asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the Civil Service establishments within the district of Runnymede, and the number of civil servants employed at each of them; how many civil servants at each establishment in Runnymede receive the Outer London weighting allowance; and what is the distance between each Civil Service establishment in Runnymede and the statue of King Charles I at Charing Cross, expressed to the nearest mile.

All of this information is not held centrally. It is being collected and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will move to refer the technical examination of the Severn Bridge to the Select Committee on Science and Technology.

The terms of reference of the Select Committee on Science and Technology would already cover any such inquiry, and the Committee no doubt have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will arrange for hon. Members to have the opportunity, on request, of claiming back the costs of telephoning ministerial offices and other public offices in the execution of their duties on a similar basis to that now operating for Ministers of the Crown.

No. The Review Body on Top Salaries looked at the general question of extending telephone facilities for Members but decided that it would not be appropriate for this to be done (Report No. 8, Cmnd. 6574).

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in view of the further increase in postal charges, he will arrange for supplies of envelopes and postcards prepaid at second-class rates to be made available to hon. Members.

No. There would be no saving to public funds from the use of second-class prepaid envelopes as the postage charges to the House by the Post Office is based on envelope size, not class of delivery.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the pension and other retirement benefits available to Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom, the other countries of the EEC, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th January 1977; Vol. 924, c. 400], gave the following information:The information requested is as follows—UNITED KINGDOM: Members contribute 5 per cent of salary to the pension scheme. Provided that they have four years' reckonable service, once they have left the House of Commons they qualify at age 65 for a pension of one sixtieth of pensionable salary for each year of reckonable service. An actuarially reduced pension may be paid from age 60.BELGIUM: There is a contributory pension scheme to which MPs pay 6½ per cent of their salaries. If they have served for eight years or more they qualify for a pension at the age of 55. The pension represents 3·75 per cent of their salary for each year of service.DENMARK: After eight years' service ex-MPs are entitled to a pension at age 67 but the speaker and his deputies' can authorise payment from an earlier age. Rates are linked to Civil Service (CS) pensions, are adjusted for cost of living increases and vary between DKr 2071 (£207) monthly after eight years' service and DKr 6226 (£623) after 25 years or more. Pensions are abated if the ex-MP receives State old age pension and/or any other public sector, including Ministerial, pension. The total pension may not exceed the highest CS rate, currently DKr 10 240 monthly.FRANCE: A contributory pension is available at age 55. The size of the pension varies with the number of years over which contributions have been paid.FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY: With effect from 1st April 1977 MPs' pensions are non-contributory. Entitlement is from age 65 with eight years' service; from 60 with 12 years; from 55 with 16 years. Rates vary between 35 per cent and 75 per cent of last basic salary, currently between £460 and £1,400 monthly.IRISH REPUBLIC: There is a compulsory contributory pension scheme for all Deputies and Senators. After a minimum of eight years' total service a pension of one fortieth of salary per year of service is payable on retirement. This rises to two thirds of salary after 27 years' service.ITALY: Deputies and Senators com-pulsorily contribute the equivalent of £65 a month. After five years' service and age 60, a retired MP receives a taxable pension depending on the number of parliaments in which he has served. The amount of pension varies from 25 per cent of gross salary, equivalent to £2,200 —after 5 years' service up to a maximum of 85 per cent—£7,530—after 35 years.LUXEMBOURG: MPs receive no special pensions. Few MPs are full-time politicians and most have other occupations.THE NETHERLANDS: There is a non-contributory pension payable at age 65 for Second Chamber Members. For every year of service up to a maximum of 20 years they receive 3·5 per cent of their average salary earned over the last three years of office.CANADA: MPs are entitled to a pension after a minimum of six years' service based on their average annual income as MPs in the best six years. From the sixth to the tenth year the pension is calculated by multiplying the number of years served in Parliament by 3·5 per cent. of annual income calculated above. For each additional year up to the twentieth the MP receives an additional 3 per cent. of his income as calculated above and for the remaining years an additional 2 per cent. per year up to the maximum level of 75 per cent. The MP's pension remains the same until the age of 60 when it is indexed to the cost of living. MPs contribute 7½ per cent. of their income to finance their pension, which includes the State pension element.SWITZERLAND: Members of the

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the pension and other retirement benefits available to Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom, the other countries of the EEC, Switzerland, Japan, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 2nd May 1977; Vol. 931, c. 18], gave the following information:I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Wycombe (Sir J. Hall).

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps she will take to ensure that no part of her aid budget will be used to finance the migration or resettlement of white farmers from Rhodesia to Bolivia.

No British aid funds will be used to meet the expenses of such migration and resettlement.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development for what purposes public money is being made available to the Gambia Ports Authority for the provision of a floating post office to ply up and down the Gambia.

My Ministry is contributing £1 million to the cost of a replacement for the motor vessel "Lady Wright". I regard this as a very valuable expenditure from the aid programme. The "Lady Wright" is the major communication link in the Gambia carrying passengers, freight, and also, of course, post. It is a vital element in the economy of the Gambia. The new vessel is to be built in the shipyards of Ferguson Bros. (Port Glasgow) Ltd.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when she expects Cubans to start training in the United Kingdom under the terms of the Anglo-Cuban Agreement on Scientific and Technical Co-operation.

This depends on when the Cuban authorities put forward applications and on the availability of places on postgraduate courses in United Kingdom institutions. At present it is unlikely that any trainees will arrive in the United Kingdom until some time in 1978.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what public funds will be made available to facilitate the activities of the Anglo-Cuban Agreement on Scientific and Technical Co-operation.

Public funds will be provided for a modest United Kingdom technical co-operation programme for Cuba, the cost of which when fully established will be some £100,000 a year in 1976 terms, which has been under consideration for some four years.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she has received requests from the Cuban Government for the provision of British experts on consultancies under the Anglo-Cuban Agreement on Scientific and Technical Co-operation.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the cost to public funds of the overseas pest research centre; what are its activities; how many people it employs; when was it formed; and what was the total number of staff employed at its inception.

The Centre for Overseas Pest Research (COPR) is one of the major scientific units of the Ministry of Overseas Development and financed from our aid programme. The cost in the last financial year was £1·1 million: the estimate for this financial year is of the order of £1·4 million.The Centre was formed on 1st June 1971 by a merger of four existing scientific units originally set up by the Colonial Office. These were the Anti-Locust Research Centre, the Tropical Pesticides Research Unit, the Tropical Pesticides Research Headquarters and Information Unit, and the Termite Research Unit. When these four units were amalgamated, the total staff numbered 129 and in the intervening period has increased to 142. The Centre is a unique and most valuable organisation with over 60 years of experience in pest and vector control in tropical countries.The Centre's purpose is to assist overseas countries, particularly developing countries, to solve their problems in the fields of agriculture and public health. It is an internationally recognised institute of high repute.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what other EEC member States, apart from the United

Country					Disbursements	(of which Technical Co-operation)
					$ million	$ million
Federal Republic of Germany	…	…	…	…	0·01	(0·01)
Italy	…	…	…	…	0·02	(0·02)
The Netherlands	…	…	…	…	0·16	(0·16)
Belgium	…	…	…	…	0·40	(0·05)

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) when the four feasibility studies which she is undertaking arising from the Shackleton Report, and recommended by the Falkland Islands Government, will be completed;(2) what plans she has to implement the recommendations contained in the Shackleton Report on the Falkland Islands.

Certain recommendations fall either to the private sector to implement or to the Falkland Islands Government themselves. Some of the major suggestions which do or might involve aid, such as a possible extension of the airport and the development of fisheries and tourism, would require prior investigation which I would be prepared to initiate only when a framework of political and economic co-operation with Argentina has been established.My advisers are at present considering a proposal from the Falkland Islands Government for a new school hostel in Stanley. At the Government's request I am setting up a study of internal communications covering the air service, roads and coastal shipping, to see what the needs in this field are and how they can best be met. I hope it will be completed not later than early next year.I am prepared to set up feasibility studies in other areas recommended in the Shackleton Report when the Falkland Islands Government request them, including sheepskin processing, mutton freezing and local television. I have also offered to provide advice to the Government if and when they enter into negotiations with any commercial enterprises that are

In 1975, the last year for which statistics are currently available, four other EEC countries disbursed aid to Cuba. The details are as follows:prepared to explore those Shackleton recommendations which fall outside the aid programme.The already considerable technical cooperation programme in the Falklands covers several of the Shackleton proposals, including an expanding grasslands trials unit and the provision of fiscal advice, which is an essential preliminary to any social and economic development.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a statement on the outcome on the recent talks between the Bolivian Minister of Finance and officials of her Department in London.

No talks have recently been held between the Bolivian Minister of Finance and officials of my Department in London.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she has received any written representations about aid to the Bolivian mining industry.

I have received a number of representations about various aspects of this project and I am taking them all into account. I hope to be able to reach a decision before long.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will advise Her Majesty's Ambassador in La Paz that those development projects most likely to assist the most poverty-stricken section of the Bolivian population and, if possible, any which can assist in the restoration of basic human rights will be given priority in determining British aid to Bolivia.

I can assure my hon. Friend that the emphasis in the Government's aid strategy on help for the poorest people, and the importance we attach to human rights, are well known to Her Majesty's Ambassador at La Paz.

asked the Attorney-General when he expects the Director of Public Prosecutions to complete his consideration of the case of Mr. C. Cram, of 43 Heythrop Drive, Acklam, Middlesbrough, Cleveland.

The Director of Public Prosecutions is expecting counsel's advice in the near future. A decision will be made as soon as possible after that advice has been received.

asked the Attorney-General how many actions for malicious prosecution and false imprisonment have been instituted in the courts of England and Wales during the last 10 years; in how many cases damages were awarded to the plaintiff; and how many of such cases, both successful and unsuccessful, arose from allegations of rape or attempted rape.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of effort and expense.

asked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Law Commission for rationalisation and consolidation all wildlife conservation legislation.

I have been asked to reply.I am aware of the suggestions that have been made for the rationalisation and consolidation of wildlife conservation legislation, and my Department is already in touch with the Nature Conservancy Council about the need for and practicability of such a measure. I do not con- sider that a reference to the Law Commission is required at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to ensure that feeding bottles for babies in intensive care units can be clearly identified; and whether he will make a statement on the alleged mistake which occurred last Friday at St. Mary's Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight.

The Medicines (Labelling) Regulations 1976 which were made last year under the Medicines Act set out standard requirements for labelling medicinal products, in order to ensure that they are correctly described and readily identifiable. These regulations are not legally binding in National Health Service hospitals because of Crown exemption, but area health authorities were invited in Health Notice HN(76)205 to introduce arrangements corresponding to the requirements of the regulations in so far as they are applicable.On Friday 20th May, five babies became ill at the Maternity Unit of St. Mary's Hospital. It is thought that the babies were given a mild antiseptic solution instead of sterile water in a bottle feed; the two bottles have a very similar appearance. Three of the babies are receiving care in the special care baby unit and they are continuing to make satisfactory progress. All the babies are under the constant supervision of a consultant paediatrician.Urgent investigations into the incident are being carried out by chief officers of the Isle of Wight Area Health Authority, and their report will be reviewed by a member of that authority on Tuesday 31st May. I have asked for a copy of this report and will write to the hon. Member when it is to hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what statutory authority he prevents a person who has by law the claim to a pension or a social welfare payment and receives the same for a period of as long as 20 months from drawing these benefits for seven weeks where his Department mislays, or misdirects the Giro cheque; and why the payment is not made pending the stopping and tracing of the mislaid Giro cheque.

The Department has the responsibility, under the Social Security Act 1975 and the Claims and Payments Regulations, of paying benefit to those who have established entitlement to benefit. Where a question arises as to whether a person has in fact received benefits, the Department has, in line with its responsibility for the proper administration of the scheme, to establish the facts as far as possible. If a claimant reports that he has not received a Giro cheque recorded as sent to him, he is normally told that replacement will not be considered until seven weeks from the date of issue. This is to give time for the Giro cheque to be traced if it has in fact been cashed. Local offices have discretion to make an immediate replacement if this delay would cause hardship. Replacement would normally follow immediately where it was established that a Giro cheque had been misdirected, or mislaid within the Department, and had not reached the claimant. Giro cheques are encashable at any post office, so that it would not be possible to issue a stop notice when one was missing.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will allocate additional financial resources to the Isle of Wight Area Health Authority in view of its present difficulties in meeting its commitments.

No. Revenue resources available for the current financial year have already been allocated to regional health authorities on the basis of the recommendations of the Resource Allocation Working Party.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will explain how £10·5 million was overpaid in social security benefits in the last year; and why it is not possible to recover this sum.

Overpayments of social security benefits arise from fraud, from a mistake by the claimant, or from other causes, mainly official error. In fraud cases, we do all that we can to recover overpayments including recourse to law, but the individual does not always have resources from which recovery can be made.In cases arising from the claimant's mistake which involve insurance benefits the issue has to be referred to an insurance officer for review. Section 119(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 provides that, subject to Section 119(2), the decision given on review shall require repayment except where the claimant has used due care and diligence to avoid overpayment. Where the insurance officer's decision requires repayment, we do our best to recover, otherwise we have no power to pursue the matter. Similar considerations apply to the recovery of other benefits such as supplementary benefit, except in cases where recovery would cause hardship.In cases of official error, where an insurance officer's decision is not in question, we notify the beneficiary that an overpayment has occurred and request repayment, but cannot compel it. Similar procedures apply for supplementary benefit except that no such request is made where hardship would result. Irrecoverable overpayment in 1975–76 represented a little over 0·1 per cent. of the total benefits paid by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the amount of public money that will be overpaid in social security benefits in the current year; what steps are being taken to minimise it; and what efforts will be taken to recover any such sums that are overpaid.

It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of overpayments which might arise in the current year. The number and value of overpayments are influenced by several factors, including the total number of claimants and beneficiaries, and the frequency with which claims have to be reassessed, for example because of benefit uprating or rent and rates changes.Payments are subject to checks and audit. In addition, information relating to overpayments caused by official error is used as a basis for appropriate staff training. Last year I announced a programme of work to combat overpayments caused by fraud and abuse of the social security system.I have outlined the procedures relating to the recovery of overpayments in reply to the hon. Member's other Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he accounts for the increase in total irrecoverable overpayments by his Department from approximately £4,624,000 in 1971–72 to approximately £10,692,750 in 1975–76

During the period 1971–72 to 1975–76 the benefits paid by my Department rose from £4,222 million to £8,942 million, mainly due to the increase in benefit levels, but the total number of beneficiaries also rose, partly because of the introduction of several new benefits and the increase in the numbers claiming unemployment benefit and retirement pensions. These increases in the value and number of payments provide the main reason for the increase in the value of irrecoverable overpayments; in 1975–76 such overpayments represented just over 0·1 per cent. of the total benefit paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many emergency panels are operating in the mental health sector similar to that recently announced to examine the findings of the Committee of Inquiry into St. Augustine's Hospital;(2) whether he will make a statement on the details of the objectives of the working group set up by him to follow up the recent mental hospital inquiry reports.

An emergency panel was set up by Kent Area Health Authority to consider the findings of the St. Augustine's Hospital Inquiry; and Durham Area Health Authority has set up committees to consider the implications of the recommendations of the Darlington Memorial Hospital Inquiry.My decision to set up a working group to examine the organisational and management problems of mental illness hospitals and units in the light of recent mental hospital enquiry reports was

announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Mr. Pavitt) on 31st March.—[Vol. 929 c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total number of independent pharmacies in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years.

The number of registered pharmacies in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years has been as follows:

Year				Registered Pharmacies
1967	…	…	…	14,293
1968	…	…	…	13,990
1969	…	…	…	13,510
1970	…	…	…	13,137
1971	…	…	…	12,852
1972	…	…	…	12,542
1973	…	…	…	12,266
1974	…	…	…	12,042
1975	…	…	…	11,733
1976	…	…	…	11,507

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the percentage number of closure of pharmacies in 1975 and 1976; and, in view of the nature of the service rendered by pharmacies, what proposals he has to arrest the decline.

The number of pharmacies in Great Britain on the register of the Pharmaceutical Society declined by 2·5 per cent. in 1975 and 1·9 per cent. in 1976. This will be one of the matters that my right hon. Friend will be discussing with representatives of the Pharmaceutical Services Nogotiating Committee when he sees them on 16th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement concerning the current levels of NHS remuneration paid to chemist contractors for the provision of the NHS Pharmaceutical Service to the general public.

The current levels of remuneration are intended to meet the labour and all other costs of chemist contractors including a notional salary for the working proprietor, and to provide a profit margin of 16 per cent. on capital employed. My right hon. Friend will be discussing this matter with representatives of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee on 16th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of girls who, while attending school, had abortions in each of the last five years.

This information is not available. But the number of legal abortions to girls under 16 usually resident in England and Wales is as follows:

1972	…	…	…	2,804
1973	…	…	…	3,090
1974	…	…	…	3,335
1975	…	…	…	3,570
1976	…	…	…	3,412✶
✶ Provisional

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what conclusions he has reached on the Merrison Report, Command Paper No. 6018, on General Practice; and what steps he intends to take to implement them.

I hope to be able to make a statement shortly on the Merrison Committee's proposals for the regulation of the medical profession.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the basic weekly rate of invalidity benefit payable to a married man whose wife does not work and who has two children aged 12 and 16 years;(2) what is the basic weekly rate of sickness benefit payable to a married man whose wife does not work and who has two children aged 12 and 16 years.

The standard flat-rate sickness benefit in these circumstances is £26·50 a week. In addition, an earnings- related supplement of up to £12·18 a week may be payable. An invalidity pensioner with the same family circumstances receives £36·90; and, depending on the age at which he became incapable of work, an invadility allowance of up to £3·20.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Peterborough and District Disabled Drivers Club concerning the issue of a batricar in lieu of an electric invacar to disabled persons; what reply he has given; and if he will make a statement.

Representations were received from the Peterborough and District Disabled Drivers' Club on 28th February and 21st March 1977, in support of the requests for the supply of Batricars to two members of the club, both of whom had been issued with electrically propelled three-wheeler vehicles. The reply stated that it was not the intention to issue these vehicles. As my hon. Friend is aware, recent legislation will enable users of tricycles supplied under the former vehicle scheme to switch to a no-age-limit mobility allowance. This will be £7 a week from November, which I am advised compares favourably with the cost of obtaining such a wheelchair.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the nature and extent of the current programme of dental health education provided for schools by the Health Education Council.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I see the role of the Health Education Council here as providing support for schools and area health authorities in the form of curriculum development, research, expert advice and educational materials. The Council's expenditure on dental health education for schools is not recorded separately from that for other dental health education.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the allocation of grants between National Health Service regions, postgraduate hospitals, individuals and other purposes in 1977–78.(2) what was the allocation of funds between the National Health Service regions and each of the postgraduate teaching hospitals in 1976–77; and what funds were allocated for national purposes

			1976–77	1977–78
			£ million	£ million
Regional Health Authority
Northern	…	…	241	263
Yorkshire	…	…	276	300
Trent	…	…	327	367
East Anglian	…	…	133	150
North West Thames	…	…	323	356
North East Thames	…	…	360	390
South East Thames	…	…	342	366
South West Thames	…	…	274	293
Wessex	…	…	195	218
Oxford	…	…	162	179
Southwestern	…	…	236	258
West Midlands	…	…	369	402
Mersey	…	…	213	236
Northwestern	…	…	321	359
Postgraduate Boards of Governors
Hospitals for Sick Children	…	…	11·22	12·08
National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases	…	…	7·14	8·58
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital	…	…	3·11	3·48
Moorfields Eye Hospital	…	…	5·36	5·69
Bethlem Royal Hospital and The Maudsley Hospital	…	…	6·20	6·87
St. Johns Hospital for Diseases of the Skin	…	…	1·19	1·34
National Heart and Chest Hospitals	…	…	10·47	11·63
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospitals	…	…	4·86	5·24
St. Peter's Hospitals	…	…	2·76	3·12
Royal Marsden Hospital	…	…	7·79	8·42
Queen Charlotte's Hospital for Women	…	…	4·88	4·44
Eastman Dental Hospital	…	…	1·73	1·84

As regards funds voted for other purposes of the Health and Personal Social Services, England, I would refer my hon. Friend to the annual Supply Estimates, Class XI, Vote 1.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will bring up to date the net weekly spending power figures published in reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 15th October 1976, Official Report, column 245, showing the relative financial position in and out of work for each family grouping, on the assumption that earnings or previous earnings were: £25, £35, £45, £55, £65, £75, £85, £95 and £105, and using the new rates of benefits announced on 25th May 1977.

These figures cannot be supplied, because the qualifying levels of the means-tested benefits which will apply when the November 1977 benefit

The allocation of revenue and capital to the NHS regions and postgraduate teaching hospitals including funds for the joint financing of local authority personal social service projects were as follows:rates come into operation have not yet been announced.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the pensions increase announced on 25th May 1977 is expected to be covered by contributions paid by those already retired.

None, other than by a very small amount of Class 4 contributions still due from retired people on profits or gains made in their last year of income-tax assessment. Retired people are not liable for Class 1 or Class 2 contributions, even when they have occasional earnings; and from April 1978 no one over minimum pension age will have to pay contributions of any class, whether or not he has retired.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the original amount of the non-contributory retirement pension for those over 80 years; what is the current amount and what is the present equivalent of the original amount in terms of purchasing power.

Non-contributory old person's pensions were first introduced in November 1970, the rates being £1·85 a week for married women and £3 for any other person. The present rates are £5·60 and £9·20 respectively. Since September 1971, all pensioners over 80 have also received an age addition of 25p.On the basis of the movement in the general index of retail prices between November 1970 and April 1977, the latest date for which a figure is available, the present equivalents of the original rates of £1·85 and £3 are £4·44 and £7·20. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will require regional health authorities to consult all the joint consultative committees within their region before deciding how to allocate the proceeds of sales of hospital land;(2) what advice has been given to regional health authorities concerning their duty to consult other bodies in determining how to allocate the proceeds of sales of hospital lands;(3)from what date the decision on how to spend the proceeds of sales of hospital land has been vested in regional health authorities.

Proceeds from land sold since 1st April 1973 have been made available to regional health authorities as additions to their normal allocations for capital expenditure within the regions. Capital spending should be in accordance with strategic and operational plans drawn up by area health authorities and agreed with regional health authorities. In drawing up their plans, health authorities are obliged to consult a wide range of bodies, including joint consultative committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what screening for tuberculosis exists of immigrants entering the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

Foreign nationals and Commonwealth citizens coming to settle in this country are normally seen at ports of entry by a medical inspector appointed under the Immigration Act 1971. Arrangements have also been made in most Commonwealth countries for the local medical examination of applicants for employment vouchers or entry certificates. These arrangements include X-ray examination where necessary.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended that immigrant children should be vaccinated with BCG either as soon as practicable after entry to this country or at birth if born in this country. This advise was circulated to all doctors by the Chief Medical Officer in October 1975. In the following year in England some 13,000 children—immigrants and others—were vaccinated with BCG at birth and over 550,000 under the school children and students scheme. The problem is being kept under close review in consultation with medical officers for environmental health.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the Official Report the total number of persons aged 16 to 21 years to whom unemployment benefits and social security were paid in each of the years from 1972 to 1976;(2) if he will list in the

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th May 1977; Vol. 932, c. 117], supplied the following information:The available information is given below, but because data is not collected in the form requested by my hon. Friend, the figures shown in the table are subject

PERSONS AGED 16 TO 21 YEARS
Financial year			Estimated average number in receipt of unemployment benefit and or supplementary benefit at any on e time (thousands)	Amount paid in supplementary benefit (£ million)	Amount paid in unemployment benefit (including earnings-related supplement) (£ million)
1971–72	…	…	170	23	21
1972–73	…	…	172	34	18
1973–74	…	…	125	31	12
1974–75	…	…	142	44	17
1975–76	…	…	288	98	52
Notes:
1. The figures do not include persons treated as dependants of other claimants to benefit.
2. All young persons became eligible for the full adult-rate of unemployment benefit and earnings-related supplement from April 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the cost to the British National Oil Corporation in payments to the VIE French Company to compensate its work force at Cherbourg in order to extract modules for the Thistle Platform from the shipyard at Cherbourg and get it into position.

This is a matter for the Corporation, and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the number, staffing and costing of research projects being undertaken or based, respectively, in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Energy research and development projects are carried out through the agency of a large number of bodies such as the nationalised fuel industries, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and outside contractors. As the details are not aggregated under the locations in which the projects are being undertaken it would involve disproportionate expense to compile such information.However, I can confirm my reply of 12th November 1976 to the hon. Member that some 20–25 per cent. of that expenditure for which my right hon. Friend has responsibility, including that of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in direct support of the power programme

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has completed his examination of the lessons of the Ekofisk blow-out; and what improvements he believes are necessary to strengthen national and international arrangements for preventing and dealing with pollution.

On 6th May my right hon. Friend told the House that the study group had produced a log of departmental responses to the Ekofisk blow-out, and a copy was placed in the Library. The study group is continuing with its further work and aims to report soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the four flow exhaust turbines of the type being installed at Littlebrooke power station represent a capital cost saving over a six flow exhaust machine of the type installed at Drax A.

Four-flow exhaust turbines would normally be cheaper than six-flow machines of equivalent capacity, but the choice between different types of turbine depends on many factors in addition to initial capital costs. I am, however, asking the chairman of the generating board to write to the hon. Member with further information about this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when the first four flow exhaust turbines of the type being installed at Littlebrooke power station were purchased in the United Kingdom; and how many have been sold abroad.

The first 660 MW four flow exhaust turbine of the type subsequently provided for Littlebrooke D was ordered in June 1973. Six machines of this type have been sold abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will advise public and private sector bodies which come within his field of responsibility to insist on being given not only a price but also the United Kingdom added value for the goods they purchase and thus encourage them to purchase goods with a high United Kingdom added value percentage.

No, I am not convinced that such a requirement is necessary or would be effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the volume of additional gas which is likely to be available when an effective gas gathering system is developed; what value this represents in terms of both United Kingdom and Western European current prices and the coal equivalent of the volume of gas involved.

The Williams Merz report estimated that up to 1,500 million cubic feet a day of methane and up to 9 million tons a year of heavier gases, in total approximately 34 million tons of coal equivalent a year—on the unlikely assumption that they were all used for energy purposes—might be brought ashore via a gas gathering system in the North Sea. These estimates were preliminary and are insufficiently precise to be used to ascribe values. Gas Gathering Pipelines (North Sea) Ltd. is at present carrying out detailed studies to assess the viability of a gas gathering system. The company has been asked to submit its initial report, which will cover estimated gas quantities and the economics of collection, by the end of this year and update it by April 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the price paid for gas from the southern basin of the North Sea by British Gas and the current price paid for natural gas by the mainland countries of Western Europe.

These prices, both in the United Kingdom and on the Continent, are commercially confidential matters for the buyers and sellers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the yield of gas expected from offshore sources in 1980.

Supplies of gas from offshore sources are expected to be about 5,000 mcfd in 1980.

, pursuant to the answer to a supplementary question by Mr. Ronald Atkins [Official Report, 28th March 1977; Vol. 929, c. 8–9], gave the following further information:The Department is today publishing a paper outlining its present position with regard to tidal power generation in the Severn Estuary. (Energy Paper Series No. 23.) The paper contains summaries of studies made for the Department by the Netherlands Engineering Consultants Foundation (NEDECO), The Hydraulics Research Station, Wallingford (HRS), and the Institute of Geological Sciences (IGS). These studies themselves are also being published today. Copies of the paper and reports are being placed in the Library of the House.My right hon. Friend's Advisory Council on Research and Development for Fuel and Power (ACORD) considered the question of tidal power from the Severn Estuary in 1975 and recommended that two particular technical questions should be investigated in detail.These were:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what conferences or exhibitions in the United Kingdom or abroad dealing with North Sea oil have

Venue	Event	Date 1976	Cost to BOTB (£)
Singapore	Offshore Oil Exhibition & Technical Conference	February	51,918
Amsterdam	European Exhibition for Petroleum Technology	April	29,754
Houston	8th Annual Offshore Technology Conference & Exhibition.	May	136,196
Tulsa	International Petroleum Exposition	May	11,228
Calgary	National Petroleum Show	June	15,278
Stavanger	Offshore North Sea Oil & Gas Exploitation Exhibition.	September	50,784
New York	International Liquid Nitrogen Gas/Liquid Petroleum Gas Exhibition Congress.	October	26,507
Rio de Janeiro	British Marine & Offshore Equipment Exhibition and Seminar.	November	25,280

The Stavanger promotion was the only event concerned exclusively with the North Sea. 21 firms took part under the sponsorship of the Association of British Oceanic Industries.BOTB support is not available to firms participating at exhibitions or conferences held in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is now in a position to announce the order for the Drax B power station completion.

At this stage, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 26th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Government contributed towards the five Powers defence arrangements in South-East Asia since their inception in 1971; and under what headings the expenditure has been made.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th May 1977; Vol. 932, c. 629–30], gave the following information:In 1976 the British Overseas Trade Board supported participation by United Kingdom firms at eight overseas exhibitions and associated conferences concerned with the offshore oil and related fields. Details are as follows:

Her Majesty's Government contributed forces from all three Services to the ANZUK force, set up in support of the Five Power Defence Arrangement, from November 1971 until March 1976. The full cost of stationing these forces in the area throughout this period involved expenditure on all Defence Votes and could not be calculated without disproportionate time and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he now has for the disposal of the land and non-residential buildings at the former Marchington Army camp.

The land and non-residential buildings at the former Army depot at Marchington are surplus to defence needs and will be disposed of by the Property Services Agency in accordance with the established procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the circumstances in which Mr. Daniel McCooey was detained by the Army in Belfast; how long he was detained; what time he was released; and whether he was given medical attention whilst in Army custody.

I have nothing to add to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the potential danger created by low-flying Royal Air Force aircraft operating along the North Wales coast in the area of Colwyn Bay Abegele, particularly during the summer months, whether he will take steps to ensure that such aircraft avoid these holiday resorts, wherever possible, during the tourist season and fly at safe altitudes at all times.

The regulations already forbid pilots to fly over Colwyn Bay and Abergele at less than 2,000 feet when they are engaged in low-level training.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the Army has refused to recover from the River Bann at Toome an agricultural digger.

pursuant to his answer [Official Report, 27th May 1977; Vol. 932, c. 626], gave the following information:Removal of the digger is not the responsibility of the Army since it does not present a threat to Security. I understand, however, that the owner of the equipment has been unable to secure the services of a civilian contractor, and the Army authorities in Northern Ireland are considering whether they can provide assistance on repayment terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of photocopies of journal articles supplied by the British Library Lending Division to overseas customers in the latest year for which figures are available; what was the revenue from these overseas sales; and what were the marginal and total cost of supplying these photocopies.

255,745 in 1976–77, receipts from which are estimated to be £520,000. Expenditure directly attributable to this activity was estimated to be £225,000. Total costs of overseas photocopying of journal articles cannot be separated from the total costs of the Lending Division's operations without a detailed analysis of all the activities of the Lending Division in relation to the various services it supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the nature and extent of the current programme of dental health education provided in schools; and to which age groups it is directed.

Advice on dental health and on diet is given to children and to parents by means of talks and demonstrations, illustrated by leaflets, posters and films. Increasingly, too, dental health is being chosen as a topic for project work, especially in primary schools. But overall responsibility for school curriculum rests with the local education authorities, and local practice varies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement about the consultations she has had with the local authority associations and others about school closures in the light of the falling school population.

My right hon. Friend has considered carefully the detailed and helpful observations she has received on the document she circulated in February and has decided to issue a circular to local education authorities in England. Copies of the circular "Falling Numbers and School Closures" are available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, assuming the basic salary of an EEC Commissioner of approximately £56,000 per annum, what would be his retirement pension after five years in £ sterling.

As I made clear in reply to the hon. Member's question on 26th May, a member of the Commission retiring after five years' service would receive for the first three years after his retirement a so-called "transitional allowance" amounting after deduction of tax to 1,250,172 Belgian francs (£20,164) per annum. During these three years the Commissioner would continue to receive household, family and education allowances. Subsequently, assuming he has reached the age of 65, he would receive a pension amounting, after deduction of tax and social security payments, to 626,052 Belgian francs or £10,098 per annum. A retired Commissioner who completes the three-year transitional period at an age between 60 and 65 will receive a proportionately lower pension. The remarks on conversion into sterling in my answer to the hon. Member's question of 24th May apply. The actual gross basic monthly salaries of members of the Commission, expressed in sterling at current market rates were set out in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 22nd April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made by the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference on outstanding issues; when a final act or treaty is likely to be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

The first three weeks of the Sixth Session of the Conference, which began on 23rd May, have been devoted to informal negotiations on the system of exploitation of the deep sea-bed. I regret to say that so far little or no progress has been made on resolving the oustanding issues on this subject. Intensive efforts are, however, continuing to try to reach a generally acceptable agreement. As the Special Representative of Her Majesty's Government at the Conference, I will be attending the Session on 21st and 22nd June.There is little prospect of a Convention being adopted at the current session. However if satisfactory progress can be achieved in the negotiations, we hope that it will prove possible for it to be adopted in the course of 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what pension arrangements have been made for the new ambassador to Washington.

The appointment is covered by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will remove as one of the conditions for supporting prohibitions of, or restrictions on, the use of certain weapons that they are acceptable to militarily significant States.

No. To be realistic and effective, prohibitions and restrictions must have widespread acceptance and observance. Implementation of a proposal by a limited number of States would not be effective and might prejudice national security in a way which could be destabilising.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken at the recent 1977 session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Conventional Weapons towards prohibitions of, or restrictions on, the use of napalm.

A Dutch proposal to protect civilians from the indiscriminate use of incendiaries and flame weapons, including napalm, attracted the widest support of any on this subject. The United Kingdom worked to increase this support by tabling an amendment. However, since no final agreement was reached on it or on a number of proposals on other matters, the United Kingdom co-sponsored a resolution to set up a further conference by 1979 to complete the work of the Ad Hoc Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the new airstrip in the Falkland Islands has been completed and is now in operational use; and, if so, whether the Argentine Government are paying any landing charges for the use of these facilities by their aircraft.

The new airfield is completed but is not yet operational. A Civil Aviation Authority inspector is now inspecting the airfield, and will report to the Governor on its fitness for operation. The agreement with Argentina concluded in 1972 and covering the operation of the weekly air service, exempts from landing charges the Argentine State Airline (LADE). This arrangement is likely to continue when the new airport is operational.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what income he estimates the new airstrip in the Falkland Islands will generate; and from what sources.

There are at present no estimates of any income which the new airfield might generate. The level of landing charges will be for the Falkland Islands Government to determine.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to encourage the commercial development of fishing for blue whiting off the Falkland Islands and their dependencies.

The commercial development of fishing for blue whiting and other species of fish in Falklands and Dependencies waters is being considered, in consultation with the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates he has received of the gross value of the probable annual catch of shell fish and blue whiting within the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands and their dependencies.

Blue whiting is not found in significant quantities within the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands and their Dependencies. As for shellfish around the Falkland Islands, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 22nd March.—[Vol. 928, c. 527.] There are no estimates for the Falkland Island Dependencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, during the course of the negotiations between the five Western Powers and South Africa over the future of Namibia, what contact there has been between representatives of those Powers and the South-West Africa Peoples Organisation.

The five Powers have informed SWAPO of the development of their talks with the South African Government. In particular, representatives of the five Powers saw the President of the South-West Africa People's Organisation, Mr. Nujoma, in Maputo on 15th May. I also saw Mr. Nujoma in Maputo and discussed the five-Power initiative with him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use has been made by the Wimpey construction company or its subsidiaries of the facilities available at British embassies and consulates abroad in furtherance of their overseas business.

The Wimpey Organisation is in frequent contact with many of our overseas posts. The full range of advice and assistance offered by British embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas is available to them as it is to all British exporters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions are given to British embassies abroad concerning the flying of the Union Jack on embassy buildings.

The proper flag to be displayed at British embassies is the British diplomatic flag; only at Commonwealth posts is the Union flag flown. The flag is flown at the Chancery building on all working days during office hours. Other flags—for example, the flag at the Ambassador's residence—are flown only on days of local celebration or mourning, on British anniversaries, and on other days when, by command of Her Majesty the Queen, flags are to be flown. Her Majesty's representatives have discretion to depart from these rules where local conditions and practice makes it undesirable to follow them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he

	Cleveland Constabulary		Metropolitan Police		All forces England and Wales
Date	Actual deficiency	Per cent. deficiency	Actual deficiency	Per cent. deficiency	Actual deficiency	Per cent. deficiency
1st April 1974	117	8·30	5,289	20·82	14,483	12·73
31st December 1974	123	8·72	5,778	21·69	13,907	12·13
31st December 1975	66	4·67	5,401	20·28	10,266	8·84
31st December 1976	83	5·88	4,383	16·46	8,798	7·52
31st March 1977	94	6·66	4,333	16·27	8,752	7·49

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the different application of the provisions of the Firearms Act 1968 by chief constables, he will issue general guidelines so as to obtain some consistency in their requirements when licensing dealers in firearms.

No. I know of no reason to suppose that chief constables are not fully aware of the law relating to the registration of firearms dealers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable all persons who intend to be away from their parliamentary constituencies on holiday at the time of any General Election and by-election to claim a postal vote.

It would be appropriate for this matter to be further considered by a Speaker's Conference before any decision were taken on new legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long, on average, work permit holders from non-EEC countries remain in the United Kingdom.

Statistical records are not maintained in a way which permits the calculation of the average length of stay of work permit holders. The annual White Papers on the Control of Immigra-

The figures, covering the period from the creation of Cleveland Constabulary on 1st April 1974, are as follows:tion Statistics show the numbers granted settlement after four years in approved employment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give consideration to introducing on an experimental basis in Great Britain the practice of young offenders visiting prison establishments such as that instituted at Rahway State Prison, New Jersey, United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

Persons under the age of 18 are not normally permitted to enter prisons except to visit relatives, and I am not at present persuaded that it would be beneficial to make an exception for the purpose suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision has been made for Civil Defence in the East Staffordshire District area.

Under the Civil Defence Act 1948 the statutory responsibilities for Civil Defence lie with county and district councils: in this area, the Staffordshire County Council and the East Staffordshire District Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received on the subject of police pay during the last six months; and how many of these letters were from (a) the general public; (b) the police and (c) hon. Members.

During the last six months I have received 617 letters about police pay of which 203 were from the public, including the wives of policemen, 168 were from members of the police, and 246 were from hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for a convenient

POLICE OFFICERS' PAY SCALES
		1st April 1975		1st September 1975 (Award during Phase 1—average 29.·8 per cent.)		1st September 1976 (Phase 2 award)
Rank		Provincial	Metropolitan	Provincial	Metropolitan
		£	£	£	£
Constable:
Minimum	…	1,632	1,907	2,400	2,719	All officers are to receive a pay supplement of 5 per cent., subject to a weekly minimum of £2·50 and maximum of £4.
Maximum	…	2,562	2,837	3,402	3,721
Sergeant:
Minimum	…	2,589	2,864	3,402	3,721
Maximum	…	2,976	3,251	3,960	4,279
Inspector:
Minimum	…	3,024	3,404	3,960	4,495
Maximum	…	3,405	3,785	4,614	5,155
Chief Inspector:
Minimum	…	3,405	3,708	4,614	5,155
Maximum	…	3,783	4,166	5,286	5,830
Superintendent:
Minimum	…	4,248	4,875	6,222	6,979
Maximum	…	4,845	5,187	6,918	7,342
Chief Superintendent:
Minimum	…	5,139	5,526	7,110	7,582
Maximum	…	5,661	6,051	7,704	8,179

	1st April 1975		1st July 1975		1st July 1976 (Phase 1 award)	1st July 1977 (Phase 2 award)
Senior Provincial Ranks
Assistant Chief Constable:					Some officers received £6 a week subject to the £8,500 p.a. cut-off.	All officers to receive £4 a week.
Minimum	£5,994		£8,142
Maximum	65 per cent. of Chief Constable's salary.		67 per cent. of Chief Constable's salary.
Deputy Chief Constable:
Minimum	£6,120		£8,268
Maximum	75 per cent. of Chief Constable's salary.		75 per cent. of Chief Constable's salary.
Chief Constable:
Range of minimum salaries.	£8,898–£10,788		£11,016–£13,320		No increase.
Senior Metropolitan Ranks	£		£
Commander:
Minimum	6,315	Plus £201 per annum London allowance	8,532	Plus £201 per annum London allowance increasing to £245 per annum with effect from 1st September 1975	No increase
Maximum	6,747		8,964
Deputy Assistant Commissioner:
Minimum	7,416		9,576
Maximum	8,211		10,683
Assistant Commissioner	10,114		13,089
Deputy Commissioner	11,186		14,445

The figures requested are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that the Metropolitan Police Motor-Cycle Precision Team is equipped with Triumph 650 c.c. "Saints", which are sufficiently free of vibration to enable the team to carry out very precise manoeuvres at varying speeds in confined areas as well as for normal patrol duty, if he will now advise other police authorities to purchase these as a replacement for German machines at present in use.

The Triumph 650 c.c. "Saint" model is no longer in production.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) indictable and (b) non-indictable offences were known to the police in each of the past five years.

The number of indictable offences recorded as known to the police in England and Wales in each of the past five years is as follows:

INDICTABLE OFFENCES RECORDED AS KNOWN TO THE POLICE—ENGLAND AND WALES
Year			Number of offences (millions)
1972	…	…	…	…	1·7
1973	…	…	…	…	1·7
1974	…	…	…	…	2·0
1975	…	…	…	…	2·1
1976	…	…	…	…	2·1

Information is not collected centrally on non-indictable offences known to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to introduce legislation to amend Section 3(2) of the Public Order Act 1936.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the increase in the population of feral mink over the last 10 years;(2) what estimate he has made of the numbers of feral mink in each of the regions;(3) what steps he is taking to eliminate feral mink.

I recognise that this non-indigenous species is now widely present in Scotland, mainly along rivers, but no realistic estimates of numbers are available. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland is at all times willing to give advice on control techniques to all concerned, and is prepared to lend, when available, suitable traps. Pest control is, in general, the responsibility of occupiers and further activity on my right hon. Friend's part would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the damage to fishing caused by mink in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

No estimates are available of the damage done by mink to fisheries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what precautions he is taking to prevent the spread of rabies through mink.

The Government's policy is to keep rabies out of Great Britain. Mink, like most other mammals, may be imported only under licence and subject to six months quarantine.Should rabies occur in captive mink, the premises concerned would be declared an infected place under the Rabies (Control) Order 1974 and restrictions would be imposed to prevent any spread of the disease. In the event of a rabies outbreak in wildlife, the Rabies Act 1974 provides powers for the destruction within an infected area of such species as may be prescribed. This would include feral mink should they be considered to be acting as vectors of the disease. There is, however, no record of mink having been a significant vector.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now completed his consideration of the South of Scotland Electricity Board's study of the feasibility of district heating based on Pinkston Power Station; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Combined Heat and Power Group, which was established in 1974 under the aegis of the Secretary of State for Energy's Advisory Council on Research and Development to examine the future role of combined heat and electricity generating systems in the United Kingdom, has recently published a discussion document—as Energy Paper No. 20 published by the Department of Energy—which took the Pinkston study into account. The Government will give very careful consideration to the group's final report and recommendations, which will be prepared and published when interested parties have been able to comment on the discussion document. It would be premature to take decisions on any particular scheme until this report is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when, and in what form, official advice will be made available to Scottish poultry producers and processors regarding egg grading requirements, costs and financial aids to the industry consequent on the new EEC egg grading regulations.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave to him on 27th May 1977 on this subject.—[Vol. 932, c. 662.]