asked the Secretary of State for Trade why there was no member of the Scottish Guild of Pilots appointed to the Pilotage Commission despite the fact that the 1977 report of the Advisory Committee on Pilotage recommended that appointees to this commission should have had wide experience of pilotage in its fullest physical sense and not merely as an administrator of a pilotage authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will appoint a Scottish pilot to the Pilotage Commission; and if he will make a statement on the composition of the commission.

Members of the Pilotage Commission are not appointed as delegates of a particular interest or part of the United Kingdom. The appointments made were, however, carefully considered with a view to ensuring that the membership was balanced geographically and reflected a wide experience of pilotage, but it is not possible to appoint a pilot from each pilotage district. It is not intended to appoint any further members at the present time, but the composition of the commission will be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the speed at which the Eurocontrol costs of the Civil Aviation Authority are being balanced by charges for this service.

No. At present the nominal rate of cost recovery is 90 per cent., but since charges are based upon actual costs in a past year, the revenue is seldom adequate to cover that percentage of the current costs. Furthermore, the Eurocontrol charge is in United States dollars, the value of which relative to the pound has declined since 1977. I hope that the rate of recovery in 1981–82 will be 100 per cent.; and that soon afterwards Governments will agree that the charges will be based upon budgeted costs for the year, instead of costs in a past year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the circumstances in which an unsigned memorandum on the units of measurement directive 5247/79 was placed by his officials in the Vote Office at 8pm on 19 December 1979; and why it was not signed.

The memorandum was a simple factual note explaining a small change that had occurred in the text of this draft directive as a consequence of the Government's successful negotiations in respect of an existing EEC directive on the same subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

Since May 1979 my right hon. Friend has established the following bodies:

1. The Pilotage Commission.

(a) Members: Dr. Denis Rebbeck, CBE (Chairman), Mr. G. W. Brimyard, Mr. G. S. C. Clarabut, DSO, DSC, Mr. K. Cooper, Mr. J. P. Davison, Capt. A. F. Dickson, Mr. B. I. Evans, Mr. H. Frith, Capt. P. F. Mason and Mr. N. C. Walker.

(b) Annual cost: The commission will not be financed from public funds, but will receive from public funds a small launching loan of no more than £50,000.

2. National Metrological Co-ordinating Unit.

(a) Members: Councillors A. Hope, J. Jennings, M. E. Kerry, P. Cather, Mrs. Y. B. Jackson and County Councillors P. C. Price, B. H. Duggan and G. C. Waterer.

(b) Annual cost: The estimated cost of the unit for the financial years 1979–80 and 1980–81 are £34,000 and £200,000 respectively. Thereafter the unit is to be funded out of the rate suport grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is his estimate of the amount of population that would be displaced by the construction of a second runway at Gatwick airport and of the amount of land that would have to be acquired for airport development;(2) what are the number and types of building and infrastructure which would be displaced by the construction of a second runway at Gatwick airport; and if he will estimate the cost of reproviding the roads and infrastructure displaced;(3) What is his estimate of the level of population which would be affected by certain noise levels, namely within 55 NNI, 50 NNI, 45 NNI, 40 NNI and 35 NNI, following the provision of a second runway at Gatwick airport;(4) what is his estimate of the numbers of sensitive land uses which would be expected to exist in 1991 within certain noise levels, namely 55 NNI, 50 NNI, 45 NNI, 40 NNI and 35 NNI, in the event of Gatwick airport then having two runways.

Estimates could be made with any confidence only if detailed plans were available for providing a second runway at Gatwick. The British Airports Authority has no such plans, and my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on 17 December that the possibility of constructing a second runway at Gatwick will not be pursued.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will issue a directive to the Export Credits Guarantee Department to discontinue forthwith negotiations for provision of credit to finance the sale of $30 million of barley to Poland in view of the United States Government's embargo on grain sales to the USSR.

The decision to supply grain to Poland was taken in August last year. In common with our Allies, including the United States, we are continuing to supply grain to Poland while taking steps to ensure that such sales are not diverted to the USSR.In these circumstances it would not be appropriate to withdraw ECGD support for these exports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has made to the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising with regard to their representations for competition in the selling of air time for the fourth television channel.

I have met the president and the representatives of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and have considered carefully the points that they have made to me in favour of competitive selling of advertising on the fourth channel. I remain convinced, however, that competitive advertising on the two channels would inevitably result in a move towards concentration on maximising the audience for programmes, with adverse consequences for both of the commercial channels and before long for the BBC as well.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider whether to propose a Speaker's Conference on possible changes to the electoral system; and what are his proposals for discussing reform of the electoral system.

As soon as I have completed my general review of electoral law and procedures I shall consider what changes appear to be necessary and how best to proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Deparement if he is satisfied with the current facilities for the treament of alcoholics who are convicted of criminal offences; what are his proposals for the future; and if he will make a statement.

Treatment facilities for alcoholics who are offenders but are not in custody are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. With regard to those in custody, in addition to specific facilities for treatment at three prisons, all prisons have medical officers—many of whom have psychiatric qualifications or experience; many prisons have visiting psychiatrists; and most have an Alcoholics Anonymous group. The position will be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the arrangements to prevent illegal immigration through overstaying.

Developing the effectiveness of the arrangements to counter overstaying is an objective to which the Government attach importance. The introduction of a computer later this year should improve the efficiency of the selective checks made on the departure of people here temporarily. Further progress will depend in part on the resources available in both the Home Office and police forces for following up cases of suspected overstaying. The immigration service has recently been devoting more time to assisting the police in such inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, further to his statement on the May report, Official Report, 31 October 1979, column 1241–44, he will outline the alternatives to custody which his Deparrtment is considering; and what new projects are being established to this end.

I am continuing to improve and develop the range of non-custodial alternatives to prison. In particular, I am arranging for new senior attendance centres to be opened for young adult offenders and I am consulting the probation service about how greater use could be made of the probation order as an alternative to custody. Within the limits of available resources, I am also encouraging further provision of day centres, accommodation and other facilities, within both the statutory and the voluntary sector, to aid the diversion of petty offenders from custody and to assist with the rehabilitation of ex-offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give such information as is available concerning the number of deaths in police custody for each year since 1970 in France, Germany, Italy, Benelux, the United States of America and Sweden.

I regret that this information is not available in the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute in the case of James Kelly, he will now make available the report of Mr. David Gerty which was the police evidence submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions in this matter.

The report has already been made available to the proper authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, under the prison rules, a prisoner in one of Her Majesty's prisons has the right to consult a solicitor; and by what authority and in which circumstances such a right may be withdrawn.

Under prison rule 34(8) a prisoner is not entitled to communicate with any person in connection with any legal or other business except with the leave of the Secretary of State. Prison rule 37A(4) provides that, subject to any directions of the Secretary of State, a prisoner may correspond with a solicitor with a view to taking civil proceedings. In general this means that a prisoner is allowed, on application to the governor, to consult a solicitor for this purpose. Where his request concerns a complaint against the Home Office or any of its staff in connection with his imprisonment, prison standing orders 17A5 and 6 preclude him from consulting his solicitor until the complaint has been ventilated through the normal internal channels and he has received a definitive reply to it. Thereafter he is allowed to write to his solicitor. Under standing order 17B a prisoner is not allowed to consult a legal advisor with a view to initiating a private criminal prosecution. A copy of prison standing orders has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, under the prison rules, a prisoner in one of Her Majesty's prisons has the right of correspondence with persons outside the prison; and by what authority and in what circumstances a prison's letter may be withheld from the post.

Under rule 34 of the prison rules, any prisoner is entitled to communicate with relatives or friends. A convicted prisoner is entitled to send and receive a letter on his reception into prison and thereafter once a week. Rule 33 of the prison rules allows the Secretary of State to impose restrictions on communications between prisoners and other persons, and governors to stop letters. The circumstances in which the Secretary of State and governors exercise their powers are set out in section 5 of prison standing orders, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about corruption in the Metropolitan Police.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, with my full support, is determined to deal effectively with any allegations of corruption in the Metropolitan Police. Such allegations will continue to be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Parliament, and where justified by the evidence criminal and disciplinary proceedings will be taken against offenders. Anyone who has information about alleged corruption should bring it to the Commissioner's attention immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints

Name of body	Name of members appointed		Estimated annual cost
Joint Committee for Refugees from Vietnam	Sir Arthur Peterson, K.C.B., M.V.O. (Chairman).		£55,000 (in 1979–80)
Advisory Committee on Animal Experiments (replaces Advisory Committee on the administration of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876)	Mrs. Mary Warnock (Chairman) (other members will be appointed shortly).	…	£1,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department where the mixed detention centres are to be located; and what is the number of each sex involved and the age ranges.

There are no plans for mixed detention centres. The hon. Member may have in mind the proposal to open three boys' attendance centres to girls on an experimental basis. These centres are at Lichfield, Nottingham and Hull, and will be available for girls and boys aged 10 and under 17. The numbers attending will depend on the number of orders made by the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed new immigration rules on cities, such as Leicester, which have substantial immigrant populations.

It is not possible to forecast the impact of the proposed new immigration rules on particular cities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now reply to the report of the Expenditure Committee on the Charity Commissioners and their accountability.

The Government have considered the report by the Expendi- members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

The information is as follows:ture Committee on the Charity Commissioners and their accountability published in September 1975 and have also taken into account the conclusions reached by Lord Goodman's committee on charity law and voluntary organisations, which was set up by the National Council of Social Services and reported in December 1976.The Government appreciate the useful work done by both Committees in examining a wide range of issues relating to charity law and administration. It is now over four years since the Expenditure Committee reported and three years since the Goodman committee reported. Their proposals need to be viewed in the light of the Government's current policies.The Government recognise that charitable trusts occupy a special position in our law and that special privileges attach to charitable status. We believe that the concept of charity in the legal sense remains valid and useful since it both reflects and encourages a spirit of benefaction and public service whose continuance is of great importance to society. The Government do not consider that there is at present a need for changes in the law on charitable status or in the administrative practices relating to charities. We do, however, set great value on the contribution made by voluntary organisations and volunteers to the provision of a wide range of services and facilities that are essential to the wellbeing of society. We are considering how best we may, within the present financial restraints, encourage the development of the voluntary sector as a whole, and in that context we are paying particular attention to the Goodman committee's recommendations relating to fiscal matters.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to make a contribution to UNRWA in 1980; and when an announcement is likely to be made.

Her Majesty's Government intend to contribute to the 1980 budget requirement of the United Nations

Name of Body	Members appointed	Estimated annual cost	Remarks
St. Vincent Drilling Ltd.	R. A. Dingwall-Smith, C.B	—	—
	J. G. N. Drummond.
Committee of Inquiry into Local Government in Scotland.	Rt. Hon. Anthony Stodart (Chairman).	£40,000	This Committee is expected to produce its Report by December 1980 and to be wound up thereafter.
	R. D. M. Bell, C.B.
	Professor A. W. Bradley, M.A., LL.B.
	I. S. Campbell, O.B.E., B.Com., J.P.
	K. J. Clark, M.A., LL.B., J.P.
	T. Clarke, J.P.
	D. Hodge, C.B.E., J.P.
	B. A. Meek, J.P.
	A. F. Mutch, J.P.
	Mrs. V. D E. Purvis, J.P.
	J. P. Rettie.
	L. M. Turpie, M.A., LL.B., J.P.

The St. Vincent Drilling Ltd., a company owned 50 per cent. by me and 50 per cent. by the British National Oil Corporation was incorporated in May 1979 as a result of agreements entered into by the previous Administration for the ordering of a drilling rig from the Marathon Shipbuilding Company (UK) Ltd. St. Vincent Drilling has subsequently sold the rig and its activities have occasioned no net cost to public funds; it is now dormant and, as indicated in the White Paper "Report on Non-Departmental Public Bodies" (Cmnd. 7797), I plan to wind up the Government interest in it by 31 March this year.I also make appointments to the Farm Animal Welfare Council which is the primary responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the estimated costs in any one year are for the maintenance of the former Royal high school Relief and works Agency. It is hoped that an announcement as to the amount will be made in about four weeks time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

The information is as follows:in Edinburgh, including heating, security, building maintenance and the cost of staff employed at the buildings.

I have been asked to reply.Heating, security and building maintenance costs are estimated at £71,500 for the year 1980–81.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why tradesmen are still carrying out works at the former Royal high school in Edinburgh; and when such work will cease in view of the fact that there is no immediate prospect of these buildings being used.

I have been asked to reply.The main contractors are carrying out final making good and remedial work. In addition, certain other external work has been necessary to tidy up the environment of this category A building. All this work will be completed next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the extent of any British commitment to the setting up of a rapid development force by the United States of America;(2) what consultations he has had with Dr. Harold Brown, the American Defence Secretary, regarding the plans to form a rapid development force.

The rapid deployment force is a purely American force and its setting up is, therefore, a matter for the United States Government. Although I have not discussed this with Dr. Brown, our officials will be keeping closely in touch over the coming months on this and other matters of common interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what areas in Scotland are used for training of pilots from countries which are not members of NATO; and what countries use the facilities.

Pilots of foreign air forces undergoing flying training with the RAF make use of the same areas in Scotland as do RAF pilots on similar training courses or sorties. Pilots from India and Ecuador have been stationed with the RAF in Scotland and have trained there in 1979. Pilots from other non-NATO countries, based elsewhere in the United Kingdom, may have flown into Scotland occasionally on training flights, but it would require disproportionate effort to confirm this.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total maintenance cost of British military bases in Cyprus for the years 1977, 1978 and 1979.

The estimated costs of maintaining the British military bases in Cyprus for the financial years 1977 to 1979 are as follows:

1977–78	£42 million
1978–79	£48 million
1979–80	£50 million

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

None.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West of 14 January, Official Report, column 590–91, on what grounds the information on jobs taken by former civil servants is not made public; and if he will reconsider his decision not to provide this information.

Successive Governments have decided not to make such information available for reasons of privacy. It is for those concerned to decide whether there should be any public announcement.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

The Farm Animal Welfare Council replaced, with extended terms of reference, the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in July 1979. For a list of members I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) on 23 January. The estimated cost in 1979–80 is £53,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the total amount paid to the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board in levy charges by operators in the fishing industry, showing the amounts paid by operators in England, Scotland and Wales separately, for the years 1977, 1978 and 1979.

GROSS LEVY INCOME RECEIVED IN CALENDAR YEARS
			White Fish Authority			Herring Industry Board
£
			1977	1978	1979	1977	1978	1979
England and Wales			853,000	1,038,000	1,041,000	1,174	667	665
Scotland	…	…	473,000	495,000	398,000	39,838	14,297	1,983
Northern Ireland		…				3,011	1,359	1,679
Imports	…	…	*	*	*	1,159	3,486	4,890
Total	…	…	1,326,000	1,533,000	1,439,000	45,182	19,809	9,217
* Levy paid to the White Fish Authority on imports is attributed to the country in which the payer is domiciled.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of children attending nursery schools in each region of Northern

			Nursery schools	Primary schools		Other schools (July 1978)
Area Board			(January 1979provisional)	Nursery classes	Other	Preparatory departments	Special schools	Total
Belfast	…	…	1,088	720	2,794	154	37	4,793
Western	…	…	165	97	3,327	19	16	3,624
North-Eastern		…	889	222	4,041	53	6	5,211
South-Eastern		…	581	118	3,161	85	5	3,950
Southern	…	…	534	592	3,945	15	0	5,086
TOTAL		…	3,257	1,749	17,268	326	64	22,664
No information is available on the total number of children under five in each education and library board area. However, in January 1979, in Northern Ireland as a whole, 18 per cent. of all children under five were in schools, of which 2·6 per cent. were in nursery schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Reportthe names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been

				Estimated cost in 1979–80	Chairman	Members
				£
Community Service Committee	…	…	…	1,500	1	9*
Visiting Committee of the Young Offenders Centre, Hydebank Wood	…	…	…	2,000	1	16
* 2 vacancies exist at present.

The Community Service Committee was established under article 13(2) of the Treatment of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 to superintend the working of the community service order scheme introduced on 1 April 1979.

Following is the information. A further subdivision is not readily available.Ireland; and what percentage this represents of children under the age of five years.

The following shows the numbers of children under five in nursery and other types of school in the five education and library board areas in Northern Ireland:established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

The names of such bodies, the number of appointed members and the estimated annual costs, are shown below.The Hydebank Wood visiting committee was appointed in May 1979 under the provisions of section 3 of the Treatment of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Act 1968 which requires a visiting committee to be appointed for each young offenders centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, on the assumption that Saudi Arabian 34API at $24 a barrel is accepted as the market price, what he estimates would be the North Sea Forties price strictly related to that figure.

Parity calculations based on a comparison of product yields at current Rotterdam prices and locational advantage produce a premium for Forties crude of between $3 and $4 over Middle East crudes such as Iranian light and Arab light. The value of North Sea crudes in the market place, however, is normally determined in relation to lighter, lower sulphur African crudes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the status of projected refineries at Nigg Bay (Cromarty Petroleum) and Canvey Island (Occidental Petroleum).

I understand that the refinery project at Nigg Bay has been placed in abeyance by Cromarty Petroleum, and the project on Canvey Island has been deferred indefinitely by Occidental.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

No such body has been established since May 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will modify participation agreements to enable North Sea producers to use their own oil to meet their commercial commitments rather than being forced on to the spot market for additional supplies.

As I have already announced—[Vol. 971, c. 891]—the Government have decided that BNOC's access to oil through participation options should be retained. I do not have it in mind to modify the relevant agreements, many of which contain saleback provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the awarding of construction and service contracts in the Statfjord oilfield to date.

No, and I have made my concern clear to the Norwegian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the bilateral agreements which operate in the North Sea Statfjord field, with particular reference to the procuring and taxing of materials and services.

The agreement between her Majesty's Government and the Government of Norway which relates to the Statfjord field confines itself to the development of the field and the apportionment of the reserves of the field between the two countries as called for in the 1965 agreement on the delimitation of the United Kingdom and Norwegian continental shelves. It does not cover such matters as procurement or taxation of materials and services.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the design proposed for the Statfjord C production platform, with particular reference to the cost.

The United Kingdom and Norwegian Statfjord licensees have yet to submit to their respective Governments full and updated development proposals, including proposals for a third platform. I cannot anticipate either the proposals or United Kingdom Government views on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage holding the Government have, through the British National Oil Corporation, in the North Sea Statfjord field; what percentage of the operating staff on platform A are British and Norwegian, respectively; what proportion of the concrete base and steel deck and how many of the modules of platform A were prefabricated in Great Britain and Norway, respectively; what proportion of the concrete base and steel deck and how many of the modules of platform B are being or will be preconstructed in Great Britain and Norway, respectively; and what policy he intends to promote with regard to the proportion of construction work to be allocated to Great Britain and Norway on platform C.

The British National Oil Corporation share in the Statfjord field is 5·30226 per cent. The operating staff on platform A breaks down to 95 per cent. Norwegian and 1·2 per cent. British. The concrete base and steel deck for the A platform were fabricated in Norway. Of the 20 modules for the platform, three were fabricated in the United Kingdom, 13 in Norway and four in Holland. On the B platform, the concrete base and steel deck are currently being constructed in Norway. The United Kingdom was unsuccessful in competing for the modules, 12 of which were awarded to Norwegian industry, the other six going to France. As regards the Government's attitude to the C platform, I have emphasised on each occasion I have met Norwegian Ministers the need to have a regime of international competitive bidding for the project within which competitive British companies might have the opportunity to enhance the United Kingdom's involvement in the project.

								Brecon Beacons	Pembrokeshire Coast	Snowdonia
Number of access agreements completed since the Park was set up			…	…	…	…	…	Nil	4	Nil
Number of access agreements completed during the last 5 years		…	…	…	…	…	…	Nil	3	Nil
Number of access agreements currently under negotiation	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	Nil	2	16

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the proposed completion date for the new Bridgend general hospital; and whether the contractors are on target to date.

Construction of this new hospital has not yet begun. The

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the policy Mobil Exploration Norway Inc., as the operating company in the North Sea Statfjord oilfield, is implementing with regard to employment of United Kingdom nationals; and, if not, whether he will ensure that the policy is made equitable.

Since the Statfjord installations will be in Norwegian waters, be serviced from Norway and be subject to Norwegian employment regulations, it has to be recognised that the operator will seek to call heavily on Norwegian resources for manning the platforms during their operational life.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is proposing to designate Anglesey as an area for relaxation of planning controls within the Government's proposals.

I have no such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of access agreements that have been negotiated by each of the national parks in Wales during the last five years and since they were set up, together with the number of agreements currently being negotiated.

The information is as follows:scheme, however, is on target for its planned start towards the end of 1980, and if all goes well completion can be expected by 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what locations in Powys and Gwynedd are included in the geological research programme connected with the disposal of high potential radioactive waste.

Only one area is involved, in the neighbourhood of the Dyfi Forest. I have arranged for a map showing the area to be deposited in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

There are none for which my right hon. Friend has the prime responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on outdoor mobility for the disabled in each of the years 1973–74 to 1978–79; and what is the projected expenditure for the current year and for each of the next two years.

Following is the available information:

TOTAL EXPENDITURE BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY ON MOBILITY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Financial year	£million
1973–74	11·2
1974–75	13·1
1975–76	17·2
1976–77	26·2
1977–78	38·5
1978–79	65·7
1979–80	106·0*
1980–81	128·0*
* Estimated.

The estimates for 1979–80 and 1980–81 take account of mobility allowance at the increased rate of £12·00 a week from 14 November 1979, but with no provision for subsequent uprating, and of other services at 1979 prices without adjustment for future trends in prices, and so on.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual cost of maintaining a patient in each of the special hospitals.

Information in the form requested is not available. The cost of maintaining a patient in a special hospital during the financial year which ended on 31 March 1979 was £7,953; this figure does not include departmental administrative expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide the following statistics concerning payments for urgent need made under the provision of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 section 4 in each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979 (a) the total cost to the Supplementary Benefits Commission of payments for urgent need, (b) the total number of payments for urgent need, (c) the total cost of payments for urgent need made by the supplementary benefit offices at Thames North, Thames South and Glasgow Cranstonhill, (d) the total number of payments for urgent need made by the supplementary benefit offices at Thames North, Thames South and Glasgow Cranstonhill, (e) the total number and average amount of payments for urgent need given to claimants before a full entitlement was decided, (f) the total amount of money recovered from claimants who had been awarded a payment for urgent need, and (g) the total amount of money recovered from claimants who had been awarded a payment for urgent need by the supplementary benefit offices at Thames North, Thames South and Glasgow Cranstonhill.

I regret that statistics of payments under section 4 of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 are not separately kept, either for the country as a whole or for the three offices mentioned. The only information available relates to (f)—total amount of section 4 payments recovered from claimants—and is as follows—

Financial year	£
1973–74	44,000
1974–75	52,000
1975–76	56,000
1976–77	64,000
1977–78	60,000
1978–79	61,000

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the value of the earnings rule for retirement pensioners as a percentage of (a) gross and

EARNINGS LIMIT FOR RETIREMENT PENSIONERS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS AND NET AVERAGE EARNINGS
Date			Retirement pension earnings limit	Gross average weekly earnings	Net average weekly earnings	Retirement pension earnings limit as percentage of gross earnings	Retirement pension earnings limit as percentage of net earnings
			£	£	£
October 1948	…	…	1·00	6·90	5·81	14·5	17·2
October 1949	…	…	1·00	7·13	5·99	14·0	16·7
October 1950	…	…	1·00	7·52	6·45	13·3	15·5
October 1951	…	…	2·00	8·30	6·96	24·1	28·7
October 1952	…	…	2·00	8·93	7·64	22·4	26·2
October 1953	…	…	2·00	9·46	8·17	21·1	24·5
October 1954	…	…	2·00	10·22	8·73	19·6	22·9
October 1955	…	…	2·00	11·15	9·39	17·9	21·3
October 1956	…	…	2·50	11·90	9·95	21·0	25·1
October 1957	…	…	2·50	12·58	10·43	19·9	24·0
October 1958	…	…	2·50	12·83	10·47	19·5	23·9
October 1959	…	…	3·00	13·56	11·15	22·1	26·9
October 1960	…	…	3·50	14·53	11·83	24·1	29·6
October 1961	…	…	3·50	15·34	12·18	22·8	28·7
October 1962	…	…	3·50	15·86	12·54	22·1	27·9
May 1963	…	…	4·25	16·33	13·12	25·7	32·4
March 1964	…	…	5·00	17·38	13·55	28·8	36·9
October 1965	…	…	5·00	19·59	14·82	25·5	33·7
October 1966	…	…	5·00	20·30	15·25	24·6	32·8
June 1967	…	…	6·50	20·77	15·57	31·3	41·7
October 1968	…	…	6·50	23·00	16·93	28·3	38·4
November 1969		…	7·50	25·00	18·02	30·0	41·6
October 1970	…	…	7·50	28·05	19·98	26·7	37·5
October 1970	…	…	7·50	31·50	22·30	23·8	33·6
September 1971		…	9·50	34·30	24·40	27·7	38·9
October 1972	…	…	9·50	39·70	28·80	23·9	33·0
October 1973	…	…	9·50	44·30	31·80	21·4	29·9
July 1974	…	…	13·00	50·60	35·00	25·7	37·1
April 1975	…	…	20·00	60·80	40·70	32·9	49·1
April 1976	…	…	35·00	71·80	47·50	48·7	73·7
November 1977		…	40·00	83·30	56·40	48·0	70·9
November 1978		…	45·00	95·50	65·20	47·1	69·0
November 1979		…	52·00	Not available	Not available	Not available	Not available
* From 1948 to 1962 and for those years between 1963 and 1970 in which the earnings limit was unchanged, average earnings were taken from the October inquiry, as published by Department of Employment, and represent the earnings of full-time adult male manual workers in manufacturing industries and some of the principal non-manufacturing industries. For years between 1963 and 1970 in which the earnings limit was changed estimates of average earnings are based on October inquiry estimates by interpolation using the seasonally adjusted monthly index of average earnings (older series) as published by Department of Employment. From 1970 average earnings estimates are based on New Earnings Survey (NES) estimates of average earnings of full-time male workers, 21 years and over, in all occupations, manual and non-manual. (NES estimates began in 1970 and give a broader coverage of earnings than the older series.) Formonths other than April, the April NES estimates have been interpolated to the appropriate months up to 1977 using the monthly index of average earnings (older series), and from 1978 using a centred three month moving average of the whole economy index of average earnings, all employees, as published by Department of Employment.
† Net earnings are gross earnings less tax, at single person rates, and NP contributions at not-contracted-out rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects

The information requested is given in the table below:to be able to reply to the complaints about the Sittingbourne re-establishment centre set out in correspondence from the hon. Member for Woolwich, East on 24 September 1979.

I wrote to the hon. Member yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will tabulate the amounts by which the following benefits would now be reduced for a single person, a married couple, a couple with two children and a couple with four children, if the benefits had only been increased in line with prices since 1974, or since their introduction if introduced

(1)							(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
Benefit							July 1974 rate	November 1979 rate	July 1974*rate expressed at November prices	July 1974 expressed rate plus/minus November 1979 rate
							£	£	£	£
Retirement Pension—
Single person			…	…	…	…	10·00	23·30	21·67	-1·63
Married couple			…	…	…	…	16·00	37·30	34·67	-2·63
Married couple with 2 children					…	…	24·90	51·50	53·95	+2·45
Married couple with 4 children					…	…	32·70	65·70	70·86	+5·16
Invalidity Pension with maximum Invalidity Allowance—
Single person			…	…	…	…	12·05	28·20	26·11	-2·09
Married couple			…	…	…	…	18·05	42·20	39·11	-3·09
Married couple with 2 children					…	…	26·95	56·40	58·40	+2·00
Married couple with 4 children					…	…	34·75	70·60	75·30	+4·70
Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension—†
Single person			…	…	…	…	7·90	14·00	13·02	-0·98
Married couple			…	…	…	…	12·80	22·40	21·10	-1·30
Married couple with 2 children					…	…	24·30	36·60	40·06	+3·46
Married couple with 4 children					…	…	34·30	50·80	56·54	+5·74
Invalid care Allowances				…	…	…	7·90	14·00	12·01	—1·99
Attendance Allowance—
Higher rate			…	…	…	…	8·00	18·60	17·33	-1·27
Lower rate		…	…	…	…	…	5·35	12·40	11·59	-0·81
Industrial Disablement Benefit (100 per cent. rate)	…	…	…	…	…	…	16·40	38·00	35·54	-2·46
Disabled War Pensioner (100 per cent. other ranks lower rate)—
Single person			…	…	…	…	16·40	38·00	35·54	-2·46
Married couple			…	…	…	…	16·90	38·60	36·62	-1·98
Married couple with 2 children					…	…	17·66	38·60	38·27	-0·33
Married couple with 4 children					…	…	18·42	38·60	39·91	+1·31
* Based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices as published by the Department of Employment.
† Non-contributory invalidity pension introduced in November 1975 and the rate shown in column 2 is the rateat date of introduction. The expressed rate shown in Column 4 is based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices between November 1975 and November 1979 (both dates inclusive).
‡ Invalid care allowance introduced in July 1976 and the rate shown in column 2 is the rate at date of introduction The expressed rate shown in column 4 is based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices between July 1976 and November 1979 (both dates inclusive).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about his decisions to wind-up the Personal Social

The information requested is contained in the following table:Services Council; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received five letters from individual council members, six from voluntary and other organisations, and one sending me an advance copy of a letter subsequently published in The Times. Replies dealing with the particular points raised have so far been sent to all but two correspondents, who will receive replies shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the activities of the Personal Social Services Council under appropriate headings at the time of his decision to wind-up the council; if his Department is seeking to assist in ensuring that any of those activities will be carried on by other bodies; if he will consult the councilabout those of its activities which it believes should be continued after 31 March; and if he will make a statement.

The council was undertaking or preparing for work, or further work, on a variety of issues. These included ageing and later life; people with handicaps; complaints by children in care, intermediate treatment; a target date for a fully qualified social work profession; violence in the family; and research needs in the personal social services. The council has been consulting with certain other bodies about arrangements for taking some of these activities further. The Department is in close touch with the chairman and senior council staff on this and all other aspects of the council's closure, and will be giving all the help it usefully can.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the names of bodies to which he appoints members, other than civil servants, that have been established since May 1979, giving the names of those appointed to each and the estimated annual cost in each case.

No body of this kind, as now listed in the recently published "Report on Non-Departmental Public Bodies"(Cmnd. 7797), has been established since May 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many individual drugs granted product licences of right are yet to be subject to rigorous checks; what steps are being taken to speed the process; and how many resources, in real terms, have been devoted to this task in each of the last three years.

Whilst the review of medicines by therapeutic categories continues systematically, this has been supplemented by an accelerated review procedure introduced last year under which products, irrespective of category, are subjected to a less detailed interim examination to bring forward for early consideration those which are considered to be potentially hazardous. Some 4,500 have been scrutinised under the accelerated review and are included in an estimated 19,500 product licences of right which remain for full or partial review.The review costs for the 12 months from 1 September 1976 to 31 August 1977—a licensing year—and from 1 September 1977 to 31 August 1978 were estimated to be £600,000 and £520,000 respectively. Similar figures for the licensing year ending 31 August 1979 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what investigations have been made into the safety of the drug Debendox; and if he will make a statement;(2) what new factors led to the banning of over-the-counter sales of the drug Debendox and its issue on prescription only;(3) if Debendox is a drug which was granted a produce licence of right.

Debendox was granted a product licence of right in 1972. The Committee on Safety of Medicines considered the possible teratogenic effects of anti-histamines in June 1978 and February 1979, especially those such as Debendox which were prescribed specifically for pregnant women. This followed the publication of reports based on individual cases of congenital abnormalities occurring in the children of women taking these preparations. Research has, however, not established any causal relationship between the drug and congenital abnormalities and it is known that severe vomiting in pregnancy, for which Debendox is prescribed, may itself be associated with an increased incidence of congenital abnormality. Nevertheless, the committee advised that, as a precaution to ensure that professional judgment is exercised, anti-histamine products which carried indications for use in pregnancy should be available only on prescription. In fact, Debendox had become legally a prescription-only medicine in 1978 for a different reason, that is because it contained dicyclomine.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what has been the expenditure per head

NHS EXPENDITURE PER HEAD OF POPULATION FOR AREAS WITHIN THE NORTH WESTERN AND YORKSHIRE REGIONS
TABLE 1—NORTH WESTERN REGION
Area Health Authority				1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
				£	£	£	£	£
Lancashire		…	…	69	88	101	117	134
Bolton		…	…	52	68	79	86	100
Bury	…	…	…	47	59	67	78	94
Manchester (T)		…	…	116	150	170	199	228
Oldham		…	…	48	64	72	81	92
Rochdale		…	…	52	64	74	82	93
Salford (T)		…	…	82	108	122	142	167
Stockport		…	…	55	69	81	91	106
Tameside		…	…	40	59	71	80	94
Trafford		…	…	43	63	71	81	94
Wigan	…	…	…	46	60	70	81	94

TABLE 2—YORKSHIRE REGION
Area Health Authority			1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
			£	£	£	£	£
Humberside	…	…	58	75	86	99	116
North Yorkshire	…	…	63	67	90	98	110
Bradford	…	…	65	84	96	106	123
Calderdale	…	…	53	70	81	91	105
Kirklees	…	…	57	75	85	95	110
Leeds (T)	…	…	75	100	113	124	140
Wakefield	…	…	77	97	107	118	138
Notes on the tables:
1. "T"denotes an area health authority (teaching) and the relative expenditure figures are influenced by additional expenditure on the provision of facilities for the clinical teaching of medical and dental students.
2. Expenditure figures used have been taken from the annual accounts of the health authorities in the regions. Capital expenditure included in the accounts of the regional health authorities which is identified as appropriate to specified areas has been included in the expenditure per head of the population of those areas. Other regional expenditure not so included amounts annually to an average per head of population for the regions as a whole of between £2 (1974–75) and £5 (1978–79)for North Western and between £2 (1974–75) and £4 (1978–79) for Yorkshire.
3. The population figures used for each year are the mid-year estimates of resident population, which make no allowance for people resident in one area who receive treatment in another, or for the differences in morbidity and age/sex structure of particular populations.