asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now meet the National Farmers' Union to explain the present Common Market negotiations.

The National Farmers' Union has been kept fully in touch with the progress of the negotiations. I and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be meeting their representatives again shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement about the future of the White Fish Authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement about the future of the White Fish Authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a definitive statement about the future of the White Fish Authority.

I have nothing to add to the answer. I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 17th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 448–49.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has held or proposes to hold with the National Farmers' Union about the change in the method of deficiency payments for wheat from a tonnage to an acreage basis.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my right hon. and learned Friend, the Member for Huntingdonshire (Sir David Renton) on 8th December, 1970. The Farmers' Unions were given an opportunity to make further representations and these were carefully considered before the decision was announced on 9th November, 1970. Consultations with the Farmers' Unions are in progress on the technical matters related to the change.—[Vol. 806, c. 43–44; Vol. 51, c. 67.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of fowl pest there have been in the last four weeks in Northamptonshire; and in how many of these was it found that birds had not been vaccinated.

In the four weeks ended 17th January there have been 36 outbreaks of fowl pest, involving 334,000 birds, in Northamptonshire. Of these, 20 outbreaks were in flocks which had not been vaccinated at all or sufficiently recently to be effective and a further seven flocks had been only partly treated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food over what period, and by how much per lb., has the price of imported New Zealand lamb exceeded the market price of English lamb; what effect this continued to have in the operation of levies on imported meat; and if he will make a statement.

In the last 12 months, wholesale prices of New Zealand lamb exceeded wholesale prices of English lamb during November by about 1d. per lb. Levies are not yet applicable to imported meat.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from what organisations he has received representations against the abolition of bull licensing, and from what organisations representations in favour; and what replies he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received representations, either as part of the consultations that have been held or separately, from a large number of organisations and individuals. Many favour the retention of the present licensing system with little or no change; some favour its complete abolition; some favour its retention with radical changes, such as allowing the use of cross-bred bulls. All have been told that their views will be taken into account in the review which is at present being made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what complaints he has received about the increase in food prices at the Christmas period.

I receive a number of representations but the form in which these are recorded does not make the information for which the hon. Member has asked readily available and it could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ask the Food Standards Committee to consider dangers to human health from the new uses of copper in animal feedingstuffs; and if he will make a statement.

A study this year by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee of heavy metals, including mercury, will allow it to consider copper also. Copper is, however, an essential constituent of the human diet and when the Committee last considered the levels present in food, it found no cause for concern. I have no evidence that the situation has changed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) why he will not take steps to establish a food prices, distribution, and statistics board and invite on to membership thereof representatives of the Confederation of British Industry, Trades Union Congress, representatives of the wholesale and retail food distributors, the Co-operative Society and the Housewives League;(2) why he will not introduce the necessary legislation to enable him to keep a register of food prices and the rise and falls since the first registered date of 18th June, 1970, such register to be collated from details supplied to him by consumers who shall be supplied by his Department with a pre-paid printed postcard on the basis of the sample forwarded to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North.

Because I consider that the hon. Member's suggestions would serve no useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for protecting the public from hazards arising from sea foods contaminated by chemicals or other forms of marine pollution; and if he will make a statement.

My Department studies the effects on fish and shellfish and their food of a wide range of industrial and domestic wastes and monitors them for the presence of persistent and potentially toxic residues. I have recently announced that further studies will be made of mercury residues in canned and fresh fish as well as other items in the national diet.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce regulations to control the levels of methyl mercury in food; and if he will make a statement.

No. I accept the advice of the Pharmacology Sub-Committee that there is no need at present to set limits for the levels of mercury residues in food.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the use of chemicals 2.4.D and 2.4.5T in British agriculture is known to his Department; and if he will take steps to phase out such use, in view of their teratogenic and long-term ill effects in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.

A few thousand gallons of 2.4.D and a much smaller quantity of 2.4.5T are used annually for controlling weeds in the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend does not intend to phase out their use because the Government's Advisory Committee on Pesticides and other Toxic Chemicals, which has the matter under continuous review, has advised him that this is unnecessary.

asked the Attorney-General what reply he has sent to the National Federation of Licensed Victuallers' memorandum on the need to bring licensed premises within the Landlord and Tenant Act.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor received the memorandum on 11th December and has undertaken to consider it.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take steps to introduce immediate legislation to abolish imprisonment for civil debt, under county court jurisdiction, in sums involving small amounts.

Imprisonment for civil debt has already been prospectively abolished by Part II of the Administration of Justice Act, 1970 except in the case of maintenance and certain Crown debts such as income tax and national insurance contributions. It will be replaced by attachment of the debtor's earnings. These provisions are to come into force on a date to be appointed by the Lord Chancellor. It is hoped to complete the preparatory work in time for the changes to become operative by the early summer.

asked the Attorney-General what conclusions the Law Commission has reached resulting from its inquiry into the prevalence of attempts to acquire squatters titles to land, particularly in South-East Essex.

The Law Commission have advised my noble Friend that it would not be satisfactory to make any limited changes in the law to deal with this particular situation. They could not at present undertake a general review of the law on acquisition of title to land by adverse possession but consider that this should be undertaken when time allows.

asked the Attorney-General (1) if he will prosecute the persons concerned with the bartering of cannabis resin from the United Kingdom for L.S.D. imported into the United Kingdom from the United States of America, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Lothian;(2) if he will prosecute the persons concerned in importing cannabis into the United Kingdom for the purpose of its re-export, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Lothian.

I have received from the hon. Member a copy of an article in a Sunday newspaper concerning the importing and bartering to which he refers. Prosecutions can be instituted only where there is sufficient evidence. There will be a prosecution of any person against whom there is such evidence. Inquiries are proceeding.

asked the Attorney-General what steps he proposes to take to secure the cut of 6 per cent. in conveyancing fees recommended by the National Board for Prices and Incomes and now rejected by the Statutory Committee established under the Solicitors Act.

This recommendation will be reconsidered in the light of the next Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, which will clarify the recommendations referred to in the Question; in the light of the Monopolies Commission's Report on the Professions which reached the conclusion that fixed scales of fees were unlikely to be in the public interest; and in the light of the reactions to that Report of the professions concerned who have been asked by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to let him know by May what modifications they propose in consequence of the guidance given in that Report.

asked the Attorney-General what action he will take to increase the court accommodation available for the superior criminal and civil courts in Bristol.

My noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment are, through their officials, consulting with the City authorities to ensure the best use of existing accommodation. In the long term the problem can probably only be resolved by the provision of an entirely new building for the superior courts.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the confession of Mr. John Medlicott, an East Anglian poultry farmer, that he had deliberately and with malice aforethought sprayed electricity workers' cars at Burwell near Cambridge with six tons of liquid manure, he will institute proceedings against this individual.

I have considered the police report on this incident. I agree with their conclusion that a prosecution would not be justified.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the amount of legal costs and charges being made; and as such legal fees and costs are both inflationary and against the Government's policy of controlling incomes payable to industrial and professional workers, if he will introduce legislation to ensure that these legal charges are reduced.

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes" The answer to the second part of the question is "No" The Government have no general policy of controlling earnings by means of legislation.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that for years an investigation has been proceeding into the illegal practice known as cube cutting, that several promises of statements on these investigations have been given, the last one to the effect that inquiries were expected to be completed by 5th January, 1971; and when a statement will be made.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 12th January, 1971.—[Vol. 809, c. 7.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the tax law to make taxable payments by employers to workers to settle strikes.

Depending on the circumstances, such payments may already be taxable; but I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now take steps to lower the Bank Rate.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) yesterday—[Vol. 809, c. 213]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the prices of articles now being advertised in new pence correctly represent their price in existing currency.

Shoppers should ask retailers for an explanation if a decimal price appears wrong and to shop elsewhere if they are not satisfied. All those responsible for retail prices were asked to use the Shoppers' Table for price conversion, wherever practicable, and most undoubtedly will. Copies of the Table will be generally available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, as the output per manhour in the public sector of the British economy rose by 68 per cent. in the decade 1958 to 1968 compared with a lower increase in the private sector, he will bring forward legislation to transfer certain private industries into public ownership;(2) whether, as the performance of the British nationalised industries in 1958 to 1968 was better than that of most other industrial countries while the performance of private industry was worse, he will bring forward legislation to transfer certain private industries into public ownership.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the debt repayment by Great Britain to the International Monetary Fund in 1970; and what sums are due to be repaid in 1971 and subsequent years.

Outstanding United Kingdom drawings from the International Monetary Fund were reduced by £134 million during 1970; £78 million by net repurchases of sterling by the United Kingdom and the remainder as the result of Fund sales of sterling to other members. £970 million was still outstanding at end 1970.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to remove purchase tax now exacted on certain essential garments required by sufferers from multiple sclerosis.

Certain enuresis appliances are already exempt, as are disposable incontinence pads. There are difficulties about extending these provisions to modified versions of ordinary underwear.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek powers to exempt charitable bequests from estate duty.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the £350 million tax relief provided by the reduction of income tax by 6d. in the £ in 1971–72 will be received by those with incomes of £30 a week and under, those with incomes of £50 a week and under, and those with incomes above £50 a week respectively.

About 25 per cent., 60 per cent. and 40 per cent. respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the cases sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, of persons publicly admitting not having paid any income tax or any tax whatsoever for several years, although having incomes of £1,000 per annum, he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how these persons wore allowed to evade the tax laws for so long; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that the taxes due are properly demanded.

As I have informed the hon. Member I cannot comment upon the income tax affairs of particular individuals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken or intends taking to advise people with banking accounts that the 2d. percheque stamp duty is to end on decimalisation day, and that those that have paid in advance for stamp duty on cheques should return these for rebate; and by how much he estimates the Treasury will benefit from the revenue receivable from stamp duty paid on cheques which will not be used.

This duty is to be abolished as from 1st February, not 15th February. The Inland Revenue have issued Press notices on the subject and the arrangements have received wide Press publicity.I cannot give a firm estimate of the duty paid on cheques which will still be held on 1st February but it is not likely to be over £250,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further consideration he has given to the adjustment of family allowances for children of school age.

I have nothing to add to my reply to similar Questions on 2nd November, 1970—[Vol. 805, c. 269–70.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce legislation to give some pension as of right to all those people aged 80 and over who now get no retirement pension at all.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Mr. Neave) on 10th December, 1970.—[Vol. 808, c. 179.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction amongst mineworkers, who are suffering from industrial dermatitis, because of the low assessments that are being given by medical boards, especially when the mineworker finds that he is incapable of working due to the persistence of the disease; and if he will set up a Departmental committee to examine this problem of low assessments.

No. I am satisfied that medical boards, whose decisions are subject to appeal or reference to medical appeal tribunals, are making their assessments fully in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Injuries Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a further statement on the Abortion Act.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) and Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) on 13th January.—[Vol. 809, c. 73.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the shortage of special medicine which has to be supplied to sufferers of cystic fibrosis.

Supply difficulties experienced by a principal manufacturer of pancreatin preparations during the last two months are now being overcome and the position is improving.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time in Portsmouth for sterilisation by vasectomy operation under the National Health Service; what is the average waiting time for those able and willing to pay; and whether he will make a statement.

For National Health Service patients, normally about six months, but for medically urgent cases about two weeks; I understand that for private patients waiting time is between six and eight weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of elderly citizens on the waiting lists for accommodation in local authority residential homes in each of the 20 largest cities or county boroughs of England and Wales outside London; how many of those on such waiting lists have been there for periods of six months, of one year and of more than one year; and whether he will make a statement on the position in the country as a whole.

The information asked for is not kept centrally. Even if specially collected, it would not be very helpful. Waiting lists are compiled differently by each authority, and they are not in any case a reliable measure of need because the criteria for inclusion on these and the frequency and thoroughness of their review vary widely. It would not be possible to make a meaningful statement of the position in the country as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that between June and November, 1970, the purchasing value of the social welfare benefits fell by 2·9 per cent. due to the rise in the cost of living; and when he expects to be able to give figures up to the end of December, 1970.

The figures for December, 1970, are now available. On the basis of the movement of prices from June to December, benefits would have had to be increased by 3·5 per cent. to restore their purchasing power.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that the continuing rise in the cost of living has been accentuated in 1971 due to the rise in oil, petrol, gas, electricity, fares, rates, rents and food; and as this will still further adversely affect retirement pensioners and those on welfare benefits, whether he will, before the promised autumn review, grant a special increase in all benefits pending the review.

The forthcoming review will take full account of price increases. Until the review is completed, no change in benefit rates is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dentists there were in the West Riding County Council area prior to the establishment of the National Health Service in 1948; and what is the corresponding figure at the latest convenient date.

Figures in the form requested are not available for the time before the establishment of the National Health Service. The number of dental practitioners providing treatment under the General Dental Service in the area administered by the West Riding of Yorkshire Executive Council was 285 at 30th September, 1970. The comparable figure on 24th July, 1948, was 203.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider the creation of a physiotherapy service for housebound patients.

I am advised that such provision would not make the best use of scarce resources. The future pattern of rehabilitation service is, however, currently under consideration by a Sub-Committee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will set up a committee of inquiry into the structure and financing of the General Medical Council.

No. There is at present a Working Party reviewing the composition of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce through his Department a welfare food department whereby those on welfare benefits will be able to purchase basic foods at cost price.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind people who are receiving supplementary benefit. The aim of this scheme is to enable those in need to buy food and other necessities on equal terms with the rest of the community. The scale rates therefore cover normal requirements for food at market prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the probable incidence of permanent hearing damage to children who cannot receive hospital treatment in time in Birmingham, what action he will take to assist the regional hospital board.

I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the waiting time for tonsillectomy. I am advised that a direct connection between this and the incidence of deafness in children has not been demonstrated, but that the clinical practice in Birmingham is nonetheless to accord priority to children with impaired hearing or apparent high risk of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the unification of the administration of the National Health Service will have upon the organisation of his Department.

I have arranged for the examination of the consequences for the organisation and management of the Department of Health and Social Security which will follow from the Government's decision to unify the administration of the National Health Service and from the transfer to the Department of the Children's work from the Home Office.Dame Isabel Graham-Bryce, the Chairman of the Oxford Regional Hospital Board and Mr. R. R. Thornton, the Town Clerk of Leicester, have kindly agreed to assist the Department in this review.After discussions with a number of consultancy firms, I have invited McKinsey and Company Inc. to join a team which also includes staff drawn from the Department and the Civil Service Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make no further swap arrangements with East European countries such as that for the import of horticultural produce from Romania in exchange for irrigation equipment which harm the prospects of home producers.

It is our general policy that where goods subject to import quotas are included in compensation trade contracts they must be accommodated within existing quota levels. Any proposals for exceptions to that policy will be considered on their merits by the Departments concerned to ensure that the interests of all those affected are taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has considered evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Bradford, North, concerning the operation of the law on bankruptcy; and what action he proposes to take.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave to him yesterday. The abuses which the hon. Member has in mind appear to relate to companies rather than to bankruptcy. The need for amending the provisions of the Companies Act, 1948, regarding directors and other officers concerned in the failure of companies is being considered in the review of company law now in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review company and bankruptcy laws in order to prevent suffering and loss to the general public.

The need for amending the provisions of the Companies Act, 1948, regarding directors and other officers concerned in the failure of companies is being considered in the review of company law now in progress. The Bankruptcy Acts were reviewed by the Blagden Committee which reported in 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to provide compensation in respect of cessation of electricity supply to small farmers who have sustained financial loss through the interruption of supply due to industrial action by electricity workers.

No. Many users of electricity sustained financial loss and it would be inequitable for any section of the community to be given special treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what request he has received from the British Overseas Airways Corporation for compensation for the routes to be transferred to Caledonia/British United Airways; and what reply he has sent.

B.O.A.C. has asked for compensation but we have made it clear that air service licences are not a form of property in respect of which compensation could properly be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to appoint a Parliamentary Commissioner for the consumer and ensure that, within his terms of reference, he will be responsible for investigating advertising and marketing methods as well as dealing with price increases.

No. A Government-appointed watchdog in this field is neither appropriate nor necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy towards the import of tomatoes and cucumbers from Eastern Europe.

Many kinds of fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes and cucumbers, are subject to quotas when imported from Eastern Europe. These arrangements are reviewed annually in consultation with the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what notification of increases in fertiliser prices he has received and of the impending increase later this year; and if he will set up an inquiry to investigate the cost structure of the fertiliser industry.

In accordance with the arrangements we have made with them, the leading fertiliser manufacturers notified us in advance of the price changes which they have recently announced and, I am confident, will so inform us of any proposals for any future increases.I see no need for a special investigation into the industry's cost structure, upon which I am already informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now consider legislation requiring such agencies as travel agents, estate agents, home savers' groups, etc., to hold all moneys received from clients' deposits in a separate trust account to prevent misappropriation.

Much has already been done on a voluntary basis and for the present I should prefer to watch the development of the existing schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is yet able to announce the date of the introduction of food import levies.

No. The necessary negotiations with our overseas suppliers are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what control the British Government exercises over the numbers of those working in 6–8 Agar Street under contract to the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia.

Under arrangements made at the time Rhodesia House was closed in July, 1969, Her Majesty's Government gave their approval to the employment of two United Kingdom citizens, who were formerly locally recruited employees of Rhodesia House, assisted by two office staff, to operate what is known as the Rhodesia Pensions Office in rented accommodation on the fifth floor of 6–11 Agar Street. Her Majesty's Government have since agreed to the employment of an additional clerk.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations for Great Britain to join the European Economic Community as they affect the fishing industry.

In the negotiations with the Communities we have reserved our position on their common fisheries policy. Certain important aspects of this policy remain to be agreed. We are currently engaged in assessing how the policy as a whole will affect the British fishing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will seek to give powers to industrial tribunals to reinstate employees adjudged to have been wrongfully dismissed.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what reply he has given to the British Medical Associations' request for a Government amendment to the Industrial Relations Bill to assure its negotiating position on behalf of doctors; and whether this will affect doctors employed solely in hospitals.

Following my right hon. Friend's discussions with the British Medical Association and a number of other organisations he has put to them proposals for modifications which would within the basic framework of the Bill, facilitate their representing their members including hospital doctors in negotiation of pay and conditions of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers unemployed in each of the employment areas in the Leek constituency in June 1970, compared with March, 1966; and what percentages of the working population these figures represented.

Following is the information:

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND PERCENTAGE RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT
	Numbers registered as unemployed		Percentage rate
	June, 1970	March, 1966	June, 1970	March, 1966
Leek	148	47	1·1	0·4
Cheadle	137	83	2·2*	1·2*
Biddulph	163	87
Kidsgrove	306	162
* The percentage rates are for the Stoke-on Trent travel-to-work area which consists of the Stoke-on-Trent, Biddulph, Burslem, Cheadle, Hanley, Kidsgrove, Longton and Newcastle-under-Lyme Employment Exchange areas. Rates cannot be calculated for parts of this travel-to-work area.
The numbers registered as unemployed have been expressed as percentages of the estimated numbers of employees, employed and unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what notification he has had of redundancies that have occurred in Wales in the last month; and if he will make a statement.

As all redundancies are not notified to the Department our figures are not comprehensive. Records show that 18 redundancies involving a total of 962 workpeople were notified as due to occur in Wales during December, 1970.Everything possible is being done to help those who have still to find other jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what notifications he has had of redundancies that have occurred in Scotland in the last month; whether he will give the figures county by county; and if he will make a statement.

Comprehensive figures are not available as all redundancies are not notified to the Department. Records show, however, that 50 redundancies involving 2,444 workpeople were notified as due to occur in Scotland during December, 1970. Everything possible is being done to help those who have still to find other jobs. The figures recorded for each county were as follows:

Aberdeenshire	60
Angus	549
Argyllshire	1
Caithness	34
Dunbartonshire	134
Fife	42
Inverness-shire	5
Lanarkshire	556
Midlothian	519
Morayshire	30
Renfrewshire	240
Ross & Cromarty	29
Roxburghshire	64
Selkirkshire	24
Stirlingshire	15
West Lothian	142
Other Counties	Nil
Total Workpeople	2,444

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will ensure that Ministers do not rectify errors made in Answers to Parliamentary Questions by private letters to hon. Members but by way of a statement in the House.

When an error has occurred, the need for a personal statement to the House must always be a matter for individual judgment. I am sure that Ministers are very conscious of their responsibilities towards the House in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to reach a decision on the standardisation of the Regulations for parking without lights.

Shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions have been instituted in each of the last three years within the Metropolitan Police area for violations of the regulations covering box junctions; how many convictions were obtained; and whether he will make a statement about the efficacy and future of the box system.

I have been asked to reply.The latest available figures are:

Year	Prosecutions	Convictions
1967	7	7
1968	7	6
1969	32	29

The Commissioner of Police informs me that he considers the box system beneficial to traffic movement and favours its wider application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Waltham Forest Borough Council qualifies for special Government help to deal with problems of slum clearance, obsolescent housing and overcrowding.

The Council does not appear to qualify for the supplementary subsidy under Section 5 of the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967. These are only payable to authorities who have an urgent need to build but who could not provide the houses without imposing an unreasonably heavy rate burden or charging unreasonably high rents.Under the reform of housing finance, subsidies will be more closely related to the problems of slum clearance, obsolescence and overcrowding. The effect on individual authorites cannot be assessed until discussions with the local authority associations are completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people will be displaced from their homes as a result of the plans for the British Library announced in Command Paper No. 4572; and what arrangements will be made for their rehousing in comparable accommodation at rents they can afford;(2) how much residential accommodation in hotels and hostels will be lost as a result of the building of the British Library;(3) what authority will be responsible for the provision of new housing on the British Library site in Bloomsbury; whether he will give an assurance that preference will not be given to private speculative builders; and what discussions he has had with the local authorities.

When a count was made a few months ago, some 620 people were living in maisonettes and flats on the site. Only some of these will need to be rehoused in the early stages. Arrangements for rehousing tenants in comparable accommodation will be worked out with the London Borough of Camden, with whose officials informal preliminary consultations have already taken place, and any other authorities concerned. The Camden Council will in any case rehouse its own tenants who temporarily occupy Government accommodation on the site which has been let to the Council.The site contains two hotels with 175 and 69 bedrooms, respectively, and a hostel with 180 bedrooms.Until architectural plans have been developed and agreed, it is not possible to say who will actually provide the new housing on the site. No decision on this will be taken without full consultation with the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, following his discussions with the local authority associations, he can now assess the percentage of tenants of Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council who will enjoy reduced rentals and suffer increased rentals, respectively, as a result of his recent proposals;(2) if, following his discussions with the local authority associations, he can now assess the percentage of tenants of Newburn Urban District Council who will enjoy reduced rents and suffer increased rents, respectively, as a consequence of his recent proposals;(3) if, following his discussions with the local authority associations, he can now assess by what average percentage the rents of private houses in Newburn urban district will increase consequent upon his recent proposals;(4) if, following his discussions with the local authority associations, he can now assess by what percentage on average he estimates the rent of local authority houses will increase in New- burn urban district consequent upon his recent proposals;(5) if, following his discussions with the local authority associations, he can now assess the percentage of tenants of private landlords in the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne who will enjoy reduced rents and suffer increased rents, respectively, as a consequence of his recent proposals;(6) if, following his discussions with local authority associations, he can now assess by what percentage on average he estimates the rents of local authority houses will increase in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, consequent upon his recent proposals;(7) if, following his discussions with the local authority associations, he can now assess the percentage of tenants of privately rented houses in the Newburn urban district which will have reduced rents and have increased rents, respectively, as a consequence of his recent proposals;(8) if, following his discussions with the local authority associations, he can now assess by what average percentage the rents of private properties in Newcastle-upon-Tyne will increase consequent upon his recent proposals.

Discussions with the local authority associations are still in progress. They do not cover changes in the rent of private dwellings arising from plans for speeding the move from rent control to rent regulation. I cannot give the percentages or average figures asked for in the Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will indicate the extent of the additional manpower given to him to work in the field of education, consequent upon the transfer of powers in relation to primary in relation to primary and secondary schools.

92 posts have been added to the complement of the Welsh Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many visits have been made by his senior officials to Flintshire since June, 1970.

The information cannot be extracted without the use of a disproportionate amount of time and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he instructs the Inspectorate of Schools in Wales to report on buildings which do not conform to the school building regulations; and how many reports of this nature have been received by the Welsh Office in the past 12 months.

As a matter of principle I do not instruct H.M. Inspectors of Schools on the work they should undertake. During the course of their work H.M. Inspectors will, whenever they deem it appropriate, report on school buildings to both the Welsh Education Office and the Local Education Authority concerned. The advice of H.M. Inspectors is always sought on proposals submitted by local authorities for the programming of improvements to existing schools or the building of new schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many official forms, Governmental or otherwise, had a Welsh version or were bilingual in 1960, 1965, 1968 and mid-1970; and what are his proposals for future development of this process.

The information is available only for Government forms and only from 1966, as follows:

1966	40 approximately
1968	133
mid 1970	262

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 5th November, 1970.—[Vol. 805, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the various governmental and official forms that have a Welsh version, and those that are bilingual; and if he will take steps to place such a list in every library and post office in Wales.

All the Government forms issued in Welsh or bilingual versions to the end of 1969 have been listed in appendices to Cymru: Wales 1968 (Cmnd. 3930) and Cymru:Wales 1969(Cmnd. 4293). Those issued since are listed below. I am considering ways of giving further publicity to the forms and will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

	*Vehicle Excise Licence Disc. Application for Annual Test or Retesting Goods Vehicles.
194 PEN	Teachers Pensions.
207A PEN	Teachers Pensions.
101A (Schools)	Independent Schools.
F Lands 500	Permit to enter M.O.D. Ranges.
F Lands 500A	Permit to enter M.O.D. Ranges.
F Land 501	Application for permission to enter Ranges.
F Land 502	Notes, condition and warning about the admission to Ranges.
AE 5	Register for Adult Education.
AE 6	Register for Adult Education.
AE 7	Register for Adult Education.
28 RQ	Medical Report on Candidate for Employment as a Teacher.
RF 170B	Flat rate contribution record.
BR 33M	Letter sent about 4 months before retirement (man).
BR 33W	Letter sent about 4 months before retirement (woman).
BF 11A	Letter re claim for benefit in respect of additional child.
BF 11C	Claim for benefit for children.
11 CW	Claim for increase of benefit for wife and children.
11W	Claim for increase of benefit for wife.
BS 2	Letter to claimant asking him to give reasons for late claim.
BS 6	Letter rejecting claim if less than 26 contributions made in contribution year.
BM 4B	Explanatory letter and claim for a maternity grant.
BF 113	Slip re completion of claim.
BF 124	Letter about future of child re benefit (and declaration).
FAM 297D	Letter about future of child re family allowance (and declaration).
FAM 297	Supplementary claim for family allowance for a newborn child.
*Vehicle Test certificate.
*Driving Licence.
*Bilingual.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on on his official visit to Canada and the United States of America.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his official meeting with Her Majesty's Prime Minister in Canada.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave on 14th January to similar Questions from the hon. Members for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) and Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes).—[Vol. 809, c. 259–61.]

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

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement made by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the question of prices broadcast on an independent television news programme on 8th December, 1970, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister if the broadcast statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on television on 8th December on the cost of living represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in London on 7th December, 1970, relating to the retention of the profitable parts of the nationalised industries represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what reports he has of the hi-jacking of Army vehicles in the Springfield Road area of Belfast recently.

None.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what are the terms of reference and composition of the review, being currently undertaken by his Department, into the possibility of reforming flying units within the Royal Auxiliary Air Force; when the review will be completed; and when he expects to make public any resultant decisions.

Studies of the future requirement for R.A.F. reserves including any flying units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force are being made through the normal machinery of the Department and should be completed within a few months.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what the future rôle of Royal Naval Air Station. Lossiemouth, will be after 1972.

As I informed the hon. Member on 3rd December last, Royal Naval Air Station, Lossiemouth is to become the base for No. 229 Tactical Weapons Unit, which is being moved from Chivenor in 1972–73.—[Vol. 807. c. 455.]

asked the Prime Minister when he will next take the chair at the National Economic Development Council.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon) last Thursday.—[Vol. 809, c. 257–8.]

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will list the management consultancy assignments which have been commissioned by Government

Department	Nature of Assignment	Consultants Used
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.	A study on checking and control within a concept of public accountability.	Urwick Orr & Partners Ltd.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.	Management by Objectives—Feasibility Study	Urwick Orr & Partners Ltd.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.	Introduction of the principles of Management by Objectives to senior managers in the Regional and Divisional Organisation.	Urwick Orr & Partners Ltd.
Ministry of Aviation Supply.	A Job Evaluation experiment	Hay/MSL.
Ministry of Aviation Supply.	An office work measurement exercise using Group Capacity Assessment.	Lockyer and Partners Ltd.
Ministry of Aviation Supply.	A scheme to introduce Universal Maintenance Standards at a Royal Ordnance Factory (further stages).	H. B. Maynard and Co. Ltd.
Ministry of Aviation Supply.	Management by Objectives in a Research and Development Establishment.	Harold Whitehead & Partners Ltd.
Civil Service Department	A study of the pay and structure at the highest levels in the Civil Service.	Associated Industrial Consultants Ltd.
Civil Service Department	The translation of the handbook on Statutory Instrument Procedure into algorithmic form.	Cambridge Consultants (Training) Ltd.
Civil Service Department	Review of recruitment procedures	Cooper Bros & Co.
Civil Service Department	A study of the Location of Government	Institute of Operational Research.
Civil Service Department	Review of Catering Services	PA Management Consultants Ltd.
Civil Service Department	Optimisation of barrier positions in a new new unified civil service pay structure.	Scientific Control Systems Ltd.
Civil Service Department	To study the human factor in the dispersal situation.	Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, Human Resources Centre.
Ministry of Defence	An organisational review of the process of personnel management in the three Services.	Associated Industrial Consultants Ltd.
Ministry of Defence	To provide consulting services to a Working Party set up to examine management accountability in H.M. Dockyards.	Associated Industrial Consultants Ltd.
Ministry of Defence	To develop a productivity indicator for H.M. Dockyards.	Associated Industrial Consultants Ltd.
Ministry of Defence	To study berthing of ships in H.M. Dockyards	W. S. Atkins & Partners
Ministry of Defence	Operational Research study of the logistics arrangements in the Naval Stores Organisation.	Economist Intelligence Unit.
Ministry of Defence	An organisational study of the application of value engineering.	Harbridge House Europe.
Ministry of Defence	Installation of Universal Maintenance Standards at Royal Ordnance Factories (further stages).	H. B. Maynard & Co. Ltd.
Ministry of Defence	Installation of Management/Productivity schemes at Royal Air Force engineering and supply units.	PA Management Consultants Ltd.

The information which related to the calendar years 1969 and 1970 is as follows. The list excludes:

(a) assignments in the National Health Service;

(b) computer consultancy, including assistance with computer systems and programming;

(c) work by consultants on secondment from their firms to the Civil Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she has received on the redesignation and replacement of the St. James' Church of England Junior and Infant School, Gorton, Manchester; and what action she will take.

In August, 1970 my right hon. Friend approved in principle a proposal by the managers to provide the first instalment of new buildings for this aided school. In November the managers indicated that they would not be able to meet their share of the cost, and that they intended to apply for controlled status. If the school becomes controlled, responsibility for the improvement or replacement of the buildings will be a matter in the first place for the Manchester local education authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities in Wales and England, respectively, are giving financial assistance to students at the Open University taking a B.A. degree course according to the recommendations of the Association of Local Authorities; if she will publish the names of these authorities; how many of these local education authorities pay the whole cost of summer school fees, summer school maintenance, travel to summer school and food; how many give an allowance for books; and if she will make a statement.

This information is not available in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a Committee to inquire into the law in relation to the possession of drugs by schoolchildren.

No.Such a question as this would be best considered by the proposed Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to be set up under the Misuse of Drugs Bill after it has become law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that on 30th June, 1970, there was a sum of £5,434,049 of fines outstanding, he will now state to what extent his review of this situation has resulted in any method of preventing this abuse of the law; and whether he will make a statement.

The figure includes fines, the time for payment of which had not expired. It does not, therefore, carry the implication in the hon. Member's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet come to any conclusion on the future of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme, in view of the need to remove uncertainty among the general public and employees.

I have been considering the future of the Scheme in the course of the general review of the functions of central Government. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has also been considering the future of State Management in Scotland.Both he and I have decided that there is no longer sufficient social or economic justification for the continuance of State Management of the liquor trade. Return on capital employed is low in view of the restrictions under which the Scheme operates; and there would be a need for further substantial investment of public funds if the present Scheme were to continue. I accordingly propose to wind up the activities of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme. Legislation for this purpose will be introduced shortly.Members of the Local Advisory Committee are being told of my decision, and assured that full account will be taken of local views on the manner of its implementation.I recognise that this decision will cause concern among the staff, and I have their interests very much in mind. There will be full consultation with their representatives.