asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the need to stimulate development and provide employment in the West Riding of Yorkshire, he proposes to adhere to the decision that an Inland Revenue computer centre be built in the Bradford-Shipley area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the date when the new Inland Revenue Computer Centre at Shipley will be started.

I must ask hon. Members to await the outcome of the review of the Inland Revenue's mechani- sation programme which I announced in the House on 7th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the administration of Inland Revenue centres in their dealings with income tax complaints; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said about Centre One, East Kilbride, in the debate on the Fifth Report from the Estimates Committee on 7th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 130–1.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the progress towards decimalisation; and if he will make a statement.

Each organisation is responsible for its own preparations for the change-over which begins on 15th February. The Decimal Currency Board is responsible for facilitating the change-over and its surveys suggest that preparations are well in hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of invisible exports in 1971.

Invisible earnings are expected to have averaged about £50 million a month through 1970 and I am confident that they will remain in substantial surplus in 1971. But it is not the practice to give an estimate of future trends.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the health hazards of tobacco smoking, he will take steps to charge duty on all cigarettes, cigars and tobacco imported into the United Kingdom by United Kingdom citizens returning from overseas.

No. This would be neither practicable nor justifiable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take following the second report on cigarette smoking by the Royal College of Physicians.

We are considering what the report says about tobacco duties but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of savings in 1970 compared to the three previous years.

The ratio of personal saving to total disposable income in the first nine months of 1970 was 8.3 per cent., compared with figures of 8.0, 7.5 and 7.8 in 1967, 1968 and 1969.

Figures for the fourth quarter of 1970 are not yet available, but the recent good results for national savings are encouraging.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to establish contractual group schemes with appropriate tax measures to encourage savings.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he will take to ensure that every family is able to accumulate savings.

The Government have undertaken to examine further methods of encouraging savings. But the most effective way is to improve national prosperity and economic growth. This the Government's policies are designed to do.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the amount of inflationary pressure that existed in the economy at 18th June, 1970, and at the latest convenient date.

Accelerating cost inflation was the most serious domestic problem which the Government inherited in June, 1970. It can be curbed only by securing a progressive and substantial reduction in the level of pay settlements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates will be the additional cost to the United Kingdom's balance of payments resulting from the agreed price increase of Kuwait crude oil by British Petroleum and the Gulf Oil Corporation.

Between £8 and £9 million in the current year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to raise enough revenue in his next budget to permit increases in retirement pensions.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has already said that there will be a review and uprating of retirement pensions later this year. These pensions are financed mainly from contributions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in his forthcoming Budget, he will give increased retirement pensions priority over tax cuts.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Services, has already said that there will be a review and uprating of retirement pensions later this year. For the rest I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the real cost, taking into account tax revenue, of increases in retirement pensions of 10s. per week, 15s. per week and £1 per week per person, respectively.

The annual cash costs of the increases, without allowing for accompanying changes in other benefits, would be £175 million, £265 million and £350 million. Revenue from direct and indirect taxation would reduce these figures to approximately £120 million, £190 million and £250 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average income per head of population in the United Kingdom in 1970; and if he will tabulate the comparable figure for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively, indicating how this compares with those for the previous five

£ 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 At current market prices … 615 657 696 728 777 826 At constant (1963) market prices … 598 609 618 627 643 650

Comparable figures for England and Wales and Scotland are not available, but the Northern Ireland Government has published figures for the gross domestic product at factor cost which show that on that basis the Northern Ireland figures per head were about 70 per cent. of those for the United Kingdom in 1968, the latest year available.

The table below shows the corresponding figures for other countries, converted to sterling at the official exchange rates. These figures do not, however, necessarily give a comparison of differences in the standard of living as the exchange rates may not reflect differences in internal purchasing power. The figures are based on returns made to O.E.C.D. and to the United Nations. Countries with a higher income per head than the United Kingdom, 1969 £ Australia … … 1,030*† Belgium … … 900* Canada … … 1,250* Denmark … … 1,190 France … … 1,160 Germany … … 1,050 Luxembourg … … 1,080 Netherlands … … 920 Norway … … 1,050 Sweden … … 1,350* Switzerland … … 1,240 United States … … 1,940 (United Kingdom … … 826) *Figures relate to 1968. Figures for 1969 are not yet available. †Figure relates to the fiscal year beginning 1st July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the increasing gap between the rich and the poor.

The Government's policy is to increase the prosperity of the economy as a whole, thus enabling years, and each of the countries of the world with higher incomes than the United Kingdom, from figures available to him from international sources.

The following is the replyFigures for 1970 are not yet available. The following table shows the gross national product at market prices per head of the population for the United Kingdom for 1969 and the five preceding years.

the real income of the poor as well as of the rest of the community to rise faster than under the last Administration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of those in employment receiving incomes of £30 a week and under; how many are in receipt of incomes of more than £30 a week; and how many of these latter are in receipt of incomes of more than £50 a week.

I am afraid that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the benefit to be derived from increased incentives and productivity by the top income earners as a result of his changes in income tax; and if he will seek in his next Budget to make similar benefits available to the lower income groups.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget; but I have no doubt that reducing the rates of personal taxation makes a significant contribution to a more dynamic economy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the product of the fuel oil tax during 1970.

Approximately £130 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will immediately reduce the excise duty on hydrocarbon fuels by 6d. per gallon to offset recent and projected increases in the price of these fuels and to make a contribution towards stabilising the cost of living.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a Green Paper on his proposals for value-added tax.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of every public speech he has made in which reference was made to a value-added tax.

My right hon. Friend has not referred to value-added tax in any public speech he has made as Chancellor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his capacity as an employer, what steps he takes to warn young employees of the Inland Revenue, and other Departments of the Treasury, against the dangers of drug-taking.

No special warnings are issued Departmentally but managers and welfare officers are aware of the dangers of drug-taking and of the special need to look after the welfare of young members of the staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the redemption of war loan where it has been held by an investor for an uninterrupted period of more than 20 years.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to abolish quit rents in Northern Ireland.

No, but I am advised that the Crown Estate Com- missioners, who are responsible for collecting these rents, are willing to discuss any problems which exist in connection with them, including whether the repeal of obsolete legislation could be achieved without prejudicing the collection of outstanding quit rents.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received seeking a relaxation of the restrictions on the banks on loans to housebuilding firms; and what reply he has sent.

We have received five such representations, if a previous Question by the hon. Member is included. I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave him on 24th November last.—[Vol. 807, c. 56.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Inland Revenue to prepare a statistical analysis of a sample of large firms, and a similar sample of small firms, showing in each case the average of, respectively, profitability, growth in net assets, borrowing ratios and period of credit taken, as recommended in the report of the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation, a copy of which has been sent to him.

I have carefully considered this proposal, but have come to the conclusion that the extra returns that would be needed from employers and the extra staff needed in the Inland Revenue would not be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek powers to make the payments through incentive award schemes to the police and nursing services free of income tax liability.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will immediately reduce the excise duty on beer to compensate the public for the increases in price imposed by the brewers since July, 1970.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to whom the Inland Revenue will repay the purchase tax charged on each bottle of Ribena sold to the public; and if he will make a statement.

It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement at present because the Commissioners of Customs and Excise are preparing an appeal against the recent court judgment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied that the publicity material planned by the Decimal Currency Board in the form of leaflets, advertisements, radio and television scripts makes clear the Government's decision about the sixpenny piece, namely, to retain it for two years after Decimal Day, and to decide its future thereafter in the light of public demand for it; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the Board's final campaign of public information adequately reflects the Government's policy on the sixpence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing a special levy on X certificate films.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of purchase tax is payable on chalks, crayons and pastels used in schools.

36⅔ per cent. of the wholesale value except for true pastels, which are tax-free.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of purchase tax on boys' shoes; what it is on men's shoes; and by reference to what criteria is the dividing line fixed.

There is no purchase tax on boys' shoes of size 5½ or less, made on lasts not exceeding 10–7/12 in. in length. The rate of tax on men's shoes larger than this is 13¾ per cent. of the wholesale value.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation so that approved investment companies and unit trust schemes are exempted from corporation tax on realised capital gains.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the Ibrox Park disaster, and the need for improving spectator accommodation at grounds throughout the country, he will review the position of tax relief on capital improvements for football clubs in his forthcoming Budget.

I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind, but I will, of course, consider any suggestions he wishes to put to me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ensure that forms for declaring income for taxation purposes are designed so as to enable taxpayers to fill in the particulars required in a proper manner, on good paper and with room to set the facts out adequately.

These forms are reviewed each year and the Revenue's general aims are in line with my hon. Friend's wishes. In view of some complaints about the quality of paper used for one type of form steps have been taken to improve the quality of the paper for 1971–72.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider increasing the personal allowance providing income tax relief to all retired people over 60 years of age living on small fixed incomes.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his plans regarding the future of the Central Office of Information.

As announced on 22nd December the Prime Minister has invited Sir Gordon Newton to conduct a review of the Central Office of Information. Future plans for the Department will be considered in the light of the review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to impose a licensing fee for blood sports.

I have nothing to add to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make a statement on the future of investment grants and employment premiums in Northern Ireland in the light of his announced financial policy.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester Clark) on 18th January.—[Vol. 809, c. 210–11.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to end surtax.

As I stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) on 19th November, consideration is being given to several aspects of the structure of personal taxation, including the possibility of amalgamating income tax and surtax.—[Vol. 806, c. 478.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of increases in the price of all oil products during the past six months, he will take steps to lift the surcharge of 2.4 pence per gallon on industrial fuel.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the findings of his Department's inquiry into negative income tax.

I will bear this possibility in mind, but as my hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary, indicated in his reply on 15th December to the hon. Member for Paddington, South (Mr. Scott), our studies are still at an early stage.—[Vol. 808, c. 281.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate discussions with the Switzerland Government as to making arrangements with Her Majesty's Government and other Governments whereby normal Swiss bank secrecy is raised in cases of tax fraud by the foreign taxpayer; and if he will make a statement.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has now made of the balance of payments out-turn for 1970.

Estimates of the balance of payments in 1970 will be published in March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the loss of many art treasures being sold to persons overseas by British persons, he declines to initiate a 50 per cent. export duty so far as the future is concerned.

The present licensing arrangements derive from the report of the Waverley Committee, and I understand that the Paymaster-General and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who have responsibility in this field, are satisfied that they provide a more effective control than would an export duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total national income in 1970; how much of this was made up of wages and salaries, namely, earned income, and how much of dividends, rents, and interest, namely, unearned income; and how these two elements were distributed between wage and salary earners and their families, the unemployed and the sick and their families, and those who have retired.

Following is the reply:

Information for 1970 is not yet available. The figures for 1969 are given in the table below: £ million Total national income* of which: 35,083 Income from employment 27,174 Income from self-employment* 2,547 Rent, dividends and net interest received by personal sector† 4,146 *After deducting stock appreciation and capital consumption. †Including receipts by life assurance and pension funds and by private non-profit-making bodies.

No figures are available on the types or amounts of income, other than social security benefits, received by the unemployed or the sick. From the Inland Revenue's Income Survey for 1968–69, the latest year available, it is estimated that persons in receipt of retirement pensions and others over age 65, had net earned income of about £637 million and net investment income of about £722 million, in addition to their retirement and occupational pensions.

Lewis asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of Members of Parliament who have, since 1st January, notified the authorities concerned of their wish to accept a voluntary cut of 10 per cent. of their Parlia- mentary salaries; and from what date they have requested this cut to operate.

Since 1st January, 1971, all Members of Parliament have drawn their full Parliamentary salary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the negotiations for the entry of the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community, he will seek to ensure that the United Kingdom retains the right to alter the parity margins of its currency upwards or downwards.

As I told the House on 15th December, if the United Kingdom joins the Community we shall conform to whatever collective decisions have by then been taken about exchange rate margins within the Community.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement, giving details of the matters discussed at the meeting of the National Economic Development Council held on Wednesday, 6th January, 1971, regarding the dangers of inflation, price rises, cost of living etc.; and what action he proposes to take arising from this meeting.

The Council had a wide ranging discussion of cost inflation on the basis of papers provided by the Government, the T.U.C. and N.E.D.O.: as to the second half of the Question, the Government has made clear its view that the interest of the public and of the national economy require a progressive and substantial reduction in the level of pay settlements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the new Inland Revenue Computer Centre will be opened in Portsmouth; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Bradford, East (Mr. Edward Lyons) and Shipley (Mr. Fox) earlier today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will request the Wilberforce Committee of Inquiry to examine what is in the best interests of the nation in the economic field and submit its report to him before he prepares his April Budget.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess to what extent since June, 1970, the Government's policy of reducing prices, reducing Government expenditure, halting inflation and improving the economy has proved successful; and to what extent the Autumn Budget had an effect on these figures.

The Government inherited a situation of accelerating inflation but are confident that their anti-inflationary policy will succeed. As to the measures announced in October, 1970, the benefits will be experienced over the lifetime of the present Administration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the removal of purchase tax from reflective fluorescent armbands; and what are his intentions with regard to such removal.

We have received several representations on behalf of both manufacturers and users. The matter has been reviewed very carefully but this is only one kind of safety article amongst many which it is not possible to exempt from the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of purchase tax charged upon reflective fluorescent armbands manufactured for road safety purposes.

13¾ per cent. of the wholesale value.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase in gross income he estimates will be necessary to provide a man earning £18,000 a year with equivalent of a 6d. reduction in income tax.

At current tax rates, £4,450 for a man entitled only to the single person's allowance; rather less for taxpayers with dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the official publication by the United States Food and Drug Administration of a list of products which are useless or dangerous, a copy of which is in his possession, and since many of these products are sold in Great Britain, if he will issue a similar list as a warning to the public; and if he will introduce legislation restraining manufacturers from marketing such products.

I am not yet able to add to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mrs. Oppenheim) on 15th December, 1970.—[Vol. 808, c. 292 .]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now circularise general practitioners in the National Health Service informing them of the availability of the Design Guide for Health Centres published by his Department.

Executive Councils and Local Medical Committees are among those who were sent copies of the Design Guide. We will ensure that all general medical practitioners are told where they may see or purchase a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether a man whose family is entitled to a family income supplement will lose such entitlement either if he joins in strike action or loses his job through alleged industrial misconduct or for any similar reason.

No. Subsisting awards would not be affected though fresh awards could not be made to claimants who were not in full-time work on the date of the claim. In such cases the family would normally be eligible for supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what number of psychiatric beds per 1,000 population he is now planning for by 1975.

I expect the number of beds for the mentally ill in 1975 to be approximately 2.4 per 1,000 population, assuming that numbers continue to fall by about 3,000 a year. I do not expect any significant change in this period in the number of beds for the mentally handicapped which are approximately 1.3 per 1,000 population. Our present planning for the longer-term future is based on transition to a different organisation of services for which many fewer hospital in-patient beds would eventually be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals are envisaged for the rebuilding of the Royal Northern Hospital in Holloway, London, N.19; and if he will make a statement.

The North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board has not decided what the ultimate rôle of this hospital should be and is not at present pursuing proposals for its rebuilding.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what complaints he has received regarding the shortage of beds at the Royal Northern Hospital, Holloway, London, N.19.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, following his recent visit to the Whittington Hospital, Archway, London, N.19, he will make a statement as to what proposals he has for the rebuilding of this hospital.

My visit helped me to understand the difficulties confronting the hospital and the need for rebuilding, but on the building proposals I cannot add to the reply my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on 24th July last.—[Vol. 804, c. 288 .]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will reply to the letter sent to him on 16th November last by the hon. Member for Lambeth, Brixton, about the unemployment benefit position of Mr. P. V. Gayler.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 21st January. I am sorry this took so long but the case required careful and detailed enquiries into a complicated series of circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many trained and how many untrained social workers are now employed by each of the principal local authorities in their children's welfare and health departments; what action he is taking to establish a fully trained social work service by the new social service departments of local authorities; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) what action he is taking to review the use by local authorities of untrained residential staff and untrained foster parents to care for disturbed and deprived children; and whether he will make a statement;

(3) what action he is taking to increase the number of trained social workers to enable him fully to implement the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969.

I will send the hon. Member shortly detailed information, showing the position in each local authority on the latest dates for which figures are available, and will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.

I am satisfied that local authorities in England are already aware of the desirability of recruiting trained staff for social work both in the community and in residential establishments; of seconding serving officers for training where this can be arranged; of seeking foster parents with appropriate training or experience when they board out disturbed or severely deprived children; and of providing, for foster parents generally, preparation for their difficult task and opportunities to learn more about their foster children's needs.

The bodies responsible for promoting social work training have achieved a rapid expansion of training opportunities in recent years. I would refer the hon. Member, for example, to the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department gave him on 3rd December, 1970.

I have no doubt that this expansion will be continued under the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work which is to be set up later this year to take over this responsibility.—[Vol. 808, c. 1438.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services (1) what additional financial assistance he is providing to local authorities to enable them fully to implement the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969;

(2) what additional assistance he is now providing to local authorities to enable them fully to implement the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969.

My Department will continue to take such steps as are necessary to assist local authorities in implementing the Act in accordance with the Government's stated policy, and to make available professional guidance and advice. As regards finance, the Rate Support Grant (Increase) Order, 1970, made a provision for additional expenditure by local authorities in England and Wales resulting from the Act of £0.9 million in 1970–71.

The Rate Support Grant Order, 1970, provided for additional expenditure expected to arise from the Act in 1971–72 and 1972–73. It included £1.8 million in 1971–72 and £2.4 million in 1972–73 for additional social work staff over and above the normal expansion of the service, together with related administrative costs, and a further £1.5 million, in 1972–73, for changes arising from the integration of approved schools into the community home system.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations took place between his Department and the professional associations concerned with fostering of children before the leaflet, "Wanted, A Home", was circulated to children's departments and others; and whether he will arrange for the professional associations to be consulted before further supplies of this leaflet are issued.

The leaflet has been widely distributed for the last 10 years and successive editions have taken account of comments received from those concerned. The latest edition was prepared last year, the earlier ones being out of print, and copies were sent out in December.

I propose to consult my Advisory Council on Child Care, on which professional associations are among the organisations represented, about the preparation of a further edition which will be needed shortly and will incorporate changes required by the reorganisation of the local authority social services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women pensioners over the age of 60 years pay prescription charges each year.

It is estimated that in Great Britain some 700,000 women pensioners over the age of 60 are not exempt from liability to pay prescription charges. There is no information about the numbers who actually pay charges during the course of a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to ensure that the inspectorate in child care will continue to advise staffs of local children's departments and social services departments on their work with juvenile delinquents which in other respects remains the responsibility of the Home Office; and whether he will make a statement.

The staffs of the Inspectorate of the former Children's Department of the Home Office and of the Social Work Division of my Department are being integrated into a new professional service. As part of its responsibilities in relation to local authority social services generally (which will include all the responsibiities of the new local authority Social Services Department), this service will therefore continue to advise local authorities on all aspects of the care of children, including work with delinquents. It will also give professional advice to the Home Office on those matters relating to children which remain the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will set up an inquiry into the practice by local authorities of placing children in their care with foster parents; whether he will ensure that this inquiry gives special consideration to the problem of parents reclaiming children Placed with foster parents; and whether he will postpone any decisions concerning the future legal position of children placed in local authority approved foster homes until the results of this inquiry are known.

The law relating to foster children was reviewed in connection with the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969, which made certain amendments. I am not aware of any need for a further general review at present. As regards the problem of parents reclaiming children placed with foster parents, the Departmental Committee on the Adoption of Children, appointed by my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland, is already reviewing this matter and has published provisional proposals for comment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what support he intends to give to the Centre for Architectural Design for the Retarded which is being set up by the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.

My Department is providing some professional advice and speakers for seminars arranged by the Centre. It has also agreed to make a contribution towards the expenses of certain experts invited from abroad. Any further request for support will be considered if and when it is made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many known deaths and accidents have taken place during the last five years to children under the age of 10 years as a result of accidental poisoning.

Deaths of children under 10 years of age attributed to accidental poisoning in England and Wales in recent years were as follows:

(a) By Solid or Liquid Substances (ICD (7th) E870–E888) (ICD (8th) E850–869, E980) 1965 … … 34 1966 … … 31 1967 … … 24 1968 … … 28 1969 … … 29

(b) By Gasses and Vapours (ICD (7th) E890?E895) (ICD (8th) E870–E877, E981, E982) 1965 … … 15 1966 … … 22 1967 … … 12 1968 … … 18 1969 … … 10

Figures for non-fatal accidents among children from these causes are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Government accept Recommendation No. 608 on the Improvement of the Dental Condition of Populations of Council of Europe member states, odontological questions, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 21st September, 1970; and whether they will instruct their representative in the Committee of Ministers to vote for the immediate inclusion in their Programme of Work of the questions mentioned in paragraph 5 of the recommendation.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply yesterday to my hon. Friend, the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers).—[Vol. 810, c. 49–50. ]

asked the Secretary tary of State for Social Services whether, during the industrial dispute of Post Office workers he will make the necessary arrangements for all welfare benefits and retirement pensions to be paid out at all branches of the banks and local council offices.

I am considering whether any further arrangements are necessary to supplement those described in the reply I have given today to a separate Question from the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take the necessary action to ensure that all branches of the social security offices, and in co-operation with borough councils at town halls, officials of his Department are available during the Post Office workers' dispute to issue cash and to pay all benefits so far as retirement and welfare benefits are concerned.

If it becomes impracticable for some people to cash payment orders for social security benefits at Post Offices, payment will be made at local offices of my Department or at Employment Exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hysterectomies were performed last year on girls aged between 16 and 25 years as a result of infections incurred during abortions.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the estimated number of both fatherless and motherless families for each of the last 10 years where the head of the household has been in full-time work though earning less than the family's eligibility for national assistance or supplementary benefits.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he now has sufficient evidence on the use of the Unicar system of rearing cows, lambs and young pigs to enable him to ban the system.

No. No system of this kind is in use in this country. I understand that a prototype dairy installation in Sweden has been dismantled and that the Swedish authorities will in due course conduct an official trial of a new prototype which is to be constructed. The system is applicable only to dairy herds; lambs and pigs are not involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the implementation and effect of the arrangement under the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement in regard to the payment of an Exchequer subsidy to the Government of the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement.

In consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland, the Government are at present discussing certain aspects of this arrangement with the Government of the Irish Republic. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will hold an investigation to ascertain how and why full details of his White Paper issued on the afternoon of 18th January regarding savings of moneys under the control of his Department were published in the newspapers issued that morning.

As I promised in the House on 18th January, I have investigated within my Department the possibility of the premature disclosure of certain information to the Press before the publication on the morning of that day of the White Paper about proposed changes in the work of the Ministry. The nature of the decisions in the White Paper made it necessary to have confidential discussions with a number of organisations in the weeks preceding its publication but following careful inquiries 1 am satisfied that no member of my Department was responsible for any unauthorised disclosures or for providing confidential information to the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he is considering to increase competition within industry.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in the House on 17th December. We intend to develop that policy over the coming months.—[Vol. 808, c. 1577–86.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to relax the present restrictions on television rental imposed under the Control of Hiring Orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now consider a scaling down of the initial payments required for rental of monochrome and colour television receivers.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he proposes disposing of the Government's holding in Upper Clyde Shipbuilders; and if he will make a statement.

I have no present intention of disposing of this shareholding.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total capacity offered by the private and public sectors of the air transport industry respectively, expressed by monthly totals of capacity ton miles or capacity seat miles, in the non-scheduled inclusive tour market.

The following table shows quarterly totals. Monthly totals are not readily available.

AVAILABLE SEAT MILES Millions Public Private 4th Quarter, 1969 … 34 520 1st Quarter, 1970 … 39 371 2nd Quarter, 1970 … 218 1,386 3rd Quarter, 1970 … 318 2,108

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate, in capacity seat miles and capacity ton miles, he made of the effect on British European Airways Airtours' carrying capacity before agreeing to their import of second-hand United States aircraft.

B.E.A. Airtours have to replace the whole of their Comet fleet next year. In 1972–73, their first year with the bigger second-hand U.S. aircraft, their carrying capacity will be about twice as high as in 1971–72 in terms of capacity ton miles and about 70 per cent. higher in terms of capacity seat miles, which is the more relevant measurement. Any growth, thereafter, would be at a much slower rate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the fact that the petrol companies have increased petrol prices three times in a year and are considering a fourth increase and his Department have issued a direction to the fuel supply industries under the nationalised boards to limit any of their increases to 12½ per cent. in the coming year, he will give the reasons why he will not agree to initiate an inquiry to investigate whether these continual price increases in petrol are justified.

The decision to make price changes is one for companies to take in the light of market conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many gas and oil strikes have been recorded to date in parts of the North Sea under United Kingdom jurisdiction and within the United Kingdom respectively.

Offshore there have been 26 gas and 5 oil strikes. Four of the gas discoveries are in production and seven are being developed. Further work will be required on most of the remainder to determine their potential. One of the oil strikes is not commercial and the other four are still being evaluated

Onshore there have been 8 gas and 21 oil strikes, all small by offshore standards. The Lockton gas field in Yorkshire is expected to come into production next month. Oil is currently being produced in small quantities from discoveries in Dorset and East Midlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many producing gas wells there are in the United Kingdom and the area of the North Sea under United Kingdom jurisdiction, respectively.

Offshore there are 91 gas producing wells. Onshore there are none producing but two completed wells in the Lockton gas field in Yorkshire are expected to come into operation next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the firm of Polaroid Limited has increased the price of its films by 25 per cent. and that this is a monopoly which does not allow competition or discussion on the price of its goods; and whether he will refer the photographic industry to the Monopolies Commission for investigation.

The instant developing films of which Polaroid Ltd. are monopoly suppliers cater mainly for certain specialised fields; in amateur photography as a whole they are in competition with conventional photographic equipment. I will, however, bear their pro- ducts in mind along with others which satisfy the statutory criteria for reference.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he received a communication from Mr. A. G. Hughes sent on 14th January, 1971, regarding the John Bloom affair and the operation of the Companies Act; what was the nature of this communication; what were the terms of his reply; and what was the date of his receipt of the earlier letter from Mr. Hughes sent on 15th October, 1970, the nature of this communication and the date and gist of his reply.

In his letter of 14th January, received on 19th January, Mr. Hughes requested a reply to his letter of 15th October. In this letter, received on 16th or 19th October, he expressed the hope that the report of the inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of Rolls Razor Ltd. would be published. I regret that no reply was sent direct to Mr. Hughes. The late hon. Member for Arundel and Shoreham forwarded, and requested comments on, a copy of the letter of 15th October. In a letter of 9th November I informed him why we had decided not to publish the report.

In reply to Mr. Hughes' letter of 14th January I am sending him a copy of the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave the hon. Member on 5th November regarding the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he now proposes to ease the hire purchase restrictions on motor car sales.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the proposed increases in the price of steel by the British Steel Corporation, he will introduce a Bill to dissolve the British Steel Corporation.

No. The increase in fixed forward prices of steel for delivery in future years is a commercial matter between the Corporation and its customers, subject to any representations which the Iron and Steel Consumer Council may make.