asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants were transferred with their jobs from London to Scotland in 1974.

Between 1st October 1973 and 30th September 1974, the latest complete year for which information is available, 709 Civil Service posts were dispersed from London to Scotland. Eight staff moved with the posts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will, during the close season, convene a conference of representatives of professional football clubs and other interested bodies to consider ways and means of combating the problems of football violence and hooliganism.

My working party on crowd behaviour at football matches, which includes representatives of professional football, has these problems continuously under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England and Wales had not transferred responsibility for providing accommodation for homeless people from social services to housing departments by 1st April 1975.

While details about individual authorities are not available. most housing authorities have already accepted or are in the process of accepting prime responsibility for the accommodation of the homeless. My hon. Friend proposed to seek further information from authorities on this specific point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families are currently homeless in (i) the county of Dorset and (ii) the borough of Bournemouth; and how this compares with the national average for homelessness.

There are no precise figures for the number of people who are homeless. However, 30 families were in temporary accommodation in Dorset because they were homeless on 30th September 1974, the latest date for which figures are available. Separate figures for Bournemouth are not at present available. Equivalent figures for England as a whole, for 30th June 1974, show that 29 families were in temporary accommodation in Dorset, and 7,020 in England. On the basis of the number of people in temporary accommodation at the end of June 1974, and the Registrar-General's projected population figures for mid-1974, there were 2.·45 people per 10,000 in temporary accommodation in Dorset, and 6·15 people per 10,000 in England as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing associations had been

FATAL AND SERIOUS ROAD CASUALTIES: CHILDREN 5–14 YEARS: GREAT BRITAIN MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS: END-OCTOBER-MID-FEBRUARY (16 WEEK PERIODS)
Time of Day							1966–67	1967–68	1968–69*	1969–70*
0700–0800	…	…	…	…	…	…	38	30	62	48
0800–0900	…	…	…	…	…	…	294	293	338	352
0900–1000	…	…	…	…	…	…	61	74	82	81
1000–1600	…	…	…	…	…	…	632	551	609	674
1600–1700	…	…	…	…	…	…	552	529	533	480
1700–1800	…	…	…	…	…	…	273	282	290	253
1800–1900	…	…	…	…	…	…	168	178	220	223
1900–0700	…	…	…	…	…	…	253	243	302	290
ALL HOURS	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,271	2,180	2,436	2,401
0800–0900 as percentage of all hours	…	…	…	…	…	…	13	13	14	15
1600–1700 as percentage of all hours	…	…	…	…	…	…	24	24	22	20

Time of Day							1970–71*	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74
0700–0800	…	…	…	…	…	…	47	29	35	37
0800–0900	…	…	…	…	…	…	361	325	389	283
0900–1000	…	…	…	…	…	…	75	73	85	69
1000–1600	…	…	…	…	…	…	705	686	719	597
1600–1700	…	…	…	…	…	…	558	604	622	515
1700–1800	…	…	…	…	…	…	308	322	306	259
1800–1900	…	…	…	…	…	…	247	199	221	157
1900–0700	…	…	…	…	…	…	296	301	318	279
ALL HOURS	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,597	2,539	2,697	2,199
0800–0900 as percentage of all hours	…	…	…	…	…	…	14	13	14	13
1600–1700 as percentage of all hours	…	…	…	…	…	…	21	24	23	23
* British Standard Time in operation.
Figures for 1974–75 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received his Department's report on

Twenty-eight. A further 24 were registered on 16th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report figures for the number of accidents of all kinds involving children on their way to and from school, which occurred during the six months of autumn and winter in the years when British Standard Time was in operation, and the six months of autumn and winter in the years since the reversion to Greenwich Mean Time.

This information is not available in the form requested, but the following table gives the number of fatal and serious road casualties among children of 5 to 14 at different times of the day.the two associated M1 accidents on 26th July 1974; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. At about 5 a.m. on 26th July 1974 an articulated lorry travelling south along the M1 in the left-hand lane went across the carriageway and crashed into the safety fence on the central reserve, causing a lighting column to lean over the carriageway ahead. A few minutes later a double-deck coach manœuvering to avoid the obstruction, went out of control and overturned. Three passengers were killed and 13 seriously injured.At this point, just south of the junction 11, the southbound carriageway rises uphill. The left-hand lane was worn and tracked and the carriageway was programmed for resurfacing. At the time of the accidents it was raining and the road was wet; but it was daylight and visibility was fairly good. The lorry was unladen. The evidence available suggests that both vehicles were in good order and were being driven within their respective speed limits. Neither driver is to be prosecuted.The lorry was fitted with a load-sensing device designed to prevent jackknifing during braking; but there is no evidence that the driver braked before going out of control, nor reason to suppose that the lorry jackknifed on this account. The investigation of similar recent accidents tends to confirm that it is particularly hazardous to apply undue power to an unladen articulated vehicle travelling on a road surface that is both worn and wet; this appears to be the most likely explanation.I have recently received a report on the general problems of jackknifing, including the comparatively rare phenomenon of jackknifing under power, and shall be making a statement as soon as possible. In the meantime I am taking steps to warn drivers of articulated vehicles of this particular danger, which hitherto has been less than fully recognised, and to advise them how to avoid it.Highway authorities have been reminded that where the conditions of the road surface present an unseen hazard warning signs should be displayed; and I am also examining means of identifying and giving special attention to lengths of road which could be hazardous in particular circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now propose extending the 50 per cent. relief for unsewered domestic properties to apply to premises owned by charities.

I am considering the future charging arrangements for unsewered properties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to the letter addressed to his Department on 10th April by the Association of Broxbourne Council Mortgagees expressing disappointment at the lack of urgency displayed in dealing with the problem of the high interest rates obtaining for local authority mortgagees.

I am sending the right hon. and learned Gentleman a copy of the letter to the association. I am indeed concerned about this problem but cannot at present add to the points I made in answering Supplementary Questions on Wednesday 19th March.—[Vol. 888, c. 1638–41.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce legislation to include a written examination as part of the driving test for ordinary motor vehicles.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many eviction orders have been served on agricultural workers in tied cottages during the past two years; in how many cases local authorities had provided alternative accommodation in council houses so that the tied cottage was vacated without an eviction; and in how many cases the tenant had been physically evicted by bailiffs and, of this number, how many were taken into care by the county welfare department.

Figures for possession orders granted by the courts in respect of agricultural workers in tied cottages appear in Civil Judicial Statistics, copies of which are in the Library. The latest edition published is for 1973. The remainder of the information sought by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will place in the Library of the House a copy of the architect's report on the problems of high alumina cement in the office building at Washington, County Durham, that is causing delay in the introduction of the family endowment scheme.

In the light of the advice issued by my Department about the structural use of HAC concrete, it was considered prudent to strengthen parts of the building at Washington, Co. Durham, and this has delayed its completion. Copies of the letters issued by my Department about HAC concrete are being placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will reply to the letter dated 11th March last concerning compliance with planning requirements for the overhead footway at Wembley Stadium; and if he has or will initiate an internal inquiry in his Department concerning the loss of letters sent to him on this matter on 26th June and 7th September last by the hon. Member for Newham, South.

I have now replied to my hon. Friend's letter of 11th March. I have carried out an inquiry into the circumstances mentioned in the second part of his Question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will review the arrangements for co-operation between Departments concerned with security intelligence.

I have been asked to reply.All aspects of security are kept under regular review.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to attend a summit meeting in Moscow.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister how many official visits he has paid to Merseyside since he took office in March 1974.

I have been asked to reply.As my hon. Friend will know, my right hon. Friend is a frequent visitor to Merseyside.

asked the Prime Minister how many EEC countries he has visited in his official capacity since assuming office.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has visited France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has plans to visit Stamford Baron St. Martin's Without.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Chelmsley Wood.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Tamworth.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to visit Woolwich.

I have been asked to reply:My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit the North-East of England.

I have been asked to reply:My right hon. Friend visited Newcastle earlier this year, and he has no immediate plans for a further visit to the North-East of England.

asked the Prime Minister if he intends to pay an official visit to Iran in the near future.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has received an invitation from the Iranian Prime Minister, Mr. Hoveyda, which he hopes to take up at a suitable opportunity. Firm dates have not yet been decided.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements have now been made for the projected visit of Mr. Tindemans to discuss further progress towards monetary and political union within the EEC.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend looks forward to welcoming Mr. Tindemans to this country later this summer, but detailed arrangements have yet to be made for his visit.

asked the Prime Minister if the speech by the Secretary of State for Industry in Glasgow on 13th April on the subject of EEC membership, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Secretary of State for Industry in Glasgow on 13th April concerning the effect of the EEC on the working of his Department represents Government policy.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Members to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Woodhall) on 17th April.

asked the Prime Minister when he anticipates the next EEC Heads of Government meeting will be held.

I have been asked to reply.I expect the Heads of Community Governments will wish to meet again during the summer, probably in July.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to meet the TUC and the CBI.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 24th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 1st May.

asked the Prime Minister what are his official engagements for 1st May.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding) on 29th April.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any proposals to reduce the number of Ministers in Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will dismiss the Secretaries of State for Employment, Energy, Social Services, Industry, Trade and Scotland, and the Minister for Planning and Local Government.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 24th April.

asked the Prime Minister if the ministerial broadcast by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15th April represented Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister if the ministerial broadcast by the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning economic affairs made on 15th April 1975 represents Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the ministerial broadcast by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15th April represents Government policy.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet decided on the visits he proposes to make in connection with the referendum campaign.

I have been asked to reply.It is not my right hon. Friend's practice to announce his engagements in ad- vance, but, as he has already informed the House, my right hon. Friend will be making a number of speeches in the country in the coming weeks in support of the Government's recommendation to continue Britain's membership of the European Community.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about his initiative on commodities at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting at Kingston, Jamaica.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has today made a statement to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting at Kingston, in which he put forward specific proposals on the form of a possible general agreement on commodities, containing general commitments and specific proposals for action. As soon as the text of my right hon. Friend's statement is available copies will be placed in the Library of the House, and his statement, together with supporting documents presented to the conference, will be included in a White Paper to be presented to the House next week.

asked the Prime Minister what rules apply to the use by Ministers of military or other aircraft in the course of their duties; what rules for repayment are applied in cases when such planes are used for unofficial purposes; and if he will list each case in the last 12 months when military and other aircraft have been used by Ministers for unofficial purposes.

Whenever possible Ministers use civil scheduled services. Official transport by air is only provided free in special circumstances in connection with official business, and there is no provision for its use for unofficial purposes at public expense. Where civil scheduled flights are not available, or consideration of urgency or security make their use inappropriate, members of the Cabinet and certain other senior Ministers may use aircraft of the Civil Aviation Flying unit or Ministry of Defence aircraft. If aircraft are not available from either of these sources private chartering may be used. Ministers, other than those travelling on defence business, who are not covered by these arrangements must obtain the prior approval of the Prime Minister. Those Ministers for whom the appropriate authorities consider it essential for security reasons are able to use official transcport on a repayment basis for journeys of a private or party political nature. All these arrangements have applied under successive Governments.Within the last 12 months, I have made 11 flights on a repayment basis on the equivalent first-class scheduled air fare.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the procedures for inviting and approving grants to village halls and community centres so that applications submitted by counties can be reasonably

The procedures are kept regularly under review but at the present time I have no evidence of any general dissatisfaction with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make proposals to improve the pay and conditions of teachers of deaf children.

No. The pay of teachers of deaf children is a matter for the Burnham Committee. The conditions of service for teachers, other than salary, is a matter for discussion and settlement between the teachers' associations and the associations of local authorities

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an interim statement on the progress of discussions at Geneva in the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference.

Progress so far has been limited. Her Majesty's Government consider it essential that a determined effort be made by the conference in the time remaining to obtain a greater degree of agreement. I understand that the chairmen of the three main committees are at present preparing unified texts on the subjects allocated to their committees.When I visited Geneva in early April I stressed the urgency of achieving consensus and the dangers that would ensue if practical results were not obtained. I also emphasised that our own approach was flexible. At an early stage we endorsed the growing demand for a 200 mile economic zone. We have also put forward compromise suggestions in relation to revenue sharing in the area between 200 miles and the outer limit of the continental margin; joint ventures in the area beyond national jurisdiction; marine pollution; and passage through straits used for international navigation. We hope these proposals will bear fruit at the Geneva sessions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will pledge Her Majesty's Government not to take any unilateral action on territorial sea limits nor claims by the United Kingdom to any exclusive economic zone over the Continental Shelf, pending international agreement through the UN Law of the Sea Conference.

As I have said on other occasions, it would be inconsistent with the policy of Her Majesty's Government to extend the breadth of our territorial sea or of our fisheries zone contrary to international law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the proposals of the French Government that contingents from the permanent members of the Security Council should take part in any United Nations force guaranteeing a Middle East settlement.

We remain ready to play a constructive rôle in peace keeping in the area, but it is premature to consider the details at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied, following his discussions in the Council of Ministers, that the Government industrial policies are in conformity with the basic principles which underlie the United Kingdom's Treaty obligations to the European Economic Community.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in improving the EEC's trade and aid posture towards the developing countries of the Asian Commonwealth in the last 14 months.

As the White Paper on membership of the European Community (Cmnd. 6003) makes clear, substantial improvements have been secured in the Community's trade and aid policies towards developing countries as a whole. Developing countries in the Asian Commonwealth have benefited from major improvements in the Community's Generalised Scheme of Preferences and can expect to benefit further during future reviews of the scheme; they now receive about double the amount of food aid that they had from the Community 14 months ago; and they are also eligible to receive financial and technical assistance from the Community following the decision of principle taken by the Development Council in July 1974. The Commonwealth Asian countries have received the major part of the Community's contribution to the United Nations emergency measures for countries most seriously affected by oil and other commodity price increases. A Commercial Co-operation Agreement between the Community and India came into force on 1st April 1974 and the Community is in the process of negotiating similar agreements with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has had any discussions with the Norwegian authorities on the question of the 50-mile fishing limit for inshore fishermen since 21st March 1975; and, if not, what plans he has for discussions in the near future.

I have not had discussions with the Norwegian authorities on this subject and I have no plans to do so in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the state of the sheep sector of the agriculture industry; and if he will make a statement.

Following the substantial award made to sheep production at the recent annual review, by way of increases in the sheep and the wool guarantee and in the rate of hill sheep subsidy, I am confident that the Scottish sheep industry is well placed to contribute to the expansion in United Kingdom sheepmeat production for which we are looking in the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the state of agriculture in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The special measures of assistance which the Government introduced in the latter part of 1974, together with the awards and decisions at this year's Annual Price Review and CAP prices discussions, including the new beef regime, provide a sound basis for Scottish farmers' production plans for this year. Moreover Scottish farmers are well placed to share in the expansion of production envisaged in the White Paper "Food From Our Own Resources" (Cmnd. 6020) and can plan ahead with confidence in the light of the Government's commitment to plan their support policy in accordance with the objectives set out in the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether, in reviewing the facilities to be provided in the Chamber of the Scottish Assembly, he has authorised investigations into the provision of facilities for the Scottish broadcasting organisations;(2) what studies he has authorised into the accommodation, library and catering requirements of members of the Scottish Assembly.

I refer to the reply which my hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 23rd April.—[Vol. 890, c. 1456–9] In reaching a decision on the initial site for the Scottish Assembly, we will have in mind, among the many considerations involved, those mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the reduction in the number of hospital beds available for the severely mentally handicapped in each of the last three years.

Because of the increasing emphasis on care for the mentally handicapped in the community rather than in hospital, the total number of beds has decreased and a higher proportion of that total is occupied by patients with the more severe handicaps, though a figure cannot be put on this because the patients are not identified by category.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will convene a meeting of education conveners of the new regional authorities to discuss the problem of part-time education; and if he will make a statement.

I have in mind that when the new education authorities have assumed responsibility for running the schools, I should review with them the current problems in education. Part-time education will certainly be an item on the agenda.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to grant approval to Edinburgh Corporation for the construction of Wester Hailes Secondary School.

Approval was given on 29th April and, subject to the agreement of Lothian Regional Council, a tender which includes the school may now be accepted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will name those sections of society he considers to be living beyond their means.

The country as a whole is living beyond its means. In 1974 we spent over 5 per cent. more than we produced. In consequence, the current account deficit rose to £3·8 billion, which had to be covered by heavy borrowings abroad. To put this right there will have to be sacrifices. We are determined to see that these sacrifices fall on those most able to afford them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Finance Ministers of the member countries of the European Economic Community about the possible withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Community.

None, but renegotiation showed quite clearly that other member countries wished us to remain in the Community.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received asking him to exempt repairs to churches from VAT.

I have received a number of representations on this subject from hon. Members and Members of the clergy and I have taken note of them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase would have to be made in the £5,000 exemption limit for VAT in order to restore the limit to the same real value as when VAT was introduced.

The exemption level would need to be raised to about £7,000 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the reduction of turnover in the boating and boat-building industry which will arise from his proposed 25 per cent. VAT levy.

It is not possible to give separate figures for individual industries; these will depend, among other things, on how consumers adjust their discretionary expenditure. The Budget estimates of the revenue effect of the higher rate VAT have assumed a fall of rather less than 7 per cent. in the turnover of the producers of all the goods covered by the higher rate, other than road fuel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Budget proposal concerning the VAT regulator limit requires that the same variation must apply to each of the going rates each time the regulator is used.

That would be the effect of the relevant Ways and Means Resolutions which were approved on 21st April. Having further considered the difficulties that have been pointed out by my hon. Friends, however, my right hon. Friend proposes to introduce a further Resolution to permit greater flexibility.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the overall impact of the Budget and related matters, in particular consequential increases in nationalised industry prices, on the protection of the poor from inflation.

Allowing for the fall in income tax paid by lower-income families and for our earlier decisions to increase social security benefits and pool graduated national insurance contributions, poor families will be affected least of all by my right hon. Friend's Budget measures. In fact, 400,000 fewer families will pay tax. The effects on the small consumer of last November's decision to phase out price restraint subsidies in the nationalised industries have been mitigated in some cases by changes in tariff structures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can estimate what is the size of the non-oil deficit on the balance of payments for the first quarter of 1975.

Excluding trade in petroleum and petroleum products, the current account was in surplus by an estimated £470 million, seasonally adjusted, in the first quarter of 1975.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual rate of inflation over the last three months for which figures are available.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection gave on 28th April to the hon. Members for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Budgen) and Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Rost).—[Vol. 891, c. 17.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecu- tions have been instituted under the provisions of Section 38(3) of the Finance Act 1972 since it came into force.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce a system of weekly stamps for the payment of vehicle excise duty on private cars.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of motor taxation collected in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Net revenue from vehicle excise duty was as follows:

	£ million
1970–71	33·998
1971–72	35·049
1972–73	37·192
1973–74	38·448
1974–75	39·132
	(estimate)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what proportion of forecast gross national product at factor cost will be represented by the total of anticipated public expenditure during 1975–76, assuming that the rate of growth envisaged in the 1975–76 Financial Statement comes about.

Because of the uncertainties which underlie such projections, I am not prepared to publish a forecast of this proportion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish another Scottish Budget.

None at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give full details of the cuts of £100 million, announced in the Budget, in nationalised industry investment.

The allocation of the savings of £100 million in 1976–77 will be determined in this year's review of the industries' investment programmes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct that excise tax on Scotch whisky be deferred for payment until three months after release of spirit from bond.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer if all war widows' pensions were to be exempted from taxation.

I regret that the information on which to base an estimate is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the latest available figure for total consumer expenditure in 1974, revalued at 1970 prices, shows any increase over 1973.

No. The provisional estimate of consumers' expenditure, revalued at 1970 prices, for the year 1974 is £35,708 million compared with £35,730 million for the year 1973.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received since his Budget Statement for abolishing the standard rate of income tax and replacing it with a sliding scale based on the ability to pay on gross incomes in the £1,500 to £6,000 a year range.

As yet I cannot trace having received any such representations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the value of the £ sterling has declined annually since June 1972, expressed as a percentage of its value at that date.

The external value of the £ sterling, in terms of its trade weighted effective rate, declined by 15·9 per cent. between the end of June 1972 and March 1975, that is, an average 6·1 per cent. per annum. Over the same period the internal purchasing power of the pound declined by 31·4 per cent., some 12·8 per cent. per annum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumption was made of the loss for the Post Office in 1975–76 in arriving at the figure of £70 million subsidies for the nationalised industries in 1975–76.

The total estimate in the Budget Statement for 1975–76 of about £70 million at 1974 survey prices is equivalent to about £100 million at current prices, of which the Post Office's estimated deficit accounted for £70 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount of financial assistance given by her Department to institutions and organisations conducting research into homelessness among single people during the financial years 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1970–71. 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74, respectively; and to which projects this assistance was given.

From 1966–67 to 1969–70 no grants were made for research into aspects of homelessness among single people. In the following four years grants were made as follows:—

	£
1970–71	1,275
1971–72	22,365
1972–73	67,305
1973–74	70,790

These grants were to the Medical Research Council's social psychiatry unit for a study of men using the Camberwell Reception Centre, to the St. Mungo Community Trust for an action research project in the resettlement of homeless single men, to the London University Institute of Psychiatry for the evaluation of the St. Mungo Trust's action research and to Christian Action for a pilot study on research into juvenile homelessness in the London area, followed by a main study, under the auspices of the Hatfield Polytechnic. In addition, in 1973–74, the University of Southampton carried out a case study of single homelessness in Southampton as part of a grant-aided study of social services departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when she will be able to make available to Members a copy of the report of the Supplementary Benefits Commission's working party on future policy of the commission towards assistance for voluntary organisations under Schedule 4(5) of the Ministry of Social Security Act 1966;(2) when she expects the Supplementary Benefits Commission to decide its future policy towards the assistance it is empowered to provide for voluntary organisations under Schedule 4(5) of the Ministry of Social Security Act 1966; and when she will make a statement setting out its policy;(3) when she expects the working party of members of the Supplementary Benefits Commission to report to her concerning the future policy of the commission towards the funding of volun- tary organisations under Schedule 4(5) of the Ministry of Social Security Act 1966: and when she will make this report available to Members.

I understand that the Supplementary Benefits Commission's review of its policy on grants to voluntary organisations is expected to be completed within the next few months, when the chairman will no doubt make the Commission's views known to me. I will, of course, tell the House of any changes in policy which may be envisaged.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what degree of importance she attaches to the continuance in practice of general practitioners in rural areas; and if she will consider ways of providing them with remuneration and allowances that take account of the particular burdens placed on them.

I attach equal importance to urban and rural practice. The scheme of remuneration, agreed with the profession, includes provisions to meet the special circumstancs of rural practice. For example, rural doctors are eligible for payments from the Rural Practices Fund as an addition to the fees and allowances payable to all doctors, and further additional payments can be made to doctors with essential practices in areas which are sparsely populated. The levels of these payments follow recommendations by the Dctors' and Dentists' Review Body, whose 1975 report provides for a 35 per cent. increase in the Rural Practices Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost to the central Exchequer of making available free telephone rentals to all retirement pensioners.

The number of telephone subscribers who are retirement pensioners is not known. As recently announced, the annual rental charge for a telephone is, as from 28th April, £33. There are approximately 8 million retirement pensioners in the United Kingdom, and approximately 6 million households containing one or more member who is of retirement age.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appeals were lodged against determinations of the Supplementary Benefits Commission, and how many appeals were ultimately heard by supplementary benefit appeal

						Supplementary Benefit Act 1966	Family Incomes Supplement Act 1970
Appeals lodged	…	…	…	…	…	55,743	2,167
Appeals formally reviewed in appellant's favour by the commission	…	…	…	…	…	20,843	406
Appeals withdrawn	…	…	…	…	…	9,030	122
Appeals not admitted by tribunal	…	…	…	…	…	259	3
Appeals heard by tribunal	…	…	…	…	…	25,611	1,636

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effects the public expenditure cuts announced in the Budget will have on her Department's services in the Thanet area.

It will be for the Kent Area Health Authority to determine priorities in the Thanet area. For the general effect, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe) on 29th April.—[Vol. 891, c.74–76.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total amount of unemployment benefits paid in the Thanet area for the last fiscal year:(2) what was the total expenditure on all social benefits for the last fiscal year paid out in the Thanet area.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost per annum of reducing the qualifying period for long-term addition to supplementary benefits from two years to one year and six months, respectively; and how many claimants would benefit in each case.

To reduce the qualifying period for the long-term addition to supplementary benefit from two years to

Of 57,910 appeals lodged against determinations made by the Supplementary Benefits Commission in 1974, 27,247 were ultimately heard by supplementary benefit appeal tribunals. Details are as follows:one year would cost approximately £12 million at current rates of benefit and would benefit about 110,000 claimants. To reduce the qualifying period to six months would cost approximately £19 million and benefit about 175,000 claimants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children are currently resident in sub-normality hospitals; and how many of these would qualify for attendance allowance if they were living with their own parents.

At 31st December 1973, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 5,801 children under 16 resident in hospitals and units for the mentally handicapped in England.It is not possible to say how many would qualify for attendance allowance if they were living with their parents, as this depends on the individual attendance needs of each child.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children and adults, respectively, were in receipt of each rate of attendance allowance at the latest convenient date.

As at 31st March 1975, higher rate attendance allowance was payable in respect of 22,500 children and 95,000 adults; the lower rate was payable in respect of 13,000 children and 58,500 adults.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to recruit nurses in North Staffordshire.

Health authorities are responsible for nurse recruitment. In the North Staffs Health District recruitment activities include the recent appointment of a personnel officer with responsibility for the recruitment of nursing staff, refresher courses for nurses who wish to return to nursing, the provision of a creche at the North Staffs Hospital Centre and the extensive use of part-time staff.My Department provides background support with publicity campaigns in cinemas, the production of posters, brochures, films, and the provision of exhibition material.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many invalid cars issued by her Department and eventually withdrawn from service were purchased, at public auction, during any last convenient period, by disabled drivers; and how many were purchased by private concerns for resale to the non-disabled public after the special controls fitted to those cars had been removed.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements there are for disposing of invalid tricycles and invalid cars issued by her Department when they are eventually withdrawn from service; and if she will consider establishing a system whereby disabled people are given an opportunity to purchase these vehicles, which have been specially adapted for disabled drivers, before they are offered for sale by public auction for possible resale to non-disabled people.

Invalid three-wheelers withdrawn from service are no longer seviceable and are scrapped. The question of their disposal to potential drivers does not arise. In accordance with normal practice, motor cars no longer required are sold by public auction under arrangements which are well known. It would not be possible to discriminate in favour of the disabled driver and at the same time demonstrate that the duty to secure the best return for the Exchequer had been properly discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what periodic ward closures are planned in the Canterbury and Thanet Health District as a result of the curtailment of nursing services; if she will list the number of weeks for planned closures for each ward at each hospital in the district; and what will be the overall percentage reduction in the number of beds available in the forthcoming year.

The Canterbury and Thanet district management team are still considering the local implications of the increased annual leave for nurses recommended by the Halsbury Committee of Inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people who have registered as prospective bone marrow donors are still waiting to have their marrow tested at National Health Service establishments; and how many people are currently on the list of donors.

I regret that this information is not available centrally. I hope it will be possible to begin to establish a panel of bone marrow donors on a national basis within the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many official forms, pamphlets and leaflets, magazines, booklets and books published by or on behalf of her Department are currently available to the public or to sections of the public; and how many in each class of publication are available in the Welsh language and in bilingual form, respectively.

The information is not readily available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate amount of time and expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total pension entitlement of the widow of a corporal killed in the 1939–45 war and during the course of the current troubles in Northern Ireland, respectively.

The pension payable to the widow of a corporal killed in the 1939–45 war is £15·05 per week. The widow of a corporal killed in Northern Ireland now is also entitled to a pension of £1,071 a year from the Ministry of Defence Forces Family Pension Scheme. Separate allowances for children are paid under both schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total pension entitlement of the widow of a sergeant, or equivalent rank, killed in the 1939–45 war which is payable in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States of America, Germany and Holland, respectively.

The basis for calculating war widows' pensions differs so markedly between these countries that valid comparison is not possible. In some countries the war widows' pension bears a relationship to the husband's earning capacity, in some the date of death is relevant, and in others a supplement can be provided from general social security schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many war

	Rate of Supplement (£ a week)
	0·01 to 0·50	0·51 to 1·00	1·01 to 1·50	1·51 to 2·00	2·01 to 2·50	2·51 to 3·00	3·01 to 3·50	3·51 to 4·00	4·01 to 4·50
Number of Windows awards	250	260	360	390	450	530	760	870	1,020

	Rate of Supplement (£ a week)
	4·51 to 5·00	5·01 to 5·50	5·51 to 6·00	6·01 to 6·50	6·51 to 7·00	7·01 to 7·50	7·51 to 8·00	8·01 to 8·47
Number of Windows awards	1,070	1,470	1,260	1,370	5,280	2,110	1,480	6,870

I regret that figures analysed by reference to the numbers of children are not available, but it is estimated that 6,900 of the 25,800 widows in the above table had children aged 19 or under.

On 31st January 1975, the most recent date for which information is available, the number was 92,480.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, for each year since 1970, how many widows have received (a) no widow's allowance, and (b) reduced widow's allowance, because their husband's contribution record did not satisfy contribution test; and how many of these, in each case, had dependent children.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she could give the most recent estimate of the numbers of widows receiving widow's supplementary earnings-related allowance analysed by (i) the weekly amount of widows' supplementary earnings related allowance paid, and (ii) for each band of payment, according to the number of dependent children.

The estimated numbers of widows awarded widow's supplementary allowance (earnings related addition), analysed by the rate of supplement payable, for the six months ended 30th June 1974, are given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she could give the most recent estimate of the numbers

I am sending the hon. Member tables containing such information as is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she could

	Rate of Supplement (£ a week)
	0·01 to 0·49	0·50 to 0·99	1·00 to 1·49	1·50 to 1·99	2·00 to 2·49	2·50 to 2·99	3·00 to 3·49	3·50 to 3·99	4·00 to 4·49
Number of claimants	3,280	4,280	4,200	3,840	3,580	4,040	3,720	4,180	3,580

	Rate of Supplement (£ a week)
	4·50 to 4·99	5·00 to 5·49	5·50 to 5·99	6·00 to 6·49	6·50 to 6·99	7·00 to 7·49	7·50 to 7·99	8·00 to 8·47
Number of claimants	4,240	3,280	4,160	3,480	5,360	7,660	4,640	23,680