asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of those who were removed from income tax paying brackets in the Budget of April, 1970 have now returned to tax-paying brackets as a result of wage inflation.

I am afraid that it is not possible to estimate this, but clearly the number is considerable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will restrict the effect of his forthcoming legislation so that it reduces the income tax of only those earning £27 and less per week.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married wage and salary earners with one child are assessed for income tax purposes by the Inland Revenue; and what percentage of these pay income tax.

The number of married wage and salary earners with one child within the purview of tax is estimated to be about 2½ million. Just over 90 per cent. are liable to tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates the annual income of aggregate groups of salaried persons will increase as a result of the 6d. cut in income tax during the first full financial year, and thereafter for each of the following current

Figures are not available for salaried persons alone within the income groups required. About one-sixth of the £350 million will go to those with a total income of £5,000 or more, of which there are about one-third of a million cases. The average gain is of the order of £175 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the average amount of income tax relief obtained annually by a single man, a married man, and a married man with one child, respectively, as a result of his proposed cut of 6d. in the standard rate of income tax in the following income groups, namely, under £1,000, £1,000 to £2,000, £2,000 to £3,000, £3,000 to £4,000, £4,000 to £5,000, £5,000 to £6,000, £6,000 to £7,000, £7,000 to £8,000, and over £8,000; and how many people will be affected in each of the groups.

The estimates below are subject to a wide margin of error and are therefore given in round numbers and for a limited number of ranges that are wider than asked for—it is not possible to give a reliable breakdown for married couples and according to the number of children.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set up an inquiry into the possibility of introducing a form of reverse income tax.

A preliminary inquiry has now been completed and we are making further studies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will give effect to the provisions of the Finance Act, 1970 relating to occupational pensions.

It is open to pension schemes to bring themselves within the 1970 Finance Act now if they wish. The Act will not apply compulsorily until a date to be appointed and that will certainly be some time later than April, 1972. As the House knows, we gave an undertaking to review this legislation, and this review is now in hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has given consideration to the introduction of a tax per employee on industry in congested areas, as has been proposed to him by the North-East Development Council.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the outcome of the Government's review of regional development policy, which was announced on 27th October in paragraph 14 of Cmnd. 4516.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures he follows in order to ensure that unrequited exports are not used as a means for the illegal transfer of British assets abroad in order to contravene Treasury regulations.

Sample enquiries to check that exporters are fulfilling exchange control requirements are made in some detail by Customs acting for Her Majesty's Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now take steps to relax restrictions on the banks on loans to housebuilding firms in view of the decline in the housing programme and the number of unemployed building workers.

The banks have been asked to ensure that any permitted increase in their restricted lending is directed to the finance of exports and of production and investment which can be expected to contribute to the balance of payments over the coming years. We do not propose to vary this guidance at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that as the purpose of Government advertising is to convey information to all persons rather than that of selling products to those most likely to buy, he will give instructions that Government advertising should be placed in all national daily newspapers and in all national weeklies so that those who read small circulation journals shall not be excluded from such information.

No. To accept the principle that official Press advertising should reach every reader in the country would commit the Government to advertising in all newspapers, provincial daily and weekly as well as national, since all have some readers who do not regularly read another newspaper. I could not accept that the additional expenditure involved would be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures for the proportion of the gross domestic product taken by direct taxation, direct taxation plus social security payments, direct, indirect taxation and social security payments at factor costs, and the expected changes in these proportions arising from the recently announced alterations in taxation.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the October, 1970 issue of "Economic Trends" where he will find the proportions for 1969, the latest year from which the figures are available. It would be misleading to relate the tax reductions announced on 27th October to the 1969 figures, for they will of course affect tax receipts in later years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the abolition of fuel oil duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to abolish the fuel oil tax.

This duty will be included in the general review of indirect taxation before the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the purchasing power of the £ sterling now, taking it as 20s. on 18th June, 1970.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling as 20s. 0d. in mid-June, 1970 its value in mid-October, 1970, the latest date for which information is available, is estimated at about 19s. 7d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the average increased costs to a single man a married man and a married man with one child, respectively, as a result of recent cuts in Government expenditure in the following income groups, namely, under £1,000, £1,000 to £2,000, £2,000 to £3,000, £3,000 to £4,000, £4,000 to £5,000, £5,000 to £6,000, £6000 to £7,000, £7,000 to £8,000, and over £8,000; and how many people will be affected in each of the groups.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the increased charges for certain social services.For those with incomes above the new remission limits the average effect of the increased health charges from April, 1971 will be in the region of 30s. for the single man, and about £3 for the childless couple. In the case of the married man with one child, the effect will depend on the age of the child. However, assuming that the child is of school age and continues to consume school meals, the additional annual cost will be about £6 10s. from April 1971; the cost of increased health and school meals charges will be in the region of £9 10s. For the effect of the lowering of the age for free school milk, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which my hon. Friend the Chief Secretary gave to a Question from the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 10th November.For incomes below £1,000 per annum I estimate that about 1½ million single people will be liable to pay the average additional cost of 30s. per annum. About a further 250,000 single people will be liable to pay the dental and opthalmic charges at a cost of about 10s. per annum, but will be exempt from prescription charges. About 50,000 married households without children will be liable to pay the increased charges. Relatively few married couples with one child will be liable to pay the increased charges. These estimates necessarily involve a considerable degree of approximation.Most families of the type specified by the hon. Member with incomes above £1,000 per annum will be liable to pay the increased charges. For the numbers at different income levels I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer to the further Question which he has put down for today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total value of the differential investment incentives in favour of the development areas in 1974; and how that is made up as between free depreciation, 60 per cent. depreciation in the first year, grants under the Local Employment Acts, loans under the Local Employment Acts and any other elements.

Subject to the uncertainties involved in forecasting investment expenditure so far ahead, the value in 1974–75 of these differential incentives is estimated to be of the order of £110 million, including additional assistance under the Local Employment Acts which is expected to build up by that year to about £25 million. These estimates are at 1970 prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give special consideration in his next Budget to retirement pensioners who continue working rather than claim supplementary benefit.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Greville Janner).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many member countries of the European Free Trade Association have adopted a value-added tax.

Three.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of selective employment tax to be paid by the building and construction industry in the financial year 1971–72.

At the present rates the amount of S.E.T. to be paid by the building and construction industry in the financial year 1971–72 would be about £135 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations have been made to him requesting the abolition of selective employment tax or its modification in the building and construction industry; and what replies he has sent.

In the last three months five representations have been received. The replies have reaffirmed our pledge to abolish the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the abolition of selective employment tax for all retail food shops; and to what extent he estimates this will contain inflation in food prices.

Estimates are difficult to make but the figure is probably about £60 million. How far food prices will be affected will depend on how far the tax has been passed on and on competitive conditions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the change in both value of all types of British investment overseas since 1964, and the extent to which profits earned are being ploughed back and remitted to this country by way of dividend; what is now the total overseas indebtedness; and what interest and capital repayments are now overdue.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Tables 23, 42 and 44 of the 1970 Pink Book on the United Kingdom balance of payments. No payments on official overseas indebtedness are overdue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of recent rises in prices and of inflationary wage settlements, he will now take further steps to control increases in both prices and incomes.

If the right hon. Gentleman is considering reverting to the previous Government's statutory control of wages and prices, the answer is No, because it was clearly a failure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North giving particulars of how the present taxation system acts unequally between one type of professional sportsman as against another; and whether he will in the next Budget change the law regarding this situation.

I have noted the hon. Member's point but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the estimated effects of his policy regarding the money supply on the level of economic activity in the current and coming financial years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on the economy in 1970–71 and 1971–72 of his policy of control of the money supply; and if he will make a statement.

To contribute, along with other policies, towards the maintenance of a satisfactory balance in the economy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for imposing a new type of local tax as a supplement to rate income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the near future a Green Paper setting out the alternatives for financing of local government services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals the Government have for readjusting the payment of local rates on a basis of local income tax, or some other form of payment according to means and ability; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government's views on the financial aspects of local government reform will be published as soon as it has completed its studies of these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now declare Monday, 28th December an additional Bank Holiday, in view of the fact that this date is to be a holiday for the Civil Service.

No. There has never been a Bank Holiday on Monday, 28th December, and I see no reason for one this year. Christmas holiday arrangements are a matter for the parties concerned, in the Civil Service as elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the introduction of tax allowance for clothing for disabled people who have heavy wear and tear caused by aids such as calipers and crutches.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion; but while I sympathise with the people to whom he refers, I am afraid that I could not see my way to adopt it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose in his Budget that examination fees and other expenses incurred by individuals in pursuit of further qualifications to advance career prospects and to improve income should be recognised as expenses for tax purposes.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion; but I fear that I could not recommend the suggested widening of the expenses rule.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in his forthcoming Budget he will take steps to exempt guide dogs for the blind from the 22 per cent. purchase tax on prepared pet foods.

I am afraid that an indirect tax of this kind cannot be operated so as to favour particular consumers, however much we sympathise with their special circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in his forthcoming Budget he will take steps to remove or reduce the present rate of purchase tax, payable at 22 per cent. on prepared pet foods, in the light of the hardship which this causes to the elderly and to people living alone on small incomes.

I regret that it is not possible to discriminate in favour of a particular group in administering an indirect tax of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking the average salary of teachers in local authority schools as £855 per annum in 1959, what is the equivalent salary today with the same money value.

A sum of £855 in 1959 is equivalent to £1,290 in October, 1970. This estimate is based on the movement in the Consumer Price Index from 1959 to 1969 adjusted by the movement in the Index of Retail Prices during 1970. But no account has been taken of possible different amounts of direct taxation chargeable on such salaries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount of general betting duty paid on the following days of the Hickstead Show Jumping Ground, Sussex, when bookmakers were taking bets on show jumping on the following dates, 16th July, 17th July, 18th July, 13th August, 14th August, 15th August, 3rd September, 4th September, and 5th September, 1970.

No, since figures are not given which would disclose the business of individual tax-payers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Peers' expenses allowances were adjusted and by what amounts since October, 1964.

The maximum daily allowance against which the Peers may recover the actual amount of their expenses incurred in attending sittings of the House was increased from 4½ guineas to £6 10s. as from 1st January, 1970, pursuant to a resolution moved on 18th December, 1969, by the noble Lord, Lord Beswick.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider publishing a further White Paper on the control of public expenditure.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 27th October to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Marquand).—[Vol. 805, c. 22.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that banks have increased their charges to their customers for services; and whether he will seek powers to prevent further increases.

My right hon. Friend has seen the reports of increases in bank charges but does not intend to seek such powers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will propose that all taxpayers should have their taxes reduced by the same amounts or percentages, with a preferential adjustment to the lower taxpayer where this cannot be properly arranged, in view of the disparity between the percentage reliefs offered to a couple earning £600 per annum and a person earning £100,000 per annum in his latest proposals.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a detailed list of the staff in his Department on salaries below £9,800 per annum who have had, or are due to have by 1st January, 1971, salary increases of 43 per cent. since 1st November, 1970.

There is none.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds he has decided that a change in the law to amend the Income and Corporation Taxes Act, 1970 so that the general rule that employees required to live in specified accommodation for the proper performance of their duties are not taxed on its value is comprehensively rescinded is not justified.

Because I do not think that it would be right to impose the suggested charge on employees required to occupy the accommodation in that capacity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in his forthcoming Budget he will remove the distinction whereby dog and cat condition powders are liable to 22 per cent. purchase tax if sold in biscuit form but not so liable if sold as powders or tablets.

The purchase tax schedule distinguishes between pet foods, which are taxable and certain medical preparations for animals, which are exempt. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any case where this gives rise to difficulty I will look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates there will be a further fall in the purchasing value of the retirement pensions as a result of his recent proposals when the rises in rents, fares, coal, gas, electricity, food prices, and other announced increases are fully implemented.

It is estimated that the effect of the new or increased social service charges and levy schemes for agriculture will be to increase the cost of living by less than 1 per cent. by April, 1972. Most pensioners will be exempt from most of the increased social service charges. I cannot at this stage estimate the effect of the other items referred to in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of providing £1 per week increase on the rate of retirement pension for a single person and 30s. increase for a married couple.

About £340 million a year without allowing for accompanying changes in other benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to regularly review retirement pensions to ensure a general uplifting of the scales of payment and to ensure that the increases take into account the increases in the cost of living.

We intend to review retirement pensions every two years and ensure that they at least keep pace with increases in the cost of living. The next such review is due next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services at what date an increase in the National Insurance retirement pension must be announced in order to prevent the pension's purchasing value falling below the level at which it stood immediately prior to the last increase in November, 1969, on the basis that the cost-of-living rises at an annual rate of 7 per cent., and that the time between the announcement of an increase and its payment is as short as possible.

At this point in time I cannot go beyond reminding my hon. Friend that our pledge is to review pension rates every two years to ensure that they keep pace with the cost of living, and that the next review is due in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the gross and net costs to the Exchequer of off-setting the effect on the purchasing value of the National Insurance retirement pension of an increase in the cost-of-living of 4½ per cent.

The gross cost of increasing retirement pensions by 4½ per cent., if this were done exactly, would be about £80 million a year, without allowing for effects on other benefits. If this were financed along present lines, the cost of the National Insurance scheme to the Exchequer would be increased by nearly £15 million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to exempt people who suffer from arthritis and from Parkinson's disease from paying prescription charges.

Exemption is available where a patient is physically disabled to the extent that he is unable to leave his residence except with the help of another person; or on grounds of age or low income. The prepayment certificate is designed to help those patients who are not entitled to exemption but require frequent prescriptions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the approximate number of persons of 80 years of age and over in the United Kingdom at the end of September, 1970; what approximate number of these were then receiving supplementary benefits; and what approximate number in that age group who were not receiving supplementary benefits are likely to receive the new pensions.

Figures for September, 1970, are not available but population projections indicate that at the end of December, 1970, the number of persons aged 80 and over in Great Britain will be 1,182,000; of these it is estimated that about 1,040,000 will be receiving retirement pensions and 430,000 supplementary benefit; the latest figure for the number not in receipt of supplementary benefit who have been awarded the new pension is 68,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for improving the range, quality and availability of public information about social service benefits.

My Department is seeking to improve public awareness of social benefits in two ways. First, campaigns based on newspaper advertising, thousands of personal letters and direct approach through voluntary organisations are, where appropriate, aimed at specific groups, to tell them of their rights and encourage them to take up benefits. These methods were used to reach the very elderly who recently became entitled to State pensions for the first time. There will be a similar campaign to an even larger range of official and voluntary organisations in 1971 for family income supplements.Secondly, the social security leaflets will be revised and wherever possible simplified. There are nearly 150 of these leaflets and over 19 million copies are distributed each year through local security offices, post offices and voluntary organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he received the report of the study of homelessness in Greater London commissioned in April, 1969, by his predecessor; what steps he is taking to make public the findings of the research team under the leadership of Professor Greve; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to publish the Report of Professor John Greve into London's homeless, commissioned by his Department.

I have not yet received this report. Under arrangements made by my predecessor, my Department has commented on a draft. The research team is now preparing the report for publication. Before publication any statement would be premature.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to exempt all disabled people on local authority and employment exchange registers from all prescription, dental and optical charges.

No. Anyone who would suffer hardship through having to pay charges is already entitled to receive help; and there are wide exemptions from prescription charges, together with prepayment certificates for those who are not exempt but need regular prescriptions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will grant exemption from all medical charges for disabled persons on local authority and employment exchange registers.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to National Health Service charges generally. I would refer him to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West (Mr. Bob Brown).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the amounts paid in sickness benefits under the National Insurance Scheme as a result of illness due to influenza during each of the preceding five years.

The estimated amounts of sickness benefit paid for days of incapacity certified as due to influenza are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he is giving to a new salary scale for the members of the Electro-Physiological Technologists' Association.

I understand that the salaries of electroencephalography technicians and certain other technicians in National Health Service hospitals are currently under negotiation in the Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications under the National Insurance (Old Persons) Act, 1970, by men over 87 years of age and women over 82 years of age have been approved in the Rhondda to the last convenient date.

Separate figures are not available for the Rhondda alone, but up to and including 20th November, 1970, our offices dealing with that area had awarded pensions under Section 1 of the Act as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications have been made under the National Insurance (Old Persons) Act, 1970, by men over 87 years of age and women over 82 years of age residing in the county of Cornwall; and how many applications have been approved.

Separate figures are not available for the county of Cornwall alone but up to and including 20th November our offices covering the county—and areas just outside—had received claims and made awards under Section 1 of the Act as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish annually a report to the House of Commons, listing the names of companies employing people in receipt of family income supplement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake immediately a survey of the nutritional standards of retirement pensioners.

Such a survey was carried out in 1967–68, when the nutritional status of some 800 elderly people in six areas in England and Scotland was examined. The findings are at present being studied by expert Committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired pensioners are in receipt of supplementary benefits in the county of Cornwall.

About 12,000 excluding the wives of male recipients of retirement pension at 18th August, 1970. In addition there were in the county about 1,500 persons (excluding wives) in receipt of supplementary pension but not national insurance retirement pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired people are in receipt of State retirement pensions in the county of Cornwall.

I regret that the information requested is not available as the records for retirement pensioners are maintained centrally and not by local areas. However, on the assumption that the proportion of retirement pensioners to all persons over pension age in the county of Cornwall did not differ markedly from the rest of Great Britain, it is estimated that the number will be approximately 60,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired people are in receipt of State retirement pensions in Blackpool and the Blackpool area, respectively.

I regret that the information requested is not available as the records for retirement pensioners are maintained centrally and not by local areas. However, on the assumption that the proportion of retirement pensioners to all persons over pension age did not differ markedly from the rest of Great Britain, it is estimated that the number in Blackpool and the Blackpool area is approximately 30,000 and 20,000 respectively.For this purpose the Blackpool area has been taken as including the Municipal Boroughs of Lytham St. Annes and Fleetwood; the Urban Districts of Kirkham, Preesall, Thornton Clevely and Poulton-le-Fylde; and the Rural Districts of Fylde and Garstang.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retired pensioners are in receipt of supplementary benefits in Blackpool and the Blackpool area, respectively.

About 11,000, excluding the wives of male recipients of retirement pension served by the Department's two local offices covering Blackpool and district at 18th August, 1970. In addition, there were in the same district about 1,000 persons (excluding wives) over pension age in receipt of supplementary pension but not national insurance retirement pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the percentage figure for the present value of the retirement pension taking the figure for its value at 18th June as 100 per cent.

As measured by the general index of retail prices for October, 1970, 97·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that his proposals recently announced for cuts in social benefits and increased charges will affect those retirement pensioners who will not be able to claim relief through the normal channels; and whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will take steps to see that on production of a retirement pension book all welfare services shall be given free.

Our policy is that help should be given when it is needed, and the measures recently announced secure this. Thus all people aged 65 and over are exempt from prescription charges and anyone in receipt of supplementary benefit or whose resources are not much above that level can receive help with any National Health Service charges he may have to meet.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many therapeutic pools there are in the country; and what steps he proposes to take to increase the number.

About 90; hospital authorities are encouraged to include hydrotherapy pools in physiotherapy departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of his decision to confirm the recommendation of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board to close the Aitken Hospital at Ramsbottom, he will take steps to ensure that any future hospital building made necessary by this decision or by any local increase in requirement will be effected by either building a new hospital in Rossendale or by major extensions to the Rossendale General Hospital.

New hospital building is not required as the result of my right hon. Friend's decision. If any increase in the provision of hospital services for this area became necessary it would be for the Manchester Regional Hospital Board to consider where it should be made and with what priority.

asked the Secretary for Social Services whether, in view of the Government's action in increasing the salaries of higher-paid civil servants by 43 per cent., he will take action to increase the pensions of war-disabled persons by an equal amount.

It is not possible to forecast by what amount war pensions will be improved when they are next increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the special survey derived from the data of the 1968 Family Expenditure Survey is to be published.

My Department is carrying out experimental analyses of data collected in the Family Expenditure Survey. The aim is to produce broad estimates of the numbers and characteristics of families living at different levels relative to the supplementary benefit standard. This work is well advanced, but further checks are needed before the results can be considered for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will investigate abuse in claims for social service benefits.

Investigation into allegations of abuse or into suspected abuse of benefits is a continuing matter. Any particular allegation brought to the Department's notice will always be investigated if the information available justifies doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of those at present subject to the wage-stop have their entitlement to a supplementary allowance reduced weekly by up to 10s., above 10s, and up to £1, above £1 and up to £2, above £2 and up to £3, above £3 and up to £4, above £4 and up to £5, and above £5, respectively.

To the extent that it is available, the information requested is out below. The figures relate to August, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the Government's decision to increase the pay of the higher-paid civil servants by 43 per cent., he will take steps to increase all social security benefits by 43 per cent.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what authority young unmarried mothers who claim supplementary benefits are questioned, before these benefits are granted, on such details as the last date of intercourse with the putative father of the child, where it had taken place, and on how many occasions it had occurred during the relationship.

The Supplementary Benefits Commission has a statutory duty to recover the benefit paid for illegitimate children from the fathers and this necessarily involves asking personal questions of mothers. When a mother claims supplementary benefit the stage at which these questions are asked depends upon the circumstances of the case. It is not the Commission's policy to delay the payment of benefit while such questions are asked, and specific instructions are given to staff stressing the need for tactful handling of claims of this kind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage he expects food prices to have risen during 1970.

Between January, 1970 and October, 1970 (the latest month for which figures are available) the Retail Food Price Index rose by 5 per cent. It is not the practice to forecast the future level of the Index.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his estimate of the effect, since June, 1970, of competition on the price of non-alcoholic drinks;(2) what is his estimate of the effect, since June, 1970, of competition on the price of butter.

As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member on 17th November, he does not make such estimates.—[Vol. 806, c. 359.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what percentage price variation has taken place in food items which show significant movement seasonally in price; and if

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food upon what basis he decides the reserve potato acreage required over and above forecast demand for the crop.

The target acreage for potatoes is set after appropriate consultations at a level at which home production of maincrop potatoes should meet home requirements in full except in years of unusually low yields. It has been the practice to allow a safety margin of some 200,000 tons, assuming normal yields.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what

Over the period 16th June to 20th October (the latest date for which figures are available) the movements in the Index of Retail Food Prices and its component parts were as follows:estimate he has made of the effect on dairy-farming interests of the reduction in the provision of free school milk.

There will be no effect in the current guarantee year 1970–71. The trend in dairy farmers' incomes will be considered with the Farmers' Unions at the Annual Review before the Government determine the guaranteed price for milk for 1971–72.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he proposes to introduce a levy system for imports of pigs and pig meat; and whether he will make a statement;(2) if he will discuss with Denmark the application of a levy system to Danish bacon imported into Great Britain; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government's present proposals for the extension of the import levy system do not include imports of pigs and pigmeat.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy with reference to the expansion of the inshore fishing fleet.

I cannot yet add to what my hon. Friend said in the debate on the inshore subsidy on 23rd July, except to say that inshore landings so far in 1970 are higher than in 1969 in both quantity and value.—[Vol. 804, c. 883 and 887.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give full details of the agreement with the European Economic Community Council of Ministers which will ensure the provision of adequate supplies of liquid milk to meet consumer demand throughout the country and throughout the year.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster reported to the House on these discussions in his statement of 29th October and in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis) on 17th November. I cannot add at present to those statements.—[Vol. 805, c. 440; Vol. 806, c. 386.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what price decisions at the Annual Review will be taken at national and what at Community level in the event of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community.

Price decisions are taken following Annual Reviews, and in the European Economic Community decisions on agricultural prices under the common agricultural policy will be taken at Community level.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect of the surpluses of butter, sugar, eggs, fruit and pigs in the countries of the Six necessitating a 20 per cent. cut in European pig prices on British farmers, their production prices and profits, and prices in the shops, and of the extent to which Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will change the situation; and whether he will make a statement.

It is not possible to make a worthwhile estimate of the present effect of surpluses in the European Economic Community on production and prices in the United Kingdom. If we were to join the Community, the situation would depend on decisions taken by all its members, including, of course, ourselves.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to prohibit the export of dogs and puppies to Japan.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what annual rate of decline in the number of holdings is necessary in order to achieve his policy for farm amalgamations.

My concern is with the viability of farm units and not only with a reduction in their numbers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in his current review of legislation, he will seek to improve on the present arrangements for compensation to farmers on compulsory purchase.

I have been asked to reply to this Question.The arrangements for compensation for farmers affected by compulsory purchase are being considered in the context of our comprehensive review of the compensation code.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the public visited plantations of the Forestry Commission in each of the years 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.

The number of visitors to the Commission's forests can only be roughly estimated, since over such a wide area of open access a census is not practicable.The Forestry Commission estimates that over 15 million visits by the public were made to its forests in the year ended 31st March, 1970. No estimates were made annually in earlier years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether, in introducing admission fees for art galleries and museums, Her Majesty's Government will exempt art students from such charges;(2) whether, in introducing admission fees for mueums and art galleries, Her Majesty's Government will exempt

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she intends to allow a reduced rate for full-time students for admission charges to museums and galleries.

The detailed arrangements for admission charges are being discussed with the institutions concerned. The question of remission or reduction of charges for students and research workers will be amongst those examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make it a condition of grant to the Arts Council that the provinces are not denied visits from the Royal Ballet, Sadler's Wells, the National Theatre Company, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company, in view of the request by the National Council for Civic Theatres for more visits outside London, with particular reference to Yorkshire.

No. The Arts Council fully accepts the continuing need for touring, especially of opera and ballet. It has recently arranged over 50 weeks of touring by opera, ballet and drama Companies in addition to the 20 weeks of touring each being undertaken by the Royal Ballet and Sadlers Wells Opera.The Council hopes to expand its touring programme in 1971 and to include other national companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the amounts paid by Central Government and local education authorities to direct-grant schools in each year since 1960.

Separate figures for direct-grant schools in England and Wales are not readily available. The figures for schools in England and Wales are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what grant or other support she has made available from public funds, or intends to make available, for the Steam Railway Museum, Liss, Hampshire, run by the Association of Railway Preservation Societies.

No request has been made to my noble Friend for financial support. He has no funds from which a grant to a project of this nature might be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the total saving to the Exchequer for each year between 1971 and 1975 arising from the decision to end the free supply of milk to primary school children aged over seven years.

£5·9 millions in 1971–72 and £9 millions for each of the three subsequent years to 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has now made of the reduction of civil servants dealing with Scottish affairs as a consequence of his review of public expenditure.

I am reviewing all the functions of my Departments but it is too soon to forecast what manpower savings can be achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve the safety of the new Strome bypass road in Wester Ross in view of the recent rockfall.

This is a matter for Ross and Cromarty County Council, as responsible highway authority. I understand that its consulting engineers are examining the area of last week's slip, but it is too early to say what the outcome will be.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board will retain a separate identity when Her Majesty's Government's proposals for the reorganisation of the electricity supply industry are implemented.

I have no proposals for altering the organisation of the electricity supply industry in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if fat cattle from Northern Ireland are slaughtered in abattoirs in Scotland; and what steps he takes to ensure that the carcases are not sold as Scotch beef in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Act.

Yes, enforcement of the Trade Descriptions Act is a matter for the local weights and measures authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will prosecute those traders who are selling as Scotch beef carcases of cattle bred in Northern Ireland and fattened and slaughtered in Scotland in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Act.

Prosecution would be a matter for the procurator fiscal acting on a complaint from the local weights and measures authority or from some other source.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now seek to obtain from the Dutch Government the result of their inquiry into whether the requirements of the Transit of Animals Order were infringed aboard the "Hereford Express".

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths took place in Scotland during the last year as a result of hepatitis; in what hospital areas; and how many were doctors, nurses and patients.

The numbers of deaths registered in Scotland during 1969 as due to infectious hepatitis or serum hepatitis are shown by hospital board region, in the table below. None were deaths of doctors or nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number, and what was the duration, of the stay in hospitals, during the last year, of patients with severe illness from hepatitis.

The number of patients who were discharged from or died in hospital during 1969 with a diagnosis of infective hepatitis or serum hepatitis and the average duration of stay are set out below.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now give consideration for special payments to nurses working in renal dialysis units in respect of the danger they incur from infective hepatitis and the specialist training needed for this work.

Nurses' pay is a matter for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council. The question of hazards present in the treatment of chronic renal failure is being studied by an expert group under Lord Rosenheim.