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Written Answers

Volume 958: debated on Thursday 16 November 1978

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 16th November 1978

Home Department

Animals (Experiments)

49.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of experiments in 1977 performed with live animals were conducted for essential medical research; how many experiments were performed for cosmetic or commercial purposes; and if he will institute a full scale Government inquiry into the use of animals for experimental purposes.

Information about the purposes of experiments performed on living animals in Great Britain during 1977 will be published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in Command Paper 7333 when the present industrial dispute at HMSO is over. The use of animals for experimental purposes has been considered by two Royal Commissions, and more recently the Littlewood committee, which reported in 1965, reviewed the working of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876. The subject is kept under review, through the machinery of the advisory committee on the Act and in other ways. We have no plans to set up another inquiry.

asked the Secretary, of State for the Home Department how many living animals were subjected to extreme temperatures in experiments conducted under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 during 1975, 1976 and 1977.

No relevant information was collected centrally for 1975 or 1976. For 1977, some information was collected about burns or scalds, and will be published when the present industrial dispute at HMSO is over.

Immigration (Hotel Records)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the justification for maintaining the Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972/1689; and whether in the interests of paper conservation he will withdraw it;(2) why people born in the United Kingdom are obliged to sign hotel registers and yet people covered by the Diplo- matic Privileges Act 1964 need not do so;(3) why a person, pursuant to the Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972/1689, must give his name and nationality, but not his address; and why a person being a British subject is obliged to give his full name though not necessarily his correct one.

The Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972 is part of the control exercised under the Immigration Act 1971. It serves a useful purpose and I have no proposals to change it. It is designed to cause the minimum inconvenience to those affected by it and hence it imposes different requirements for aliens and for other people. Persons to whom the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 applies are not exempt from hotel register requirements but enjoy a general immunity from the criminal jurisdiction.

Missing Persons

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many boys and how many girls of each age up to 18 years were reported missing in the county of Leicester in each month of the last five years for which records are available; how many and what percentage were missing from their own homes and how many and what percentage from care; and how many and what percentage were traced and after what period of search;(2) how many boys and how many girls of each age up to 18 years were reported missing in Greater London in each month of the last five years for which records are available; how many and what percentage were missing from their own homes and how many and what percentage from care; and how many and what percentage were traced and after what average period of search;(3) how many boys and how many girls of each age up to 18 years were reported missing in the United Kingdom in each month of the last five years for which records are available; how many and what percentage were missing from their own homes and how many and what percentage from care; and how many and what percentage were traced and after what average period of search.

Much of the information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only by detailed scrutiny of police records at disproportionate cost. A certain amount of information about missing persons is published in the annual reports of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, the chief constable of Leicestershire, and of other chief constables.The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has also supplied the follow-

REPORTS* TO THE METROPOLITAN POLICE CENTRAL INDEX OF MISSING PERSONS AGED UNDER 18
MalesFemales
Absentees from care†OtherAbsentees from care†Other
TotalNumberPer cent.NumberPer cent.TotalNumberPer cent.NumberPer cent.
19739,083‡4,593n. a.4,490‡n. a.8,9712,488286,48372
197410,3124,107406,205608,5772,255266,32274
19759,1203,948435,172578,4882,432296,05671
19769,5964,164435,432579,6762,698286,97872
197710,3964,166406,2306010,7482,699258,04975
REPORTS* TO THE METROPOLITAN POLICE CENTRAL INDEX OF MISSING PERSONS AGED UNDER 18 (EXCLUDING ABSENTEES FROM CARE†) NOT TRACED WITHIN 48 HOURS
MalesFemales
TotalMetropolitan Police DistrictProvinces and overseasTotalMetropolitan Police DistrictProvinces and overseas
19731,1421,0001421,9751,619356
19741,2841,1191652,0701,750320
19751,2321,0871452,0611,798263
19761,1701,0391311,9821,738244
19771,4391,0923472,4561,992464
* Reports cover all cases known to the Metropolitan Police, those cases known to other police forces in England and Wales which have been outstanding for one month and other cases which other police forces, including those overseas, choose to report. The same person may be reported missing more than once.
† Children in the care of the local authority, some of whom may have been residing in their own homes.
‡1st March to 31st December 1973 only.
Notes
Comparison of the above figures of reports for those not in local authority care indicates that a large proportion are traced within 48 hours of their going missing. No information is readily available on the length of search, which may start some time after the person went missing.
As at 10th November, 161 boys and 319 girls were recorded as being missing; these include cases where death is presumed but not body has been found.

Elections

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is any constitutional or other legislative reason why polling for the parliamentary General Election should not be held on the same day as the day upon which the first United Kingdom elections to the European Parliament are to be held.

ing additional information based on reports recorded in the central index of missing persons, which is kept by his force. These figures need to be interpreted with some caution and if my hon. and learned Friend wishes to discuss them the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis would be glad to arrange for him to do so.

The figures relating to other forces indicate those cases which forces decided to report to the Metropolitan Police either immediately—because of the circumstances of the case—or because the case remained outstanding after one month.

I am not aware of any constitutional or legislative obstacles to the holding of both sets of elections separately on the same day.

Crime Prevention

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans for informing householders of the advice and assistance provided by crime prevention officers in obtaining the best possible means of securing household property against break-ins; and what public information services there have been over the past 12 months to promote the service provided by crime prevention officers.

The Home Office provides information about the free advice available from police crime prevention officers by use of television films, local radio tapes, a booklet and a leaflet. We plan to continue such publicity. Further information is given locally through police crime prevention departments and the crime prevention panels drawn from the community to assist them.

Take-Away Food Shops

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to introduce legislation that will enable local authorities to control the

ForceFunctionManufacturer
All forcesThe Police National Computer (Home Office maintained) Indices to— Criminal records, Wanted and Missing Persons, Stolen Vehicles, Vehicle Owners, Fingerprint records.Burroughs
Metropolitan PoliceIndices to— Crime, Criminals and their associates.CTL
Thames ValleyAnalysis and process of force collator's records (Joint Home Office—Force experiment).Honeywell
SuffolkCommand and Control and Operational InformationGEC
Additionally, most police forces make use of their local authority computer primarily for administrative tasks such as pay and pensions and statistics.

Cannabis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has had any recommendations from the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs regarding the treatment of cannabis offenders; and whether he will make a statement.

I expect to receive the advisory council's report on its review of the classification of drugs and of penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the number of prosecutions for permitting premises to be used for dealing in cannabis in each of the last three years;

opening hours of take-away food shops in residential areas, in the light of the nuisance that is caused by such shops to local residents.

So far as I can tell at present there is not likely to be time for such a Bill in the Government's programme this Session.

Police Forces (Computers)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list in the Official Report the types of computers maintained by the police force in England.

Apart from a number of small computers used by various police forces in vehicle availability systems, the types of computer used exclusively by the police service in England and Wales are as follows:(2) if he will list the number of prosecutions for permitting premises to be used for smoking cannabis in each of the past three years.

The information available is given in the following table. Information is not available separately on the use of premises for smoking cannabis or for dealing in cannabis.

Persons prosecuted for permitting premises to be used for activities relating to cannabis
UNITED KINGDOM
YearNo. of Persons
1975440
1976424
1977372

Mr Ebrahim Gaibie

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it is considered necessary to hold Mr. Ebrahim Gaibie in Pentonville prison; and if he will now release him to con- tinue his studies at City and East London college while registering daily with the police.

After reconsideration of all the circumstances of this case I have directed that Mr. Gaibie should be released. His application to remain in this country is being examined.

Glue Sniffing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to chief officers of police on the need to alert schools and other institutions on the hazards and risks associated with glue sniffing.

None. This is not primarily a matter for the police, although they are generally aware of the risks associated with the dangerous practice. I understand that the booklet "Health Education in Schools", published by the Department of Education and Science draws the attention of teachers to the dangers of glue sniffing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what records are maintained in each locality on the number of cases reported of glue sniffing.

I have no information about such records: action to deal with glue sniffing would be primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Food Manufacturers Federation

11.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the Food Manufacturers Federation.

My right hon. Friend, the Minister, is always willing to meet the president of the Food Manufacturers Federation when necessary.

Icelandic Fisheries

16.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about progress in negotiations about fishing in Icelandic waters.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 22nd June.—[Vol. 952, c. 701.] This is a matter for the Commission and we regret the lack of progress.

Isoglucose (Levy)

12.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement about the ruling of the EEC Court concerning the levy on isoglucose.

No. The judgment of the European Court is addressed to the High Court and relates to cases still before the High Court.

Wheat And Potatoes

17.

Roberts asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure the benefits of bumper harvests of wheat and potatoes are passed on to the consumer; and if he will make a statement.

Potato prices in shops are currently low—generally in the range of 3p to 6p per lb. The good United Kingdom harvest for wheat will benefit consumers by helping the milling and feed-stuffs industries to contain their costs. We would like to see the general level of Community prices in real terms reduced and we will continue to press for this in the annual price fixing negotiation.

Sea Defences (South-East England)

18.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what extra resources he has allocated during the present year for the improvement of sea defences in the South-East.

In response to requests from the Southern water authority additional sums amounting to just over £2 million have been allocated to it for sea defence work in the current financial year.

Marginal Land

22.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to expand food production from the marginal land; and if he will make a statement.

35.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that the European less favoured areas directive covers the 1½ million acres of marginal land in England and Wales.

My right hon. Friend the Minister is still studying the marginal land question in consultation with his agricultural colleagues.

Dairy Trade Federation

19.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the Dairy Trade Federation.

My officials and I are regularly in touch with the president and officials of the Dairy Trade Federation.

Common Agricultural Policy

20.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the net cost of the common agricultural policy to the United Kingdom.

I refer my hon. Friend to what I said in the course of the debate on 21st March 1978.—[Vol. 946, c. 1349–50.]

Pig Industry

21.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the pig industry.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) and others.

Land (Foreign Purchases)

23.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to restrict the purchase of agricultural land by financial institutions and by individuals from outside the United Kingdom which restricts the prospects of young persons entering the farming industry from being able to purchase their own farms.

These matters are currently under consideration by Lord Northfield's committee on acquisition and occupancy of agricultural land, whose advice my right hon. Friend the Minister will await before deciding whether to alter our policy in this general area.

Green Pound

24.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning a further devaluation of the green pound.

Representatives of the National Farmers' Union have presented arguments for a further devaluation of the green pound. I always give careful consideration to all representations on this subject.

Bacon And Pigmeat Processing

25.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the state of the British bacon and pigmeat processing industry; and what prospects he sees for improvement in the commercial prospects of the industry.

I am well aware of the problems facing this industry. These problems and the industry's prospects for improving its performance are examined in the report of a sector working group of the EDC for food and drink manufacturing published last week. The expansion of the United Kingdom breeding herd will be helpful to the pig-meat curing and processing industry and my right hon. Friend is continuing to press for further monetary compensatory amount changes.

Animals (Export)

27.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has given further consideration to the banning of exports of live animals for slaughter.

30.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now take steps to end the export of live animals for slaughter.

32.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take on the export of live animals.

44.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to introduce legislation to ban the export of live food animals.

The Government are looking at all the possible options, not only in the United Kingdom but in an EEC context. When this examination has been completed I will immediately make a statement to the House.

Badgers

26.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the light of the concern felt at the continuing slaughter of badgers in the South-West of England, particularly by private landowners, when he expects the present eradication process to be completed.

All but a few of the landowners and occupiers involved have cooperated with Ministry staff in these necessary operations. I cannot forecast when it will be possible to cease gassing badgers, but expect the scale of gassing to decline as the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in badgers is reduced.

Potato Marketing Board

28.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he will next meet the chairman of the Potato Marketing Board.

My Department is regularly in touch with the chairman and officials of the Potato Marketing Board.

Fisheries (Conservation Measures)

29.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on inshore fisheries conservation measures which he is prepared to introduce, pending the resolution of the EEC fisheries policy.

The Government have already introduced a number of important measures to conserve fish stocks within British fishery limits and stand ready to introduce any further conservation measures that may be necessary.

Meat Hygiene

31.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to implement the Meat Export (Hygiene and Meat Inspection) Regula- tions, in view of the objections which have been raised with him.

Yes. The proposed regulations are designed to safeguard our valuable meat export trade. We are giving careful consideration to the comments received on our proposals and hope to complete the consultation procedures in the first few months of next year.

Forestry Commission

33.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission.

I have no plans at present to meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission.

National Farmers' Union (Central Horticultural Committee)

34.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the chairman of the central horticultural committee of the National Farmers' Union.

I have no plans to do so at present. However, officials of my Department are in frequent contact with the chairman and members of the committee.

Skimmed Milk Powder

36.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken over the EEC Commission's decision on skimmed milk powder subsidies which effectively cut off supplies of skimmed milk powder to the United Kingdom compounders in October and early November: and what response he has received.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Bury and Radcliffe (Mr. White) on 2nd November 1978.

Common Fisheries Policy

37.

asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current negotiations within the EEC towards a new common fisheries policy.

43.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning the present stage of negotiations of the common fisheries policy and the EEC.

45.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding negotiations for a common fisheries policy.

46.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest progress in renegotiatiing the compound fisheries policy.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Membe for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) on 2nd November.

Less Favoured Areas

38.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the EEC definition of less favoured areas.

The EEC definition of less favoured areas and the aids authorised in them enabled us to continue with very little change our well tried and longstanding arrangements to assist hill farmers. This was a satisfactory outcome to several years of negotiations.

White Fish Authority

39.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to meet the chairman of the White Fish Authority.

Milk Marketing Board

40.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will meet next the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board.

My officials and I are regularly in touch with the chairman and officials of the Milk Marketing Board.

Fishing Boats (Licensing)

41.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about a licensing system for fishing boats.

This matter has arisen in the course of consultations between officials and fishermen's organisations but no recent representations on the subject have been made to my right hon. Friend. It will need to be pursued further in the context of discussions about the future structure of the fishing industry.

Glasshouse Production (Growers' Costs)

42.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost of fuel to British glasshouse growers, in comparison with the cost of their competitors in the EEC.

The cost of oil to British growers does not differ greatly from the cost of that used in other EEC countries, although Dutch growers still derive some benefit from their onshore resources of natural gas. The Dutch Government have now reached full equalisation of gas and oil prices under the programme announced in 1976.

Butter

47.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will bring forward proposals to reduce dependence on imported butter.

Our dependence on imported butter has been reduced considerably in recent years as a result of the encouragement the Government have given to the expansion of milk production in the United Kingdom, and I am confident that present levels of profitability within the industry will provide a further stimulus to production.

Animals (Transport)

48.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will institute European legislation through the Council of Ministers for the provision of standards throughout the European Economic Community for the well-being of animals transported over a distance of more than 20 km.

The possibility of improved EEC legislation is one of the considerations that the Government will take into account in reaching a decision on the future of the trade in live food animals.

Devolution

asked the Lord President of the Council what consultative procedures he envisages between the Scottish Assembly and United Kingdom Ministries on matters which are both devolved and of EEC competence; and if he will make a statement.

It is premature to speculate about the form that such consultations will take. Procedures cannot be finalised until the Scottish Administration is in being.

Legal Aid

asked the Attorney General when he expects to be able to announce an increase in the eligibility limits for civil legal aid; and if he will ensure that the increase is over 7 per cent.

Regulations are at present before Parliament to increase the eligibility limit for civil legal aid by about 7 per cent. with effect from 27th November. My noble Friend has announced his intention of making substantial improvements in the financial conditions for civil legal aid which will be brought into effect next spring.

Civil Service

Exchequer And Audit Department

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when the management review of the Exchequer and Audit Department will be completed; and if its report will be published.

I understand that the review, which is being conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General, will be completed within the next few weeks.Because of the independent status of the Comptroller and Auditor General, this review does not fall within the normal pattern of management reviews which are commissioned by and submitted to Ministers. I understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General intends to report the conclusions of the review to the Committee of Public Accounts.

Environment

Bird Trapping

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will raise in the EEC Council of Environmental Ministers the matter of bird trapping, following the decision by the Belgian Government to relax their 1972 ban.

No. The proposed EEC directive on bird conservation—on which we hope that final agreement will be reached at the next meeting of the Council of Environmental Ministers on 19th December—would require all member States to ban the trapping of birds. In the meanwhile, this is entirely a domestic matter for the Belgian Government.

Estuarial Erosion

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for widening his powers to protect estuaries in England from erosion; and whether he is considering any extension of the areas covered by the Coastal Protection Act.

I see no occasion at present to widen my existing powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949 to protect estuaries or to extend the areas covered by the Act.

Radioactive Waste

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list (a) the sites in England for which the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has sought planning permission for test drillings into geological strata as part of the programme of research into ways of disposing of high-level radioactive waste and (b) the decision of the planning authority in each case which has been determined.

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has submitted two planning applications in England to carry out research into assessing the suitability of geological formations for the possible eventual underground disposal of appropriately treated radioactive waste. The applications, in respect of areas in the Chillingham and Usway forests in the North of England, were rejected by Northumberland county council. I understand that the Atomic Energy Authority is preparing appeals.

Rent Arrears

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he anticipates being in a position to publish the results of the project into the issue of rent arrears and their recovery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider issuing a circular advising local housing authorities not to apply for summonses for arrears of rents for amounts of less than £100 except as a very last resort.

I have already advised local authorities to consider a variety of other approaches, but each case needs to be looked at in its own circumstances and I do not think it would be right to suggest an arbitrary monetary limit.

Archaeological Sites (Treasure Hunting)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider taking action to prohibit the unauthorised use of metal detectors for treasure hunting on known archaeological sites.

The Ancient Monuments Bill which I am preparing will contain provisions regulating the use of metal detectors on statutorily protected archaeological sites.

Battersea Hospital Site (Resettlement Unit)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to set up a non-statutory public inquiry into the Supplementary Benefits Commission's proposal to establish a purpose-built resettlement unit on the site of the former Battersea general hospital.

Transport

"Sleeping Policemen"

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with the research project into the effectiveness of "sleeping policemen"; and if he will make a statement.

The first five experiments on the use of speed control humps have now been completed. A report on the safety and effectiveness of these experiments is expected to be published by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory very early in the new year. My right hon. Friend will consider the possibilities for further legislation when the report has been received.

A38 (Liskeard-Bodmin Bypass)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the possible alternative route for the A38 trunk road improvement, Liskeard-Bodmin bypass, for public consultation; and if he will make a statement.

The White Paper "Policy for Roads: England 1978", showed that the Liskeard-Bodmin improvement on the A38 trunk road had a target start date between 1984 and 1986; public consultation is unlikely to take place before about the end of 1980.

Education And Science

Cytomegalovirus Vaccine

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science further to her reply to the hon. Member for Eccles, Official Report, 27th October 1976, column 261, what progress is being made on the vaccination against cytomegalovirus; if there is any evidence to suggest that cytomegalovirus vaccine may be reactivated by pregnancy; and if she will make a further statement.

A small trial of a potential cytomegalovirus—CMV—vaccine was recently begun in kidney transplant patients at St. George's hospital medical school and King's College hospital in London. It is too early for any results to be available. There is some evidence to suggest that CMV infection is reactivated during pregnancy, but information is limited. So far there has not been sufficient use of any CMV vaccine to assess whether vaccination would lead to reactivation of infection during pregnancy.The cytomegalovirus sub-committee of the Medical Research Council's committee on the development of vaccines and immunisation procedures continues to keep the field under review.

Esperanto

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the 38,000 items of literature in the Butler Esperanto library at the headquarters of the British Esperanto Association in London, she will now correct the letter from her Department to the association dated 3rd August which stated that Esperanto had no literature.

The only reference in the letter to Esperanto being "without literature" was part of a sentence giving the views of two GCE examining boards which had been consulted.

Prices And Consumer Protection

Glue Sniffing

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will take steps to make it a legal offence to sell juveniles substances which can be used for glue sniffing; and if he will seek to make glue sniffing an offence.

I fully share my hon. Friend's concern about this dangerous practice. But there are so many products which can be misused in this way that it would not be practicable to ban their sale to young persons. I do not consider that legislation prohibiting the practice would be the right answer to this extremely difficult problem.

Bank Charges

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will list the action taken by his Department on the recommendations of the Price Commission on banking charges for money transmission services, Official Report 134.

Following discussions with the Committee of London Clearing Banks and other interested parties, my right hon. Friend announced on 21st September his conclusions on the Price Commission report on bank charges for money transmission services. A copy of his announcement has been placed in the Library.While the report contained no advice on which statutory action to restrict prices could be based, it put forward a number of important suggestions which have been considered in detail with the banks and other bodies concerned. Certain banks have already announced changes in their methods of setting charges to bring them more in line with the Commission's proposals. Government Departments have been reminded of the need to obtain competitive quotations. The Treasury is in contact with the Trustee Savings Bank central board on proposals of concern to it, while the Bank of England is discussing with the clearing banks the Commission's observations on admission to the bankers' clearing house and cash distribution arrangements. The Committee of London Clearing Banks has established a committee to consider the comparability of accounts and disclosure of bad and doubtful debts, and its conclusions will be reported to the Department of Trade.The question of jointly negotiated tariffs has been referred to the Director General of Fair Trading. The banks and their associations continue to review the scope for flexibility in opening hours. I note with interest that the Midland Bank has recently announced plans for evening opening in particular circumstances, and that Barclays Bank is experimenting with Saturday opening in specific areas.

Consumer Advice Centres

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will make an announcement about the future of his Department's grants to consumer advice centres after March 1979.

My Department is this year making specific grants totalling approximately £3¾ million available to meet the full running costs of the 120 consumer advice centres in Great Britain. We have decided to extend this grant scheme for a further two years, until March 1981, and intend to maintain the same level of support. We hope to have discussions shortly with the local authority associations about the operation of the scheme.The form of our support to consumer advice centres beyond 31st March 1981 will be considered as part of a review of local advisory services which the Government intend to undertake. This will take particular account of recommendations which might be made by the Royal Commissions on legal services in England and Wales, and in Scotland. The reports by the National and Scottish Consumer Councils on local advice services will also make an important contribution to this review.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will make an announcement about the future of his Department's grant assistance to the Citizens Advice Bureau Service after March 1979.

My Department expects to provide a total of £1.26 million to the National Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux in the present financial year. We have decided to maintain our total grant assistance to the national association at no less than its present level until 31st March 1981 by extending our five-year development grant beyond its original expiry date of 31st March 1979. It is intended to give special attention to the needs of the citizens advice bureau service in Scotland.The form of our support to the citizens advice bureau service beyond 31st March 1981 will be considered as part of a review of local advisory services which the Government intend to undertake. This will take particular account of recommendations which might be made by the Royal Commissions on legal services in England and Wales, and in Scotland. The reports by the National and Scottish Consumer Councils on local advice services, and proposals for the citizens advice bureau service's future development which are being formulated by the national association, will also make an important contribution to this review.

European Community (Heads Of Government)

Q4.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet other EEC Heads of Government.

I shall be meeting Heads of Government at the European Council in Brussels on 4th and 5th December. I shall also be meeting Signor Andreotti in London on 22nd November, President Giscard d'Estaing in Paris on 24th November, Mr. Lynch in London on 27th November and Monsieur Thorn in London on 28th November.

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Q6.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 16th November.

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 16th November.

Q10.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday, 16th November.

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16th November.

Q18.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 16th November.

Q19.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 16th November.

Q20.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for Thursday 16th November.

Q21.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 16th November.

Q23.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 16th November.

Q24.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16th November.

Q27.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16th November.

Q28.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 16th November.

Q29.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16th November.

Q33.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 16th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16th November.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).

Public Inquiries

08.

asked the Prime Minister if he will amend his advice on the publication of background papers to include background papers on public inquiries.

As announced in the Gracious Speech, further proposals will be brought forward to achieve more open government. Meanwhile, and in accordance with current advice to which no immediate changes are proposed, the Government will continue to make information on public policy more readily available.

Q35.

asked the Prime Minister if he will set up a committee of inquiry into the operation of public inquiries within central Government.

No, but if my hon. Friend has any particular point in mind I will arrange for it to be considered.

Lancashire

Q9.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a visit to Lancashire at an early date.

Secretary Of State For Defence

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister if he will dismiss the Secretary of State for Defence.

Q22.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now dismiss the Secretary of State for Defence.

The hon. Member may assume that I do not intend to make any changes in ministerial appointments or responsibilities—including my taking on any of the existing responsibilities of other Ministers—unless and until I make a statement to the contrary.

Tuc And Cbi

Q13.

Q16.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans next to meet representatives of the TUC.

Q26.

Q31.

Q36.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 9th November.

Q17.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans next to meet the TUC and CBI.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Gould) on 9th November.

Q25.

Q32.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas) on 14th November.

European Monetary System

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to support Great Britain's membership of the proposed European monetary system at the EEC Heads of Governments meeting in December.

The Government have not yet reached a conclusion on whether the United Kingdom should join the European monetary system.

Vienna

Q30.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Vienna.

I have at present no plans to do so. Chancellor Kreisky and I had a valuable meeting in London on 4th July.

Devolution (Referendums)

Q34.

asked the Prime Minister what involvement Government Ministers will have in the campaign for a "Yes" vote in the referenda in Wales and Scotland on the Government's proposed Assemblies.

Devolution is Government policy. Ministers will be united in seeking the support of the Scottish and Welsh people for devolution.

Employment

Temporary Employment Subsidy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have been refused temporary employment subsidy because they had received other Government aid, including interest relief grant.

I regret that precise information is not available in the form requested, but since the inception of the scheme in August 1975 12 initial applications for TES have been rejected after consultation with the appropriate Government Department or agency because the jobs involved were already being supported by public funds. In many cases—figures are not available—TES provides stop-gap aid and subsidy is terminated when Department of Industry or agency assistance is paid.

Nationalised Industries (Job Vacancies)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if any study has been made of the reasons why vacancies for jobs in the nationalised industries for such as postmen and railway workers cannot be filled, bearing in mind that 1½ million people are without jobs; whether the unemployed (a) lack the skill to do this work or (b) do not consider the pay adequate; and if he will make a statement.

No special study has been made of the reasons why vacancies for jobs of this kind are hard to fill. I am, however, informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it is initiating a study of hard-to-fill vacancies, with a particular focus on vacancies for jobs without high skill content. From vacancies notified to the Commission's employment service, there does not appear to be strong evidence that lack of skill or inadequate pay are significant deterrents to recruitment to jobs of this kind in nationalised industries.The hon. Member may care to note that the total number of people registered as unemployed in Great Britain was 1,364,907 on 12th October.

Slade

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set up an independent inquiry into the recruiting and general activities of the Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers and Engravers, particularly in relation to its art union.

Training Opportunities Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the number of vacancies for instructors in the training

November 1977May 1978October 1978
Scotland437
Northern273027
Yorkshire and Humberside171919
North West181011
Midlands133433
Wales162219
South West8710
South East132940
London181720
Total number of vacancies134171186
BREAKDOWN BY COURSE*
November 1977May 1978October 1978
BricklayingNil35
Carpentry and Joinery565
Capstan setting operating8713
Centre lathe turning245
Milling setting operating337
Sheet metal working256
Plate and structural steel work875
Toolmaking fitting and machining245
Welding, electric arc121622
Miscellaneous engineering81214
Electrical installation and maintenance335
Industrial electronics111417
Instrument maintenance445
Radio, television and electronic servicing5510
Contractors plant, repair and maintenance775
Heavy vehicle, repair and maintenance798
Motor vehicle, repair and maintenance51212
Others (total of 45 courses)425037
Totals134171186
* Trades in which there were 5 or more vacancies at one of the dates given.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people underwent training opportunities scheme courses in foreign languages in the past year; and what was the breakdown of this figure between languages.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in the period October 1977 to September 1978, 211 people completed courses opportunities scheme in November 1977, May 1978 and for the most recent convenient date; and if he will provide breakdowns for these vacancy figures based on (a) regions and (b) courses to which these instructors would have been assigned.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the numbers of actual vacancies for class instructors in skillcentres on 30th November 1977, 31st May 1978 and 31st October 1978 were 134, 171 and 186 respectively.Breakdown by region of these figures is:which included some training in foreign languages. The breakdown is as follows:

French120
French and German36
German25
French and Spanish16
Spanish7
German and Spanish2
Spanish and Italian2
Italian1
French and Italian1
Arabic1

Industrial Tribunals

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial tribunals were held under the terms of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and the Employment Protection Act 1975 in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively, for the latest year for which figures are available; and in what proportion of these cases, respectively, there were one or more adjournments to a later date.

The numbers of tribunals held under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and the Employment Protection Act 1975 during 1977 were as follows:

England and Wales—14,151
Scotland—1,950
The actual proportion of cases under these two Acts adjourned to another day is not available. The estimated percentages are as follows:

England and Wales—20 per cent.
Scotland—8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average length of industrial tribunals held under the terms of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and Employment Protection Act 1975 in England and Wales, and in Scotland, respectively, for the most convenient recent period.

The average length of hearings in Scotland during mid-October to mid-November 1978, was two hours and fifty five minutes. Corresponding information for England and Wales is not yet available but my hon. Friend the Minister of State will be writing to my hon. Friend with this information as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial tribunals were held in terms of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and the Employment Protection Act 1975 in England and Wales, and Scotland, respectively, in which the applicants were represented by a solicitor and a barrister or advocate, for the most convenient recent period available; and what percentages these represent of the total number of cases heard.

This information is not available for hearings under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and Employment Protection Act 1975 alone. The percentages of all applicants who had legally qualified representatives at hearings during October 1978 were as follows:

England and Wales 33 per cent.
Scotland 40 per cent.

Professional And Executive Register (Wales)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a breakdown of Professional and Executive Register appointments in Wales since its inception.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the annual number of placings made by PER through its offices in Wales since March 1973 is as follows:

Financial years
1973–74330
1974–75356
1975–76305
1976–77396
1977–78468

Farnham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out in the Official Report in tabular form, for each of the employment service offices within the Farnham parliamentary constituency, (a) the number of persons unemployed by previous trade, (b) the number of unemployed young people who have had no employment for more than three months since leaving school and are at the present time registered as unemployed, (c) the number of people resident in the Farnham parliamentary constituency who are currently employed under the youth opportunities programme, and the special temporary employment programme and (d) the number of vacancies for each trade for the latest convenient date.

The following table gives for the Farnham, Godalming and Lip-hook employment office areas, which together correspond closely to the Farnham parliamentary constituency, the numbers of people registered as unemployed analysed according to the industry in which they last worked, the numbers of unfilled vacancies in these industries and the numbers of unemployed school leavers. The industrial figures are for 10th August, the latest date for which this quarterly information is available.

FarnhamGodalmingLiphook
Unfilled vacanciesUnfilled vacanciesUnfilled vacancies
Unemployedat employment officeat careers officeUnemployedat employment officeat careers officeUnemployedat employment office
Agriculture, forestry, fishing12414758
Mining and quarrying
Food, drink and tobacco411
Coal and petroleum products22
Chemicals and allied industries41312
Metal manufacture11
Mechanical engineering17224206262
Instrument engineering11222
Electrical engineering312174131
Shipbuilding and marine engineering12
Vehicles2133
Metal goods not elsewhere specified221347
Textiles6451
Leather, leather goods and fur11
Clothing and footwear13
Bricks, pottery, glass, cement, etc.31
Timber, furniture, etc.1354133
Paper, printing and publishing422141
Other manufacturing industries4236561
Construction2810319272503
Gas, electricity and water315231
Transport and communication1929815
Distributive trades543913302118241
Insurance, banking, finance and business services16331456101
Professional and scientific services35833251830
Miscellaneous services61381142595487
Public administration and defence6115244163355
Not elsewhere specified (including school leavers)17516473
TOTALS523162544282396233425
Unemployed school leavers at 12th October (included above)814
The vacancy figures relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices; vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about country one-third of all vacancies in the count as a whole. Because of possible duplication the two series should not be added together.
There is no careers office at Liphook.
I am informed by the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission that, in respect of the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme, the information is not available in the form requested. In October, some 15 people, placed by careers offices and employment services division offices of the Manpower Services Commission within the Farnham parliamentary constituency were on schemes

Statistics are available of the total numbers of unemployed school leavers but not of those unemployed for more than three months. The figures given are for three months. The figures given are for 12th October.

under the youth opportunities programme; no special temporary employment programme scheme was operational in this area.

Public Service Industries (Overtime)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest assessment of the total number of hours worked in overtime throughout the public sector service industries; and if he will list the industries included.

I regret that the information is not available. The numbers of hours of overtime worked are collected only for manufacturing industries, without distinction between the public and private sectors.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Southern Africa

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold urgent discussions with presidents of the front-line States about the imminent danger of war between South Africa and Angola, and the effect of this on the situation in Rhodesia.

The United Kingdom and the other four Western members of the Security Council have expressed concern to the Angolan and Zambian Governments about the situation on the Namibian border and have urged all parties to exercise restraint. My right hon. Friend's concern at the dangers of escalation of the conflict in Southern Africa is well known to all the front-line States.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consult as a matter of urgency with the Foreign Ministers of the EEC on the threat to peace arising from the movement of South African troops on the frontier between Namibia and Angola.

France and Germany are working with the United Kingdom in the Five Power initiative and share our concern at the danger of incidents on the Namibian-Angola border. There may be an opportunity in the margins of next week's Foreign Affairs Council for discussion of Southern African issues with all our partners.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the five Western ambassadors to issue a formal warning to South Africa against any threat to the security and territorial integrity of Angola.

Representatives of the Five in Pretoria have already expressed to the South African Government their Government's concern at the situation on the Namibia-Angola border and the need for restraint by all parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Secretary-General of the United Nations has made any report to the Security Council on the situation on the borders of Namibia and Angola.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports have been received by the Security Council from the United Nations Commission for Namibia on movements in that country by South African armed forces.

asked the Secretary ot State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request from Angola for air defence equipment; and. if so, what response has been given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise urgently in the Security Council the threat to peace arising from the movement of troops by South Africa to the borders with Angola.

No. The five Western members of the Security Council have already taken action with the parties to urge restraint. We shall continue to keep a close watch on the situation.

Zambia (British Personnel)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department is giving about their safety to British business men who currently wish to visit Zambia.

In the present situation we are advising British business men who wish to visit Zambia to act sensibly and with restraint. If they require specific advice they should contact the high commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the attacks upon, and torture of, British subjects in Zambia; what representations have been made; and what effect these outrages will have upon the deployment of British military personnel and equipment in Zambia.

Five British nationals were recently abducted but were subsequently released. None was tortured. We have made representations both here and in Lusaka. Our high commissioner will continue to remind the Zambian authorities of their responsibility to protect our nationals. As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on 2nd November, no British military personnel will be stationed in Zambia.

National Finance

Capital Transfer Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been made to date for exemption from capital transfer tax in respect of the transfer of shares to employee trusts as per the provisions of the Finance Acts 1975 and 1976.

Treasury Economic Model

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the access of hon. Members to the Treasury's economic model does not extend to the effect of changes in the money supply on the exchange rate.

Over the last few years the Treasury has spent considerable effort on modelling parts of the financial system—including both external and domestic financial flows. This embraces possible links between monetary factors and the exchange rate—a particularly difficult area. The work is still at the stage of advanced research and will be described in a Treasury working paper which is in preparation and will be published very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has at present to encourage hon. Members to make greater use of the Treasury's economic model; and if he will publish in greater detail the assumptions on which the model is based.

I am encouraging hon. Members to make greater use of the Treasury's economic model by providing more information. The structure of the model and the theory and assumptions on which the model is based are set out in the latest edition of the technical manual published by the Treasury in June 1978.In addition, the Treasury has contributed to a series of Government economic service working papers this year which set out the methods of analysis and the supporting evidence. Subjects include the effect of exchange rate changes, consumers expenditure and imports of manufacturers. A working paper on the modelling of the financial sector of the economy will shortly be appearing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the names of private consultancy firms used by the Treasury to provide alternative sources of forecasting to the Treasury's economic model.

The Treasury does not employ consultants to supply forecasts as such. Forecasts and forecasting methods are discussed from time to time with most of the organisations professionally concerned with macro-economic forecasting. In addition, the published work is studied with particular reference to the reasons for differences of view.

Profit-Sharing Schemes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the exemption of profit-sharing schemes under the Finance Act 1978 from the pay guidelines; and what steps he proposes to take to bring this information to the attention of pay negotiators on both sides of industry.

The essential feature of successive pay policies has been the restraint of the growth of earnings.

Schemes under the Finance Act 1978 are capital-sharing schemes, with their capital nature protected by the five-year locking-in period; accordingly, they are not subject to current pay policy. I see no need to bring this to the special attention of pay negotiators.

Cardiff Airport (Duty-Free Shop)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will allow the facility of a duty-free shop at the Cardiff airport.

No. The number of international passengers using Cardiff (Wales) airport has not yet reached the

UNITED KINGDOM TRANSACTIONS WITH COUNTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
£million
1974197519761977
Trade
Balance of trade−2,042−2,412−2,127−1,733
Value of imports*7,6238,68511,17913,611
Value of exports*5,5816,2739,05211,878
Contributions to Community Institutions
Gross contribution to the Community Budget181342463737
Capital contribution to ECSC, and production levy15161112
Capital contribution to EIB231256
Receipts, grants and loans from Community Institutions
Receipts from Community Budget150398296368
Grants from ECSC1779
Loans from ECSC60109297181
Loans from EIB80187259321
* BoP basis.
Figures for the volume of trade with EEC countries are not available.

Income Tax (Paye Inquiries)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out in the form of a statement the telephone facilites at the disposal of taxpayers when they seek to query or generally contact PAYE centres in regard to their income tax.

Income Tax (Yields)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the text of the Financial Secretary's letter of 31st October to the hon. Member for Blaby on the subject of income tax yields.

level at which the provision of duty-free shopping facilities would be justified.

European Community (United Kingdom Transactions)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and the rest of the EEC countries, the volume and value of the imports and exports on the United Kingdom's total financial contribution to the EEC and the total financial benefit in grants and loans to the United Kingdom since 1974.

174], gave the following answer:

Following is the information:

"Your Parliamentary Question for 24th October

'to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk South, (Mr. MacGregor) concerning income tax yields, Official Report, 26th January, so as to include complete figures for 1977–78 and best estimates for 1978–79'

has required a good deal of background work in order to produce a reply. It is becuse of this that there has been some delay.

The attached table sets out the updated figures. A slightly wider definition of total tax revenue has been used than before, so as to be consistent with answers given to the hon. Member's other Questions of the same date. No figure is yet available for the growth in RPI in. 1978–79 compared with 1977–78."

YIELD OF INCOME TAX AND TOTAL TAX REVENUE
£ million

Income Tax*

Total Central Government Taxation

Total General Government Taxation

Actuall estimated yield

Yield if tax had risen in line with RPI

Actuall estimated yield

Yield if tax had risen in line with RPI

Actuall estimated yield

Yield if tax had risen in line with RPI

1973–747,55018,15520,865
1974–7511,0458,90023,36021,39026,60524,575
1975–7615,11011,09028,63526,67032,84030,650
1976–7717,05512,78033,07030,74037,67535,320
1977–7817,08014,57037,44035,04042,84540,265
1978–79 (estimate)18,74042,67043,700

* After deducting tax credits on dividends.

† Central Government total tax revenue comprises taxes on income, taxes on expenditure and taxes on capital.
‡General Government total tax revenue comprises central government revenue plus local authority rates.
National insurance contributions have been excluded from all columns.

Taxation (Anglo-American Treaty)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the current position is with respect to the proposed Anglo-American treaty on taxation.

Capital Taxes Office (Staff)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total staff employed in the capital taxes office in

(1)(2)
Number of employeesNet yield of Estate Duty/Capital Transfer Tax per employee at 1978 prices
1st November 1978877
1st April 19789511977–78£395,000
1st November 1977988
1st April 19779981976–77£410,000
1st November 1970920
1st April 19709091969–70£1,060,000
1st November 1960Not available
1st April 19607411959–60£ 1,120,000
Notes:
1. The figures in column (1) include the staff of the Shares Valuation Division of the Office, which provides valuation services not only for the purposes of ED/CTT but also for Stamp Duty, Capital Duty and Capital Gains Tax. Conversely, the figures exclude the number of staff in the Valuation Office who provide a valuation service for ED/CTT purposes.
2. The figures in column (2) have been calculated by reference to—
(a) the approximate average number of staff in post during the year to 31st March;
(b) the Index of Retail Prices at September 1978.

Money Supply

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the percentage growth on both M1 and £ sterling M3 in the year to mid-October 1978 and in each of the previous four years.

The information is as follows:

PERCENTAGE GROWTH (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) IN THE YEAR TO MID-OCTOBER
M1£M3
19746·411·6
197517·69·6
197613·99·8
197719·27·9
197816·114·0

European Monetary System

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, following the example of Italy, he will seek to negotiate a wider band of fluctuation for the £ sterling against other currencies in the European monetary system in order to enable the £ sterling to join the system

England and Wales at the latest date for which figures are available and on the same date in 1960, 1970 and 1977; and what was the amount of tax revenue raised per employee at 1978 prices.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 174], gave the following answer:Information on the tax raised per employee is available only in respect of complete years to 31st March. Subject to this, the figures are as follows:from its inception; and whether he will make a statement.

The wider margin of fluctuation within the European monetary system which will reportedly be offered to the Italians would no doubt be available to the United Kingdom too, if we wanted it. I do not think that this would be helpful from our point of view.

Energy

Coal (Imports)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps have been taken to renew or to terminate contracts for the importation of coal into the United Kingdom for use by the National Coal Board, the Central Electricity Generating Board, the British Steel Corporation and National Smokeless Fuels, respectively.

The British Steel Corporation is in discussion with the National Coal Board about imports of coking coal into the United Kingdom, although none of its current contracts come up for renewal in the immediate future.As regards power station coal, as part of the scheme announced on 11th October under which the Central Electricity Generating Board will burn an additional 3 million tonnes of United Kingdom coal this winter, the CEGB is making alternative arrangements for the disposal of the steam coal under its Australian contract. The CEGB has agreed to consult me and the NCB before entering into any new contracts.Coal is not imported for the use of National Smokeless Fuels or the NCB.

Coking Coal

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will explain the difference between the figures relating to coking coal in Official Report, 16th May 1978, Written Answer 122, with those in Official Report, 6th November 1978, Written Answer 65.

pursuant to his reply[Official Report, 6th November 1978; Vol. 957, c. 65], gave the following information:Grants in connection with coking coal subsidies since 1970 are:

£ million
1970–71
1971–72
1972–73
1973–7415·0
1974–757·1
1975–76
1976–77
1977–78
1978–793·6
(estimate)
I regret the figures given in my answer of 6th November 1978,

Official Report, Written Answer 65, inadvertently contained errors. The figures I have now given are correct and the same as those given in my earlier answer on 16th May 1978.

North Sea Oil

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest forecasts available for North Sea oil production for the next five years; and for how long he calculates, on the basis of present estimates, that the United Kingdom can remain self-sufficient in oil.

The latest published forecasts of United Kingdom continental shelf oil production are those contained in this year's Brown Book. Next year's Brown Book will contain revised forecasts.I expect that the United Kingdom will achieve net self-sufficiency in oil in 1980. How long this continues will depend on many factors, but the United Kingdom continental shelf will clearly continue to make a very large contribution to our oil requirements for many years.

Industry

Advance Factory Units

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the instructions given to district valuers in arriving at selling prices of advance factory units built by his Department, or under their auspices; and if such instructions include any requirements to take into account the use of such factories to attract new companies to an area on the creation of new jobs.

The function of the district valuer is to arrive independently at the open market value for advance factories owned by my Department. Regional incentives for the occupiers of these factories such as rent-free periods, regional development grants and assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972, are dealt with by my Department as separate matters.

Aviation Equipment Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in the light of the recent statement issued by his Department on the agreement between British Aerospace and Airbus Industrie, if he will amplify how the agreement will provide opportunities for the British aviation equipment industry, identifying the types of equipment and when they will be required.

It has been agreed that in future the United Kingdom equipment industry will be able to compete for the supply of equipment to Airbus Industrie on the same basis as the French and German industries. Previously the latter enjoyed a preference. The types of equipment to be supplied and dates are primarily a matter for commercial negotiation between Airbus Industrie and the equipment manufacturers.

National Enterprise Board

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if the National Enterprise Board seeks his permission before selling a company or part of a company; and in what circumstances such a sale is allowed to a foreign buyer.

The board is required under its guidelines to obtain the approval of the Secretary of State to the disposal of any voting shares or stock which it holds and each case for disposal is considered on its merits.

Minerals (Industrial Reserves And Requirements)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is now taking to build up strategic reserves of key minerals for British industry; from information available to him what has been the value and weight of tungsten, vanadium, chromium, nickel, molyodenum and cobalt consumed or

19731974197519761977
Tungsten (tonnes)
Ores and concentrates8,7704,0093,3553,8293,365
Tungsten content4,0482,1451,8122,0971,860
Ferro-alloys149215255360335
Unwrought and worked metal61126224153208
Total cif value(£10·9m)(£10·8m)(£11·7m)(£20·0m)(£27·6m)
Vanadium (tonnes)
Oxides1,133914822989702
Ferro-alloys595460349281446
Unwrought and worked metal*19111759
Total cif value*(£2·6m)(£2·8m)(£3·7m)(£4·0m)
Chromium (thousand tonnes)
Ores and concentrates199·2138·1144·4137·7197·6
Ferro-alloys77·467·965·0108·477·2
Unwrought and worked metal0·10·40·20·10·1
Total cif value(£14·0m)(£23·0m)**(£38·4m)
Nickel (thousand tonnes)
Matte, speiss, etc.48·249·966·954·461·4
Sevap4·84·22·74·23·5
Ferro-alloys11·717·611·211·716·9
Unwrought metal23·924·223·920·721·5
Worked metal2·86·95·64·33·1
Total cif value(£82·1m)(£108·5m)(£138·9m)(£160·4m)(£189·3m)
Molybdenum (tonnes)
Ores and concentrates11,23410,56913,52813,61713,934
Ferro-alloys872727650834880
Unwrought and worked metal164196166133162
Total cif value(£12·3m)(£13·5m)(£20·9m)(£31·9m)(£43·2m)
Cobalt (tonnes)
Matte, speiss, etc.2392,8072,1682,2622,124
Unwrought and worked metal1,697
Oxides8081,0588848071,096
Total cif value(£6·4m)(£11·1m)(£11·2m)(£15·8m)(£19·9m)
* Information not available.

purchased, respectively, in each of the past five years; and what estimates he has made of requirements over the next five years.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 53], gave the following information:Responsibility for ensuring sufficient supplies and stocks of raw materials lies primarily with industry. The Government keep the position under continuous review and will take such steps as the situation demands.Consumption of tungsten, vanadium, chromium, nickel, molybdenum and cobalt in the United Kingdom depends mainly on purchases from overseas, the only supplies from indigenous primary sources being small quantities of mined tungsten. Imports by weight and value in each of the last five years are given below. No comprehensive estimates of such imports over the next five years are available.

Wales

Police Computers

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the types of computer maintained by the police force in Wales.

ForceFunctionManufacturer
All forcesThe Police National Computer (Home Office maintained) Indices to— Criminal records, Wanted and Missing Persons, Stolen Vehicles, Vehicle Owners, Fingerprint records.Burroughs
Metropolitan PoliceIndices to— Crime, Criminals and their associates.CTL
Thames ValleyAnalysis and process of force collator's records (Joint Home Office—Force experiment).Honeywell
SuffolkCommand and Control and Operational InformationGEC
Additionally, most police forces make use of their local authority computer primarily for administrative tasks such as pay and pensions and statistics.

Welsh Development Agency

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the aggregate amounts outstanding, otherwise than by way of interest, in respect of (a) the general external borrowing of the Welsh Development Agency, (b) sums issued by the Treasury in fulfilment of guarantees, (c) sums paid to the agency by the Secretary of State and (d) loans guaranteed by the agency otherwise than under section 11 of the Welsh Development Agency (No. 2) Act; and if he will publish details of the amounts outstanding under each heading.

Following is the information:

(a) The general external borrowing of the WDA£3·8 million
(b) Sums issued by the Treasury in fulfilment of guaranteesNil
(c) Sums paid to the agency by the Secretary of State£50·9 million
(d) Loans guaranteed by the agency otherwise than under section 12 of the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975Nil
£54·7 million
Of the total of £54·7 million, some £45·7 million is a charge against the statutory financial limit.

I have been asked to reply.Apart from a number of small computers used by various police forces in vehicle availability systems, the types of computer used exclusively by the police service in England and Wales are as follows:

Trade

Performing Right Society

51.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will seek to abolish the powers of the Performing Right Society and substitute other and more equitable methods of paying composers and writers.

No. The Performing Right Society handles the collection and distribution of royalties for composers and writers; an individual could only do this for himself with great difficulty. The society has a large proportion of currently popular music in its repertoire and is therefore in a strong position. Its activities are, however, controlled by the Performing Right Tribunal which determines disputes between the society and users of its music.

Air Traffic (United Kingdom—Spain)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the dispute with the Spanish Government on air traffic movements, pursuant to the attempt by the Civil Aviation Authority to transfer Iberian air traffic to Gatwick from Heathrow; and what powers, if any, he possesses to enforce such a ruling.

I refer to the Written Answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) on 10th November. The situation remains unaltered. My Department's powers in this regard arise from section 8 of the Civil Aviation Act 1949 but it has not yet exercised them in this case.

Fruit Imports

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will state the volume of imports of limes into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;(2) if he will state the volume of imports of melons into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;(3) if he will state the volume of imports of nectarines into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;(4) if he will state the volume of imports of peaches into the United Kingdom

Tonnes
1974197519761977January—June 1978
Melons38,82653,43260,88544,19611,808
Peaches including nectarines28,53222,44340,31428,1533,175
Plums16,22413,18620,50811,4324,570
Strawberries1,8011,8011,3072,0883,801
Table grapes57,25255,48649,91141,99410,486
Apricots2,6542,0521,8717711,299
Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC (R) Group 051 and SITC (R2) Group 057.
Note: Limes are not separately identified in the Overseas Trade Statistics.

European Community

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the balance of visible trade with the United Kingdom's Common Market partners for the last 12 months and the balance for invisibles.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Monetary Compensatory Amounts

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the total monetary comsatory amounts paid by the European Commission in respect of imports into the United Kingdom of agricultural produce in 1977–78 or the most recent date available.

in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;

(5) if he will state the volume of imports of plums into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;

(6) if he will state the volume of imports of strawberries into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;

(7) if he will state the volume of imports of table grapes into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978;

(8) if he will state the volume of imports of apricots into the United Kingdom in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and the first six months of 1978.

As payments of monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs), in respect of United Kingdom imports are made by the exporting countries, precise figures in sterling are not available. However, total expenditure on these MCAs was approximately £580 million in 1977 and may reach approximately £590 million in 1978.NOTE:

(a) 1977 figures are based on information supplied by the Commission. The 1978 forecast is based on monetary compensatory amount percentages which have applied so far this year and the trade assumptions underlying the 1978 Community budget.
(b) The figures all relate to MCAs paid in intra-Community trade and in third country trade where the MCA exceeds the external levy. No account has been taken of MCA levies applied to United Kingdom exports.

Sugar

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what alteration there has been in acreage under sugar beet in each of the last three years to the latest available date.

The areas contracted for sugar beet planting and the areas actually harvested up to the 1978–79 harvest are:

Areas in hectares
ContractedHarvested
1975–76197,520193,336
1976–77206,959200,809
1977–78205,967200,440
1978–79209,224(estimate)206,000
(Source: British Sugar Corporation)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the United Kingdom sugar beet expansion programme has encountered any serious obstacle and is proceeding as planned.

There is no formal expansion programme but "Food from Our Own Resources" concluded that there was a case on United Kingdom balance of payments and resource use grounds for increasing production, and gave a possible level of production of sugar beet in 1980 of 9,450,000 tons—9,600,000 tonnes. The timing of such an increase was seriously affected by three very bad seasons—1974–75 to 1976–77—which have made it improbable that the projected production for 1980 will be reached by that time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the method of payment to sugar beet farmers, including sources of subsidies, etc.

Sugar beet farmers sell their beet on contract to the British Sugar Corporation. There are no subsidies on the growing or marketing of beet. The contract price for beet is based on the EEC minimum beet price, which reflects the support given to the market for sugar through EEC arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from what sources United Kingdom port refineries received their supply of raw sugar for the year 1977–78; and where they will receive their supply from in 1978–79.

The sources from which the United Kingdom port refineries receive their supply of raw sugar is commercial information which we are not in a position to provide. United Kingdom imports of raw sugar in October-September 1977–78 as taken from the overseas trade accounts are set out in the table below. The bulk of this sugar will no doubt have gone to the port refineries for refining. Whilst we cannot predict future imports of raw sugar, purchases from the ACP countries and other preferential suppliers are the subject of long term contracts which the refiners have with them and are likely to continue in 1978–79.

Country and Total
Tonnes
Barbados43,415
Belize41,668
Congo5,047
Fiji187,327
Guyana195,667
India13,458
Jamaica151,508
Kenya2,415
Malawi15,673
Mauritius440,304
St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla18,182
Swaziland108,104
Tanzania9,930
Trinidad/Tobago56,897
France35,579
Reunion31,095
Netherlands1,408
Irish Republic118
Australia28,601
Brazil20,903
South Africa41,801
Others17,552

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider assisting in the purchase of European raw sugar in the future.

I assume that my hon. Friend's Question relates to Government-financed assistance. Such Government expenditure would not be justified.

Common Agricultural Policy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the likelihood of a fundamental reform of the common agricultural policy in the context of the proposed European monetary system.

A scheme for stabilising all EEC currencies would not solve the fundamental problem of surplus production in the EEC due to excessive common support prices.

Pigmeat (Monetary Compensatory Amounts)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in the negotiations of the pigmeat monetary compensatory amounts.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) and others.

British Sugar Corporation

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the shareholding in the British Sugar Corporation of Her Majesty's Government.

The Government have at present 14½ million 50p shares in the British Sugar Corporation Ltd. These represent 24·18 per cent. of the issued share capital.

Date of acquisitionnumber of sharesPercentage of issued capital
1936750,000 (£1)15
19643,625,000 (£1)36·25*
19773,625,000 (£1)24·18†
197814,500,000 (50p)24·18‡
Notes
* Includes 2,500,000 shares (25 %) held by the Sugar Board—a statutory body—between 1964 and 1977.
† Share restructuring—rights issue.
‡ Restructuring involving a scrip issue and a halving of the nominal value of the shares.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the contamination of sugar by rat poison at the British Sugar Corporation's plant at York.

I am informed by the British Sugar Corporation that on 7th November traces of grain treated with the anti-coagulent difenacoum and used as mouse bait were found in sugar packeting equipment at the York factory. In the opinion of the corporation, strict precautions at the factory made it impossible for this to have happened accidentally. Packeting was halted, equipment cleaned, and action taken to recover any sugar which might have been contaminated. As a result of this swift action almost all of the sugar which might have been exposed to any risk has been accounted for. Security at the factory has been tightened.Difenacoum is widely used in the food industry as a rodenticide and has been cleared under the pesticide safety precautions scheme. The amount of it involved in this incident was, I understand, 0·5 milligrammes; this quantity would be harmless in human food.

Farm Production (Efficiency)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what action he is taking to ensure that agricultural production in the United Kingdom moves gradually to those areas where it can take place most efficiently, giving the action being taken, commodity by commodity;(2) if he will specify those areas of the United Kingdom where he estimates that the dominant agricultural production should be on the ground of efficiency, namely milk, beef, pigs, sheep, potatoes, grain, sugar beet, poultry and eggs.

While my right hon. Friend and his agricultural colleagues always take account of any special circumstances which apply to agriculture in different parts of the United Kingdom, our general policy for the United Kingdom as a whole is to provide the right framework for the healthy development of the agricultural industry and to regard detailed decisions on production as a matter for individual farmers.

Milk Marketing Boards (Referendum)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the terms under which the referendum on milk marketing boards is being conducted; what majority vote is required to retain the board; what is the weighting in relation to herds; whether votes not cast are counted as votes against; and when the result will be announced.

The polls of producers for each of the five milk marketing boards in the United Kingdom are being held under the terms of EEC regulations Nos. 1421/78 and 1422/78 which safeguard the continued existence of the boards, subject to a positive vote in their favour by producers. The polls are being conducted by the boards themselves under the general supervision of the agricultural departments. The regulations require that two conditions must be satisfied in the poll for the boards to continue in existence. Firstly, for each board, at least 80 per cent. of those who vote in the referendum must be in favour; each eligible producer is allocated one producer vote for this calculation. Secondly, those who vote in favour must represent at least 50 per cent. of milk production in the board's area; for this calculation each producer is allocated a number of production votes, on the basis of one vote for every 10 milk cows he owns plus one vote for the balance of cows in his herd above a multiple of 10.Votes not cast, or cast but not valid, will be disregarded if they are producer votes, but will be regarded as negative votes if they are production votes. Voting papers were sent out in England and Wales on 24th October for return by 17th November. The result is expected to be announced on 27th November for the milk marketing board for England and Wales.The results for the four boards in Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected before that date.

Social Services

Homeless Young Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken by his Department to implement the recommendations of the working group convened by his Department to investigate the problems of homeless young people which reported in July 1976.

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 21st July 1977, even in time of acute financial pressure much of what was recommended was already being done to varying extents by local authorities— [Vol. 935, c. 669–71.] Since then more action has been reported by the several Departments to which the recommendations were addressed.The working group recommended that regard should be had to the needs of single people in the preparation of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and its associated code of guidance. This was done. The Act requires that local housing authorities secure that accommodation is available to those they are satisfied are homeless and in priority need—this includes those who are vulnerable as a result of mental illness or handicap or physical disability or other special reason. It further requires that authorities give advice and appropriate assistance to all other homeless people. The code of guidance, to which the Act requires authorities to have regard, makes specific reference to the working group report and says that the view of the Secretaries of State is that it would be appropriate for authorities to consider homeless young people who are at risk of sexual and financial exploitation as having a priority need.The report also made recommendations in relation to the better use of existing accommodation. The Department of the Environment, in a circular last year entitled "Better Use of Vacant and Under-Occupied Housing", brought a number of such measures to the attention of local housing authorities.The Housing Corporation allocated £17 million of its 1978–79 budget for hostel projects of all kinds, including hostels for young people and are also funding self contained accommodation for single young people.The Supplementary Benefits Commission contributes to the funds of three voluntary organisations catering particularly for young people: St. Giles, Camberwell, London; Centrepoint, Soho, London and St. Basil's, Birmingham; other projects receiving grants under schedule 5 of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 take in some young people. I understand that no applications have been received which can be regarded as stemming from the publication of the report.When a claimant for supplementary benefit is issued with a voucher to enable him to obtain board and lodging at a particular hostel, lie is now given also a notice which includes a prominent note telling him that lie does not have to stay at the accommodation nor remain there for the duration of the period specified.The voluntary service unit of the Home Office continues to make grants to two organisations concerned with the welfare and accommodation problems of homeless young people. The West End co-ordinated voluntary services, which co-ordinates the activities of the number of organisations providing services for young people, received a grant of £51,750 in 1977–78 which has been increased to £62,300 in 1978–79. GALS (Girls Alone in London Service), which operates an advice centre for girls at Euston Station and provides short term hostel accommodation, received a grant of £10,000 in 1977–78 which has been increased to £12,000 in 1978–79.My Department has commissioned a study of a walk-in counselling centre for young people in Hammersmith. The project is expected to begin shortly. A DHSS research report on advisory and counselling services for young people

* , published in 1978, which gives information about 80 projects concerned with counselling young people, should advance consideration of the problems of providing these services.

* HMSO DHSS Research Report No. 1.

Conferences have been held and articles published in youth magazines aimed at focusing the attention of those working in the youth service on the needs of homeless young people.

My Department, together with voluntary organisations, is funding an experimental walk-in primary health care centre in Soho for homeless young people. The project is being evaluated.

In May 1978, an experimental community-based short-stay residential crisis unit for unstable young multiple drug misusers was opened in London, funded by my Department and the London Boroughs Association. This project is also being evaluated.

The Home Office probation and after care department has awarded grants to a number of day centre projects which have catered for various disadvantaged groups including young offenders. Many of these day centres provide training in social skills, and in acquiring or regaining the work habit.

To a large extent, the recommendations relating to employment were already being carried out by the time of the report's publication. In the youth opportunities programme, introduced in April this year, emphasis is given to providing opportunities for unemployed young people with the poorest qualifications. Additional funds have been made available through the Department of Employment's special 100 per cent. funded scheme to strengthen the careers service in areas most affected by high levels of unemployment. Finally, more attention is now being paid to ensuring that the service receives adequate publicity.

Hospitals (Surrey)

52.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply he has sent to the representations about inadequate Government finance and its effect on staffing levels in Surrey hospitals which he received from the Surrey area health authority following their meeting on 11th October.

I have received no such representations. I understand that the Surrey area health authority has written to the South-West Thames regional health authority.

Benefit (Ford Motor Company)

53.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will set up a local information centre in Dagenham to advise Ford workers on social security problems affecting their families.

Leaflets giving information about supplementary benefit availability have been provided freely since the Ford dispute started. However, this has now become a lengthy dispute, and the pressure of work created by large numbers of new claims has eased.The possibility of opening information centres is being actively explored, therefore.

Cerebral Palsy And Perinatal Mortality

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money is being spent in identifying and dealing with the causes of cerebral palsy and perinatal mortality; whether there has been any significant increase in expenditure over the last eight years; and how this expenditure compares with the amount spent in other countries about which information is available.

I am sorry that details of expenditure in these fields cannot be separately identified and comparison with other countries is not therefore possible.I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that the Medical Research Council is conducting a wide range of research in the fields such as mental handicap, disorders of the cerebrovascular system and inherited and congenital metabolic abnormalities, some of which will be relevant to cerebral palsy and other handicapping conditions in the newborn. Research in the neurological and psychiatric fields which has a relevance to the problem of cerebral palsy is included in the work on vulnerable periods in the developing brain at Manchester, studies at the council's development neurobiology unit at the Institute of Neurology in the university of London and the Institute of Psychiatry also in London, and at the regional neurological centre at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.Government funds also support other medical research in this field in universities and hospital medical schools.My own Department has identified perinatal mortality as a priority for research. Earlier this year funds were provided for the setting up of the national perinatal epidemiology unit at Oxford.The findings of the unit and that of other researchers currently supported by my Department should increase our understanding of the causation and the possible prevention of cerebral palsy and perinatal mortality.

Pregnancy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest information he has on dates by which women in each social class report their pregnancies; what action he is taking to encourage earlier reporting; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that information on dates of reporting pregnancies by social class is not collected centrally. With regard to the action being taken to encourage earlier reporting, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 14th November 1978.

Mobility Allowance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an assurance that the Government will increase mobility allowance for disabled drivers who do not pay for a vehicle licence if they go ahead with the proposal to abolish vehicle licences and increase the price of petrol.

It is too early at this stage to say whether it would be appropriate to make some specific adjustment to this benefit to take account of any increased petrol duty which might follow a decision to abolish vehicle excise. This would depend very much on what happened by way of overall changes in the provision of mobility help for disabled people before abolition, but the Government would certainly give the matter careful consideration at the relevant time.

Supplementary Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children were being brought up in families dependent on supplementary benefit in Great Britain in 1970 and each subsequent year.

The information is as follows:

1970796,000
1971966,000
1972950,000
1973798,000
1974874,000
19751,077,000
19761,172,000
19771,156,000
NOTE. The figures for 1977 are not fully comparable with those for earlier years, owing to a change in the method of estimation.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is being taken to reduce the incidence of congenital cytomegalovirus; and if he will make a statement.

A number of studies are proceeding, including ones set up by the Medical Research Council, the Public Health Laboratory Service, St. George's Hospital, London, and the Hospital for Sick Children, London. Work is being undertaken to develop a vaccine to protect susceptible women of childbearing age.

Genetic Diseases

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made in establishing a national risk register for genetic diseases; and if he will make a statement.

I have no present plans for establishing such a register. I understand the Clinical Genetic Society has a panel looking into the problem of genetic registers and I look forward to reading its report when it is published.

Optical Charges (Blind And Partially Sighted Persons)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to introduce legislation to exempt registered blind and partially sighted people from optical charges; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to be able to announce that we shall lay regulations in the present parliamentary Session to exempt the registered blind and partially sighted in England and Wales from the basic NHS optical charges. The exemption will extend to all NHS charges for the supply, repair or replacement of NHS lenses and frames, but not to additonal charges levied on appliances of a more expensive type than those prescribed. It is expected that some 100,000 blind and partially sighted adults will benefit from the exemption.

Health Visitors

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to increase the number of multilingual health visitors; if he will make special grants to area health authorities with large immigrant populations from the Indian Sub-continent; and if he will make a statement.

It is for health authorities to recruit nursing personnel to meet the needs of their areas. They have recently been reminded that the Race Relations Act permits exceptions for genuine occupational qualifications, for example, for health visitors from a particular racial group. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has recently published a consultative document which sets out proposals for a grant to replace that available under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966. This will shortly be sent to health authorities and other health interests for their views on whether they should participate in the proposed arrangements.

Rubella

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the success of the rubella immunisation programme in schools; what percentage of girls are being immunised by the age of 14 years; and if he will make a statement.

There are indications that the programme in schools is having a substantial effect; on average throughout the country around 70 per cent. of girls are vaccinated against rubella by their fourteenth birthday. Further details about rubella vacccination were in my right hon. Friend's reply on 7th November.—[Vol. 957, Col. 110–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of babies born with congenital rubella in each of the last 10 years; what is his estimate of the number who will be so handicapped in 1978; and if he will make a statement.

The available figures of cases reported for the period 1972 to 1977 were given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 2nd May 1978.—[Vol. 949, Col. 90.] As to the second part of his Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply on 7th November.—[Vol. 957, c. 110–12.]

Measles And Polio Vaccine

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the figures he gave in his reply to the hon. Member for Eccles, Official Report, 11th November 1977, column 290, regarding take up of measles and oral polio vaccine.

The number of children in the United Kingdom aged 1 to 4 years who have not received measles vaccine and a complete series of oral polio vaccine is estimated on the data available at 31st December 1977 to be 1,650,000 and 824,000 respectively. The corresponding figure for the oral polio vaccine for the United Kingdom in 1976 was 907,000; the figure of 864,000 given in reply to my hon. Friend's Question last year was a Great Britain one.

Pensioners (Christmas Bonus)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion the administrative costs of paying pensioners a Christmas bonus was of the total amount paid out in each year in which the payment has been made; what is his estimate of the proportion in 1978; by what percentage increase he estimates the administrative costs in 1978 will exceed those in 1977; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is as follows for Great Britain:

(1)(2)(3)(4)
BonusBenefit expenditure £millionAdministrative costs £millionCol. (3) as a percentage of Col. (2)
197278·71·01·2
197379·80·91·1
197491·91·01·1
197799·02·62·6
1978101·02·92·9
The administration costs increased markedly between 1974 and 1977, mainly because the Post Office encashment charges, postal charges and staff salaries increased over that period.The administration cost increase of nearly 12 per cent. between 1977 and 1978 is due mainly to an increase in Post Office encashment costs arising from their need to meet higher cash handling charges by the banks.

Motor Industry Research Association (Study)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the terms of reference of the study commissioned by his Department and the Depart- ment of Transport with the Motor Industry Research Association; what will be the cost of the study; when he expects it to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

The aim of the study is to identify how best the needs of disabled people can be met in relation to personal road transport. The project will consider the problems of access, controls and storage of wheelchairs; the extent to which these can be met by available adaptions to motor cars; and the potential value of further adaptations or specialised vehicles which are available or under development. Apart from the potential benefit to disabled people generally, the study has particular relevanc to mobility allowance beneficiaries who wish to have a vehicle to drive or in which to travel as a passenger and to beneficiaries under the former vehicle scheme who continue to use a three-wheeler so long as stocks are available. As my hon. Friend is aware, our aim is to keep these three-wheeler users mobile unless increased disability itself makes this impossible. The current estimated cost of the Motor Industry Research Association study is approximately £40,000. The study team's report is expected to be available in the new year.

Wheelchair Service

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made in his Department's review of the wheelchair service; and if he will make a statement.

Seven working groups were set up to consider different aspects of the service. They consisted of officers of my Department, professional staff from outside my Department and wheelchair users. These groups have now reported and their reports are being considered. My Department hopes to conclude the review early next year.

Fluoridation

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why, in view of previous assurances that the fluoridation of drinking water supplies is harmless, his Department's chief pharmacist has issued guidance to chemists warning them to limit or even not to dispense artificial fluorides for human consumption in areas where fluorides are present or are added to water; and what research has been carried out as to other sources, besides drinking water, from which people may obtain an excess of fluoride intake.

One part per million of fluoride in drinking water in temperate climate areas is the optimum for protecting the teeth against dental decay. The purpose of the letter is to ensure that for dental reasons, namely, the mottling of the teeth, of which there are several causes, the optimum is not exceeded by the unnecessary consumption of fluoride tablets. There is evidence from published papers that mottling from any cause is least when the fluoride content of water supplies is one part per million.

Hospitals (Ultra-Sound And Amniocentesis)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is yet able to say how many hospitals in each regional health authority have ultrasound facilities and how many are offering amniocentesis.

Neural Tube Defects (Screening)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many times the working group on screening for neural tube defects has met; and when he estimates the committee's report will be submitted.

The working group has met five times. I hope it may be possible for it to report in the spring.

Pharmaceutical Services (Dispute)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are his reasons for continuing to refuse to refer to arbitration his Department's dispute with the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee over payment for dispensing services to the National Health Service.

I have agreed that the dispute should be referred for independent assessment. A panel of assessors is expected to begin work early in the new year and its membership and terms of reference will be announced as soon as the necessary consultations with the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee have been completed.

Cardiac Surgery (Hospital Waiting List)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the waiting periods for cardiac surgery in each area health authority.

I regret the information is not available, and because of differences in practice between units would be difficult to collect in a form which enabled meaningful comparisons to be made.

Scotland

Forestry Commission (Employees' Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage increase in pay the Forestry Commission has offered workers who live in tied house accommodation.

It is expected that a pay claim will be received shortly and negotiations will follow soon thereafter. There is no difference in the rates of pay of workers who occupy Forestry Commission houses and the remainder.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of rent and rates payments per week charged by the Forestry Commission to foresters and other supervisors who live in tied house accommodation; and how these payments compare with charges made to other employees in similar tied house circumstances.

Under agreements with the respective unions the rents of houses occupied by foresters and forest workers are calculated differently. Foresters are charged the average of the rent in respect of all houses occupied by them in Great Britain. Forester worker tenants are charged the rent of the particular property occupied. The current average rent charged to a forrester is £4 a week which will be subject to review in 1979. Rates are also averaged and are at present approximately £2·70 a week.

It is not normal commission policy to let houses to other non-industrial supervisors.

Under the first phase of a recent rent review forest workers in Scotland will, from this month, be charged rents averaging approximately £3·10 a week. A figure for rates is not known as these are paid direct to the local authority.

Teacher Training (Grants)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the position in grant regulations which has emerged with the termination of the special teacher recruitment scheme whereby qualified entrants to teacher training colleges obtain grants if they have been unemployed or in receipt of supplementary benefit but not if they have undergone training or education while assisted by educational grants.

Qualified entrants to colleges of education, regardless of their previous employment position, are eligible for grants under the students' allowances scheme provided that they are not already qualified for a career. This condition is being reviewed in relation to prospective secondary teachers of subjects in which there are shortages of teachers.

Scottish Assembly

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what preparatory work he has authorised on the possible structure, staffing and standing orders of the Scottish Assembly.

To enable the Assembly to operate during its initial period, my right hon. Friend will have to give it temporary directions on procedures under section 7 of the Scotland Act, and provide it with temporary staff under the powers conferred on him by section 83(3). Pending the referendum, my right hon. Friend has asked his Department to identify and study the problems involved.

Exports

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the implications for the expansion of the Scottish economy of the recently published survey on Scottish exports by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry), which shows that between 1974 and 1977 manufactured exports rose by 24 per cent. in real terms in Scotland compared with 14 per cent. in the United Kingdom.

The survey by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) is a welcome addition to the available information on Scotland's economic performance. While survey techniques inevitably produce only approximate results, it is very encouraging to find that the already strong export record of Scottish companies has improved over the years in question. Continuing export success in the future is vital to the prospects for the economy, and the Government are providing every support to companies in their endeavour to penetrate overseas markets.

Children (Custodial Orders)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider legislation to amend part III of the Children Act 1975 to give the courts the duty of ascertaining the wishes of the child before making a custody order.

No. Existing legislation requires courts to regard the welfare of the child as the paramount consideration in deciding questions relating to custody. Subject to this general requirement the courts may, depending on age and understanding of the child and the other circumstances of the case, exercise their discretion to ascertain the wishes of the child.

Convicted Persons (Psychiatric History)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons convicted (a) of crimes of violence and (b) of murder in each of the past 10 years are known either to have been patients in psychiatric units or to have been committed to the State hospital, Carstairs, before committing the crimes leading to their convictions.

There is no way of obtaining this information in respect of those discharged from ordinary mental hospitals, as criminal records are not linked with health records. Statistical information of this kind is not collected in respect of patients discharged from the State hospital and only limited and incomplete information could be obtained from the existing individual records.

Deer Farming

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the economic prospects for deer farming in Scotland, based on assessments by the Highlands and Islands Development Board at Rahoy, and at other centres.

I am encouraged by the results to date of the work carried out by the Highlands and Islands Development Board and by the Rowett Research Institute in collaboration with the Hill Farming Research Organisation. I am sure that both the board and these research institutes would be willing to provide the hon. Member with information on the progress of their work.

Electoral Registers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims for a vote were submitted in each of the electoral registration areas in Scotland following the compilation of 1977's electoral register.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what publicity the Scottish Information Office is planning in order to maximise public awareness of the need to check the draft electoral registers when they become available to ensure that their names will be on the new electoral rolls.

Each year the Scottish Information Office arranges press and television publicity for this purpose in relation to the period from 28th November to 16th December when the draft electoral registers are open for claims and objections.

Electors (Postal Votes)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many electors in each electoral registration area have postal votes; and if he is satisfied that there is sufficient awareness of the eligibility for a postal vote.

I regret that information about the number of postal voters on any given date is not available. The number fluctuates from time to time because of new applications and cancellations throughout the year, and it increases markedly before an election. This suggests that there is a considerable public awareness of postal voting, though no doubt it could be improved.

Bilingual Education

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to introduce grants comparable with those announced for Wales in the Gracious Speech in order to encourage bilingual education in Scotland.

A grant of nearly £80,000 is already being paid to support the development over six years of a bilingual curriculum in primary schools in the Western Isles under existing statutory powers.

Fish Processing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (I) in the light of the anxiety amongst employees and employers in fishing communities throughout Scotland caused by the lack of a decision over the question of interim aid to fish processors, if he will now take steps to end the uncertainty;(2) what steps he proposes to take to aid fish catching and fish processing industries through their present difficulties caused by the overfishing by the other EEC members; and whether any aid was offered to William Liston and Co. of Granton prior to its cessation of trading;(3) what steps he now proposes to take to prevent closure by fishing firms in Scottish ports with subsequent loss of fishing jobs.

The Government are considering with the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board possible changes in the structure of the catching industry and consequential alterations in our assistance. The deep-sea sector has made representations about its present financial situation and has been invited to submit a reasoned case for consideration. The Liston company made no approach to my Department before deciding to cease operations at Granton.Changes in the supply situation will involve adaptation by the whole fish processing industry and processors are no doubt considering this. More immediately the herring processors have a difficulty over the supply of home-caught fish and we are considering urgently their request for help.

Rent Assessment Committee

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the members of the Rent Assessment Committee panel, showing their date of appointment and their other interests.

The Rent Assessment Panel for Scotland, at 1st November 1978, comprised 191 members—67 lawyers—who act as chairmen—59 professional members—valuers and surveyors—and 65 lay members. I will send my hon. Friend details of their names and dates of appointment.

School Transport

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual cost to each region and island authority of providing pupils with free bus travel to and from school.

The information available does not distinguish between modes of travel. The provisional outturn of expenditure for 1977–78 on all travel between home and school is as follows:

£ At Outturn Prices
Borders537,597
Central702,184
Dumfries and Galloway721,733
Fife663,000
Grampian1,683,703
Highland1,061,298
Lothian1,594,646
Strathclyde4,852,289
Tayside943,848
Orkney204,065
Shetland213,000
Western Isles251,490
Total Scotland13,428,853

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the distance beyond which pupils are entitled to free bus travel to and from school in each region and island authority in Scotland.

The statutory walking distances are over two miles for children under the age of 8 and over three miles for all other children. The following authorities have exercised their discretion to reduce these limits to the extent shown:

Under 8Over 8
Fife22
Lothian22
All primaryAll seconddry
Strathclyde12
In addition the three islands areas apply shorter distances in winter and where there are special local circumstances, and Central region does so in parts of its area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils receive free bus travel to and from school in each region and island authority area.

The information is as follows:

Borders6,000
Central12,000
Dumfries and Galloway15,000
Fife13,000
Grampian24,000
Highland10,000
Lothian21,000
Strathclyde82,000
Tayside8,000
Orkney2,000
Shetland2,000
Western Isles2,000
The figures refer to the beginning of the present school session and are expressed to the nearest thousand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received requesting Government action to provide all children with free travel to school; and, in the light of the wide support for this measure, if he will now make a statement on Government policy on the subject.

My right hon. Friend has received no recent representations in this behalf and he has no proposals under consideration at present to alter the existing arrangements for home to school transport.

United States Navy Personnel (Children's Education)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what contribution the United States Navy is currently making towards the cost of education of the children of United States Navy personnel at schools in Scotland.

The United States Navy provides a school for the primary education of children of Service men living on the United States naval base at Edzell. Free primary and secondary education is available for all children normally and temporarily resident in Scotland without regard to nationality.

Youth Opportunities Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places in each region of Scotland have been allocated under the youth opportunities scheme.

The youth opportunities programme is administered by the Manpower Services Commission. I have asked the chairman of the commission to write to the hon. Member.

Unemployed Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the unemployed in Scotland are under 25 years of age; and how this figure compares with the situation four years ago.

At July 1978, the latest date for which information is available, 45·8 per cent. of those unemployed in Scotland were under 25 years of age. compared with 35·2 per cent. in July 1974.

Police (Computers)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the types of computer maintained by the police force in Scotland.

The following types of computer are maintained by police forces in Scotland:Force and Computer typeStrathclyde

  • Ferranti Argus 500
  • Ferranti Argus 700
  • Perkin Elmer Micro Computers
  • IBM 3717 Mini Computer

Central

  • Computer Automation Ltd. Mini Computer

Fife

  • CYFAS

Tayside

  • Computer Automation Ltd. Mini Computer

In addition, all Scottish forces are linked to the police national computer at Hendon, and all make use of local authority owned and maintained computers.

European Community (Regional And Social Funds)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give examples of how EEC Regional and Social Funds have assisted specified projects in the Doon Valley, Cumnock area, Maybole area, and the district of Girvan.

A grant of £91,200 from the European Regional Development Fund was awarded to Cumnock and Doon Valley district council in 1977 for site servicing of three industrial estates at Auchinleck, Cumnock and Patna. Scotland as a whole receives benefit by way of grants from the European Social Fund for national schemes in aid of the disabled, young people, industrial training and similar activities: it is not possible to apportion these grants to particular areas.

Sheltered Housing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the Scottish Development Department's definition of sheltered housing for the elderly and the standard of provision for such units recommended by social work services groups.

Standards for sheltered housing are set out in detail in a circular issued jointly by the Scottish Development Department and the Social Work Services Group in December 1975. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

Radioactive Waste

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list (a) the sites in Scotland for which the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has sought planning permission for test drillings into geological strata as part of the programme of research into ways of disposing of high level radioactive waste and (b) the decision of the planning authority in each case which has been determined.

Following is the information:

Site and Decision of Planning Authority
Mullwharchar, Carrick Forest—Planning permission refused by Kyle and Carrick District Council.
Ulbster Estate, Caithness—Planning permission granted by Highland Regional Council.

Road Safety (Local Authority Programmes)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the cost of implementing section 8 of the Road Traffic Act 1974.

Discussions about this are taking place with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Defence

Raf Buccaneer Squadrons

54.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the performance of RAF Buccaneer squadrons from RAF Honington, Suffolk, and RAF Germany, in the recently completed Red Flag strike exercises in the United States of America.

Buccaneer and Jaguar aircraft from RAF Strike Command and RAF Germany are currently training at the USAF red flag facility in Nevada which provides a unique simulation of air and ground defences. RAF participation in this training is planned to continue until the middle of this month and I am therefore unable to make a comprehensive statement on its outcome. There is, however, no doubt that this is most valuable training. RAF particpation last year demonstrated the effectiveness of our low level penetration tactics and the great importance of realistic training in them.

Armed Forces (Enlistment Applications)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many applications were received for investment into the Army as an officer, Service man or woman and how many were rejected in each of the following years: 1975, 1976, 1977 and to the latest available date in 1978:(2) how many applications were received for enlistment in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines as an officer, Service man or woman and how many were rejected in each of the following years: 1975, 1976, 1977 and to the latest available date in 1978.(3) how many applications were received for enlistment into the Royal Air Force as an officer, Service man or woman and how many were rejected in each of the following years: 1975, 1976, 1977 and to the latest available date in 1978.

OFFICERS

1975–76

1976–77

1977–78

1978–79 to date

Applied

Rejected

Applied

Rejected

Applied

Rejected

Applied

Rejected

Army—(including WRAC in brackets)2,0851,5201,7511,0111,761980797409
(161)(109)(184)(114)(181)(117)(61)(39)
Navy—
RN and Royal Marines2,8512,4132,6212,1902,3511,773898559
WRNS77Figures not available12310770553126
QARNNS652287217138153

Includes withdrawals

Includes withdrawals

Includes withdrawals

Includes withdrawals

RAF—
Direct Entry GD Officers (Males)1,2381,1221,5861,3421,8521,6311,8401,618
Direct Entry Ground Officers(Males)8727811,4041,2371,3321,193704616
Direct Entry WRAF Officers475430954851756693352311
Cadetships1,0971,000815721868773289261
Airmen Aircrew101901771581721557269
SERVICE MEN/SERVICE WOMEN

1975–76

1976–77

1977–78

1978–79 to date

Applied

Rejected

Applied

Rejected

Applied

Rejected

Applied

Rejected

Army-(voluntary withdrawals in brackets)—
Service men*63,25437,84960,80739,39761,76740,77830,12119,010
(15,375)(15,661)(14,871)(8,823)
Service women†12,5709,13212,47710,80611,83910,5205,2874,365
(4,011)(4,856)(4,812)(2,004)
Navy—
Royal Navy26,08615,89128,03118,07023,63814,9846,2894,206
Royal Marines4,5222,8883,9112,5534,1532,8161,8081,195
WRNS6,5014,5057,7494,0037,2434,9142,2891,538
QARNNS9699396211565312714554

Includes withdrawals

Includes withdrawals

Includes withdrawals

Includes withdrawals

RAF—
RAF Adult Service20,19715,14320,16114,78318,57613,34013,3591,940
WRAF and PMRAFNS9,0217,6307,8116,6657,0725,6993,968489
Apprentice Technicians1,9881,7342,2041,9522,4242,1781,5511,386

* Service men include adults and juniors for which there are differing rates of rejection.

† Service women include WRAC and QARANC for which there are differing rates of rejection

In the case of Naval officers, it is not possible to distinguish those rejected by the selection procedure from those who withdraw voluntarily, nor is it possible to separate figures for the Royal Marines from those for the Royal Navy. The rating-rank figures show those rejected by the selection procedure, except that for Naval nurses the rejection figures cannot be complete, since some applicants who applied at the age of 161 are still taking or re-taking examinations.

Northern Ireland

Pharmaceutical Society (Regulations)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (General) Regulations 1978 were not approved in due time; and what steps he has taken to prevent a recurrence.

The regulations submitted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland for approval by the Department of Health and Social Services included amendments not previously discussed and agreed with the Department. The consideration of these amendments regrettably led to the regulations not being approved within the statutory period of one month from the date of making by the society. The Examiner of Statutory Rules drew this point to the notice of the Department, and new regulations were immediately made. The case will be referred to in the next report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules. In accordance with normal practice, Departments' attention is being drawn to the need to prevent any recurrence of this incident.

Council Business (Members' Payment)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to limit payment to local councillors only for attendance at meetings where matters under their immediate responsibility are discussed.

No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 13th November 1978.—[Vol 958, c. 122.]

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many men and women have been recruited by his Department during the last 12-month period for which figures are available; and, of these, how many were Protestant, Catholic or of neither persuasion, respectively.

In common with other Government Departments, the Northern Ireland Office has delegated authority from the Civil Service Commission to recruit certain specific grades. From within this area of delegated authority, the Northern Ireland Office employs clerical, secretarial, messengerial and industrial staff, and during the year ended 31st October 1978, five men and 37 women were recruited.Applicants are not required to state their religion and it is therefore not possible to provide the additional information requested.

Royal Ulster Constabulary

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many men and women resigned from the Royal Ulster Constabulary during the 12-month period ended 31st October; and what labour turnover rate this represents.

During the year ended 31st October 1978 110 men and 47 women resigned from the RUC. This represents 2·6 per cent. of the strength of the force at 31st October 1978.

Matrimonial Causes

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what day or days he has appointed for the commencement of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978—SI 1978, No. 1045.

Article 56 of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. which makes amendments to the Summary Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 came into force on 16th October 1978. No date has yet been appointed for the commencement of the remaining provisions of the order.

"Art For Society" Exhibition

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the exhibition "Art for Society" was cancelled by the trustees of the Ulster museum, Belfast.

The exhibition "Art for Society" was sponsored by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland and was to have been shown at the Ulster museum. The trustees of the museum considered that a number of items were unsuitable for display in the museum and proposed that they be withdrawn. It was apparently not possible to arrange this to the trustees' satisfaction, and they therefore decided not to proceed with the exhibition.My noble Friend, the Minister of State, has written to the trustees asking them to reconsider their decision.

Water Service (Dispute)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, following the right hon. Member for Down, South's discussion with the Under-Secretary of State, he will now seek the good offices of the Joint Industrial Council in resolving with the minimum of further delay the industrial dispute in the water service.

The productivity sectional committee of the Joint Industrial Council is in fact meeting today to consider the situation.

Caugh Hill Treatment Works

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the effect of the discharge of the Caugh Hill treatment works on the ecology of the Cashcapel Water, the Owenreagh River and the River Roe since the present plant began to operate; and how the ecology of the Owenreagh River in the stretch affected by the discharge of the old waterworks, but not by the new, has changed since the new waterworks began operations.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 121–22], gave the following answer:Information on the ecological conditions of these rivers comes from sampling invertebrates and juvenile salmonid populations in the Owenreagh River by the Foyle Fisheries Commission. An exercise undertaken by the commission in 1976 indicated significant increases in these populations since earlier sampling in the period 1968 to 1971.In addition, since 1973 the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has undertaken regular sampling and chemical analysis of the Owenreagh River some 11 miles downstream from the Caugh Hill treatment works and results have shown the river to be unpolluted. Regular monitoring of the River Roe has indicated that it also is unpolluted. The effects of the discharge from the Caugh Hill works appear to be negligible. Moreover there is no knowledge of any changes in the ecology of that stretch of the Owenreagh River receiving discharge from the old waterworks but not from the new works.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the chemical composition of the discharge from the Caugh Hill waterworks; and what is the chemical composition of the Cashcapel Water above the discharge point in drought conditions and below the same point in the same conditions when the discharge is occurring.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 122], gave the following information:The discharge from Caugh Hill water treatment works into the Cashcapel River consists of hydrated aluminium oxide with absorbed natural colour and solids from the Glenedra River and the Altnaheglish reservoir. The aluminium content of the discharge, which is intermittent, is 100 mg per litre with a maximum suspended solid content of 2,112 mg per litre.Tests carried out during the 1975 drought on the Cashcapel River indicated that the suspended solid content in the natural water when there was no discharge from the works was 75 mg per litre and 650 mg per litre during discharge.