asked the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will take steps to replace all the photocopying machines in the Norman Shaw North building which have been persistently out of order since the beginning of December; and if he will make a statement on the inadequate photo-copying facilities for Members, secretaries and research assistants in the Norman Shaw North building;(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the photo-copying machines in the Norman Shaw North building which have repeatedly broken down during the last two weeks will be repaired in such a manner that they will not break down so soon after the repairs have been completed.

As a result of the poor performance of four of the existing photocopying machines in Norman Shaw North, the Authorities of the House have recently been in touch with Her Majesty's Stationery Office regarding their replacement.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the total capital expenditure, offshore and onshore, in relation to North Sea oil development; and if he will estimate the proportion spent within the Scottish economy.

It is not possible to estimate expenditure on oil and associated gas separately. However, the total United Kingdom gross domestic fixed capital formation—offshore and onshore—in the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry between 1972 and 1977, inclusive, is currently estimated at £6·8 billion. Expenditure prior to 1972 essentially related to southern basin gas fields and subsequent expenditure to northern basin developments. The returns received by my Department do not enable the proportion of capital expenditure actually spent in Scotland, as distinct from the proportion of capital investment physically made in Scotland, to be identified, but of the £6·8 billion capital formation, just under 88 per cent. was offshore on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, the balance of about 12 per cent. representing onshore investment, of which about 70 per cent. was in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the cost in interest rates incurred by the Central Electricity Generating Board because of the delays in the advanced gas-cooled reactor programme; and if he will give his estimate in each year since the programme got under way.

The information is in preparation and will be given as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Government have approved the system based on the American-designed pressure water reactor for incorporation in the proposed developments at Portskewitt currently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has approved any proposal by the Central Electricity Generating Board to order a second coal-fired Drax B; and, if so, where it is proposing to site it.

My right hon. Friend has given no approval for any power station beyond Drax B.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in the Official Report a table showing the imports of coal and solid fuels for each of the years from 1971, indicating the types of fuel, the countries of origin and the relevant values.

This information is available in the appropriate publications—"Annual Statement of Overseas Trade of the United Kingdom" for the years from 1971 to 1974 and for the years 1975 and 1976 in the "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom" December 1975 and the Annual issue of 1976 (Table III). The relevant item is SITC(R) subgroup 321. Copies of these publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in the Official Report a table showing the anticipated or planned imports of coal and solid fuels for the year 1977–78 showing the types, countries of origin and the expected values.

It is not possible at this stage to give precise estimates for the year 1977–78. However, on the basis of current trends expectations are that total imports of coal and other solid fuels in 1977–78 might be slightly higher than last year when they amounted to 2·6 million tons. Detailed figures for the period January to October 1977 are published in the October 1977 issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics, which is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total cost to date in 1977 of his Department's advertising in the Morning Star.

The Department of Energy has not advertised to date in 1977 in the Morning Star.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is aware that the electricity boards now require small businesses when starting up to pay a deposit before they are prepared to supply electricity; and whether he will issue a general direction forbidding this practice.

Electricity boards are required by statute to provide a supply of electricity when it is requested and they are also permitted by statute to ask for a deposit as security for payment where they believe the circumstances justify this. I understand it has always been and continues to be their practice to consider each case on its merits when deciding whether or not to seek a deposit. The size of the business or the amount of consumption does not determine their decisions. Consumers from whom a deposit is requested have a statutory right to seek arbitration on the amount. Interest is paid on deposits, currently at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he accepts the forecast of the Energy Commission that there will be an annual requirement for energy supplies in the United Kingdom in the year 2000 which will be 120 million tonnes of coal equivalent in excess of supplies available from United Kingdom energy sources; and what action is planned to close this gap.

The Energy Commission itself has made no forecasts of energy supply or demand. The Working Document on Energy Policy prepared by the Department of Energy and considered by the Commission on 28th November contained estimates that, on the assumptions specified, United Kingdom demand for energy in the year 2000 might lie in the range 450–560 million tons of coal equivalent (mtce) and that indigenous energy supplies might comprise 475–515 mtce. A copy of the document is available in the Library. I intend that the Commission should assist in developing strategy for the energy sector of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when and where full details of this winter's scheme to help people who receive supplementary benefit or family income supplement with their electricity bills will be published.

From today a leaflet giving full details about the scheme is available on request at post offices, electricity showrooms, social security offices, unemployment benefit offices, citizens advice bureaux and other agencies. This explains how to get this help. It also provides answers to a number of possible questions about the scheme. The scheme starts on 1st January, but this information is being made available from an early date so that people have time to understand how to claim a discount before electricity bills which may qualify for one start to arrive. The £5 payment which those who are eligible will receive in the week commencing 16th January will be made automatically and does not have to be claimed.Advertisements about the scheme will appear in the national Press this week and at intervals during its period of operation.

asked the Attorney-General (1) how many applications have been made to him by the police for prosecution by the Director of Public Prosecutions for offences under Section 70 of the Race Relations Act 1976 to date; and how many have been rejected;(2) how many prosecutions have been brought by the police under Section 70 of the Race Relations Act 1976, to date; and how many such charges are pending.

The police have submitted 11 reports relating to their investigations of alleged offences under the section. In one case my consent has been granted; in three cases the Director of Public Prosecutions advised that the evidence did not justify the instition of proceedings and my consent was not sought; and the remaining cases are under consideration or are the subject of further inquiries. The one case in which my consent has been granted is pending.

asked the Attorney-General why he has not sought the extradition from Italy of Mr. Vina Landa, having regard to the fact that he has been sought by the Durham Police to answer serious charges for 10 years, that a warrant for his arrest issued by the Houghton Le Spring magistrates is in force, that he was described by a judge in the Newcastle Crown Court in his absence as an arch villain, and that he is alleged to have been involved in crimes amounting to £3 million.

I am making inquiries into this matter and will reply as soon as they are complete.

asked the Attorney-General what he estimates the cost would be of extending legal aid provisions to persons appearing before the Medical Appeal Tribunal and the National Insurance Commissioner.

Any estimate of the cost of making legal aid available in the tribunals to which the right hon. Member refers must depend upon a number of factors, including the method of determining eligibility, the nature of the legal aid to be provided and the circumstances in which it is to be made available.The cost of providing legal aid for all the cases dealt with by these tribunals would be over £1 million a year.

asked the Attorney-General, in view of the fact that the final draft of the surrender of the German armed forces in 1945 is to be auctioned on 12th December, whether he will take action to ensure that all such papers and documents which are, or may become valuable, either at the time or subsequent upon a person obtaining them through Government service, shall be remitted to Her Majesty's Treasury or some other designated Department.

My noble Friend is not persuaded that the action suggested by my hon. Friend, even if it were practicable, would be justified. Under the Public Records Act 1958 public records worthy of permanent preservation are placed in the Public Record Office or an authorised depository. The actual instrument of surrender in question was presented to the Imperial War Museum by the late Lord Montgomery and is on public display there.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement about British aid to refugees from Indo-China.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 7th December.—[Vol. 940, c. 775.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, in view of the report of Judge Fay into matters concerning the Crown Agents, she will take action to withdraw the pensions of those who were in any way responsible for breach or neglect of duty.

On matters concerning pensions the provisions of the Social Security Act, 1973, apply, as I explained on 5th December.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development in which overseas cities the Crown Agents currently have procurement offices.

Crown Agents overseas procurement offices are in Kobe, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Washington DC. They also have representative offices in Lagos, Nairobi, Bahrain, Jakarta, Barbados, Riyadh and Kano.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she is aware that the Fay Committee Report into the Crown Agents affair reveals that some of those connected with these matters refused to give evidence or in any way participate; and to what extent the Aarvold Committee will have authority to send for persons and papers.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 8th December.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development why her Department always sends two copies of each parliamentary answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South, whereas every other Government Department sends only one copy; whether this treatment is given to every hon. Member who asks a parliamentary Question of her Department; and if she will cease this practice in the interests of departmental economy.

Two copies of the parliamentary answer have always been sent by my Department to hon. Members. Single copies only will be sent in future. I would add that the cost to my Department of answering this Question would cover double-copying of answers, according to my estimate, for 16 years.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the total cost to date in 1977 of her Department's advertising in the Morning Star.

Nothing.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will publish full details of the technical co-operation programme for English language training in Vietnam for which a British grant of £200,000 has been paid.

Most of this aid consists of training in Britain. Twenty-two Vietnamese English language students began their studies here in January 1977. Another intake of up to 30 students is expected in January 1978.A three-week English language seminar, conducted by two English language specialists from Britain, is due to begin in Hanoi about now. We have agreed to supply two language laboratories, one for each of two foreign language institutes in Hanoi. £200,000 is the estimated cost in the financial year 1977–78.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why, in view of the fall in wages, cost of living index figures and the inflationary spiral, he is granting permission for Cadbury Schweppes to increase its food prices by 7 per cent.; as this will affect drinking chocolate, table jellies, desserts and their freeze dried potato range, to what extent it will affect the cost of living; and whether he will take some action to prevent these increases.

This is a matter for the Price Commission, which has already announced that it intends to investigate the increases proposed by Cadbury Schweppes Ltd. under Section 4 of the Price Commission Act 1977. It is not possible to estimate the effect the increase would have on the retail price index.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the total cost to date in 1977 of his Department's advertising in the Morning Star.

My Department has not used the Morning Star to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will refer to the Price Commission for investigation the proposed increases by Gallahers in the price of their cigarettes by 6p a packet and tobacco by 2p an ounce.

My right hon. Friend has no powers to refer to the Price Commission for investigation price increases by individual manufacturers. The decision to investigate such increases is solely a matter for the Price Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many applications for price increases the Price Commission has received in the current year; how many it has granted, giving details of the increases; how many investigations are pending; how many interim price increases, pending the reports, have been made; what increases have been granted; and to what extent all of these increases have affected the cost of living index.

The Price Commission does not grant price increases. The larger firms are required to notify details of price increases to the Commission, and the Commission has to decide whether or not to investigate them within 28 days of the notification being made. The handling of these notifications, and the issue of notices removing price restrictions during investigation, are matters for the Commission, and I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend on these points. Thirteen investigations have been announced by the Commission, but none has been completed. It is not possible to calculate separately the effect of prices increases notified to the Price Commission on the retail price index, but the index has risen by 11 per cent. in 1977 so far.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what evidence he has that the practice of sending out solicitations which look like invoices, and are contrary to the provisions of the Unsolicited Goods and Services (Amendment) Act 1975, is continuing.

The only evidence that this practice is continuing is in respect of documents sent from overseas relating to directory entries. If such documents contravene United Kingdom legislation, action can be taken only if the person concerned comes within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom courts within six months of committing the offence. Nevertheless, in such cases the matter may be taken up informally with the appropriate authorities in the country concerned.If my hon. Friend has any evidence of breaches of the Act by United Kingdom companies he should bring it to the attention of the police. In the case of overseas companies it would be helpful if any evidence could be sent to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how much central Government expenditure has been allocated in the current year to Citizens' Advice Bureaux and Consumer Advice Centres, respectively; and, of the totals, how much is specifically directed to, or available for, Norfolk.

For the financial year 1977–78, central Government have made £3·3 million available for consumer advice centres in Great Britain. The one application under this scheme from Norfolk was for £28,125 and has been approved.In the same period, £1·4 million direct central Government funding is being provided to the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux. Most of this is a contribution to national and regional office expenses. The National Association itself decides where to allocate those funds for assistance to individual bureaux, and will be providing £2,340 in Norfolk this year. This figure does not take account of the separate rate support grant assistance provided to local authorities, many of whom grant aid individual citizens' advice bureaux.

asked the secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he is satisfied with the safety of the modification which has recently been introduced, for safety purposes, to the valve control of Calor gas cylinders used with certain gas fires.

As far as my Department is aware, there is no reason to doubt the safety of the new valve assembly and clip-on type regulator adopted by Calor Gas Ltd. They offer significant improvements from the safety aspect, including the incorporation of a pressure relief valve in the valve assembly as recommended by the Home Office Fire Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will list the cumulative increase of retail prices in each member country of the EEC, the United States, Canada and Japan since March 1974 to the latest available common date.

The cumulative increases in the consumer price indices for each of the EEC countries, Canada, USA and Japan between March 1974 and the latest available date-September 1977—are as follows:

	March 1974-September 1977 percent increas
EEC—
Belgium	40·3
Denmark	42·2
France	43·0
Germany (FDR)	17·2
Ireland	75·9*
Italy	76·0†
Luxembourg	33·9
Netherlands	33·1
United Kingdom	81·0
Canada	35·6
Japan	41·1
USA	28·6
* February 1974 to August 1977.
†Estimate.

Source: OECD—Man Economic Indicators.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will list the cumulative into cases in retail prices in each member country of the EEC, the United States, Canada and Japan for the two periods. June 1970 to January 1974 and February 1974 to the latest available date.

The cumulative increases in the consumer price indices for the EEC countries, Canada, USA and Japan between June 1970 and January 1974 and March 1974 to the latest available date—September 1977—are as follows:

	Percentage increase
EEC	June 1970 to January 1974	February 1974 to September 1977
	Per cent.	Per cent.
Belgium	23·5	42·0
Denmark	35·4	43·3
France	27·5	44·6
Germany (FDR)	23·5	17·5
Ireland	44·2*	75·9†
Italy	31·8	80·6‡
Luxembourg	21·1	34·8
Netherlands	30·9	35·0
United Kingdom	37·1	82·6
Canada	21·3	37·0
Japan	42·0	42·1
U.S.A.	20·1	30·0
* May 1970/February 1974.
† February 1974/August 1977
‡ Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1) if he will take steps to assist retailers to reduce prices wherever possible by ensuring that manufacturers and distributors pass on all possible price reductions;(2) if he will take steps, as the prices of basic foodstuffs and raw materials are reduced, to ensure that prices are not stabilised at their present level but that the benefits are passed on to retailers and consumers.

The Price Commission was asked in 1975 to study the effect on manufacturers' and retailers' prices when the cost of raw materials fell between 1974 and 1975. The report, published in July 1976, found that, in general, manufacturers' profit margins were eroded over this period. It found no evidence that manufacturers failed to pass on the benefit of reductions in the cost of materials in order to increase their margins, but that reductions in the cost of raw materials were often offset by rises in other costs, and therefore moderated increases in retail prices rather than causing actual reductions. Now that many commodity prices have fallen once more, my right hon. Friend is determined to see that the benefit is properly reflected in retail prices, and is ready to use his statutory powers if necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he has any new proposals for further Price Commission examinations.

Following consultation with the Price Commisison and the Director General of Fair Trading I have today directed the Price Commission to examine and report to me on prices, costs and margins in the provision of cab services. The examination will cover all of Great Britain, and will include both hackney carriages, such as London taxis, and certain other private hire vehicle services, as laid down in the terms of direction. Among other things, the examination should throw light on the varying costs of these different services.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will list the names of the firms being employed by the Price Commission to assist it in current investigations and examinations.

This is a matter for the Price Commission and I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has reached about how a review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts might be conducted.

When the House discussed the renewal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act last March, I said that I would consider ways in which we might look at the operation of the Act. I was in no doubt that while IRA violence continued legislation would be necessary to deal with terrorism, but I felt that the time was right to see how the Act was working in practice. After considering how this could best be done, I have decided on a review with the following terms of reference:

"Accepting the continuing need for legislation against terrorism, to assess the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976, with particular regard to the effectiveness of this legislation and its effect on the liberties of the subject, and to report".

The review extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.I have invited the Lord Shackleton to carry out this review, and I am glad to say that he has accepted.Anyone having material which he wishes to draw to Lord Shackleton's attention should send it to him in writing if possible by 15th January, at the following address:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he is proposing in the organisation of the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission, including the education section.

There was a staff inspection of the EOC in the summer and a number of recommendations were made for improving its organisation. These included some reduction in the size of the education section. We hope to receive the Commission's comments on the review shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in light of the Government decision to buy British textiles, he will instruct his Department to purchase only tyres which include British-made tyre cord.

Present purchasing arrangements already ensure that almost all tyres purchased by my Department are British made. I would not regard it as practicable to attempt to stipulate the composition of the tyres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for

PERSONS PROCEEDED AGAINST OR CAUTIONED FOR OFFENCES OF LOITERING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT AN ARRESTABLE OFFENCE
ENGLAND AND WALES
Number ot persons
							Magistrates' Court
Year							Number proceeded against	Found guilty	Cautioned
1967	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,239	2,595	20
1968	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,273	2,621	19
1969	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,090	2,435	24
1970	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,392	2,651	34
1971	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,689	2,846	62
1972	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,390	2,560	68
1973	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,579	1,952	34
1974	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,672	2,169	34
1975	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,099	2,431	75
1976	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,501	2,738	33

PERSONS PROCEEDED AGAINST OR CAUTIONED FOR OFFENCES OF ASSAULT ON A POLICE CONSTABLE ENGLAND AND WALES
Number ot persons
					Numberr proceeded against	Found guilty at
Year						Magistrates' Court	The Crown Court	Cautioned
1967	…	…	…	…	7,923	7,103	*	23
1968	…	…	…	…	8,440	7,434	*	49
1969	…	…	…	…	8,661	7,409	*	40
1970	…	…	…	…	9,269	7,718	*	37
1971	…	…	…	…	9,673	8,115	322	68
1972	…	…	…	…	10,474	8,510	*	50
1973	…	…	…	…	10,861	8,989	424	40
1974	…	…	…	…	11,392	9,438	*	66
1975	…	…	…	…	11,914	9,738	*	72
1976	…	…	…	…	12,857	10,414	424	77
* Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will identify the computers which are able to store audio visual materials; the last 10 years or other convenient period, what are the annual figures of black youths charged with (a) being suspicious persons, loitering with intent to commit an arrestable offence, and (b) assault on a pubic constable in the course of his duty, respectively; of the numbers so charged, what were the numbers convicted and acquitted; and if he will list, for a similar period, the number of such offences for which persons have been charged and convicted by the general population without reference to ethnic origin.

No information is collected centrally regarding the ethnic origin of persons proceeded against at court or cautioned by the police in England and Wales.The available information as to all such offences is as follows:and at what additional cost such facilities could be incorporated in existing computers.

I understand that all computers are technically capable of storing audio visual material, though none can reproduce such material in its original form without the use of specially designed equipment. The cost of such equipment would depend on the particular purpose for which it was developed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the installation of computer outlets in the courts in the Metropolitan Area, and how far the programme has advanced.

The Committee of Magistrates for Inner London, which is responsible for the administrative and accounting arrangements in the inner London magistrates' courts, proposes to introduce computerised accounting systems in all courts in the inner London area. I understand that computer programmes have been fully tested and the system is now undergoing acceptance trials.I am informed that the magistrates' courts committees for the four outer London commission areas are considering mechanisation of the accounting arrangements in the courts for which they are responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he anticipates that the Parliamenary Boundary Commission will begin consideration of parliamentary constituencies in Greater London.

It is not possible to say precisely when the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England will be in a position to start its consideration of constituencies in London, but it seems unlikely that the Commission will publish its provisional recommendations for these constituencies before the summer of 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to allow British citizens working in the institutions of the EEC, to vote in the United Kingdom elections to the European Assembly; and whether their votes will be cast in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or a region of England.

The Government consider that the franchise for European Assembly elections should be the same as for United Kingdom parliamentary elections with the addition of Peers. Persons working in the institutions of the EEC will be entitled to vote in the United Kingdom elections to the European Assembly only if they qualify as Service voters or through residence at an address in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the attendance centres in the United Kingdom with accommodation capacity.

Home Office Circular No. 136/77, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, lists all the attendance centres in England and Wales except a newly opened one at Warrington. There is one attendance centre in Northern Ireland and none in Scotland.Attendance centres are not purpose built and there is no set accommodation capacity. The officer in charge of each centre organises sessions and staffing according to the number of boys who have been made subject to attendance centre orders. Generally speaking, it is considered that six boys per session is the smallest number that can make a centre viable, but there may be up to 100 or more boys in a session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many emergency fire calls have been received by the Metropolitan Police since the commencement of the Fire Brigade Union strike; how many London policemen have been diverted from other duties to assist in fire-fighting duties, for example to provide motorcycle escorts for Army units en route to fires; and by how much he estimates the Metropolitan Police budget for police overtime has been increased on this account.

During the period of the strike up to midnight on 6th December 5,066 emergency fire calls were received by the Metropolitan Police. Six hundred and fifty-four members of the force are being diverted daily from other duties to duties connected with fire-fighting. It has not so far proved necessary to increase the provision for overtime in the Metropolitan Police Estimates to allow for extra duties arising from the firemen's strike, but it will be increased if the need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the occupations or professions of those convicted of various offences outside the Grunwick factory during the last six months.

This information could not be obtained without disproportionate effort and expense.

asked the Secretary of State to the Home Department to what extent criminal injuries compensation was paid to men and women, respectively, during 1975–76, and up to the last date for which the information is available; and whether these payments or awards take into consideration the effect of inflation, or the reduced real value of money.

Statistics relating to compensation paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board do not distinguish between male and female applicants and the figures requested could not be obtained without disproportionate expense. Awards made by the Board are normally in the form of lump sum payments assessed on the basis of common law damages. The Board follows the practice of the civil courts in analogous cases, which has been to award the value set upon the injury at the time the award is made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of meeting claims for criminal injuries compensation on behalf of wives who sustained serious injuries as a result of attacks on them by their spouses; and whether the guilty party is made to meet the cost of compensation.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme precludes the payment of compensation where the victim and the assailant were living together at the time of the incident as members of the same family. Compensation under the scheme may be payable in cases where a wife who was living apart from her husband permanently was injured by him, but such cases could not be identified without disproportionate expense. Where a court has made a compensation order against an assailant, any compensation paid to the victim by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board takes account of payments made by the assailant under the order, but the Board itself has no power to order an assailant to pay compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest information and statistics he has available on the extent of wife-beating; and what advice he has given to chief constables about the handling of such cases.

Information about the extent of domestic violence is especially difficult to obtain since most incidents will never come to public notice, and even where cases are reported the statistics do not record a separate offence of domestic violence. I understand that the Lord Chancellor's Department collects statistics covering the provision of injunctions and the use of the power of arrest under the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1976. Circulars were issued to chief officers of police about domestic violence in January 1976 and May 1977 of which copies were placed in the Library of the House. Discussions are taking place about the feasibility of the provision of further statistical information by the police.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement on the decision to increase the cycle allowance paid to civil servants to 2-lp a mile; whether this is tax free; and why it is not paid when a civil servant uses a pedal cycle for travel to and from his home and office or railway station, in the same way as Ministers and senior civil servants.

Costs are reimbursed where civil servants use private transport for travel on official duty, and the pedal cycle allowance for journeys of under 100 miles a month was recently raised to 2·1p a mile to take account of increased costs. These allowances are not subject to tax as they reimburse expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of official duty. As for the last part of the Question, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 1st December about the extension of tax-free transport facilities for home to duty travel by all civil servants—[Vol. 940, c. 290.].

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will give for the longest and most convenient period of time the number of civil servants found guilty of misdemeanour or neglect of duty, in cases such as that in the Crown Agents' Report by Judge Fay; how many of these were moved into new jobs, placed on to pension or dismissed; and how many of these were former Crown Agents' employees.

Responsibility for disciplinary action against civil servants rests with the Ministerial head of the Department which employs them. There are no central records of such action. Crown Agents employees are not civil servants.As to situations in recent years comparable with that disclosed in the Fay Report, my hon. Friend will no doubt recall the public inquiry into the V & G affair following which, on 1st May 1972—[c. 70–1]—the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made a statement about the action taken in respect of certain civil servants. It would not be proper for me to comment on action following the Fay Report pending the outcome of the inquiry which is to be set up.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service from which pensioners' organisations he has received representations on pensions matters during the past 12 months.

During the past year I have met representatives of the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance, the Public Service Pensioners Council and the Officers Pension Society. I have also discussed pension matters with the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many Civil Service pensioners and pensioners' widows, residing in the borough of Gosport, have pensions issued by the Paymaster-General.

The information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many people would be involved and what would be the cost to the Exchequer of providing public service retirement pensions to any widow who married her husband after his retirement.

The number of widows of deceased public service pensioners whose marriages took place after their husbands had retired is not known and no estimate can therefore be made of the cost of providing them with pensions. In accordance with the contracting-out requirements of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975, public service pension schemes are, however, being amended to provide for the payment of pensions to widows of marriages that take place after the husband has retired or left with a preserved pension. These pensions will be based on the husband's contracted-out service from 6th April 1978 only; the immediate extra cost will therefore be small but will build up gradually as reckonable service increases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reply to the letter, reference WD/1322/10, of 5th December from the Chief Executive of the Northamptonshire County Council in which he asks how the county can implement the new responsibilities under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 on site licensing, when the amount of rate support grant payable to the county is being reduced.

This week. We have added £1 million to the rate support grant settlement for each of the last two years to enable local authorities to meet this commitment. The relevant sections of the Control of Pollution Act were brought into force in June 1976 with the agreement of the local authority associations. I regret that Northamptonshire should not yet be fulfilling its obligations under them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will lay down minimum safety standards in relation to the construction of apparatus for children's playgrounds;(2)whether he will send out directives in the form of guidelines on the construction, maintenance and installation of equipment in children's playgrounds and provision of supervision;(3)whether he will set up a small specialised committee to consider methods of cutting down the large numbers of accidents which occur in children's playgrounds.

I share my hon. Friend's concern about safety in playgrounds. Guidance on the provision of play equipment on housing estates is contained in DOE Circular 79/72, which also includes advice about safety and the prevention of accidents. In view of our concern, however, we contributed to the cost of work by the Research Institute of Consumer Affairs. It made a number of recommendations last year on maintenance, supervision and the design of equipment, and we then sent its report to local authorities.We are also represented on the Committee of the British Standards Institution, which is devising a new standard for equipment which will be more explicitly related to safety. We understand that it is hoped to promulgate the new standard in the new year. In the light of these and other developments, I do not think further investigations would be helpful at this stage, but we are considering what further guidance to authorities might be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent his Department makes use of Giro facilities; what is the estimated annual value of such Giro transactions: and what regular consideration is given to extending the use of Giro.

Giro is used for paying about one-seventh, i.e. £45·5 million, of salaries, wages and expenses, most of the remainder being by bank transfers. Bills are paid by orders drawn on the Paymaster General. Currently about £0·5 million of receipts come through Giro each year; from next year this will increase to £23 million, when the Post Office uses the system to pay for certain services from the Property Services Agency.The Department's methods of paying and receiving money are reviewed regularly taking account of cost, efficiency, convenience, acceptability and other relevant factors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total cost to date of his Department's advertising in the Morning Star.

To date my Department has not advertised in the Morning Star.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding his Department's dealings with Dow Chemicals concerning their stated intention to set up a plant in the constituency of Brigg and Scunthorpe and their subsequent change of mind.

The application for planning permission was referred to my right hon. Friend under the rules governing departure from development plans. Because of the wide public interest in chemical processes and of objections, including one by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, he called in the application for his own decision. Apart from keeping the company informed of the proposed arrangements for an early public inquiry, my Department had no dealings with them. I understand that the company withdrew its application for commercial reasons but that it is exercising its right to acquire some land at the site under the option it holds.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he plans to meet representatives of the film industry.

I have at present no plans to do so. But my right hon. Friend and I are always ready to meet representatives of the industry where a discussion might be beneficial.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a fuller statement upon the progress of investigations instituted earlier in 1977 into the Rhodesian operation of the Lonrho group of companies.

My Department has instituted no investigations into this company in 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the balance of payment figure for the year 1977 to date, excluding British-produced oil figures and assuming a level of oil imports equivalent to 1976 levels, compared with the deficit of £1,472 million for the five months May to September 1977.

In the first 10 months of 1977 the visible deficit, adjusted in the way requested for trade in crude oil, is estimated at £3,140 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many of the companies listed on page 157 of the Fay Report on the Crown Agents have been the subject of Department of Trade investigations.

Three, pursuant to Section 165 of the Companies Act 1948, viz., Vehicle and General Insurance Co., Ltd., London and Counties Security Group Ltd., and London Capital Group. In addition, inquiries into seven companies associated with the Israel British Bank Ltd. were made pursuant to Section 109 of the Companies Act 1948, but, since these are confidential, I cannot disclose the information obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what adjustments to the Index of Competitiveness are needed to take account of (a) the loss of tariff advantages in the European Free Trade Area, the Commonwealth and the Irish Republic since 1970 and (b) the granting of tariff concessions in the United Kingdom Market to EEC members.

Changes in tariffs may affect United Kingdom and competitors' export prices and the market pattern of trade thereby influencing the weighting used in the export competitiveness index. Reliable estimates of such effects are excluded because, for example, there is no way of knowing how traders have reflected tariff changes in their prices. However, the granting of tariff concessions in our markets to the EEC Six has probably had only a very small effect on relative export prices and the loss of Commonwealth preference next to none. Tariffs between ourselves, EFTA and the Irish Republic have been essentially unchanged since 1970. Reciprocal tariff reductions by the EEC Six could have had a greater potential influence on the index than tariff reductions, essentially because the EEC Six represent a far greater proportion of our total market for exports of manufactures than does the United Kingdom for the countries of the EEC Six.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he plans to introduce the promised legislation on aircraft noise and airport security levies.

Before the Christmas Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the criteria for waiving import duty on the import of civil aircraft.

The import duty on mechanically propelled aircraft, other than helicopters, of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg is currently totally suspended. The only criterion is of unladen weight. The present suspension is continued by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2623/77 until 30th June 1978 and its possible extension beyond that date will be considered by the EEC early in 1978. There are no current provisions for relief from import duty on other civil aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade under what legislative powers he has forbidden Singapore Airlines to serve free drinks and provide free in-flight entertainment for their economy class passengers flying into and out of the United Kingdom.

An operating permit was granted to SIA in 1972 under Article 77 of the Air Navigation Order 1972 in accordance with the UK-Singapore bilateral Air Services Agreement of 12th January 1971. That agreement contains an article requiring SIA to charge only the approved tariffs. For this purpose the word "tariffs" includes the conditions, such as the provision of in-flight services, under which those tariffs apply.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of large diameter steel pipes is imported from Japan; and what percentage is made in the United Kingdom.

In the first 10 months of this year 221,000 tonnes of steel—excluding stainless steel—tubes and pipes with an internal diameter exceeding 152 mm. were imported, of which 0·8000 tonnes—0·4 per cent.—was consigned from Japan. I am unable to say what percentage of the home market these imports represent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will state what mortgage facilities are being offered to ECGD by the joint venture company formed by British Shipbuilders and PZM in Poland.

It is normal practice, for reasons of commercial confidence, not to comment on the details of individual transactions in which ECGD is involved. ECGD is satisfied that the strength of the security available to it in this case is fully in conformity with its usual underwriting standards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what tinder-takings currently in force were given by Her Majesty's Government during the trade talks in Moscow in 1975 affecting future trade with the People's Republic of China.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now make a statement on his proposals for changes in the financial structure of the National Freight Corporation as forecast during the debate on transport policy on 21st November.

As I announced on 21st November, I propose to transfer to the British Railways Board the National Freight Corporation's controlling interest in Freightliners Limited.I shall also be putting forward shortly proposals for a financial reconstruction of the Corporation. These will include provision for a write-down of the Corporation's debt to the Government from its current level of £153·1 million to £100 million. This will allow for a write-off of all the Corporation's debts which relates to Freightliners, and of all but £5 million of that attributable to National Carriers Limited, which has been a serious loss-maker in the past.National Carriers also has to make large extraordinary payments annually, deriving from the time when it belonged to the British Railways Board. I propose that these payments—to meet the cost of travel concessions and of historic pension deficiencies—should from now on be reimbursed by the Government. The arrangements for funding these pension deficiencies would provide initially for the Government to reimburse the Corporation for the annual payments which they are currently making, with further provision for full funding if the Government so decide, subject to Affirmative Resolution of the House. The effect of these various measures will be to relieve National Carriers of charges currently averaging about £10 million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he will make a statement on the working of the British Transport (Compensation to Employees) Regulations 1970, in view of the Court of Appeal decision in Tuck and Others v. The National Freight Corporation;(2) whether he will estimate the cost to the National Freight Corporation if officers compulsorily transferred under the

PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES
Numbers
					2nd April 1974 to 31st December 1974		1975		1976		January to 30th June 1977
					A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B
Accidents
Fatal	…	…	…	…	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-
Serious		…	…	…	3	3	2	3	1	4	1	2
Slight	…	…	…	…	7	10	5	9	5	8	1	3
All	…	…	…	…	10	13	7	12	6	14	2	5
Casualties
Killed	…	…	…	…	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-
Seriously injured			…	…	5	5	3	5	2	6	1	2
Slightly injured			…	…	13	23	10	16	10	19	4	6
All Seventies		…	…	…	18	28	13	21	12	27	5	8
A—At the Darrington crossroads.
B—On a one-mile stretch of the A1 including the Darrington crossroads.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is now the estimated cost of constructing a flyover at Darrington crossroads on the A1 trunk road in West Yorkshire; and how this compares with earlier estimates made in respect of this scheme at intervals since October 1971.

The estimated cost of this scheme at November 1977 prices is £1·8 million. This can be compared with previous estimates as follows:

As the Court of Appeal decision may be the subject of an appeal to the House of Lords, I regret that I can neither make a statement nor give any estimate of cost at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents have been reported as having occurred on the A1 trunk road in the vicinity of Darrington crossroads, West Yorkshire; and what were the effects in terms of personal injury, during each of the following periods (a) 2nd April 1974 to 31st December 1974, (b) 1st January 1975 to 31st December 1975, (c) 1st January 1976 to 31st December 1976, and (d) 1st January 1977 to the latest available date.

The information is as follows:

	Estimate £ million	Equivalent at November 1977 prices to £ million
October 1971	0·639	1·465
April 1972	0·661	1·479
November 1976	1·375	1·800
April 1977	1·535	1·800

That part of the additional estimated cost which is not attributable to inflation has arisen from refinements in design and the noise insulation requirements of the Land Compensation Act 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report details of fatal road traffic accidents and serious injuries in each age group for both children and adults which involved goods vehicles road accidents including goods vehicles, up to 1½ tons unladen weight, 1½ tons to

					Casualties in accidents involving goods vehicles ≤ 1½ tons u.w.		Casualties in accidents involving goods vehicles 1½ ≥ 3 tons u.w.
Age group					Killed	Seriously injured	Killed	Seriously injured
0–4 years	…	…	…	…	13	196	10	21
5–9 years	…	…	…	…	27	437	5	60
10–14 years		…	…	…	26	389	5	53
All children		…	…	…	66	1,022	20	134
15–19 years		…	…	…	82	1,552	18	264
20–59 years		…	…	…	351	4,209	89	825
60 and over		…	…	…	169	831	45	172
All adults	…	…	…	…	602	6,592	152	1,261
Age unknown		…	…	…	2	54	—	4
All persons		…	…	…	670	7,668	172	1,399

					Casualties in accidents involving goods vehicles >3 tons u.w.		Casualties in accidents involving goods vehicles*
Age group					Killed	Seriously injured	Killed	Seriously injured
0–4 years	…	…	…	…	26	67	45	280
5–9 years	…	…	…	…	18	111	49	597
10–14 years		…	…	…	30	183	60	615
All children		…	…	…	74	361	154	1,492
15–19 years		…	…	…	113	615	204	2,385
20–59 years		…	…	…	508	3,068	881	7,631
60 and over		…	…	…	189	498	394	1,455
All adults	…	…	…	…	810	4,181	1,479	11,471
Age unknown		…	…	…	3	15	4	71
All persons		…	…	…	887	4,557	1,637	13,034
*These figures are less than the sum of accidents involving three separate categories of goods vehicles, as some accidents involve more than one type of goods vehicles.

We hope to introduce, shortly, proposals for legislation which will strengthen procedures for curbing overloading and bad maintenance.We are also considering new requirements for braking, which will reduce the risks of jack-knifing.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to announce the setting up the Review of O Licensing promised in the transport

The information is as follows:Fatal and serious casualties, by age, in road accidents including vehicles, Great Britain, 1976policy White Paper, CMND 6836; and whether he will make a statement.

I have now appointed an independent committee to carry out the review. Professor C. D. Foster, at present Director of the Centre for Environmental Studies, has ageed to act as chairman. The other members are:

• Mr. P. J. H. Candy OBE
• Mr. A. P. Coldrick OBE FCIT
• Mr. B. M. Currie FCA
• Mr. Dehn QC
• Sir Alexander Durie CBE Mlnst HE(Hon.) FCIT
• Mr. C. M. Hall
• Sir Stanley Holmes DL LLB

I am considering making one further appointment in the early stages of the committee's work.The committee has the following terms of reference:ߞ

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much British Railways pays out each year on advertising; and whether he will make a statement.

The average annual expenditure by the British Railways Board on advertising the services it provides has been about £4.6 million. The level of this expenditure is a matter for the commercial judgment of the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why in view of the Government's 10 per cent. guidelines and the fall in the inflationary spiral to single figures in 1978, he has agreed to increase the tolls on the Severn Bridge from 12p to 20p for cars and from 12p to 40p for lorries; and if, before implementing these increases, he will refer them to the Price Commission.

This is not a matter for the Price Commission. The proposed

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average time to issue a driving licence, a road fund licence, and to have a new car registered and an old car re-registered at Swansea on 3rd November 1977; and how this compares with a similar date for the longest stated period of time for which records are currently available.

The average times taken to issue documents in November 1977 compared with November 1976 were as follows:toll increases, the first for 10 years, are necessary to comply with the Severn Bridge legislation. In 1976–77 alone deficits on the bridge operating account were over £1·4 million and accumulated deficits now amount to almost £6 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, as part of the Management Information Services Statistics, records are kept in local offices of his Department regarding the number of Giro files outstanding each month, and the number of new Giro files opened each month; and if he will give the numbers of such Giro files outstanding in each months of 1977 so far, and similiarly, the number of new Giro files opened each month, in, respectively, the Holloway and St. Pancras local offices of his Department.

The Management System does not oblige local offices to maintain separate records of files relating to Giro-cheques, but managers can arrange for records for local or regional purposes. There is some information which can be provided for one of the Holloway offices and for St. Pancras and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many area health authorities have made plans to set up, in each of their health care districts, local hospitals for the mentally handicapped.

The information is not at present available centrally. Regional health authorties' strategic plans received in my Department do not include specific proposals for each district, though they indicate broad agreement with Government policies for the mentally handicapped. More detailed discussions on the implementation of these policies will take place in the course of the next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, under the Government's new policy of granting amnesty to all illegal immigrants who arrived before 1973, he will arrange to have investigations made into those who surrender in order to find out to what extent they had national insurance cards, how they were obtained, whether employment took place, if social security payments were claimed and paid; and whether he will publish these details at quarterly intervals.

Although we are always anxious to improve and safeguard our procedures, we do not think that a special investigation on the lines suggested would be cost-effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the number of persons who paid full national insurance contributions from the start of the scheme in 1948 until they reached retirement age, who are currently receiving reduced retirement pensions because they reached retirement age before they were able to make sufficient contributions for a full retirement pension;(2) for how many years an individual who started paying national insurance contributions in 1948 had to pay contributions before reaching retirement age in order to qualify for a full retirement pension.

The contribution conditions for a standard-rate retirement pension were changed in April 1975. Prior to that date, a person who entered insurance at the start of the new scheme in 1948, and who could complete 10 years' insurance before reaching pensionable age, was required to have a yearly average of 50 weekly contributions, paid or credited, over the complete contribution years between 1948 and pensionable age. Those who were within 10 years of pensionable age when they entered insurance in 1948 could continue to pay contributions after pensionable age so as to complete a minimum period of 10 years in insurance and qualify for a standard-rate retirement pension at the end of that period.Since 6th April 1975, when the present earnings-related contributions were introduced, the contribution conditions for pensions have been related to the number of tax years in a person's working life up to pensionable age in which contributions have been paid on a qualifying level of earnings. Such a year is called a reckonable year. In the case of a person who entered insurance in 1948, and reaches pension age after 5th April 1975, about nine-tenths of the complete tax years between 1948 and pensionable age have to be reckonable years for him to qualify for a standard-rate retirement pension.People who do not fully satisfy the appropriate conditions may be entitled to a reduced-rate pension.No one who entered insurance in 1948 and paid full contributions from that date was, therefore, precluded from satisfying the contribution condition for a standard-rate retirement pension solely by reason of the date on which he reached pensionable age.I have no information as to the number of people within 10 years of pensionable age in 1948 who did not take advantage of the provisions enabling them to pay contributions after pensionable age to complete the minimum period of 10 years contributions and who, as a result, received a reduced-rate retirement pension The number is, however, probably very small.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the net cost of increasing noncontributory invalidity pension to £17·50 per week, with equivalent increases for a wife.

The gross cost of increasing the personal rate of non-contributory invalidity pension to £17·50 a week for men and single women, and of raising to £10·50 the increase which may be paid for a wife, would be about £24 million a year for present beneficiaries. It is not possible to estimate the net cost. There might also be a further gross cost of up to £37 million for personal rate benefit for new beneficiaries, with an unknown additional amount for increases paid in respect of their dependants. However, the net cost of these new awards would be relatively low, because of savings of supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services from which pensioners' organisations he has received representations on pensions matters during the past 12 months.

My right hon. Friend and I receive a large number of representations on pension matters from various sources, including pensioners' organisations, and have met a number of deputations. It would be a considerable task to identify all the pensioners' organisations and other interested bodies which have made representations over the past 12 months, but they include the following:

• The National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations.
• Age Concern.
• The British Pensioners and Trade Unions Action Committee.
• The TUC Social Insurance Committee.
• The Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association.
• The Merthyr Tydfil Pensioners' Association.
• The Transport and General Workers Union (Senior Citizens).
• Task Force.
• The Civil Service Pensions' Alliance.
• The London Trades Unions and Old Age Pensioners' Joint Committee.
• The Public Service Pensions' Council.
• Various Trade Unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of married women in, respectively, full-time and part-time employment, are paying the married women's reduced-rate national insurance contribution.

Under the contributions arrangements in force up to April 1975 the proportion of married women in Class 1 employment who chose not to pay flat-rate national insurance contributions had, for many years, stood at about three-quarters of those in such employment. There is nothing to suggest that the proportion of married women in employment who paid reduced-rate contributions under the present arrangements in 1975–76 and 1976–77 was significantly different. However, from April 1977 the right of married women to pay reduced-rate contributions is being phased out and, although no figures are available, the expectation must be that the proportion paying such contributions is now falling.The Department's records do not differentiate between full-time and part-time employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many kidney machines have been built that remain in bonded store awaiting purchase by the National Health Service.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will extend to pre-school children and others the exemptions from charges for repair of National Health Service glasses already enjoyed by most schoolchildren; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I have today laid the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Amendment Regulations 1977, which, among other things, exempt all children under 16, or older and still attending school full-time, from most NHS charges for the repair and replacement of their spectacles. This extends the provision originally made by local education authorities for children attending maintained schools. The regulations also abolish the requirement that a patient must obtain a doctor's recommendation before he can have a sight test for the first time under the general ophthalmic services. These two changes, which apply to England and Wales, come into effect on 1st February 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what proportion of consultants working for the National Health Service are (a) full-time and (b) part-time.

At 30th September 1976 there were 5,187—42·1 per cent.—wholetime

							Males	Persons
							Deaths per 1,000 male population	Deaths per 100,000 population
							All causes	Heart diseases (ICD 393–429)	Bronchitis (ICD 466, 490–1)
England		…	…	…	…	…	12·4	397	50
Regions:
Northern			…	…	…	…	13·7
Yorkshire and Humberside					…	…	12·9
North-West			…	…	…	…	13·3
East Midlands			…	…	…	…	12·1
West Midlands			…	…	…	…	11·7
East Anglia			…	…	…	…	11·5
South-East			…	…	…	…	11·8
South-West			…	…	…	…	13·3
Scotland		…	…	…	…	…	13·2	423	45
Wales	…	…	…	…	…	…	13·9	462	55

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which staff of his Department are entitled to claim first-class rail travel when on official duty; and what is the estimated amount claimed during 1976–77.

In accordance with standard Civil Service rules, normally only officers in grades with a national salary maximum above that of the Higher Executive Officer grade—currently £5,222 a year including supplements—are entitled to claim first-class fares when travelling on official duty, provided first-class fares are actually paid. The amount claimed during 1976–77 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the male death rate for all causes in the latest year for which the figures are available in each English region and in Scotland and Wales, respectively;(2) what is the death rate for heart diseases and for bronchitis