force, respectively, since the fuel emergency began in terms of petrol, aviation fuel and cash.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer on 5th February.—[Vol. 868, c. 1026–27.]The savings of fuel by the Services since the emergency began are in excess of 10 per cent. of normal consumption. In December 1973 savings of about 400,000 gallons of petrol and about 2,400,000 gallons of aviation fuel were made. The cash equivalent of these savings was about £415,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that six former residents of the Lulworth ranges have signed statements to the Friends of Tyne-ham Limited stating their wish to return if the land is released; and if, pending the decision on the Defence Lands Committee's recommendations, he will take special care to ensure that no further damage is done to their homes.

My predecessor received a deputation from the Friends of Tyne-ham Limited on 29th November 1973. Amongst the documents handed over were signed statements from seven former residents stating that they wished to return if the land is released. Instructions for the use of the range state that no buildings should be engaged as targets, but unfortunately the risk of accidental damage due to ricochet cannot be ruled out.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of Army damage to listed ancient monuments on the Lulworth ranges.

The standing orders for Lulworth ranges are designed to ensure that no ancient monuments should be engaged as targets, but unfortunately the

					Estimated
1968–69	1969–70	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	Total
£6,796	£55,846	£111,134	£41,270	£219,032	£489,342	£923,420

Additional moneys have been spent on upgrading work within the hospitals in the area but a breakdown of the figures is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much it would cost to give a £10 Christmas bonus to those who are chronically sick and disabled.

For people under pension age I would refer the hon. Member to my

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to publish the 1974 Statement on Defence Estimates.

I shall announce the date in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will convene an inter-departmental committee to study the incidence of 588 out of 1,771 suicides last year resulting from the use of amylobarbitone, with a view to establishing further safeguards against the use and misuse of this drug.

All aspects of the question of establishing safeguards against the misuse of the barbiturate group of drugs are being studied by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.