asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if, in view of the fact that millions of householders in the United Kingdom have had their houses rewired with a 13 amp ring circuit, he will oppose the introduction of the suggested international 16 amp plug and socket.

If an international voluntary standard for a new 16 amp plug and socket system were eventually published, this would not oblige the United Kingdom to change over to the new system. Any substantial proposals for its introduction would not be considered by Government if, as a result, changes to existing serviceable installations would be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why the Price Commission is investigating the accounts of the subsidiaries of British Shipbuilders.

This appears to be a matter for the Price Commission, and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what were the highest and lowest prices that were being charged in October 1977 for four-star petrol as recorded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the way in which his Department monitors such prices.

My Department does not monitor retail petrol prices directly. The Department of Energy collects some information on the retail price of petrol but not in the form requested, as it relates to average prices reported by a number of oil companies and not each company's full range. A report published by the Price Commission in 1975 (Motor Fuel Retailers' Margin's Final Report) sets out reasons for the variation in prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the criteria guiding his Department's decisions on whether to institute proceedings for the winding up of companies incorporated in the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Companies Acts.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 35 of the Companies Act 1967, my right hon. Friend may present a petition for a company to be wound up if it appears to him, from any report made under Section 168 of the Companies Act 1948 or from any information or document obtained under Part III of the Companies Act 1967, that it is expedient in the public interest to do so. This power has been exercised in the main when it appears from the information obtained that there were circumstances suggesting: (i) that its business is being or has been conducted with intent to defraud its creditors or the creditors of any other person, or otherwise for a fraudulent or unlawful purpose, or in a manner oppressive of any part of its members, or that it was formed for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose; or (ii) that persons concerned with its formation or the management of its affairs have been guilty of fraud, misfeasance, or other misconduct towards it or towards its members.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies incorporated in the United Kingdom under the provisions of Companies Acts have been wound up during the last 10 years by the courts on winding-up motions brought by his Department.

Ninety eight from 1st January 1967 to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade why the Export Credits Guarantee Department is allowing a maximum credit of 180 days for Chile, in the light of the fact that foreign firms competing with British industry for orders in Chile can obtain five years credit cover.

Export Credits Guarantee Department cover for exports to Chile has been restricted to short-term credit transactions since 1972, when the Chilean Government defaulted in respect of its commercial debts. A large part of the substantial claims payments met by the Department at that time still remains to be recovered but the situation is being kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will institute an inquiry under the Companies Acts into the activities of Spanish Gold Real Estates Limited.

There is no limited company with this name. Spanish Gold Real Estates is the trading name of Swadeway Limited. I am not aware of any grounds to justify exercise of the Department's investigatory powers into the affairs of this company, but I shall consider any information provided by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he proposes to take to safeguard passengers on British airlines boarding (a) at Palma and (b) at the foreign airports where security is lax, following the recent hijacking of a Lufthansa jet at Las Palmas; and whether he intends to follow the example of the West German Government by posting British security guards aboard where necessary.

British missions abroad have instructions to concert with British airlines and, where necessary, to seek specific improvements in security. The Spanish Government are well aware of our concern. Very recently they have in fact taken a number of steps to improve security at Palma and elsewhere. I do not rule out any possibility, including the posting of security officers aboard, where it is necessary for achieving the required level of security.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish details of the pay award made by the Civil Aviation Authority to the air traffic controllers' assistants, and whether or not the lump sum payment of £315 plus 10 per cent. from next April comes within the Government guidelines.

On 1st April 1978, the anniversary of their phase 2 award, the air traffic control assistants will get an increase in pay of 4 per cent. in addition to any increase payable under a central settlement for staff of the Civil Aviation Authority, the negotiating group to which the 10 per cent. guidelines applies. They may receive an increase of up to a further 4 per cent., provided that the Authority's wage costs are not thereby increased by more than 10 per cent.The balance of the new pay scales agreed by the Civil Aviation Authority in 1976 will be implemented as soon as Government pay policy permits but there will be no retrospection.The Civil Aviation Authority will also make an immediate payment of a lump sum to the air traffic control assistants but this will not take their earnings outside phase 2 limits.The terms of the settlement are compatible with Government pay policy both as to timing and to amount.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what plans she has for increasing aid to Sri Lanka; and if she will make a statement.

We have agreed with the Sri Lanka Government three major projects, in the fields of irrigation, transport and rural development, which will involve expenditure of £9·6 million over the next few years, and £3 million for the purchase of spare parts for British vehicles and equipment. I have furthermore offered to send an aid mission to Sri Lanka later this month.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what assistance has been given by the United Kingdom to the immunisation campaign in Zambia; and if she will make a statement.

30,000 doses of measles vaccine have been provided this year from the aid programme to the World Health Organisation for use in Zambia.Additionally, approximately 1·2 million doses of diptheria, pertussis and tetanus (adsorbed) vaccine, and 688,000 doses of measles vaccine, have been contributed to the World Health Organisation's central stocks for their expanded programme on immunisation, and are available for use in Zambia and other countries.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action she proposes to take regarding the Fay Committee Report.

I propose to present to the House in the near future both the Fay Report and a statement of the Government's conclusions. I hope that this will be quite soon.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement on the recent Government loan to the Government of Mozambique.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hughes) on 25th July—[Vol. 936, c. 11].

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what has been the amount of loans and grants paid to Mozambique during 1977 to date.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave today to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gow).

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps she is taking to increase public awareness and understanding of the need to do everything possible to assist the economic development of the developing countries.

In addition to official information activities, we are now providing funds to support non-Government organisations engaged in development education. Grants authorised so far this year exceed £400,000. I shall shortly be considering the first report of the Advisory Committee on Development Education.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action has been taken to assist other African countries to follow Zambia's example and develop their immunisation services; and if he will make a statement.

I am giving the full support of my Ministry to the World Health Organisation's expanded programme on immunisation, which has the objective of encouraging the development of well aimed and well administered immunisation programmes in developing countries which need external aid in expertise and resources for this purpose.This support is being provided as a contribution in kind by providing vaccines from manufacturers in the United Kingdom, and by meeting all expenses of delivery. The value of the contributions already made, or agreed, is £48,000 in the financial year 1976–77 and £100,000 in the financial year 1977–78. I intend, subject to parliamentary approval, to make further contributions in kind to a value of £100,000 in the financial year 1978–79.This support for the immunisation programme was brought to the attention of African countries by my representative at the Second Meeting of the Conference on Co-ordination and Co-operation for Health in Africa which was held in Brazzaville on 15th–16th September 1977.African countries which have already received vaccines provided by my Ministry include Cameroon, Egypt, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made by the Commonwealth Development Corporation in extending its commitments in the poorer countries and in renewable natural resources projects.

As announced by my predecessor in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) on 7th August 1975—[Vol. 897, c. 459–60]—the Corporation decided after discussions with my Ministry to seek increasingly to place its new commitments in these areas over the five years 1975 to 1979. A joint review this summer by CDC and ODM of progress towards this objective has shown that 65 per cent. of the new commitments up to 30th June 1977 were in the renewable natural resources sector and 84 per cent. were in poorer countries. This emphasis in CDC's programme harmonises with Britain's aid strategy of helping the world's poorest people and of promoting rural development and food production. I very much welcome this and have so informed CDC's chairman. I look forward to a continuation of the close and constructive relationship that has been established between CDC and my Ministry, both in London and overseas.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the expected annual cost of preparing and publishing six issues each year of her Department's publication Overseas Development; what is its circulation within the United Kingdom; and what is its circulation overseas.

I refer the hon. Member to the information that I gave on this matter on 6th July 1977.—[Vol. 934, c. 557.] The figures have not changed significantly since then, except that an additional 243 Members of Parliament have asked to receive regular copies.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list the responsibilities of the following Departments in relation to live and dead whales, their capture and their parts and products (a) Environment, (b) Trade, (c) Industry, (d) Education and Science, (e) Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and (f) Treasury.

The Department of the Environment is responsible for the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 which controls trade in endangered species of whales and their specified parts and derivatives.

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to answer the letter from the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington seeking his comments on the suggestion that convicted terrorists should be given a suspended capital sentence to be implemented if hostages are taken and held in exchange for the release of the terrorists.

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary replied on my behalf on 11th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will define the responsibilities of the First Lord of the Treasury, in relation to questions which he has said he will now answer at Prime Minister's Question Time, to which he referred in the Official Report, 8th November, column 485.

The First Lord is one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and may act as such in the exercise of any of the functions of the Treasury, although he does not normally do so. He has a statutory responsibility for determining the salary of certain Ministers; exercises certain powers of patronage; and has various ex-officio functions.

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been taken to implement Recommendations 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the Report of the Renton Committee on the Preparation of Legislation; what is the present strength of the Parliamentary Counsel Office compared with a year ago; how many newly recruited lawyers are at present under training there; and whether he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.There are currently 20 full-time draftsmen in the Parliamentary Counsel Office. This compares with 22 on 1st of November 1976. The number on loan to the Law Commission is now seven compared with five on 1st of November 1976.Consideration has been given to various possibilities for training draftsmen, but there is no present intention to set up a course in legislative drafting. Special attention is paid to letting newly recruited lawyers gain the experience which is essential to their training.The staffing levels in the Parliamentary Counsel Office are kept under careful consideration and two new recruits were added just over a year ago to another two appointed somewhat earlier.Consultation on draft Bills with persons outside the Government services occurs frequently and those consulted include specialists on the relevant branches of the law.

asked the Lord President of the Council what responsibilities his proposed Welsh Assembly will have that have not already been largely or wholly administratively devolved to the Welsh Office.

There is no automatic identification between present functions of the Welsh Office and future functions of the Welsh Assembly. Nevertheless, most of the Assembly's future responsibilities are currently exercised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. Important functions to be added to these include functions relating to rate support grant, further and higher education, some transport matters, fire services, drainage and freshwater fisheries.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list in the Official Report the various distinct forms of subordinate legislation authorised by the Scotland Bill, listing for each the respective powers of the proposed Assembly and United Kingdom Parliament, respectively, and any powers of subordinate legislation that will continue to be exercised by the United Kingdom Parliament under other Acts; and if he intends to publish these details separately at a later date.

All existing forms of subordinate legislation so far as the relevant enabling powers relate to devolved matters as identified in Schedules 10 and 11 will devolve on Scottish Secretaries. Existing enabling powers are otherwise unaffected. The Scottish Assembly will also have legislative competence in relation to those enabling powers relating to devolved matters identified in Schedule 10.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received from the Union of Independent Companies and the number of key points listed; and what plans he has to discuss any or all of them with its representatives.

The Chairman of the Union of Independent Companies sent me a detailed paper on 19th October, listing 40 points. Mr. Cryer and I hope to meet the union's representatives soon to discuss its ideas.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on current energy trends.

We remain on target for net self-sufficiency in energy from 1980. Longer term and short-term projections have recently been issued in Energy Commission Papers 1 and 3, copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions has he had with representatives of the electricity industry, in view of the recent power cuts.

I have remained in close touch with both management and unions in the industry throughout the dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the coal industry having regard to the miners' recent attitude to the Government's pay policy.

Yes. I believe that the future energy needs of Britain depend very largely on coal and those highly skilled workers and managers who work in the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied that there is currently a fair and proper reward for the investment of public money in the coal mining industry.

Yes. Investment under "Plan for Coal" is needed to overcome the legacy of the low level of investment in the 1960s and to provide production capacity for the future when it will be vital to the nation's energy needs. An example of the benefits which will accrue is the new mine at Royston, where productivity is now over four times the national average.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with current levels of productivity in British coal mines.

No. The Government, National Coal Board and the unions recognised the need for a significant improvement in productivity in the coal industry examination in 1974. The problem remains with us. That is why we have welcomed the statement issued by the President, Secretary and Vice-President of the National Union of Mineworkers stressing the importance of an increase in coal production.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the National Coal Board on productivity.

Productivity within the coal industry has been a constant concern of my Department, the National Coal Board and the mining unions, as witness the Reports of the Tripartite Committee and, for example, the very recent statement issued by the three national officers of the National Union of Mineworkers. It features prominently in virtually every discussion we have, jointly or severally.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a regional analysis of productivity trends in the coal mining industry.

Information on productivity in the areas of the National Coal Board is contained in the Board's Statistical Tables, published annually, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies he has undertaken to analyse the reasons for the decline in productivity in the coal industry.

The coal industry examination investigated the various constraints on production. Productivity was again considered in the review last year of progress with "Plan for Coal", the results of which were published in "Coal for the Future".

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a report on the relative importance of lack of incentive, absenteeism, shortage of manpower, mechanical failures, inadequate capital investment, geological problems, or any other contributory causes of the declining trend in coal mining productivity.

Over the years these matters have been discussed exhaustively by all those concerned. For example, a special sub-group of the tripartite meeting took a particular interest in the subject. But I understand that while all the elements mentioned by the hon. Member appear to play their part at one place or another, there is no means of assessing precisely what relative overall importance to attach to each of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is now able to make a further statement on the Staffordshire Park Colliery project.

There is nothing I can add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 26th October.—[Vol. 936, c. 681.]— W e are still studying the joint report received from the National Coal Board and Central Electricity Generating Board and we are discussing it with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate he has made of the number of windmills required, and the number of hundreds of square miles of windswept territory in the United Kingdom the windmills would need to occupy for aerodynamic reasons, to provide the megawatt equivalent of one average modern nuclear power station; and what the capital cost of such a proposal might be.

I am advised that 750 to 3,000 aerogenerators placed on the most favourable sites could give an annual electricity output equal to that from a 1,320 megawatts nuclear power station. These sites are dispersed, but where machines could be concentrated a density of two to three per square mile might be achieved. The capital cost of these machines would be approximately £1,100 mi lion.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether parliamentary approval is required to compensate the Central Electricity Generating Board for bringing forward the design study for the Drax project to the later part of 1977; and when the Government intend to seek such approval.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) on 8th November.—[Vol. 938, c. 91.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are his present plans for the building of fast breeder reactors by the electricity generating boards in the United Kingdom.

The Government are considering their policy towards the next stage of fast reactor development, including the possible construction of a full-scale demonstration fast reactor. No decisions have been reached, and any

							1st 9 months of
							1977	1976	1975
Coal exports (tons)	…	…	…	…	…	…	1·5m	1·0m	1·7m
Coal exports (value)	…	…	…	…	…	…	£34·2m	£21m	£28m
Coal imports (tons)	…	…	…	…	…	…	1·7m	2·3m	3·7m
made up of:—
anthracite	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·2m	0·1m	0·1m
steam coal	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·6m	1·2m	3·1m
coking coal	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·9m	1·0m	0·5m

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much anthracite is expected to be imported during 1977, compared with each of the past three years; what is the cost per ton of imports compared with home production; and when he expects demand will be balanced by United Kingdom production.

Some 200,000 tons of anthracite is expected to be imported in 1977 compared with 143,000 tons in 1976, 135,000 tons in 1975 and 72,000 tons in 1974. decision on the CFR will be subject to a wide ranging public inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the rôle of nuclear power in the British energy programme.

While we cannot at this stage define precisely what rôle different energy sources will play in the longer term, there will clearly be a need for a growing nuclear component. The future (Ole of nuclear power will be an important subject for consideration by the Energy Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will consider dismissing Sir Derek Ezra from the chairmanship of the National Coal Board and appointing in his stead Mr. Arthur Scargill from Yorkshire.

No. Each of them is doing a good job where he is.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the tonnage and the value of coal exported to date in 1977; what has been the corresponding amount imported by category and in total; and how this compares with each of the previous years.

The answer is following:There is a wide range of prices both for imports and home production. Thus in the first nine months of this year Customs returns show that monthly average values of imports varied between £37·7 and £51·7 per ton. NCB current list prices at the pit head vary between £31·4 and £42·9 per ton.I understand that production from the new Betws mine will make a significant contribution in 1978 and that as this builds up, and other deep-mined developments reach maximum output, and providing new opencast sites can be brought into operation as planned, the need for imports in the longer term should be all but eliminated.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if the Coal Board plans to import coal, other than anthracite.

I am informed that the answer is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those companies or groupings currently engaged in North Sea oil development with which the British National Oil Corporation is at present involved in discussions to reach agreement in participation; and what progress these negotiations have so far made.

A wide range of agreements has now been concluded as a result of the negotiations for majority State participation being conducted by my Department and the BNOC with oil companies with interests under existing licences. List A below comprises those companies with which participation agreements have been concluded in final form, though some are subject to certain technical clearances. List B below comprises those companies which have signed outline agreements, where negotiations continue to convert the outline agreements to final form. List C comprises those companies with which negotiations have started but which have yet to reach agreement with us.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether, in estimating figures for the price per kWh of electricity produced from different kinds of fuel, the figure for coal contains all true costs, including subsidies, write-offs and Government grants to meet deficit financing since nationalisation; and, if so, what is the current price of electricity production from coal, expressed as pence per kWh;(2) whether, in estimating figures for the price per kWh of electricity produced from different kinds of fuel, the figures for nuclear power contains all true costs, including the financing of past capital expenditure on existing power stations, and of the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations at present under construction; and, if so, what is the current price of electricity production from nuclear power, expressed as pence per kWh;(3) whether, in estimating figures for the price per kWh of electricity produced from different kinds of fuel, the figure for oil contains all true costs, including past and present North Sea exploration and development costs; and, if so, what is the current price of electricity production from oil, expressed as pence per kWh.

For all plant—coal, nuclear and oil—the CEGB's figures for the cost of generation incorporate fully both capital and operating costs including the cost of fuel as delivered. They therefore cover the prices charged by suppliers of coal, oil and nuclear fuel but do not reflect any factors which do not come through into prices.The cost of generation as recorded in the CEGB's account for 1976–7 was 0·69p/kWh for Magnox stations, and 1·07p/kWh and 1·27p/kWh respectively for coal and oil stations built within the last twelve years. A comparable figure for the AGR is not yet available since only one half of an AGR station has so far been commissioned by CEGB. These figures are not of course a guide to investment decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will revise the scheme to allow a 25 per cent. discount on a quarter's electricity bill, in order to help families not claiming supplementary benefit or family income supplement; and if he will make a statement.

This scheme can be operated only if the people it is designed to help can be readily indentified. People who do not claim their entitlement to either supplementary benefit or family income supplement cannot be so identified and cannot be included in the scheme. People entitled to these benefits are considered to be in greatest need of the help offered by the scheme, and the Government are always concerned to ensure that social security benefits are claimed by all those entitled to them. To extend the scheme beyond the two groups currently eligible would spread the £25 million available so thinly that the benefit to the individual would be too small to be of real help.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the take-up of those families who were eligible for the 25 per cent. discount; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that all who are entitled should receive the benefit.

The final account is expected to show that some 1·6 million people claimed the discount in 1977. This represents nearly 70 per cent. of those eligible. Under this winter's scheme all recipients of supplementary benefit and family income supplement will receive a payment of £5 in January. Area board consumers with bills exceeding £20 will also be able to claim a further discount. I am arranging for more widespread publicity than was given to last winter's scheme to encourage all who are eligible to claim to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to overcome the shortages of household coal at coal yards and depots.

The National Coal Board, with the co-operation of the unions, has taken measures to increase the proportion of house coal in overall production. Dispatches of house coal by the Board to merchants are being made at a higher rate than last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish figures for current stocks of domestic coal, at the pithead and with merchants; and how present stocks compare with those for the same period in each of the past three years.

Figures of stocks in the hands of merchants are not available. Coal stocks, suitable for the domestic market, at pit heads and opencast site.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many weeks of estimated consumption of domestic coal are now in stock at pit heads and in merchants yards; and if he is satisfied with the current level of stocks.

Precise figures of stocks of domestic coal in the hands of merchants are not available but the National Coal Board and the coal trade estimate that stocks at both pit heads and merchants yards are equivalent to around three weeks' consumption. This is a lower level than is desirable at this time of the year. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) about the measures the National Coal Board is taking to increase output.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many weeks of estimated consumption of non-domestic coal are currently in stock; how the stock

END OCTOBER STOCKS
Year			Total	Total Distributed	Power Stations	Coke Ovens	Other	million tons Undistributed
1977	…	…	30·3	21·3	19·1	2·0	0·2	9·0
1976	…	…	34·4	23·8	21·2	2·4	0·2	10·6
1975	…	…	29·9	20·7	18·4	2·1	0·2	9·2
1974	…	…	21·6	15·4	13·6	1·5	0·3	6·2
1973	…	…	34·9	21·7	19·6	1·8	0·3	13·2
1972	…	…	28·9	18·9	17·0	1·6	0·3	10·0

Distributed stocks held at industrial premises and by merchants are excluded because statistics are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement about the level of coal stocks in the United Kingdom in November 1977; and what was the level of coal stocks in November of each of the last five years.

The total level of coal stocks held at the beginning of November was 30 million tons. Although lower than the 34 million tons held at the compares with the same period in each of the past three years; and if he is satisfied that present stock levels are adequate.

The figure for the total of non-domestic coal stocks at the end of October is 30 million tons. As a pre-winter stock this is adequate. It does not include stocks held at industrial premises and by merchants, statistics of which are not available. Distributed stocks included in the figure are held at mainly power stations and coke ovens. They represent six to eight weeks' consumption under normal operating conditions. The comparable stock figures for the last three years are as follows:

	Million tons
End October 1976	34
End October 1975	29
End October 1974	21

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are now the stocks of coal at pit head, electric power stations, in special stocks, and with coal merchants; and how this compares with the previous five years at the same time of year.

Such figures are published regularly in Energy Trends, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The figures are as follows:comparable date last year, it is a satisfactory overall level.The comparable figures for the beginning of November for the last five years are:

	Million tons
1976	34
1975	30
1974	22
1973	35
1972	29

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the demand to date in 1977 for domestic and non-domestic coal; and how this compares with each of the three previous years.>

The consumption of coal in the period January-September was as follows:

Year	Domestic	million tons Non-Domestic
1977	7·9	82·4
1976	7·9	79·9
1975	8·9	78·9
1974	9·5	73·0

These figures are prepared on the same basis as those published monthly in Table 4 of

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his policy on Recommendation 305 adopted by the Assembly of the Western European Union on 23rd June (a) deploring the continued consensus on a common energy policy, (b) seeking the assignment of a higher percentage of research and development expenditure to new sources of energy, and (c) recommending the establishment of a working group to consider maritime sources of energy.

I have been asked to reply.Recommendations of the Assembly of the Western European Union are addressed to the Permanent Council which considers them and forward replies to the Assembly. A reply to the recommendation to which the hon. Gentleman refers will be put before the Assembly when it meets in Paris at the end of this month. The United Kingdom will have a shared responsibility for this reply, and I am sorry, therefore, that I cannot make any advance statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in Lichfield and Tamworth are benefiting from (a) temporary employment subsidiary, (b) youth employment subsidy, (c) the work experience scheme, and (d) the job creation programme, indicating in each case whether the number involved are more or less than the population of the towns would indicate.

As at 9th November 1977 details are as follows:

(a) Temporary Employment Subsidy: 347 jobs supported by TES and 66 by TES (Supplement);

(b)Youth Employment Subsidy: 1 young person;

(c) Work Experience Scheme: 37 places provided currently;

(d) Job Creation Programme: 22 places provided currently.

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that it would welcome further proposals from employers for work experience schemes, and further applications for job creation projects, in Lichfield and Tamworth.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days have been lost through strikes so far during 1977.

The provisional estimate of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in 1977 up to the end of September is 6,367,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of working days lost through strikes in each of the years 1966 to 1976.

Following is the information:

STOPPAGES OF WORK DUE TO INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Working Days lost in all Stoppages in Progress during the Year
1966	2,398,000
1967	2,787,000
1968	4,690,000
1969	6,846,000
1970	10,980,000
1971	13,551,000
1972	23,909,000
1973	7,197,000
1974	14,750,000
1975	6,012.000
1976	3,284,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report the actual moneys claimed paid or received by the chairman and members of the Scarman inquiry into the Grunwick dispute.

The chairman and members received between them £18·35. This sum was entirely in respect of subsistence and travelling expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what recent action he has taken to resolve the Grunwick dispute; and what further action he contemplates in the near future.

Following the company's failure to accept the recommendations of the Scarman Report, I have had discussions with the TUC about possible means of resolving the dispute. I remain ready to take any steps that seem likely to help towards this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the findings in the "Wages of Uncertainty", published in August by the Low Pay Unit, what steps he intends to take to overcome the serious problems outlined.

I am examining the possibility of producing guides to wages orders and, in conjunction with certain wages councils, experimenting with simplification of the orders. A publicity campaign to make the work of the councils and wages inspectors more objections are being made by workers in industry generally and the motor car, steel, coal mining, Civil Service, police, electricity and power and fire services in particular.

No. I think that the aims of the pay policy and the difficulties to which it inevitably gives rise are widely appreciated both within the trade union movement and by the public at large.