asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he does not recommend the imposition of a ban on the import into the United Kingdom of produce derived from whales, dolphins or porpoises, and whether, in the interests of the conservation of these species, he will review the matter.

Since March 1973 there has been a ban on the import of whale products with the exception of sperm whale oil, spermaceti wax, ambergris, products incorporated abroad into manufactured goods and certain minor whale products. The sperm whale is not endangered, and there is, therefore, no justification on conservation grounds for a ban on sperm whale oil and the other sperm whale products. I would also remind the hon. Members of the unemployment likely to result from such a ban. Trade in the minor whale products is insignificant.There is also little trade in products derived from dolphins or porpoises, apart from very limited imports of the skin of the beluga whale, which in fact is a dolphin. If there were evidence that any small cetaceans were in danger of being over-exploited we would certainly consider what steps might be taken to help the recovery of such stocks, though the contribution which a United Kingdom import ban could make is clearly limited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of farm units in England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available; and how this compares with the position 12 months previous to that.

The latest available information is as follows:

Census		No. of Holdings
June 1976	(provisional)	204,500
June 1975		206,172

The figures relate to all known holdings with 40 standard man-days (smds) or more per annum; those with less than 40 smds per annum are included only if they have four hectares (10 acres) or more of crops and grass or at least one regular whole-time worker.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much beef is currently consumed per head of population in the United Kingdom; and what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years.

My Department does not have figures of actual consumption. Estimates of total supplies of beef and veal available for consumption per head of population in the United Kingdom in the second quarter of 1976, the latest period for which figures are available, compared with the same period in the 10 preceding years, are as follows:

April-June	kg per head
1966	4·9
1967	5·3
1968	4·8
1969	5·2
1970	5·0
1971	5·0
1972	4·9
1973	4·3
1974	4·9
1975	5·2
1976	4·8

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that his announcement of 9th November 1976 relating to the availability of financial assistance under the Industry Act 1972 and FEOGA individual project schemes for the United Kingdom red meat

Department		Location			Number of posts moved (at 1st October 1976)
Civil Service Department	…	Sunningdale	…	…	56
	…	Basingstoke	…	…	129
Export Credits Guarantee Department	…	Cardiff	…	…	44
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	…	Merseyside	…	…	10
Her Majesty's Customs and Excise	…	Southend	…	…	35
Department of the Environment	…	Bristol	…	…	32
Countryside Commission	…	Cheltenham	…	…	100
					(completed)
COSIRA	…	Salisbury	…	…	38
Department of Health and Social Security	…	Blackpool	…	…	122
		Newcastle	…	…	19
Her Majesty's Stationery Office	…	Norwich	…	…	5
Natural Environment Research Council	…	Swindon	…	…	99
Office of Population Censuses and Surveys	…	Southport	…	…	32
Science Research Council	…	Swindon	…	…	135
Departments of Trade and Industry	…	Cardiff/Newport	…	…	161
Companies Registration Office	…	Cardiff	…	…	687
		TOTAL	…	…	1,704

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what is the timetable for remaining dispersal moves of Civil Service posts, showing each of the areas and Departments involved;(2) on what dates the work is scheduled to commence on the buildings for the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Overseas Development in the

I confirm that the red-meat slaughterhouse industry scheme of financial assistance which was announced by my right hon. Friend on 9th November applies to all eligible slaughtering facilities in the United Kingdom wherever they are situated.As far as assistance from EEC funds is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on 16th November 1976.—[Vol. 919, c.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many posts have been dispersed under the Hardman proposals; from which Departments; and to which locations.

The position is as follows:Glasgow area; and by what dates they will be completed.

I am having the information assembled, and will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many of the 30,000 posts announced for dispersal following the Hardman Report were allocated to each of the development areas.

Following is the information:

Location	Number of posts
Northern Region:
Middlesbrough (Development Area)	3,000
Newcastle (Special Development Area)	500
West Cumbria (Special Development Area)	360
Yorkshire and Humberside Region:
Sheffield (Intermediate Area)	1,500
North West Region:
Merseyside (Special Development Area)	2,910
Southport (Intermediate Area)	500
Blackpool (Intermediate Area)	980
Scotland:
Glasgow (Special Development Area)	7,000*
Wales:
Cardiff (Development Area)	7,142*†
Newport (Intermediate Area)	258
* The announcement of the dispersal programme on 30th July 1974 stated that the Ministry of Defence numbers—6,000 for Scotland and 5,000 for Wales—may be affected by the result of the Defence Review.
† Locations have not yet been announced for 439 posts in the Departments of Trade and Industry which are due to be dispersed to the Cardiff/ Newport area, and these figures may therefore be subject to minor adjustment.

In addition, the Government's dispersal programme announced in July 1974 provided for the transfer of 1,610 Inland Revenue posts and 1,000 Property Services Agency posts to regional or local offices. The needs of the assisted areas will be taken fully into account in selecting the locations for these posts.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many of the present Permanent and second Permanent Secretaries have spent their entire post-educational life in the Home Civil or Diplomatic Service, ignoring secondment and service with the Armed Forces; and what percentage this represents of the total number of Permanent and second Permanent Secretaries.

Ignoring secondment to and service with the Armed Forces, 27–59 per cent.—of the 46 permanent and second permanent secretaries currently occupying posts in the Home Civil and Diplomatic Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the full and proper description and definition, with precise references to Acts, circulars, &c., of the Government funds said to be available to local authorities for starting, or helping private funds to start, local historic buildings trusts or conservation trusts, revolving funds and the like.

No Government funds are available to local authorities specifically to enable them to encourage the establishment of local building preservation trusts, and revolving funds. I am, however, sending my hon. Friend leaflets about grants which sometimes result in the establishment of revolving funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether water authorities are compelled to comply with requests from area health authorities to add fluoride to water supplies; and, if so, what is the statutory authority for this compulsion.

There is no statutory authority for area health authorities to compel water authorities to add fluoride to water supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of refurbishing the offices of the Property Services Agency at Chessington; and whether the occupants of these offices are due to be transferred to Teesside.

Part of these offices, which are owned by the Crown, is occupied by staff of the Property Services Agency who are due to be dispersed from London between 1982 and 1984. The estimated cost of the improvements now in progress is £500,000. Decisions will be taken later on which Departments are to occupy the offices when PSA vacates them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what loans have recently been negotiated by the public sector of the water supply industry from the European Investment Bank; how the rate of interest compares with current domestic borrowing; and what the effect will be of further changes in the value of the £ sterling on these loans.

The public sector of the water supply industry has, since October 1975, negotiated loans totalling £30·5 million from the European Investment Bank.The rates of interest—9½ per cent. on earlier loans of £20·5 million and 9 per cent. on the recent remainder—compare with 12⅝ per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively on loans on the same dates for the same period from the National Loans Fund which is the only statutory source of sterling loans to water authorities. In fact, loans from the National Loans Fund for water authorities' capital expenditure are for 25 years, and on these the interest rates were 15 per cent. and 15¾ per cent. at the relevant dates.Interest and repayments have to be made from time to time in the same currencies as those in which the original loan was made. The sterling equivalent of such payments will therefore vary with the exchange value of the £ sterling. Water authorities can, however, take advantage on payment of a premium of the guarantee offered by Her Majesty's Treasury which protects them against adverse exchange rate fluctuations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of industrial and non-industrial civil servants employed by his Department on 1st October and 1st April this year; and what were the comparable figures for 1973, 1974 and 1975.

The numbers of staff in post in the Department of the Environment, including the Property Services Agency, as at the date shown have been:

		Industrial	Non-industrial	Total
1st April 1973	…	29,234	40,791	70,025
1st October 1973	…	28,224	41,091	69,315
1st April 1974	…	27,222	42,266	69,488
1st October 1974	…	26,443	42,898	69,341
1st April 1975	…	26,551	44,098	70,649
1st October 1975	…	26,891	45,973	72,864
1st April 1976	…	26,809	46,187	72,996
1st October 1976	…	26,416	45,545	71,961

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the estimated central Government revenue forgone due to the concessionary rate of fuel tax granted to British Railways in the last five financial years; and what is estimated to be forgone in the next five financial years;(2) whether he will take steps to ensure that the forgone British Railways fuel tax revenue will be shown as a subsidy to rail in the roads and transport budget, in order to be consistent with the subsidy to buses arising from the fuel tax rebate.

Oil for railway traction attracts the normal rate of duty other than for DERV and the question of a concessionary rate does not arise. As announced last May—House of Commons Paper 461-i—refund of duty to stage service operators no longer scores as public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the nature of the questions asked in the regional highway traffic project, the basis on which the interviewees are chosen, the number of interviewees and the use to which the information so collected is to be put.

The questions asked in roadside censuses related to the origins and destinations of the journey being undertaken and its purpose as, for example, from home to work; or on employers business; or for recreation.Questions asked in home interviews related to household information such as number and sex of members and their ages, the availability of cars for personal use and driver licence holding, and the total household income. Other questions related to the journeys made by members of the household during the preceding 24 hours to obtain destination, method of travel and purpose of the journey as above.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the postal questionnaire being sent to long-distance travellers, the numbers being so sent, the basis on which the recipients are selected, and the purpose for which the information is sought.

Yes. Sixty thousand will be sent during 1976. Recipients are selected at random from electoral registers. Information is provided that would not otherwise be available on the extent of long distance travel by different modes.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, further to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wirral on 22nd November 1976, how many regular routine inquiries his Department currently has in hand; and what is their estimated cost to public funds.

The Department currently carries out nine regular statistical inquiries. The costs to the Department are estimated to be £0·8 million in 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport on what grounds he bases his judgment that to re-use the plastic wallets supplied with driving licences would not be cost-effective.

The cheapest way of issuing 45,000 driving licences and attachments a day is to use machines which can put them into envelopes and seal them at a rate of 4,500 per hour. But the machines available can deal only with wallets which have not been folded, whereas wallets returned for re-use would almost invariably have been folded. The hon. Gentleman will be able to see the machines in action during his forthcoming visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to complete his consultation with the Council on Tribunals about the procedures for public inquiries on motorway construction.

It is too soon to say.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is satisfied with the level of traffic using the motorways approaching Liverpool from the North and West, as other roads are being used at present by heavy traffic bound for the docks.

It is for Merseyside County Council to control the use by heavy lorries of local roads. The trunk road and motorway network in the Merseyside area provides adequate access to the dock area and will be further improved when the motorway between Skelmersdale and M57 is constructed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the response of local authorities and health authorities to his propoals for joint financing.

Yes. The response from local and health authorities in England so far in the first year of this new scheme is encouraging. The information I have received from health authorities indicates that they have already agreed to use nearly two-thirds of the allocations made for jointly financed projects in 1976–77, and that further projects are under discussion locally. The balance of allocations not used in 1976–77 is expected to be carried forward to 1977–78.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many free prescriptions were granted on grounds of low income to (a) those receiving supplementary benefit and family income supplement and (b) to those receiving neither supplementary benefit nor family income supplement in each year since 1970.

I will publish the available information in the Official Report as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate derived from the 1975 family expenditure survey data of the total amount of all social security benefits unclaimed; and what is his latest estimate of the percentage take-up of all benefits made available by his Department.

I regret that information about take-up of benefits from the 1975 Family Expenditure Survey is not yet available. I hope to have some information shortly and I will then publish it in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the voluntary collection and delivery of Christmas cards will form part of his recently launched campaign to encourage people to look after the old and disabled this winter.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the number of persons in the Cumnock catchment area in receipt of supplementary benefit and if he is able to estimate the number of their dependants;(2) what is the number of persons in the Dalmellington and Patna area in receipt of supplementary benefit; and if he is able to estimate the number of their dependants.

It is not practicable to maintain statistics relating to localities, such as those referred to by the hon. Member, which form only part of the area covered by one of my Department's offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of persons in Dundee in receipt of supplementary benefit; and if he is able to estimate the number of their dependants.

The two offices in Dundee, which administer an area extending outside it, together pay supplementary benefit to about 14,500 persons: I regret no estimate can be made of the number of dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of persons in the county of Ayrshire in receipt of supplementary benefit; and if he is able to estimate the number of their dependents.

The two offices which cover almost the whole of Ayrshire are paying supplementary benefit to about 19,500 persons: I regret no estimate can be made of the number of dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of persons in Paisley who are now in receipt of supplementary benefit; and if he is able to estimate the number of the dependants.

The office which covers Paisley is paying supplementary benefit to about 7,500 persons. I regret that no estimate can be made of the number of dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the surplus of £932 million in the National Insurance Fund was higher or lower than forecast; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 11 of the Report by the Government Actuary on the draft of the Social Security (Contributions, Re-rating) Order 1976; Cmnd. 6688. There will be an opportunity to consider these matters when the re-rating order is discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in Coventry have now exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit; what percentage of the total unemployed in Coventry this represents; and how this position compares with 1973, 1974 and 1975.

The latest month for which figures are available is August 1976. The following table shows, for the area covered by the Coventry unemployment benefit office, a comparison between that month and the corresponding months in 1974 and 1975. Figures for 1973 are not available.

UNEMPLOYED PERSONS WHO HAD EXHAUSTED THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT
Year (August)	Number	Percentage of total registered unemployed
1974	890	13·2
1975	1,220	8·3
1976	2,420	14·0

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what circumstances his Department pays for holidays at Butlins for persons on social security; how many persons have had holidays in the last 12 months for which figures are available on social security; and what has been the cost to public funds.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his earlier Question on 11th November 1976.—[Vol. 919, c. 220–21.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make a statement on the implementation of the Merrison Committee recommendations.

I am not yet able to add to my reply to the right hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Jenkin) on 22nd November 1976.—[Vol. 919, c. 978.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to introduce a scheme to compensate victims of vaccine damage; and if he will make a statement.

As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Loyden) on 27th July, the Royal Commission on Compensation and Civil Liability is studying evidence from interested bodies on the question of compensation for vaccine damage and any decision on this matter will have to await their report. [Vol. 916, c. 221–22.]I understand that the Royal Commission expects to report next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people retired in each of the last three years who were entitled only to graduated pension; and what steps are taken to inform them of their rights and what action to take.

Information is not held in the form requested but is available as follows:Number of persons receiving graduated pension only:

Year	Number
1973	28,800
1974	40,600
1975	56,000

A person approaching minimum pension age whose record shows that some graduated contributions have been paid is invited to make a claim to retirement pension.Most people entitled only to graduated pension are married women, and there is sometimes difficulty in advising them of their entitlement if they have not notified a change of address.If my hon. Friend has a particular case of difficulty in mind, I shall of course be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the surplus or deficit in the National Insurance Fund Account for 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1975–76; whether the Actuary takes the previous year's surplus or deficit into account in recommending contribution rates; and how the surpluses or deficits have been disposed of or financed.

Taking into account surpluses in the former National Insurance (Reserve) Fund and the former Industrial Injuries Fund, which were merged with the National Insurance Fund from 1st April 1975, the surpluses in 1973–74, 1974–75, and 1975–76 were £260 million, £638 million, and £319 million respectively. Setting the rate of national insurance contribution is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services working within the legislative framework of Sections 120 to 123 of the Social Security Act 1975. On this occasion, Section 1 of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975, which is due to come into force on the introduction of the new pensions scheme in April 1978, has had to be kept in mind. Sums which are surplus to benefit requirements are invested in accordance with Section 133(3) of the Social Security Act 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the Liverpool Area Health Authority has cut down on patients' food on grounds of economy; and if he will make a statement.

Liverpool Central/Southern District (Teaching) District Management Team, with the support of Liverpool Area Health Authority (Teaching), introduced a new patients' meals menu policy with effect from 13th December 1976. The new policy is to serve a "continental breakfast" comprising fruit juice, cereal, toast or rolls and beverage. The three course evening meal is also being reduced to two courses. Before deciding to make this change the District Management Team undertook trials in a number of selected hospitals from which it was apparent that the change was generally welcomed by a majority of patients. This policy is intended to achieve economies in provision costs without detriment to patients welfare. It does not apply to children's hospitals or to patients needing specialised diets.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions his Department has given to opticians in the National Health Service on advising patients of the cost and the alternatives when choosing lenses and frames for spectacles.

The advice given by an optician to his patient must be largely governed by professional ethics and judgment. My Department has, however, through the professional organisations, encouraged opticians to ensure that the patient knows what is available under the NHS, and has asked them to display and stock examples of the full range of NHS spectacle frames and show patients those frames most suitable for them. Following the Price Commission's recommendations in its Report^* on the Prices of Private Spectacles and Contact Lenses, I am considering what further might be done via the profession to make patients aware of the NHS range of frames and my Department is also preparing an information leaflet about the NHS general ophthalmic services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection is holding discussions with the optical profession about the display of prices of private-supplied spectacle frames and lenses so that patients can be better informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many days are lost each year due to dental disease; and what is the cost to the nation.

The only information available relates to days of incapacity for work recorded in connection with national insurance claims. There were 0·6 million such days attributed to diseases of the oral cavity in the statistical year 1974–75. The only cost figure that could be supplied is one based on benefit costs for an average benefit rate and an average beneficiary, the averages being derived from incapacity experience as a whole, but such a figure would not be a meaningful one.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to improve his Department's publicity about all the recent changes in benefits and allowances.

Last month's changes in the levels of national insurance and supplementary benefits have had, broadly speaking, the same publicity as all recent upratings. If the right hon. Gentleman has any reason for concern about the effectiveness of this, perhaps he would let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of a normal chest X-ray, a normal abdominal X-ray, mammography of both breasts, an electrocardiogram, a routine blood test and a cervical smear test.

Costing returns from NHS hospitals for the year ending 31st March 1976 are not yet complete, but those so far received indicate that for the three X-ray tests, approximate costs were as follows:

	£
Normal chest X-ray	1·53
Normal abdominal X-ray	2·04
Mammography (both breasts)	7·67

The remaining tests are not the subject of costing returns.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he proposes to have with representatives of NHS consultants, general practitioners and other professional people on stage III of the Government's pay policy.

I shall be ready to discuss at the appropriate time with NHS medical and professional staff their views on any developments there may be in pay policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his Department is unwilling to issue official guidelines on contractual arrangements for student nurses.

My Department issued a model contract of employment for NHS staff in 1972 and amended this in 1974. Further information was given in circular HC(76)35 issued in July this year, and I am sending a copy of this to the right hon. Gentleman.Within the guidelines in this model the detail of individual contracts is a matter for employing authorities and employees, but my officials are always willing to advise on individual cases. In the case of student nurses detailed guidance has been issued by the General Nursing Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in implementing the EEC medical directives.

Member States are required to implement the directives by 19th December 1976. The Government have now formally designated the General Medical Council and the other appropriate bodies in this country as competent to issue the documents required by doctors from the United Kingdom who wish to practise in another EEC country under the terms of the directives. It is also proposed to make an Order in Council under the European Communities Act to make the changes in the United Kingdom law which are necessary to give full effect to the directives, and in particular to allow doctors who are nationals of other EEC countries the same rights to practise here as United Kingdom doctors. Some complex legal issues have still to be resolved, so that it will not now be possible for the order to be made by 19th December. The EEC Commission is being informed of the delay, which I expect will be quite brief.

asked the Lord President of the Council what discussions he has had with the Scottish TUC about a referendum on Scottish Government.

None.

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in his preparation of the devolution proposals, he considered the advisability of the Scottish Assembly Executive making approaches to the European Investment Bank and similar institutions; and what conclusions he reached.

Under Article 21 of the Statute of the European Investment Bank (EIB) its loans and guarantees must be approved by the member State in whose territory the project which the loan or guarantee is intended to assist will be carried out. Approval of loans or guarantees under this Article is a matter for Her Majesty's Government for projects anywhere in the United Kingdom.The Scottish Executive will not itself have power to borrow from the EIB, but bodies operating in devolved fields who cannot borrow without the Executive's approval may wish to do so. In reaching decisions on loans for which Scottish Executive approval is required the Government will take account of the Executive's views; and there is nothing to prevent the Executive discussing such loans direct with the EIB.

asked the Lord President of the Council how many Members are allocated desks in offices outside the Palace of Westminster which require them to proceed across the main road outside the St. Stephen's entrance in order to reach the Division Lobbies by the shortest route.

Sixty-three.

asked the Lord President of the Council how many representations he has received from hon. Members about the need for a light controlled crossing outside St. Stephen's entrance to facilitate access to the House from outlying parliamentary offices.

None, but a proposal for a pedestrian crossing at St. Stephen's entrance was turned down by the Greater London Council on the grounds that a crossing in that position would be too close to the heavily used crossing on the corner of Parliament Square. A police constable is always on duty on the refuge at St. Stephen's entrance when there is a Division to facilitate Members' access to the House.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to provide emergency relief aid for the Lebanon.

Between October 1975 and August 1976 I made available a total of £50,000, including £25,000 as a grant to the Lebanon relief effort of the International Committee of the Red Cross and £25,000 as payments to the British Red Cross to cover certain costs of medical supplies.The improved security situation now permits a wider scale of urgently needed relief operations. We believe that our bilateral response to Lebanon's needs is best made primarily as part of a coordinated international effort in which both UN bodies and Arab League countries are taking part. I propose, therefore, to allocate a further £450,000, making £500,000 in all, for use as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for 1964–65, 1970–71, 1973–74 and 1976–77 the effective rates of income tax plus social security contributions for a married man with two children under 11 years, with income, all earned, equivalent to average male earnings, twice average, three times, four times, five times and 10 times average male earnings, twice average, three times,

INCOME TAX AND SURTAX PLUS NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS AS PERCENTAGE OF INCOME
Year			Average earnings Per cent.	Twice average earnings Per cent.	Three times average earnings Per cent.	Four times average earnings Per cent.	Five times average earnings Per cent.	Ten times average earnings Per cent.
1964–65	…	…	9·2	18·9	22·6	24·5	26·2	36·9
1970–71	…	…	19·1	25·7	28·0	30·2	34·1	50·9
1973–74	…	…	19·3	25·2	26·8	30·5	34·3	49·4
1976–77	…	…	24·1	31·0	37·1	43·1	48·5	64·6
Notes:
1. Average earnings are the Department of Employment's New Earnings Survey estimates of the average earnings of full-time male manual workers aged 21 and over in April at the beginning of each income tax year except for 1964–65 where NES figures are not available and the figures are taken from the DE's former April inquiry into average earnings.
2. Family allowance and clawback have been taken into account in the calculations where appropriate.
3. The National Insurance contribution rates are those in force at the beginning of the year. It has been assumed that the taxpayer is "not contracted out" of the graduated pension scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when the Treasury completed its last Scottish Budget, it included in its calculations repatriation of profits to owners of capital employed in the Scottish economy who themselves lived outside Scotland in other parts of the United Kingdom.

In the Scottish Budget for 1967–68 published in 1969^* the estimated receipts of corporation tax related to all profits arising in Scotland irrespective of where the companies concerned had their registered office. The estimated receipts of income tax related to incomes of residents of Scotland, and this included tax on dividends received by such residents, irrespective of where the underlying profits arose.

^* Estimates of Central Government Revenue and Expenditure Attributable to Scotland for the Financial Year 1967–68. A Scottish Budget HM Treasury, October 1969.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the tax yield if he taxed unemployment benefits.

I regret that the information on which to base precise calculations is not available, but an approximate estimate for 1976–77 based on forecast expenditure on unemployment

The figures are as follows:benefit in Great Britain at the rates of benefit that apply during the financial year is £180 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence there is that the public sector deficit (a) cannot be financed from real resources or (b) can be financed only by pre-empting resources which are needed by private investors in manufacturing industry.

The size of the public sector deficit which can be accommodated without undue pressure on real resources, and without pre-empting available savings needed in productive industry is bound to vary over time as domestic and external economic conditions change. Success in the fight against inflation, and the creation of conditions in which the performance of United Kingdom industry can be steadily improved require changes both in the allocation of real resources and in the pattern of financial flows associated with the use of real resources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount which would be deposited by importers in a full year if an import deposit scheme on the Italian model were to be introduced.

With United Kingdom imports running at over £24 billion in the past year, the amount which would be deposited by importers under a 50 per cent. scheme would be substantial. The net revenue yield during the year would depend on how long the deposits were held. For example, if the deposits were held for 90 days as in the Italian scheme the net revenue yield would effectively be reduced to about 12½ per cent. Moreover, the net revenue yield would be further reduced to the extent that there was any deferment or reduction of imports, and would of course be entirely reversed upon repayment of the deposits. Any such scheme would not be without considerable disruption and cost both at home and overseas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made any study of the practicability, revenue and other consequences of a tourist tax; and, if so, what conclusions he has reached.

Such a study has not been made recently. However, I keep all forms of taxation under review and will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the additional interest payments that will fall upon Renfrew District Council because of the recent increase in the Public Works Loan Board rate.

Information regarding loans made to individual local authorities is regarded as confidential.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the defects of the current methods of calculating the effective exchange rates for the £ sterling to which the National Institute of Economic and Social Research refer on page 16 of its November report, he will consider arranging for the effective exchange rate to be computed in a different manner henceforward, for example that used by the IMF.

Yes. It is proposed to introduce a revised index shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of revenue raised from Scotland through interest on loans to local authorities, public corporations, and nationalised industries for the last available financial year.

The information requested is set out below and is for the financial year 1974–75.

(1) Receipts of interest on Public Works Loan Board loans to local authorities in Scotland, £81,919,889.

(2) Interest received from development corporations on advances made for the six new towns in Scotland, £18,539,412.

(3) Interest received from nationalised industries and other public corporations:

	£
North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board	17,180,789
South of Scotland Electricity Board	39,090,570
Scottish Transport Group	632,941
Scottish Special Housing Association	12,088,586

It is not possible to identify a special Scottish element in the receipts of interest from other nationalised industries and public corporations operating in Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of revenue raised from the advertising industry in Scotland for the last available financial year.

I regret that the figures for the advertising industry are not available in the form requested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of operating the Construction Industry Tax Deduction Scheme for 1977–78.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to publish the report of the working party engaged in an inter-departmental review of forestry; if so, when; and in what form.

I shall consider the question of publication when I have received the report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make a statement about the treatment for tax purposes in 1977–78 of the parents of children living outside the United Kingdom.

Yes. Where such parents are entitled to child tax allowance under the ordinary rules, they will be able to claim the allowance for 1977–78 at the current 1976–77 levels—£300 for children not over 11, £335 for children over 11 and not over 16 and £365 for children over 16—for any child who throughout 1977–78 is under 19 and lives outside the United Kingdom, and for whom no child benefit is paid for any week in that year. These levels of allowance will not, however, apply to taxpayers working abroad, namely, civil servants and members of the forces, where child benefit remains payable under special arrangements, nor for children living in countries with which we have reciprocal agreements on social security and where there will normally be entitlement either to child benefit or to a comparable benefit abroad.Since the Inland Revenue cannot from its own records adequately identify those who would be entitled to child tax allowances at this special rate, the allowances of those concerned will be reduced in the initial PAYE re-coding this winter in the same way as child tax allowances for other taxpayers are to be reduced—as announced in the statement of 16th November. But a notice issued to all taxpayers with their new PAYE code numbers will invite those who think they may be entitled to the higher child tax allowances in 1977–78 to apply to their local

Net weekly income
		Single person	No children	1 child	Married couple with 2 children	3 children	4 children
		£	£	£	£	£	£
April 1970	…	19·12	20·23	21·14	22·33	23·59	24·85
April 1975	…	37·68	39·57	41·18	43·43	45·67	47·91
Notes:
1. Average earnings are the New Earnings Survey estimates of the average earnings of full-time male manual workers aged 21 and over in April of each year.
2. Net weekly income is average earnings plus family allowances, where appropriate, less in-come tax and national insurance contributions.
3. It is assumed that the taxpayer was "not contracted out" of the Graduated Pension Scheme in April 1970.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made any provision for increasing the earning limit of £115 per annum before child allowance is cut regarding those children remaining at school after the age of 16 years.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th December 1976; Vol. 922, cc. 548–9], gave the following reply:Yes. Section 29(3) of the Finance Act 1976 increased this limit to £350 with effect from 6th April 1976. But where the child is under 18 and unmarried throughout the year and does not have earnings in excess of £235, the allowance is reduced by the amount by which the child's investment income exceeds £115.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the net amounts of weekly income in April 1970 and in April 1975 for men with earnings equal to the average of male manual earnings, net of income tax and national insurance but adding family allowance, in the case of a single adult, of a married couple, and of married couples with one, two, three and four children.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10th December 1976], gave the following reply:Assuming that the children are not over 11 years of age, the information is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received concerning the level of taxation on widows' incomes.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th December 1976; Vol. 922, c. 544], gave the following reply:My right hon. Friend has received a wide variety of letters and representations about the taxation of widows.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he intends to publish the proposed guide dealing with income tax and the self-employed.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th December 1976; Vol. 922, c. 549], gave the following reply:The Board of Inland Revenue's new pamphlet entitled "Starting in Business"—IR 28—giving guidance on tax and other matters to those becoming self-

Thousands
				Lecturers and Teachers		All other staff
				Full-time	Part-time	Full-time	Part-time
June—
1970	…	…	…	407	147	181	371
1971	…	…	…	429	149	189	387
1972	…	…	…	453	162	201	401
1973	…	…	…	477	176	207	422
1974	…	…	…	505	171	211	444
1975	…	…	…	517	161*	222	490
1976 (provisional)	…	…	…	527	147*	225	492
* Some change in coverage compared with 1974.

I regret that the numbers of administrative staff are not separately recorded. It is estimated that they form only a small proportion of "all other staff" which consists mainly of operational staff such as domestic staff and groundsmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total expenditure on Scottish universities in the current financial year; and how many students the universities are now serving.

The table below shows the estimated Government grant to Scottish universities in this financial year and the

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to the reply given to the hon. Member for Carshalton (Mr. Forman) on 19th November 1976, Official Report, column 778, if she will show for each year since 1970 how many of the extra jobs created in education were for teachers ad how many were administrative.

The numbers of lecturers/teachers and of all other staff employed by local education authorities in England and Wales as published by the Department of Employment for 1970 to 1974 and as released by the Joint Manpower Watch for 1975 and 1976 are as follows:number of full-time and sandwich course students now in attendance. Additional amounts for building work may be due, but they cannot at present be estimated.

	£ million	Student numbers
Aberdeen	15·083	5,386
Dundee	9·658	2,781
Edinburgh	26·599	9,356
Glasgow	23·695	9,423
Heriot-Watt	6·133	2,548
St. Andrews	6·540	3,092
Stirling	5·082	2,250
Strathclyde	13·789	6,301
Total	106·579	41,137*
* Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether public funds will be made available to rescue the National Union of Students' travel service from bankruptcy;(2) what plans he has to save the jobs of those people made redundant by the collapse of the travel service of the National Union of Students.

The National Union of Students and its associated companies are independent of my Department, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason to intervene in these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest developments regarding the improvements to the A44 trunk road and the Devil's Bridge A4120 road junction at Ponterwyd, Ceredigion.

Dyfed County Council has been authorised to proceed with a scheme to improve visibility at this junction. Demolition work is expected to begin shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will give favourable consideration to recommending the introduction of legislation to amend the Local Government Act 1972 so as to extend from six months to two years the period during which a casual vacancy on a community council may remain unfilled, in view of the disproportionate cost involved in holding contested elections to such vacancies.

I have been asked to reply.The present arrangements could be altered by amending the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) Rules 1973, but I have no evidence of general support for such a change.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the job losses or gains in the manufacturing sector of the Ulster economy over the past seven years.

The following table shows increases and decreases in the number employed in the manufacturing sector of the Northern Ireland economy over the past seven years:

	Total number employed	Change from previous year
1968	167,750	—
1969	172,901	+5,151
1970	174,379	+1,478
1971	169,891	-4,488
1972	164,552	-5,339
1973	164,072	-480
1974	166,142	+2,070
1975	154,284	11,858

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much Ayrshire coal is burned in Northern Ireland power stations; and what plans the electricity authority has for reducing coal burn over the next five years.

The Northern Ireland Electricity Service has informed me that Ayrshire is the source of all its power station coal and that approximately 290,000 tons will be burned in the present calendar year. The service estimates that there will be similar level of burn in 1977 and in 1978 the figure is expected to be around 250,000 tons.It is not possible to give a firm prediction for subsequent years owing to uncertainty about the future price differential of competing fuels.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he proposes to hold the conference on shared schools which was promised by his predecessor; and what form the conference will take.

It is not intended to make any decision on the holding of a conference until our consultations with the wide range of interests involved are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many academic and non-academic staff are currently employed by the various institutions of higher education, showing the numbers at each institution separately.

							Academic	Non-Academic
The Queen's University, Belfast	…	…	…	…	…	…	849	1,646
The New University of Ulster	…	…	…	…	…	…	245	542
The Ulster College	…	…	…	…	…	…	573	708
Stranmillis College	…	…	…	…	…	…	115	178
St. Mary's College of Education	…	…	…	…	…	…	53	82
St. Joseph's College of Education	…	…	…	…	…	…	49	77
The figures include both full-time and part-time employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many education students are currently enrolled at institutions of higher education; allowing for the normal wastage rate, how many are expected to qualify as teachers in 1977, 1978 and 1979; and what is the anticipated intake of such students in those years.

There are 3,428 full-time students following teacher training courses and 593 part-time students—teachers following in-service courses—currently enrolled at institutions of higher education in Northern Ireland; 1,244 are expected to qualify in 1977, and 886 and 807 in 1978 and 1979 respectively. In addition, 525 students following teacher training courses in Great Britain and holding awards from the Northern Ireland Department of Education are expected to qualify in 1977, and 312 and 180 in 1978 and 1979 respectively. The numbers expected to qualify in 1978 and 1979 do not include any students who may be admitted to one-year courses in 1977 and 1978.Decisions about admissions in these years have not yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums were expended on archaeological excavations in each of the last three years in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to increase these sums.

Following is the information:

1973–74	£25,000
1974–75	£26,000
1975–76	£46,000

Provision has been made to spend £50,000 both in 1976–77 and 1977–78.

I understand from the institutions concerned that the current position is as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums were paid in respect of regional employment premium in Northern Ireland in 1975 and 1976; and what will be the saving as a result of his announcement of 22nd July 1976 in 1977.

In Northern Ireland the equivalent of the regional employment premium is the selective employment premium. The amount paid to employers under this scheme in the 1975–76 financial year was £19·35 million. The change of rates payable from 3rd January 1977 will result in a saving in 1976–77 of £0·25 million on the original estimate of £19·50 million. In the 1977–78 financial year it is estimated that, as a result of the change in rates, there will be a saving of £3·5 million, with only £16 million being required.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the remuneration of the chairman and members of each harbour authority and each harbour commission in Northern Ireland; and what is the salary of the chief executive or equivalent in each case.

Except in the cases of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority and the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, whose chairmen and members receive respectively £1,000 and £600 per year, harbour commissioners and members of public harbour authorities in Northern Ireland are not paid for their services. Details of payments made to the directors of Larne Harbour Ltd, which is a privately-owned harbour, are not published. The salaries of chief officers are a matter for individual authorities and it would be contrary to normal practice to disclose this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria will be applied when selecting the members of the Londonderry Harbour Authority; and what steps have been taken to appoint a chief executive.

The members of the reconstituted Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners will be selected from persons who have experience and capacity in one or more of the following fields; the management of harbours, shipping, port usage, industrial, commercial or financial matters, administration and the organisation of workers. One place on the board will be reserved for a member of Londonderry City Council. The appointment of the chief executive to the authority will be a matter for the commissioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been made by users of Londonderry port against the Harbour Commissioners in each of the last five years.

		Chairman	Chief Officer
Belfast Harbour Commission	…	Mr. W. H. Barnett.	Mr. C. Nimmons.
Coleraine Harbour Commission	…	Dr. J. W. Moore.	Mr. W. R. Dalzell.
Larne Harbour Ltd.	…	Major F. B. MacKean	Mr. R. A. Esler.
Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission	…	Mr. S. R. Cochrane.	Captain P. J. Collier.
Warrenpoint Harbour Authority	…	Mr. A. Shiells, C.B.E.*	Mr. W. Devlin.
Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority	…	Mr. S. C. Hall.	Mr. J. N. McCaughan.
* Also designated Chief Executive.

Apart from Donaghadee Harbour, which is owned by the Department of Commerce, the remaining Northern Ireland harbours are privately owned or under the control of local government authorities. I will write to the hon. Member with further information about these harbour authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings of each harbour commission and harbour authority in Northern Ireland have been held in the last 12 months; and what is the normal length of the meeting for each harbour commission and harbour authority.

The number of full board meetings held during the past 12 months by each public harbour authority,

It is regretted that the information is not available. However, during the last year, the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce has received two such complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the order abolishing the Londonderry Harbour Commissioners will be laid; and from what date the new harbour authority will take up its duties.

It is expected that the order reconstituting the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners will be laid before the House within the next few weeks and that the new authority will come into being shortly thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of each chairman and chief executive in each harbour authority and harbour commission in Northern Ireland.

The Chairman and Chief Officer of the principal commercial harbours and the Fishery Harbour Authority are as follows:and by Larne Harbour Ltd., which owns Larne Harbour, is as follows:

Belfast	31
Londonderry	22
Warrenpoint	19
Coleraine	12
Larne	13
Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority	5

The length of such meetings has varied according to the nature and complexity of the business to be discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to hold discussions with the French Minister of Defence.

M. Bourges and I met in Paris on 5th-6th October and I look forward to a return visit in 1977. We are already considering the arrangements for this, but as yet no date has been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will next be meeting the Defence Ministers of other NATO countries.

I look forward to meeting the other NATO Defence Ministers at the 1977 ministerial meetings, but the dates have not yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he proposes introducing to assist former warrant officers and other ranks to commute part of their Service pension for business reasons.

I cannot at present add to what my hon. Friend told the hon. Member in the Adjournment debate on 5th February.—[Vol. 904, c. 1379–88.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of potential saving for NATO of the degree of standardisation of weapon and equipment procurement which now exists within the Warsaw Pact.

It is impossible to quantify such savings because of the difficulty of estimating the research, development, production and running costs of hypothetical standard equipment as against the variety of equipment now in service. We prefer to devote our efforts to practical steps towards increasing standardisation and interoperability in the Alliance.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft under his control are available for the transporting of infantry battalions for emergency service overseas; whether helicopters and armour can still be so transported, and in what numbers; and, if no longer possible, when this ended.

Infantry battalions can be moved by the 11 VC1O and 45 Hercules aircraft of the RAF front line Transport Force. The Hercules can also, to the extent necessary, carry helicopters and armoured vehicles, with the exception of main battle tanks for which there is no military airlift requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the activities of the Army and the UDR in Northern Ireland.

Army operations continue throughout Northern Ireland in support of the civil power.During my visit to the Province last week, when I visited units operating in Belfast and in the rural areas to the south, I was most impressed by the high morale of the troops. Their determination is clearly as strong as ever, and I cannot praise them too highly for the splendid way in which they are carrying out their difficult task. As we all know, it is also a dangerous task, and it is a matter of deep regret that three Regular Army soldiers have died in the past three weeks as a result of terrorists' actions. The House will wish to join me in expressing sympathy for their families.The UDR is, of course, a regiment of the British Army, and is playing an important part in the Army's operations in Northern Ireland. Recent sad losses suffered by the UDR have served as a poignant reminder, as if one were necessary, of the particular risks and intimidation which its members courageously face daily.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the total Armed Forces in Northern Ireland this year as compared with last year.

The estimated extra costs of military operations in Northern Ireland for the two years in question are as follows:

1975–76	£60 million
1976–77	£63 million

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been reached about the Purchase of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) for NATO nations.

The NATO Defence Planning Committee last week reaffirmed the need for a NATO AEW force and instructed that certain further outstanding work be undertaken in early January 1977 as a preliminary to a special meeting of Defence Ministers shortly thereafter. A copy of the communique issued after the meeting has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the arrangements for the protection of fisheries and other offshore resources.

I have no reason to doubt the effectiveness of the arrangements for the protection of our offshore resources; but naturally such matters have to be kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with security arrangements for offshore oil and gas installations.

1. SHIPBUILDING
PAYMENTS TO SHIPBUILDERS (IN £ MILLION)
Region				1974–75	1975–76	1976–77 to 30th November 1976
Scotland	…	…	…	20·9	46·0	29·7
Northern	…	…	…	40·0	49·1	48·3
Yorkshire and Humberside	…	…	…	0·9	0·8	0·6
North-West	…	…	…	5·2	9·8	5·4
South-East	…	…	…	7·3	10·1	7·0
East Anglia	…	…	…	—	0·7	1·3

2. SHIP REPAIRS
PAYMENTS TO FIRMS FOR REFITS AND REPAIR OF ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY VESSELS WERE (IN £ MILLION
Region				1974–75	1975–76	1976–77 30th November 1976
Scotland	…	…	…	0·2	Nil	Nil
Northern	…	…	…	4·1	4·2	3·8
Yorkshire and Humberside	…	…	…	0·2	0·1	0·1
North-West	…	…	…	1·2	2·8	1·8
South-East	…	…	…	0·2	0·3	0·7
South-West	…	…	…	0·8	0·7	0·9
Northern Ireland	…	…	…	Nil	0·03	Nil

The figures above exclude payments to contractors for the repair of RN vessels, mainly minor vessels, and for contract assistance to warships in the Royal dockyards, as these details cannot be provided in the form requested in the time available. In total, however, such payments amounted to £3·5 million in 1974–75 and