asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the action he is taking to reduce aircraft noise under the eastern approaches to Heathrow.

The Civil Aviation Authority, in co-operation with my Department, has revised the air traffic control procedures for aircraft on approach to land at Heathrow from the east. The revised procedures are to be introduced on 30th December and have been designed to assist pilots to make greater use of two noise abatement approach techniques—"continuous descent" and "managed drag".These techniques were described at a Department of Trade presentation given on 21st May and copies of a document summarising this presentation have been placed in the House of Commons Library.It is not possible to forecast the precise scale of benefit but some noise reduction is anticipated in places between five and 14 miles from the airport due to (

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will set out the reasons why he will not use his powers to ban the import into the United Kingdom of manufactured goods or produce derived from whales, dolphins or porpoises; and whether he will review the matter.

Manufactured goods containing primary whale products cannot readily be distinguished by Customs from similar goods not containing whale products and I would be loth to introduce a ban which could not be properly enforced. Moreover, although my powers relate to the import of all kinds of goods, United Kingdom policy on imports of whales and their products is determined by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; without his initiative, therefore, I would not extend the coverage of the existing import restrictions unilaterally or undertake to review the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make further representations concerning the payment of wages outstanding to members of the ship's company of the "Halcyon Isle" since the time of the Court Line crash.

This matter is before the court in Singapore and I am not in a position to intervene. I understand, however, that solicitors have been instructed on behalf of crew members to pursue their claims for wages.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions his Department has had with the Bristol University team regarding the complaints of noises made from North Petherton, Somerset; and if he will make a statement.

An official of my Department has had discussions with the Bristol University team, which, I understand, has not yet completed its investigations. There has been a tendency to link the reported noises with Concorde but it appears that, while some of the noises complained of coincide with Concorde flights, the recordings made are untypical of Concorde sonic boom. In addition, some complaints have been made on days when Concorde was not flying. I am advised that, in the university's opinion, the noises recorded at North Petherton are not such as to give rise to any damage to persons or structures. My Department will continue to keep in touch with the university team.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will now set in motion research into the value of cross-border trade between Scotland and England.

No. Worthwhile estimates would entail massive commercial and official costs, which could not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of trade from the United Kingdom to the Republic of Ireland and from the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom in 1960, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975, respectively.

Following is the information:

£million
		United Kingdom exports fob	United Kingdom imports cif
1960	…	119	127
1965	…	186	171
1970	…	381	341
1971	…	501	507
1972	…	469	445
1973	…	626	527
1974	…	820	807
1975	…	907	922

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what would be the net cost to the United Kingdom of supporting the UNCTAD proposal for an integrated commodity programme including a common fund; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early to say, pending further international work on the commodities in the programme and on the possible size, scope and objectives of a fund. We shall play an active part in this work, which is now under way following the fourth UNCTAD Conference in Nairobi.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the publication of the report on the accident to Aztec G-BAJX and Lightning XP659, which were in collision over the North Sea on 7th January 1976.

The investigation was conducted in accordance with the Air Navigation (Investigation of Combined Military and Civil Air Accidents) Regulations 1969, as directed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and myself. The investigation is now complete and the inspector's report has been submitted by the Chief Inspector of Accidents. Both my right hon. Friend and I have accepted the inspector's conclusions. The investigation, however, necessitated an examination of certain aspects of our national air defence system, as a result of which the report is now a classified document and thus not available for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the total deficit in trade with the EEC and the rest of the world, respectively, since the United Kingdom became a member of the EEC.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 1st December 1976; Vol. 921, c. 194.], gave the following information:Estimates of the United Kingdom's visible trade deficit by area, on a balance of payments basis, are available only up to the second quarter of this year. The United Kingdom visible trade deficit with the EEC and the rest of the world—in 1973, 1974, 1975 and the first half of 1976, taken together—was £6,541 million and £5,730 million, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the cost to public funds of consumer protection enforcement officers.

It is estimated that the cost of local authorities' consumer protection enforcement work in England and Wales in 1976–77 will be approximately £18 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why it is not necessary for consumer protection enforcement officers to have any specific qualifications.

The basic enforcement work of consumer protection officers, or trading standards officers as they are more commonly called, is in the field of weights and measures and no inspector may be appointed until he or she has passed my Department's qualifying examination. Following the report of a working party set up by the Local Government Training Board, trainees are now undergoing instruction for the Diploma in Trading Standards examination, which covers the whole field of consumer protection enforcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many consumer protection enforcement officers are currently employed by his Department.

A.	Weights and Measures Act 1963	…	…	Functions allocated to "local weights and measures authorities".
	Trade Descriptions Acts 1968, 1972	…	…
	Fabrics (Misdescription) Act 1913	…	…
	Consumer Protection Acts 1961, 1971	…	…
	Fair Trading Act 1973	…	…
	Hallmarking Act 1973	…	…
	Consumer Credit Act 1974	…	…
	Prices Acts 1974, 1975	…	…
B.	Food and Drugs Act 1955	…	…	Composition and labelling provisions allocated to "food and drugs authorities".
C.	Pharmacy and Poisons Act 1933.
	Agriculture Act 1970.
	Explosives Act 1875.
	Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928.
	Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922.
	Road Traffic Act 1972.
	Diseases of Animals Act 1950.

Local authorities also will have to enforce provisions of certain EEC regulations or of directives implemented under the European communities Act 1972

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and consumer Protection what was the total number of prosecutions as a result of the work of consumer protection enforcement officers during 1975; and how many of these prosecutions were successful.

Comparable information is not collected on a national basis. I understand that in England and

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the salary scale for consumer protection enforcement officers.

This is a matter for employing local authorities. Appointments to the basic grade of inspector in most authorities are to grade AP 4/5. Salary scales are those settled by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will list the functions and duties of a consumer protection enforcement officer.

This is a matter for decision by individual authorities. With few exceptions—for example, the Diseases of Animals, Petroleum and Explosives Acts—relevant provisions of the following legislation are enforced by all county consumer protection or trading standards departments; the pattern varies widely in London so far as the functions under B and C are concerned.Wales in the year ended 31st March 1976, local weights and measures authorities in (the shire and metropolitan counties took 6,262 prosecutions, most of which were successful.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he has received from the Price Commission a further report on potato prices and distributors' margins; and if he will make a statement.

A report covering September and the first fortnight in October has now been received and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library. It points out that in this period supplies to the market were much lower than last year and retail prices were exceptionally high. It attributes the high prices to successive poor crops caused by the drought and pressure from increased costs of production and distribution. As a result, consumption has been greatly reduced. Nevertheless, distributors' cash and percentage margins both remained reasonably constant throughout the period: cash margins were a little higher than in August but percentage margins were little changed, and returned to their August level by the first two weeks in October.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further consideration he has given to strengthening democracy in Northern Ireland by increasing the Province's representation at Westminster in order approximately to equalise the number oil electors required to return a Member to Parliament.

Northern Ireland is numerically under-represented in this House, but I firmly believe that the most effective way of strengthening democracy in Northern Ireland is for agreement to be reached on a form of devolved government which commands widespread acceptance in both parts of the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of the Finer Report recommendations relating to one-parent families which apply in Great Britain but are not operative in Northern Ireland.

The Finer Committee was concerned with one-parent families in Great Britain and did not consider the special position of Northern Ireland; a direct comparison is not possible for every recommendation in view of the differences in law and administrative structure. However, those recommendations which have been implemented in Great Britain have also been implemented to broadly the same extent in the Province.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he proposes to take in 1977 to alleviate poverty and improve living standards through improved housing, health and education facilities in Northern Ireland.

The alleviation of poverty and the improvement of living standards through housing, health, education and other programmes are basic to Government policies both in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Such policies are constantly under review. I can assure my hon. Friend of our determination to make progress on all possible fronts, but he will be aware of the constraints which we face.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he intends to take to reduce the disparity in gas prices between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The relatively high cost of gas in Northern Ireland was one of the main reasons for commissioning the industry study being undertaken by the British Gas Corporation. I will consider possible courses of action in the light of the report on this study, expected early next year, and its public expenditure implications. As it was announced on 17th November, needy gas consumers in Northern Ireland are to be included in the discount scheme this winter on the same terms as electricity users.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will explain the delay in the redevelopment of the Memel Street/Bridge Street area known as RDA23 contrary to assurances given both by the Government and the Housing Executive.

A vesting order for area 23 came into effect on 23rd September 1976. The Housing Executive has been asked to give priority to improving the living conditions of the families left in the area. I will shortly be giving the Executive further guidance about the timing of redevelopment.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will immediately take steps to reshape local government so as to reintroduce the full democratic elements and powers which are regarded as necessary in local government in England, Wales and Scotland.

I said in the House of Commons on 28th October—[Vol. 918, c. 694]—that I recognised that a gap existed between the 26 local councils and central Government. I also said that I wanted the politicians in Northern Ireland to get together to try to bridge the gulf so that all parties concerned could acquiesce in a form of partnership in government. I said that I should be prepared to consider their solutions. That remains my position.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons other than military and police personnel have been killed or injured as a result of criminal action so far in the current year in Northern Ireland.

As at 29th November a total of 236 civilians had been killed and 1,964 injured in Northern Ireland as a direct result of the disturbances this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many retirement pensioners living alone or as retired couples in Northern Ireland are not in receipt of any income apart from a retirement pension or company pension.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assur- ances he has been able to give farmers about the availability of public authority housing for people currently living in tied cottages who will have security of tenure although they have left farm work.

There is no reason to think that local housing authorities will not cope with their rehousing obligations under the Rent (Agriculture) Act once it comes into force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is preventing him from giving or considering approval to any of the house building and property acquisition schemes of Alnwick District Council; and by what date he expects to be able to make decisions about some or all of them.

The proposed programme of new house building and acquisition recently submitted to the Department by Alnwick District Council is currently under consideration by the Department's regional office in Newcastle. Decisions will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many rent officers have retired since 3rd September 1974; how many of these have received gratuities as proposed in his Department's letter of that date reference H5/782/7 addressed to county rent officers and others; and what was the average amount of gratuity paid.

94 rent officers in England have retired since 3rd September 1974. 10 have received gratuities. The average amount paid to date is about £1,700.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers are available to local authorities to deal with wild cats which constitute a public health hazard.

In general, responsibility for the control of wild or stray cats rests with the owner or occupier of the land concerned, but local authorities may deal with them, subject to the provisions of the Criminal Damage Act 1971, within their discretionary power to incur expenditure in the interests of any of their inhabitants.In the event of an outbreak of rabies, authorities would have power under the Rabies (Control) Order 1974 to seize, detain and, after three days, destroy all cats and other prescribed animals left uncontrolled within an area declared infected.If cats stray because of defective premises and create a nuisance, authorities may act against the person responsible under Part III of the Public Health Act 1936.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis he proposes to provide for greater equality in average charges for unmeasured water supply between different water authorities in England and Wales.

The Water Charges Equalisation Bill provides for the cost of financing capital expenditure incurred by each of the water authorities before 1st April 1976 in providing water for unmeasured supply to be equalised on

DWELLINGS COMPLETED FOR THE SIX LARGEST DISTRICT AUTHORITIES: 1966–1975
Number
				1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
Birmingham	…	…	…	4,866	9,302	8,087	7,344	5,963
Leeds	…	…	…	3,450	3,690	2,166	2,116	1,595
Sheffield	…	…	…	2,794	2,463	2,358	2,574	2,542
Liverpool	…	…	…	3,399	2,790	3,216	3,007	2,803
Manchester	…	…	…	2,659	2,784	2,346	3,021	3,069
Bradford	…	…	…	1,245	1,058	1,548	947	171
Number
				1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Birmingham	…	…	…	3,528	1,468	1,601	2,397	2,872
Leeds	…	…	…	1,696	1,236	1,234	1,722	1,776
Sheffield	…	…	…	1,773	2,292	1,143	1,849	2,078
Liverpool	…	…	…	2,568	2,534	2,526	1,649	1,845
Manchester	…	…	…	3,991	3,484	2,632	2,504	2,612
Bradford	…	…	…	202	301	205	523	474

Figures relate to authorities established on 1st April 1974: figures before then have been estimated. Corresponding details for superseded authorities prior to 1974 are given in Local Housing Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend the model rent rebate scheme to enable deserted wives who are awaiting the transfer of council house tenancies to claim rent rebates based on their personal incomes.

Authorities already have discretion to pay rebates, which the basis of the average unit cost per unmeasured property.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take to assist those local authorities which have fully met their obligations under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 but which are now subject to continuous invasion by unauthorised caravan dwellers.

I am waiting for the report, expected this month, from Mr. John Cripps, who was appointed to consider various matters, including this Question, relating to the provision of caravan sites for gipsies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the yearly completion figures for local authority housing for the last 10 years for the six largest municipal authoriities outside London.

Following is the available information:would be calculated on this basis, to deserted wives. If my hon. Friend has some difficulty in mind perhaps he would write to me about it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will carry out detailed surveys on the effects of nuclear radiation on (a) the atmosphere, (b) agriculture, including both animals and plants, (c) buildings and (d) public health; and if he will publish the results of such surveys.

Environmental monitoring is carried out around all the major nuclear establishments as a matter of routine. The results are available in annual reports produced by UKAEA, BNFL and CEGB, which can be obtained from those organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the gamma radiation levels of sand near Whitehaven Harbour; and whether he is satisfied that they represent an acceptable level of exposure for the general population.

When Whitehaven Harbour and the immediate surrounding area were surveyed earlier this year by inspectors from my Department gamma radiation levels were found to range from to 0· to 0·8 millirads/hour. I am advised that, at these levels, there is no risk to members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will supply as much information as is now available in reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury of 16th November in the last Session of Parliament relating to expenditure on home improvement grants.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to make a statement on the Government's response to the Layfield Report on Local Government Finance.

Following my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 19th May 1976, the Government have been consulting interested organisations and have been receiving the views of the public, which were asked for by the end of November. Discussions are continuing with the local authority associations. The views and comments we have received will be considered and a full statement made as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the best estimate available to him of the likely total balance or deficit in local authority accounts at the close of the financial year.

At 31st March 1976 balances on rate fund accounts reported by local authorities in England and Wales showed a total net credit of just over £1,000 million. On the basis of estimated changes in income and expenditure during 1976–77 this total is likely to have been reduced by around £200 million to stand at a net credit of just over £800 million at the end of the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority associations included incremental drift in their recent submissions in respect of the level of rate support grant.

Incremental drift was widely discussed in the negotiations with the local authority associations which led to the recent rate support grant settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that the television annunciators on the Upper Committee Corridor have been out of action for 10 days; and what action is being taken to restore the service.

The television annunciators in five rooms off the Upper Committee Corridor which have been temporarily out of action have now been repaired.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the discussions he is having in the European Council of Ministers, he will give an indication of the Government's current attitudes on the UNCTAD proposal for an integrated commodity programme including a common fund.

The European Council confirmed the importance which it attaches to the success of the North/South dialogue and requested the competent bodies of the Community to proceed in this light with their work on all of the matters under discussion. Her Majesty's Government are playing an active part in the programme of work set in hand by the fourth meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on the integrated commodity programme and on a Common Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will call in the United Nations for an international register of arms sales.

No. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Bright-side (Miss Maynard) on 11th October, there is no evidence that a proposal for an international register of arms sales would receive a more favourable response than earlier initiatives in 1965 and 1968. However, the United Nations General Assembly has before it a draft resolution A/C1/31/L20 which seeks the views of States on the international transfer of conventional arms and requests the United Nations Secretary-General to make a factual study of such transfers. As drafted, the United Kingdom can support this resolution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his reasons for refusing to agree to the separation of Ocean Island from the Gilbert Islands pending the granting of independence for the latter bearing in mind that the Rabi Council of Leaders representing the Ocean Islanders have requested this separation.

A separate administration for Ocean Island during the period of internal self-government in the Gilbert Islands, which is what the Rabi Council have asked for, is unnecessary. As my right hon. and noble Friend said in another place on 22nd November:

"An Order in Council introducing internal self-government in the Gilbert Islands on 1st January 1977 was made on 27th October. The Order contains provisions to safeguard fully the existing rights of the Banabans in relation to Ocean Island. It will in no way prejudice a decision on the Banaban petition for the separation of Ocean Island from the Gilbert Islands".—[Official Report, House of Lords, Vol. 377, c. 1753.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will postpone further implementation of the Gilbert Islands (Amendment) Order 1976 until agreement has been reached with the Rabi Council of Elders of Banaban People on the future of Ocean Island.

No. There is no reason to do so. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Lee).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what stage it is proposed to consider the petition of the Rabi Council of Elders for the separation of Ocean Island from the Gilbert Islands; and why a decision on this cannot be made before the granting of internal self-government to the Gilbert Islands.

The policy of Her Her Majesty's Government is to seek an agreed solution to the question of the future constitutional status of Ocean Island. I envisage further consultation with the Government of the Gilbert Islands and the Rabi Council of Leaders beginning early in 1977, and it would in the meantime clearly be inappropriate to return a formal reply to the petition. The date of introduction of internal self-government has no significance in this context, as I have explained today in my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hands-worth (Mr. Lee).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of the representations made to him and his predecessors by the Banaban people, he will amend the Gilbert Islands (Amendment) Order 1976 to enable him to appoint a Resident Commissioner for Ocean Island who will be directly responsible to him pending a final settlement of the island's future.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Lee).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the intended withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Western Pacific, following the granting of independence to the Gilbert Islands, there has been any consultation with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji with a view to the calling of a round table conference to discuss the future of Ocean Island and the claims of the Banaban people for its independence.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given today to a Question by the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Sir B. Braine). We have naturally discussed the problem of Ocean Island from time to time with the Australian and New Zealand Governments, who are our partners in the Ocean Island phosphate industry, and with the Government of Fiji, since most of the Banabans are Fiji citizens. We envisage that these Governments will participate in our future consultations, though the basic constitutional question must be resolved by those directly concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied that the provisions and timing of the Gilbert Islands (Amendment) Order 1976 meets with the approval of the Government of Fiji.

The introduction of internal self-government in the Gilbert Islands is a matter for the British and Gilbert Islands Governments. Nevertheless, since many of the Banaban community are Fiji citizens we have thought it right to keep the Government of Fiji closely informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia.

Mr. Richard's objective remains to secure an early agreement on the central issue: the structure of the interim government. Formal meetings on this question have already started at which the parties concerned have set out their respective positions. For their part, Her Majesty's Government are ready to play a direct role in the transitional government if it is the general view that this would be helpful. The nature of this British presence would of course depend on the structure agreed for the interim government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the EEC's negotiations with Iceland over fishing limits.

A copy of the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 26th of November has been placed in the Library. Although the Commission has been unable to secure an agreement on uninterrupted British fishing after 1st December, Commissioner Gundelach has agreed with the Icelandic Government that negotiations on a long-term fisheries agreement with the Community will begin in mid-December. We much regret the interruption in United Kingdom fishing off Iceland. But we are hopeful that it will be brief.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he proposes to take to provide off-duty personal protection for members of the UDR.

Seven members of the UDR have been killed by terrorists since 26th October, six of them while off duty. The House will share my revulsion at these cowardly attacks and will, I know, wish to join me in expressing sympathy for the relatives and friends of the soldiers who have died. I would assure the House that the greatest importance is placed on the safety of members of the UDR, both on and off duty. A number of measures are taken for their personal protection, but it would clearly not be in the interests of UDR members' safety to reveal details of these. We are, of course, keeping the situation under close review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the security forces have been charged in the civil courts in Northern Ireland from 1st January 1976 till 31st October 1976; and what were the charges.

I regret that information on the number of members of the security forces charged in the civil courts is not available, but, during this period, directions to prosecute 456 members of the Army, including the Ulster Defence Regiment, have been given by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, in respect of the following offences:

Manslaughter	2
Offences against the Person Act 1861	47
Firearms (Northern Ireland) Act 1969	1
Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969	67
Road Traffic Act and Orders	294
Others	45

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now prepared to give more information to hon. Members with regard to the sale of arms.

As I informed the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Arnold) on 29th October 1976—[Vol. 918, c. 394]—it has been the practice of successive Governments not to give detailed information about the sale of defence equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in the light of the US Congress and Administration decision to limit the aggregate value of arms sales in 1977 to the 1976 figure, he will take similar steps.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Jenkins) on 15th October 1976—[Vol. 917, c. 219]—by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of total revenue expenditure in the financial years 1972–73 to, and including 1975–76, was spent on maintaining the then existing establishment of civilian employees showing the position in relation to each of the three Services separately.

The expenditure on salaries, wages and related costs of MOD civilian employees for the years 1972–73 to 1975–76, expressed as a percentage of the defence budget, was approximately 17 per cent. The civilian salaries and wages costs cannot be precisely attributed to each of the three Services separately. In so far as this can be done, an analysis by services of the costs borne by the main civilian pay Vote is given each year in the Appendices to Vote 6 of the defence Supply Estimates.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what security checks are carried out on civil servants dealing with questions of nuclear energy before they are employed and from day to day

Questions of nuclear energy may be dealt with by a number of Government Departments. The rules governing the classification and protection of official information about nuclear energy are the same as those which apply to official information generally; where necessary the same personnel security checks are made on staff handling such information. An outline of security vetting arrangements which apply to applicants for certain Civil Service posts is given in the leaflet "General Information for Candidates" issued by the Civil Service Commission, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy. This explains that in order to ensure the reliability of persons to be employed in exceptionally secret work, Departments make special inquiries known as positive vetting. These entail completion by the persons of a security questionnaire, and certain background inquiries by special investigating officers. These inquiries are concerned not only with political sympathies or associations of the kind mentioned above but also with revealing any characteristics which might be a potential risk to security. Similar arrangements apply to civil servants who move during their careers to posts involving exceptionally secret work. The security clearances of all staff engaged in such work are reviewed regularly.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what, in current value terms, were the pensions paid under the Civil Service pension scheme in 1974–75 and 1975–76; and what are his estimates in current value terms for the pensions payable in 1976–77, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995.

Net expenditure on Civil Service superannuation in current value terms (i.e. at 1976–77 prices) was £228 million in 1974–75 and £288 million in 1975–76. The present estimate for 1976–77 is £312 million and for 1980–81 it is £430 million. No estimates have been made of annual expenditure in years beyond 1980–81.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what would be the saving to public expenditure in 1976–77 if the index linking of public service pensions had been subject to a limit equivalent to the rise in incomes permitted by the pay policy for the year August 1976 to July 1977; and what is his estimate of tax offset on this saving.

I regret that exact figures for all the public services are not available. However, the information for the Civil Service is as follows:The cost of increasing Civil Service pensions on 1st December by 13·8 per cent. is estimated at £31 million for a full year. If the present pay policy, including the £2·50 minimum, were to be strictly applied to Civil Service pension increases, the cost in the same period would be £39 million. Thus there would be no saving to public funds, but an extra cost of £8 million. This is because a 13·8 per cent. increase will mean less than £2·50 for some 220,000 of the 293,000 in receipt of Civil Service pensions. It is reasonable to assume that the rest of the public services would follow a similar pattern. As there would be no saving, there would be no tax offset.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the average foreign exchange content by value in a gallon of motor vehicle petrol compared with some time before 1973 for which information is available.

Most of the motor spirit consumed in the United Kingdom is one of many products derived from crude oil refined in this country and it is not meaningful to calculate the foreign exchange cost separately for each refined product. Some motor spirit is imported directly. In 1972 the average cif unit value was 5·3 pence a gallon. In October 1976 this had risen to 30·7 pence a gallon.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the age breakdown of miners working in United Kingdom pits specifically: (a) aged 60 years and over, (b) aged 55 to 59 years, (c) aged 40 to 54 years and (d) aged under 40 years.

The information is contained in Table 5 of the Statistical Tables published with the NCB's Annual Report and Accounts for 1975–76, a copy of which is in the Library of the House of Commons.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the number of people with ecological training who are employed in the nuclear agencies for which he is responsible; and what qualifications they hold.

The nuclear agencies for which I and my right hon. Friend have responsibility—the AEA, BNFL and TRC—approach ecological matters in a multi-disciplinary fashion. Within these organisations, specialist units have about 160 graduate scientists and professional engineers working full time in such areas as health physics, environmental and medical sciences research, radiation physics and radiobiology. In addition, there are substantial numbers of support staff, some of them with qualifications below degree level.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from the National Union of Mineworkers for Government support for new sinkings in the Ayrshire coalfield.

The National Union of Mineworkers has impressed upon me its concern about outlets for Ayrshire coal and its strong interest in new sinkings in Scotland in general.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to encourage the National Coal Board to employ additional young people in the current year.

Recruiting policy is a matter for the National Coal Board and I am asking the Chairman to write to the Hon. Member. However, I understand that some 37 per cent. of all recruitment in the first 33 weeks of this year has been of juveniles.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the total number of new recruits required in the mining industry in Scotland if the miners' retirement age was reduced to 60 years starting in 1978.

This is a question for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his decision concerning fast breeder reactors.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel) on 25th October—[Vol. 918, c. 43].

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what security checks are carried out on employees at nuclear establishments before they are employed and from day to day.

It is the general practice in nuclear establishments to make preemploment checks to see whether anything is on record against a prospective employee which might affect his suitability for employment. In the case of the small proportion of employees who have access to sensitive information more extensive inquiries are made; these are subsequently reviewed from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what Government grants and loans have been made to British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. during each of the past five years; and for what purposes they have been used.

When part of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's trading enterprise was transferred to BNFL under the Atomic Energy Act, 1971, the Company assumed liability for £36 million of old Exchequer loans and some £18 million of shares were issued to the UKAEA. Since then the UKAEA has subscribed for a further £15 million in equity, and the company has also been lent £10 million from the National Loans Fund, to help finance its capital investment programme. Over the period the following grants have also been paid:

£million
	Support for the Centrifuge project	Regional Development and Investment Grants	Payments to BNFL in respect of costs of compliance with security directives
1972–73		0·6	0·4
1973–74	5·9	1·1	0·4
1974–75	5·3	1·4	0·5
1975–76	12·1	2·2	0·4
1976 (to date)	6·2	3·3	0·3
	29·5	8·6	2·0

There is provision in the Centifruge Support Agreement for grants paid under it to be repaid out of the future profits of the project. Regional Development and Investment Grants are, of course, available to the Company under the general rules applying to all industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if the reprocessing contracts referred to in the report of the auditors of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. have yet been renegotiated; whether he is able to indicate future losses which might arise on these contracts; and if he will make a statement;(2) if the loss to British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. of £1,062,000 arising out of associated companies has been accounted for; whether those accounts have yet been audited; if so, by whom; and if he will make a statement;(3) how much was given to what charities by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. during 1975–76;(4) if he will list the remuneration paid to each director of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. in 1975 and that which is expected to be paid in the current year.

These are matters within the day-to-day management of the company and I have asked the Chairman of BNFL to write to the hon. Member about them.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to provide further funds for British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

Financial support for the centrifuge project will continue into the next financial year, and the company will continue to receive regional development grants for which it is eligible. I have indicated the Government's intention to take powers to guarantee the company's borrowing from the private sector, but the Government had no plans at present to provide additional funds themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she is taking to improve the availability of accommodation for students.

The university and further education building programmes for 1976–77 include some provision for student accommodation, but residential projects have to compete with teaching and other types of accommodation for a share of the limited resources available. It is expected that the 1977–78 programmes will also contain a small amount of residential accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many complaints have been received about sex discrimination under Section 66(5) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975; and what action has been taken as a result of these complaints.

About 20 complaints of sex discrimination have been received by the Department, causing inquiries to be made and advice to be given; but none of them has required a direction to be given under the provisions of Section 25(2) of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now estimate the total cost of repairs to school buildings which used high alumina cement, borne by the taxpayer and ratepayer, to date.

The following table shows in £ million the expenditure which my Department has approved to date for the repair of school buildings in which high alumina cement had been used. In addition expenditure of approximately £1 million has been approved in principle.

£ million
Remedial Work	…	4·7
Temporary Accommodation	…	1·4
Fees	…	0·7
Testing	…	0·5
Temporary Propping	…	0·1
Total	…	7·4

Of the total of £7·4 million, £4·2 million is for expenditure at local education authority schools, for which loan sanction has been given and which is taken into account in the rate support grant settlement. The costs for voluntary aided and special agreement schools are borne partly by local education authorities and partly by managers and governors. The authority's share is eligible for loan and admissable for rate support grant. Expenditure borne by managers and governors is eligible for 85 per cent. grant from the Department under the usual arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a further statement on the findings and recommendations contained in the Bullock Report.