asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been undertaken recently to determine whether Border disease affects cattle as well as sheep; and if he will make a statement on the extent and virulence of this disease.

Two experiments have been carried out, during 1972–73 and 1973–74, by my Department. These showed that pregnant heifers can be infected experimentally and abort. It is impossible to ascertain whether the disease occurs naturally in cattle as there are no specific diagnostic tests. In sheep the disease causes abortion and the production of malformed lamb. In a susceptible flock losses may be heavy. Apart from abortion, clinical disease is not seen in adult sheep. The disease is not notifiable, so no firm indication of its extent can be given, but it is not uncommon in sheep in the Welsh border counties and occurs sporadically elsewhere in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he can give figures for the production of homegrown timber over the most recent 12-month period.

In 1973 home-grown timber production in Britain amounted to about 3·7 million cubic metres. Figures for 1974 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future supply of sugar.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Cambridgeshire (Mr. Pym) on 23rd January.—[Vol. 884, c. 421–22.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage increase has taken place in the price of sugar since Great Britain joined the EEC.

Average ex-refinery price of granulated sugar in hundredweight paper sacks has increased by approximately 340 per cent. The average price for January 1973 was £82·49 per ton; the estimated equivalent for January 1975 is £280 per ton. There was a subsidy in force in January 1973 of approximately £15 a ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received requesting a 50-mile fishing limit; and if he will now bring forward legislation establishing a 50-mile limit or otherwise take steps to protect fishing stocks and protect the livelihood of United Kingdom inshore fishermen.

The Government have received a number of representations, particularly from the herring fishing sector of the industry, asking for an extension of our fishery limits to 50 miles. Any changes in the rights of vessels to fish outside the present exclusive fishery limits must await the outcome of the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) by what percentage it would be necessary to raise indirect taxation in order to obtain the same revenue as at present levied by direct and indirect taxation;(2) what is the latest estimate of the total revenue from direct taxation and indirect taxation, respectively, in the current year.

The latest estimates for the yield of central Government taxes in the current financial year are as follows:

£ million
Direct taxation	14,111
Indirect taxation	8,205
Total	22,316

To obtain the same total revenue as at present from indirect taxation alone would, therefore, necessitate an increase in receipts from indirect taxation of 172 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing a comparison of gross and net incomes over a standard range of earned and unearned income to illustrate the position of people of pensionable age before and after the changes in taxation currently proposed.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the proposed changes to the investment income surcharge for 1974–75 and to the introduction of an age allowance replacing age exemption relief in 1975–76. On that basis the figures for a married man aged 65 or over with no other tax allowances are as follows. The 1975–76 figures have had to be calculated on the basis of no other tax changes in that year apart from the introduction of the age allowance.

ALL EARNED
	Net Income (£)
Gross Income (£)	1974–75*	1975–76‡
1,000	1,000·00	1,000·00
1,250	1,206·00	1,250·00
1,500	1,318·50	1,475·25
2,000	1,625·45	1,810·25
2,500	1,960·45	2,145·25
3,000	2,295·45	2,480·25
3,500	2,630·45	2,705·36
4,000	2,965·45	2,965·45
5,000	3,635·45	3,635·45

HALF INVESTMENT AND HALF EARNED
Gross Income	Net Income (£)
(£)	1974–75*	1974–75†	1975–76‡
1,000	1,000·00	1,000·00	1,000·00
1,250	1,206·00	1,206·00	1,250·00
1,500	1,318·50	1,318·50	1,475·25
2,000	1,625·45	1,625·45	1,810·25
2,500	1,960·45	1,960·45	2,145·25
3,000	2,295·45	2,295·45	2,480·25
3,500	2,630·45	2,605·45	2,689·56
4,000	2,965·45	2,915·45	2,915·45
5,000	3,560·45	3,510·45	3,510·45
* Age exemption limit, £1,170; Investment income surcharge threshold, £2,000.
† Age exemption limit, £1,170; Investment income surcharge threshold, £1,500.
‡ Age allowance, £1,425; Investment income surcharge threshold, £1,500.

asked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions have been initia- ted by the Director of Public Prosecutions under Section 6 of the Race Relations Act during the past five years.

Since 1st January 1970 the Director of Public Prosecutions has been responsible for conducting proceedings under Section 6 of the Race Relations Act 1965 in three cases.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the reasons why the Melville Report on the Central Office of Information and Departmental Information Services has been withheld from publication; if he will now authorise and instruct the same to be published; and if he will take steps to encourage more openness in Government.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Accrington (Mr. Davidson) on 2nd April 1974, the Government are in favour of open government. The Melville Report was, however, an internal report produced by civil servants and never intended for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how and on what basis the sum of £254 has been arrived at as the single payment that would be made into the estate of a reservist whose death is attributable to service and arises in the course of peace-time exercise or training.

The sum of £254 represents £200 as uprated successively by the pensions increases effective from 1st December 1973–9·3 per cent.—and 1st December 1974–16·5 per cent.In formulating the scheme of attributable benefits for reservists it was decided to base the rates of benefit precisely on those used for the ex-gratia pensions introduced for Service men injured and the widows and children of Service men killed in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity between August 1969 and 31st March 1973, after which date the present attributable pension scheme for the Regular Forces came into effect. These ex-gratia pensions ranged from £200 to £700 and were to be subject to subsequent pensions increases. For the reservists' scheme it was decided to make additional provision for a payment into the estate of a single man, and this was fixed at the lowest point of the range.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members old Her Majesty's Armed Forces are stationed at Masirah at the present time.

I have nothing to add to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence on 13th December.—[Vol. 883, c. 268.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the British officers killed in a clash at Hasal Kadmayn in Dhofar on 6th January 1975; and state the circumstances in which their deaths occurred.

I have nothing further to add to the statement which I made about this incident on 21st January.—[Vol. 884, c. 285.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, having regard to the size of the payments made to relatives of civilians killed as a result of the disturbances in Londonderry on so-called Bloody Sunday, he is satisfied that there is adequate financial provision for the relatives of members of the security forces killed by terrorists in Northern Ireland.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20th December 1974; Vol. 883, c. 621–622], gave the following information:The widows of members of the Regular Forces killed in Northern Ireland on or after 31st March 1973 as a result of terrorist activities are eligible for awards under the new Forces Attributable Family Pensions Scheme in addition to the war pensions provisions made by the Department of Health and Social Security. Examples are that a widow of a private soldier with four children would get a total pension from the Ministry of Defence and the DHSS of £3,305 a year and a widow of a major with two children would get a total pension of £4,025 a year. In addition, there would be lump sum payments of at least £2,598 for the private soldier's widow and £5,678 for the major's widow.The widows and dependants of Service men killed as the result of terrorist activity are also eligible to claim compensation under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland 1968), but such awards have to take account of payment of pensions from public funds.With regard to the dependants of the 13 people who were killed in Londonderry on 30th January 1972, these amounts have been calculated on the common law basis for the assessment of dependency in the event of death.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many firms in the Medway employment area with a work force of over 20 employ 3 per cent. or more of registered disabled people; and how many employ less than this figure.

On 31st May 1974, the latest date for which information is available, of 459 firms with a quota obligation in the Medway employment area 191 were employing 3 per cent. or more of registered disabled people; and 268 were employing less than this figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements he has made, following the establishment of the Training Services Agency and the Employment Service Agency as statutory bodies separate from the Department of Employment, to ensure that hon. Members are able to obtain information about employment and training matters.

Under the Employment and Training Act 1973 the Manpower Services Commission has been set up to run the public employment and training services previously provided by my Department—other than the careers services for which local authorities are now responsible. The executive work for these services is carried out by the commission's two agencies: the Employment Service Agency and the Training Services Agency.Hon. Members can write to the chairman of the commission on any matters relating to these services. But I am sure that they will also find it helpful to establish or maintain contacts with senior officers of the agencies in their constituencies with whom questions relating to the local day-to-day operation of the services and the handling of particlar cases will often be able to be speedily resolved.I shall continue to answer Questions and inquiries about my continuing manpower responsibilities, including my responsibilities in relation to the commission; and the unemployment benefit service will continue to be provided by my Department on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Security.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) where and when he expects the first offshore oil from the Argyll field to be landed;(2) when and where he expects the first offshore oil to be landed in Scotland.

The first major oilfield to come on stream is expected to be the Forties field, later this year. Its oil will be landed by pipeline at Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire, and taken by landline to the Grangemouth refinery.The licensees of the Argyll field have examined the possibility of landing their oil on the east coast of Scotland, but have concluded that the problems associated with berthing and unloading the specially adapted tankers involved meant that a suitable terminal point could not be found for the appropriate period of time. They now expect to land the first oil at a refinery in the Thames Estuary, later this spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he intends to review or revise the strategic oil storage targets at present maintained.

Strategic oil storage targets are kept under continuous review.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what international obligations there are with regard to the maintenance of reserve oil stocks.

The EEC Directives oblige member States to maintain minimum stocks of petroleum amounting to 90 days' average consumption in the previous year. Participating countries in the International Energy Programme are obliged to hold at least 60 days' stocks, excluding those physically unavailable in an emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many days' supply of reserve oil stocks the Government intend to maintain; and how many days' stocks are held at present.

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave him on Monday 20th January. Stocks held by oil companies are published monthly in "Energy Trends" (Table 17). At 1st January 1975 those stocks were equivalent to 81 days' forward supply. This is the equivalent of over 90 days' average consumption in 1974, but some seasonal decline may be expected over the next three months.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what regulations govern the moisture content of solid fuel.

There are no statutory regulations or orders governing the moisture content of solid fuels. There is a British Standard, No. 3142, Manufactured Solid Smokeless Fuels for Household Use, which is concerned with the quality of these fuels at the point of production and specifies limits of moisture content either directly or by reference to heat output.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the policy of the Government towards Burmah Oil as operator of the Ninian field.

The Government regarded the Burmah Oil Company as a competent operator in the Ninian field, but, as reported in Wednesday's announcement, the Ninian Group wished for it to be replaced on 1st March 1975 by Chevron Petroleum (UK) Ltd and the Government have agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy upon what grounds or criteria would the Government disagree with a consortia appointment of an operator of a commercial oilfield in the North Sea.

I would disagree if I considered the selected operator not to be capable of satisfactorily discharging his responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to remedy the shortage of anthracite and other smokeless fuels in the South East.

I am satisfied that the National Coal Board, other producers and the coal trade have done everything possible during the past few months to produce maximum amounts of anthracite and other smokeless fuels and to distribute these equitably. The situation has now eased, although some shortages, particularly of anthracite, persist in certain places. I am sure that producers and distributors will continue their efforts to meet demand and to take emergency action in cases of real need. I am not aware of special problems peculiar to the South East.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of putting right the public sector buildings in Northamptonshire affected by high alumina cement; and who is to pay the bill.

I have no comprehensive information about the cost in Northamptonshire of repairing buildings where this cement has been used. Local authorities have not yet provided estimates of the whole costs involved throughout the country. When these are available we shall consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the three most recent dates on which a Minister or Under-Secretary of State of his Department last visited the Falmouth-Camborne constituency; and if he will send a Minister or an Under-Secretary of State to the constituency to assess the problems that exist there and to seek to remedy those falling within the responsibility of his Department.

No Minister or Under-Secretaries of State of my Department have recently visited the Falmouth and Camborne constituency. I have no plans for an early visit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why his Department has refused to send a representative to talk to the members of the Brighton and District Branch of the Motor Schools Association of Great Britain.

With the resources of manpower at its disposal the Department could meet only a small part of the requests of this kind which it receives from a wide range of organisations. To distinguish the merits of rival invitations would be invidious, and it has, therefore, been the practice to decline them. I understand, however, that the association itself provides advice to its members on the questions which were exercising the Brighton and District Branch.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the total amount of compensation to be paid following cancellation of the Channel Tunnel; under what contractual terms compensation arises; whether contractual terms have been the same in all cases; and if he will list the companies with claims, showing the estimated breakdown of compensation entitlement in each case.

The cost of abandonment is provisionally estimated at about £40 million to be shared between the two Governments. This is the cost of discharging Government-guaranteed loans and acquiring the shares of the British and French Channel Tunnel Companies in accordance with the contractual provisions of paragraph 6.2.9 (i) (a) of Agreement No. 2 (Cmnd. 5486). Contracts with third parties are a matter for the companies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why his proposed meeting with the Standing Conference on London and South-East Regional Planning regarding the survey on green belt land requested by his predecessor has not taken place in the light of his answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 12th November 1974 that he expected it to take place shortly;(2) why he has not yet received the report from the Standing Conference on London and South-East Regional Planning, originally requested by his predecessor, on the potential release of 2,000 acres of green belt land for housing, in the light of his answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 4th July 1974 that he expected to hear from the standing conference in a matter of weeks.

I understand that the standing conference decided to delay the formal submission of its report pending

Motorway			Census point			Year of census	Traffic count
M1	…	…	A1 about 1¼ miles south-cast of Fiveways Corner		…	1970	30,531
M1	…	…	A41 about 1¼ miles south of Fiveways Corner	…	…	1969	41,642
M4	…	…	M4 between Chiswick and Lionel Road junctions		…	1972	65,360

Nearer to London many of the roads are the responsibility of the Greater London Council, and the hon. Member may wish to consult the council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give his consent to the new plans of the Railways Board for its regional re-

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the condition of the River Rother in North Derbyshire, and on the steps that are being taken to clean it up.

My hon. Friend will know from Volume I of the "Report of a River Pollution Survey of England and Wales 1970," published in December 1971, that the River Rother was grossly polluted for most of its length. So far as I am aware, there has been no significant change in its condition. The Yorkshire Water Authority is responsible for the control of polluting discharges to the River Rother. I understand that it is in touch with the industrialists making the discharges which appear most troublesome, and that it is hopeful of securing some improvement of the condition in the river in the foreseeable future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the most recent average daily vehicle movement statistics, indicating the volume of traffic using the major routes from inner London to the motorways.

Up-to-date figures are not readily available. The most recent information is taken from the general traffic census and gives two-way average daily 16-hour traffic flows in August at points on or close to the M1 and M4 motorways:organisation; and whether he will make a statement.

British Rail has told me that it has decided to change course with its plans for a radical restructuring of its regional offices, which would otherwise have involved major movements of staff and the total abolition of its divisional offices in England and Wales. My formal consent to this change of plan is not required. Consequential decisions about the future location of its local offices is a matter of management, and, therefore, for the Railways Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the two circulars dealing with the provision of the Housing Act 1974 as promised on 17th December 1974.

One circular, on "Renewal Strategies" (DOE Circular 13/75), was issued on 21st January. The second, on "Housing Action Areas, Priority Neighbourhoods and General Improvement Areas", will be issued next week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been undertaken on hydrogen peroxide as a fuel for transportation.

I have been asked to reply.I am informed that the Government are not currently sponsoring any research on the use of hydrogen peroxide as a fuel for land transportation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 to allow for the punishment, as opposed to the treatment, of juvenile offenders; and if he will make a statement.

I announced in the debate on juvenile offending on 9th December that my right hon. Friend and his colleagues are studying the operation of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children under 17 years of age were convicted of offences by Rochdale courts in 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively; and if he will categorise the crimes involved.

The total numbers of persons under the age of 17 who were found guilty in Rochdale of indictable offences in 1972 and 1973 were as follows:

PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 17 FOUND GUILTY OF INDICTABLE OFFENCES IN ROCHDALE MAGISTRATES' COURTS
Court	1972	1973
Rochdale County Borough	224	266
Rochdale County Division	32	50

Information for 1974 is not yet available. The cost of providing information relating to non-indictable offences and of analysing the figures by offence group would be disproportionate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the magistrates have for enforcing the payment of fines imposed on juvenile offenders and if he will make a statement on this matter.

When a court imposes a fine on a juvenile it may order the parent or guardian to pay unless it is satisfied that the parent or guardian cannot be found, or that he did not conduce to the commission of the offence by neglecting to exercise due care and control. The fine may be enforced against the parent or guardian as if he had been convicted of the offence. In the absence of such an order, the fine can be enforced against the juvenile who has means or is in employment, through attachment of earnings or a warrant of distress. The fine remains enforceable by all available methods, including committal to prison in default, when the offender reaches the age of 17. There is no provision for the enforcement of a fine against someone under 17 by way of committal to a custodial institution.We are considering the question of enforcement among other points arising from the working of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of persons, together with their nationality, wishing to enter the United Kingdom as visitors for a short stay during 1974, who were refused admission.

I regret that our statistics do not record how many of those refused leave to enter were seeking admission as visitors, but the attached table shows the total number subject to possible refusal and the numbers refused on all grounds from the Commonwealth and from foreign countries for the period January to October 1974.

REFUSALS OF LEAVE TO ENTER: JANUARY—OCTOBER 1974
Commonwealth Citizens
Total subject to possible refusal	622,654
Refusals:
Country or territory issuing passport.
Associated States	10
Australia	19
Bangladesh	223
Barbados	6
Canada	25
Cyprus	139
Ghana	256
Guyana	11
Hong Kong	145
India	422
Jamaica	17
Kenya	29
Malaysia	70
Malta	20
Mauritius	121
New Zealand	4
Nigeria	441
Rhodesia	19
Sierra Leone	13
Singapore	24
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)	35
Tanzania	2
Trinidad and Tobago	18
Uganda	36
United Kingdom passport holders	124
All other territories	45
Total refused	2,344

Foreign Nationals
Total subject to possible refusal	5,841,819
Refusals:
Nations of
Arab Republic of Egypt	113
Argentina	23
Austria	47
Belgium	5
Brazil	34
Chile	24
China	13
Colombia	38
Cuba	10
Czechoslovakia	14
Denmark	5
Finland	22
France	36
German Democratic Republic	94
Germany, Federal Republic of	65
Greece	182
Hungary	11
Indonesia	22

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those bodies for which he is responsible which either receive public funds or to which he makes appointments.

The information, in respect of the bodies for which I am responsible, is as follows:

• Community Relations Commission.
• Race Relations Board.
• Gaming Board for Great Britain.
• Horserace Betting Levy Board.
• Horserace Totalisator Board.
• Charity Commission.
• Metropolitan Police.
• Police Council for the United Kingdom.
• Police Advisory Board for England and Wales.
• Police Training Council for England and Wales.
• Police College Board of Governors.
• Police Promotions Examination Board for England and Wales.
• Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council for England and Wales.
• Fire Service College Board.
• Fire Services Central Examinations Board.
• Home Office Scientific Advisory Council.
• Boards of Visitors (Prisons).
• British Broadcasting Corporation.
• Independent Broadcasting Authority.
• Television Advisory Committee.
• Radio Interference Advisory Committee.
• Advisory Committee under First Schedule to Wireless Telegraph Act 1949.
• Frequency Advisory Committee.
• Mobile Radio Committee.
• Licensing Planning Committees and Licensed Premises Committees under Licensing Act 1964.
• Parliamentary Boundary Commissions for England and Wales.
• Advisory Committee on Service Candidates.
• Local Government Boundary Commissions for England and Wales (jointly with Secretary of State for the Environment).
• The Poisons Board.
• Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
• Tribunals Advisory Bodies and Professional Panels appointed under Schdule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
• Advisory Committee on the Administration of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876.
• Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds for England and Wales.
• Parole Board.
• Local Review Committees appointed for the purpose of the Parole System.
• Advisory Council for Probation and After-Care.
• The Central Council for Training and Education in Social Work (jointly with other Secretaries of State).
• Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
• Criminal Law Revision Committee.
• Advisory Council on the Penal System.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the establishment of the Durham and Cleveland police forces, their present strengths, and the level of recruitment; and what financial provisions have been made designed to protect and promote police manning at all levels.

The figures are:

	Durham	Cleveland
Establishment	1,371	1,411
Strength on 31st December 1974	1,262	1,283
Net gain/loss in strength
Quarter ended 30th June	+14	‭9
Quarter ended 30th September	+2	‭9
Quarter ended 31st December	+4	+13
Provision for local recruitment publicity
	£	£
1974–75	5,500	2,500
1975–76	4,000	2,600

Both forces benefit from the national recruitment campaign, for which £680,000 is being provided in 1974–75. The same level of effort will be maintained in 1975–76.Last July the Police Council for the United Kingdom reached agreement on new pay scales applicable to all forces which meant a substantial increase for all ranks. It also agreed to undertake a review of the structure of police pay, which will be completed later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the shortage of police officers in London, he will take steps to increase slightly the civilian staff at the Metropolitan Police recruitment office so that applicants for basic information about a police career do not need to wait three weeks for it.

Requests for basic information are normally answered within two days of receipt. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind and will write to me. I will ask the Commissioner to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report information on Great Britain's capital investment programme in industry for each of the years following membership of the EEC.

Figures of actual and forecast capital expenditure by manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom from 1973 are as follows:

	£ million at 1970 prices
1973	1920
1974	2080(a)
1975	1900(b)
(a) part estimated.
(b) forecast derived from the Department of Industry's investment intentions inquiry, conducted in November/December 1974, which also indicated a further reduction in 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much revenue the Post Office lost in 1974 as a result of industrial action by Post Office computer personnel.

The Post Office tells me that revenue was delayed rather than lost, but the effect of this delay was to increase interest costs by about £23 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what were the number of outstanding applications to the Department of Industry made by companies since 1st March 1974 for financial aid, the number of companies whose applications have been rejected and the number whose applications have been accepted.

The information requested for the period 1st March 1974 to 31st December 1974 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much assistance he expects British industry to receive during the current year from the EEC's Regional Development Fund.

I do not expect British industry to receive any assistance from this fund during the current financial year.

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) to what extent measures other than statutory instruments have been used to implement European Community directives since 1st January 1973; and if he will list those in the Official Report;

The following is a list of United Kingdom statutory instruments which have come into operation between 1st January 1973 and 1st January 1975 with regard to which some reference is made, in the Explanatory Note or otherwise, to some form of EEC obligation. I regret that it is not possible without disproportionate inquiry to isolate those statutory instruments which implement directives. The requirements of directives may also be met by, inter alia, administrative action or by the use of existing legislation, but it is not practicable to give details of implementation other than by statutory instrument.

		Coming into Operation
1973
15	Eggs (Marketing Standards) Regulations	1.2.73
22	Grading of Horticultural Produce (Amendment) Regulations	1.2.73
135	Sugar Act 1956 (Repeals) (Appointed Day) (No. 1) Order	1.2.73
144	Import Duties (General) (No. 1) Order	1.2.73
204	Common Agricultural Policy (Agricultural Produce) (Protection of Community Arrangements) order	12.3.73
244	Value Added Tax (General) (Amendment) Regulations	1.4.73
288	Common Agricultural Policy (Agricultural Produce) (Protection of Community Arrangements) (No.2) Order	19.3.73
351	Common Agricultural Policy (Termination of Guarantee Agreements) (Fat Cattle and Rye) Order	26.3.73
369	Separated Milk Regulations	1.4.73
379	Drivers' Hours (Passenger and Goods Vehicles) (International Rules) Regulations	1.4.73
380	Drivers' Hours (Passenger and Goods Vehicles) (Keeping of Records) (International Rules) Regulations	1.4.73

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she intends to set up an advisory committee on alcoholism.

I announced the decision to set up the committee and the appointment of the chairman on 18th September 1974. I very much regret the delay in establishing the committee. Invitations were sent on the same day to a wide range of professional and voluntary bodies, local authority associations and other groups seeking suggestions for membership. Some, I regret, have only recently replied and this has held up the appointment of members, but invitations are expected to be sent out shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to make domiciliary physiotherapy available under the National Health Service in the Salford area; and if she will make a statement.

This issue is being examined with other issues raised by my hon. Friend and I shall be writing to him shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is aware of the shortage of acute geriatric accommodation in the Salford area; if she is aware of the long waiting lists for such patients; if her Department will take action to overcome this problem; and if she will make a statement.

I am looking into all aspects relating to the care of geriatric patients in the Salford area. The issues raised are complex but I shall be writing shortly in detail to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she has now received the replies of directors of social services to her request for details of register systems for cases of children at risk; and if she will make a statement.

We have not yet received all the replies. When the remainder are received I shall write to the hon. Gentleman, as I have already promised.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the help various societies concerned with agoraphobia give to individuals suffering from this complaint, she will consider financial support for voluntary organisa- tions and voluntary individuals who help to alleviate or cure this condition; and if she will make a statement.

I would be willing to consider requests for support from voluntary organisations concerned with agoraphobia whose work has national application.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give an estimate of the number of people who suffer from agoraphobia in this country; if she will give an indication of the numbers of people indirectly affected by this complaint; what action her Department proposes to take to relieve this condition; and if she will make a statement.

Reliable evidence is not available on which to base such estimates. We shall be issuing a White Paper setting out our proposals for the development of health and social services generally for the mentally ill. Separate special services for agoraphobia are not thought to be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report the percentage penetration of the British market achieved by outerwear and underwear imports from Taiwan in each of the last five years.

Estimated penetration of the United Kingdom market by imports from Taiwan is as follows:

	Underwear* Per cent.	Outerwear Per cent.
1970	†	†
1971	0·2	0·2
1972	0·5	0·6
1973	0·4	1·3
1973 (first half)	0·5	1·2
1974 (first half)	0·6	1·3
* Includes shirts, nightwear and pantie-hose.
† Not readily available.