asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what machinery exists within the European Economic Community to help farmers reorganise and restructure their agricultural industry.

Aid is at present given through national schemes. Details of these were included in a paper issued by the Commission on 18th December, 1968 as an appendix to the Mansholt Plan.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has now made of the increase in the price of fish to the consumer in the event of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

It is not possible to make any precise assessment of price changes which would probably result gradually from changes in supply and demand, and in the pattern to trade within an enlarged Community, and which would affect different species in varying degrees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the amount by which the European Economic Community butter stockpile has decreased.

The stock of butter in the European Economic Community on 1st January, 1971 was estimated to be 131,448 metric tons, which is just over 170,000 metric tons lower than the stock one year earlier.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the land in each of the member countries of the European Economic Community is afforested; and what is the comparable figure for the United Kingdom.

According to the latest comparable statistics available from published sources the following are the percentages of land under woodland:

	Per cent.
United Kingdom	7
Belgium	19
West Germany	29
France	20
Italy	21
Luxembourg	31
Netherlands	7

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that Australia, South Africa, Cyprus and Malta provide approximately one-sixth of the total wine imports of the United Kingdom, if he will give an assurance that these interests will be properly safeguarded in the current discussions on Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.

The proposals for a gradual phasing-in of tariff changes over a transitional period will help the adjustment of trade in products which would be affected by entry to the European Economic Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the initial impact of decimalisation on food prices based on his Department's survey of retail prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received of excessive price increases following decimalisation; and whether he will make a statement.

The information available to me indicates that there were few retail price changes over the immediate decimalisation period and that those which occurred were mainly reflecting changes in manufacturers' prices, wholesale market prices, or the incidence of special promotions. Prices generally have been converted in accordance with the official tables and the ½p pricing points are being widely used.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will request the central policy review staff to undertake an analysis of alternative methods of stabilising food prices.

No.

asked the Minister of Agricuture, Fisheries and Food what increase in food prices occurred between July and December in each of the last five years.

The increases in the Food Index between mid-July and mid-December were:

	Per cent.
July—December, 1966	0·7
July—December, 1967	1·4
July—December, 1968	1·3
July—December, 1969	1·1
July—December, 1970	1·4

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect of an increase of ld. per gallon in petrol prices on retail food prices.

The direct effect would be negligible but any increase would also affect the cost of a great many goods and services used by the food industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he can yet announce his plans for changing from a deficiency payment system to a levy scheme for beef.

I am not yet in a position to announce details of our interim scheme for levies on beef imports, but I shall do so as soon as possible. This interim scheme will not of itself replace the deficiency payment system.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of horses and ponies exported to countries of the Common Market for the purposes of providing Common Market countries with horse meat for human consumption.

None. I have no evidence that horses or ponies are being exported to these countries for the purpose of slaughter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his criteria in determining whether to accept or reject any proposals for a Producer Marketing Board for commodities where no such board exists at present.

I would consider the interests of all affected parties and propose modifications as appropriate. If these were accepted, I should then need to be satisfied that the scheme met the requirement of the Act that it would conduce to the more efficient production and marketing of the product.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial support his Department will be able to give to improve the marketing of agricultural products under an import levy system of agricultural support.

My right hon. Friend's powers to assist improvements in marketing will not be affected by the introduction of a levy system: but the policy of the Government, under which the producer will increasingly get his return from the market instead of from deficiency payments from public funds, will provide a positive incentive for farmers individually and collectively to improve marketing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to control the uprooting of hedgerows and the cutting down of hedgerow trees, in view of the possible adverse effect on the environment.

While I deplore the unnecessary removal of hedgerows and hedgerow trees. I believe that advice and information are the best ways of getting the right balance struck between the needs of the environment and those of agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the second part of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Rabies.

My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland hope to receive the Committee's final Report shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now completed the annual price review; and if he will make a statement.

The statutory annual review of the economic condition and prospects of the agricultural industry is now complete. I shall be announcing the determinations for 1971–72 as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated return on tenant farmers' capital for the financial year 1969–70 and the calendar year 1970.

Such estimates are not available because they would have to depend on a number of arbitrary assumptions, but information about farmers' incomes and their investment is being examined in the Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to encourage the use of plastic containers for orchard boxes and tomato trays rather than the continued use of wooden ones which are unhygienic and use imported raw materials.

No. The choice of containers is essentially a matter for the growers and traders concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give consideration to altering the existing regulations regarding the landing of immature fish caught in nets when fishing for white fish.

I am not at present contemplating any change in these regulations which give effect to internationally agreed conservation measures.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many gallons of milk were produced in Northamptonshire in 1950, 1960 and 1970, respectively.

Sales of milk off farms in Northamptonshire for the years ending 30th September were, in million gallons:

1949–50	17·07
1959–60	16·96
1969–70	17·75

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many head of beef cattle there were in Northamptonshire in 1950, 1960 and 1970, respectively.

The following is the information:

	1950	1960	1970
Beef Breeding Herd—(Cows and Heifers in milk and cows in calf but not in milk)	n.a.	6,551	4,895
Beef Cattle*	113,141	109,513	92,115
* Includes animals intended as replacements for either beef or dairy herds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to deal with applications for grants under the Fishing Vessels (Acquisition and Improvement) (Grants) Scheme, 1967; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes regarding applications for grants under the Fishing Vessels (Acquisition and Improvement) (Grants) Scheme, 1967; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement following his withdrawal of the Fishing Vessels (Acquisition and Improvement) (Grants) (Amendment) Scheme, 1970, Order and dealing with the position of owners of fishing vessels entitled to grants which have not been paid since 27th October, 1970.

I am now considering the position in the light of the Report by the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments, and will make a further statement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the new standard cost per acre for grubbing orchards.

The standard cost varies from 13p to £1·82 per tree removed depending on the girth of the trunk. To qualify for grant on these standard costs the orchard must cover at least a quarter of an acre and the land must be left in a fit state for ploughing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis the National Agricultural Advisory Service is now recommending growers to

Per Dozen Cauliflowers
Week ended
	1970				1971
	4th February	11th February	18th February	25th February	3rd February	10th February	17th February	24th February
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Home-Grown—
Cornish	0·533	0·675	0·758	0·817	0·538	0·604	0·543	0·505
Kent	0·450	—	—	—	0·600	0·700	0·600	0·620
Imported French	0·825	0·950	1·038	1·071	0·883	0·842	0·888	0·647
Averages of most usual prices at main wholesale horticultural markets in England and Wales.

Growers are given assistance by capital grants and in other ways to improve their ability to compete with imports on the merits of their produce. They also receive a measure of protection from the tariff which rises from £0·30 per cwt. to £0·40 per cwt. on 1st March. If at any time growers have evidence that imports are being dumped or subsidised and are causing or threatening them material injury, it is open to them to apply to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for anti-dumping action.

N.A.A.S. advice to growers is based upon information from research and experimental centres. There are good opportunities for high-grade produce to displace some of the large onion imports. Attention is normally drawn to production and marketing possibilities and dangers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of French cauliflowers were imported during February to date; how these quantities compared with previous years; by how much prices were depressed to the home growers as a result; and what action he is proposing.

Import statistics for February are not yet available; figures will be published in the Overseas Trade Statistics towards the end of this month.A wide range of factors may influence the short-term supply and demand position and thus the price of fresh horticultural produce. Recent cauliflower prices compared with a year ago have been as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what undertakings have been given to him following his meeting with representatives of tractor manufacturers on 10th November, 1970; (2) whether he has received any undertakings from tractor manufacturers since 13th January, 1971; and what replies he has sent;(3) as manufacturers are refusing to give farmers a choice of safety cabs and frames for tractors, whether he will now make regulations requiring that tractors must be equipped with a choice of cabs and frames when used, and not when sold;(4) what consultations he has had with tractor manufacturers about their policy of using current regulations to compel farmers to buy only the most elaborate and expensive cabs resulting in unreasonable profits and preventing farmers from equipping their tractors with safety cabs as quickly as possible;(5) if, in view of the failure of the Tractor Manufacturers' Association to co-operate with him in altering the policy of manufacturers over safety cabs for tractors, he will now have talks with individual manufacturers;(6) when he proposes to alter the regulation on tractor safety cabs to ensure that manufacturers of tractors are not able to continue their present restrictive sale policy of refusing to sell tractors and cabs as separate units;(7) as, following legislation to make the fitting of safety cabs to tractors compulsory, the manufacturers of tractors have increased their prices by up to £240 when safety cabs can be fitted for under £100, if he will now introduce amending regulations.

I have had further discussions with representatives of the tractor manufacturers. I regret that the differences between us remain unresolved.While I would still be only too glad if agreement could be reached, my present intention is to embark on consultations in due course with the representatives of employers and workers about amending the Regulations. It would be an essential feature of any change that an offence would still be committed if a tractor were used without a safety cab or frame, other than where the Regulations provided for exceptions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much he estimates the sale of Tylosin to farmers will increase in the six months 1st March, 1971 to 1st September, 1971 following the regulations to be introduced on 1st March by the Secretary of State for Social Services whereby exactly comparable products will only be available on a veterinary prescription.

My Department does not have the statistics which would be necessary as the basis of such an estimate. The sale of Tylosin may not increase at all as it is not a precise alternative to products now controlled and there are a number of feed additives available free of prescription, including three growth-promoting antibiotics and several non-antibiotic growth-promoting additives. Farmers who plan ahead will change to these rather than Tylosin, which will be controlled from 1st September.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his plans for streamlining his Department's advisory services have now taken effect.

The new regional organisation and combined Agricultural Development and Advisory Service came into operation yesterday. We shall be introducing the new advisory objectives gradually.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his proposals for financing the Agricultural Training Board under an import levy system.

My right hon. Friend sees no need to propose any change at the present time.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he will take action to ensure that when available he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the taxed costs of the High Court Secrets Case against the Sunday Telegraph and other defendants;(2) when he expects to receive the taxed costs of the High Court Secrets Case against the

asked the Attorney-General whether he has yet been able to make an estimate of the costs of the recent prosecution of the Sunday Telegraph and others under the Official Secrets Act.

No useful estimate of the total costs is possible until the costs have been taxed. The Taxing Officer of the Central Criminal Court is still awaiting bills from the defending solicitors. Taxation cannot be concluded until at least two weeks from the date of their delivery to him.

asked the Attorney-General what is the result of his inquiries into the evidence of bartering drugs between Great Britain and the United States of America.

No evidence has yet been obtained to support proceedings in respect of the alleged bartering of drugs. A number of cases of illegal supplying and possession of drugs are pending.

asked the Attorney-General what steps are being taken to shorten the period of time between an appellant's conviction in the lower courts and the receipt by the Registrar of the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal of the transcript of the case.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the delays which are occasioned in the hearings of appeals in both the civil and criminal divisions of the Court of Appeal by difficulties in procuring transcripts from the Shorthand Department of the Court; and what steps is he taking to reduce such delays.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is concerned about the length of time taken to obtain transcripts and is exploring, in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, ways to prevent criminal appeals being unduly delayed through this. He will also within the next few days hold discussions with representatives of the shorthand-writers with a view to minimising these delays. While my noble Friend appreciates that the early production of transcripts for civil appeals is also desirable, he is of the opinion that priority must be given to criminal cases.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is now able to make a definitive statement on the question of the illegal practice known as cube cutting.

The police report of their investigation of the allegations has been considered by counsel, who has advised that further essential inquiries should be made. These are proceeding.

asked the Attorney-General what arrangements exist for the hearing of urgent landlord and tenant cases during the long vacation; in how many cases advantage was taken of these arrangements in 1970; and if he will make a statement.

In the county courts, where most landlord and tenant cases are heard, the long vacation does not apply, but the sittings of the judges are normally suspended in August or September. During this time an additional court, presided over by a deputy judge if need be, can be arranged for urgent cases or such cases may be transferred to a neighbouring court where the judge is available. Some cases may, with leave of the judge, be heard by the registrar, where there is no defence, for example, or where the parties consent. Figures are not available of the urgent landlord and tenant cases heard in this way in 1970.In the High Court urgent business may be dealt with by the vacation judge.

asked the Attorney-General what reason was given by Alderman Peter Ross when he informed the Lord Chancellor that he was refusing to adjudicate as a magistrate for the rest of this year and would commence adjudicating in 1972.

Alderman Peter Ross, a Justice of the Peace for Worthing, has not refused to adjudicate as a magistrate for the rest of this year. Alderman Ross was invited by my noble Friend to refrain from sitting in court until the end of this year and he has agreed not to sit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make regular broadcasts on the Government's economic policies.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield from an annual tax on capital holdings in private hands which was levied, above an exemption ceiling of the first £50,000, at a rate of 1 per cent. on the next £50,000 tranche and an extra 1 per cent. on each succeeding £50,000 tranche up to a maximum of 10 per cent.

About £600 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the extent of acceptability and use of the new ½p coin; and if he will make a statement.

The position appears to be satisfactory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes will have to be made in the United Kingdom system of Corporation Tax to bring it into line with Corporation Taxes in the European Economic Community.

The Community has expressed an intention to move towards the harmonisation of the varying forms of corporate taxation in member countries, but has not yet taken specific decisions in this field.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an estimate of the effect on Government finances of rounding-up or rounding-down charges for services administered by or on behalf of the Government as a result of decimalisation.

This Question could be answered only at the cost of disproportionate time and effort but I would expect there to be no significant net change.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to require banks and other bodies to conduct transactions using new halfpennies.

The banks ignore the ½p on cheques but issue and accept the ½p coins in pairs. This follows the former treatment of the old halfpenny and has no bearing on the use of the ½p in ordinary cash shopping. The White Paper "Decimal Currency in the United Kingdom" (Cmnd. 3164), of 12th December, 1966, stated that many organisations, including the banks, would ignore the ½p for accounting purposes; and no provision such as that suggested by the hon. Member was thought necessary in the Decimal Currency Acts, 1967 and 1969.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the relief of purchase tax on knitting wools.

I will keep the suggestion in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations has he received about taxation problems of horticulturalists who have a high income in one year and a small one in subsequent years; and what replies he has given.

My right hon. Friend has received representations about this matter from the National Farmers' Union. He is, of course, considering them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will pay an official visit to the Bank of England.

My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with the Governor and there is no need for any official visit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government's official estimate of a continuing increase in the cost of living of 9 per cent. during the current year takes account of its policy and actions to reduce and control inflation; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government have published no estimate of the increase in the cost of living during the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the lengthy waiting lists of the London teaching hospitals for surgery, he will consider the transfer of a number of such cases to the low bed occupancy hospitals within London.

Hospitals have already been advised to consider such transfers where appropriate; where differences in waiting times occur, it is open to general practitioners to take account of them in referring their patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will seek powers to assist disabled drivers of invalid cars which break down late at night or early in the morning and who are unable to get any breakdown assistance, due to the number of garages that are closed.

My right hon. Friend arranges under existing powers for the repair and servicing of invalid three-wheelers, including breakdown assistance if necessary. Users are told that they may use any garage to cope with an emergency at the Department's expense. The motoring associations and police are usually able to help in cases of difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek powers to exclude dogs from food shops.

Under the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1970, food in shops must be protected against risk of contamination and be placed out of harm's way. The regulations give local authorities adequate powers to deal with any risks resulting from dogs or other possible sources of contamination in food premises. My Department has advised local authorities to encourage food traders to display a notice asking customers not to bring their dogs into the premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to ensure prompt payment of maternity grants during the Post Office strike.

Because of the difficulties caused by the postal strike, local offices of the Department have been authorised to make payment of maternity grant in cases where there is evidence that delay would cause hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide more than one place on the Training Council for Social Work for members of the Residential Child Care Association.

In view of the large number of interests to be represented on the new Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work, it has not been possible to allot more than one place to the Association. The importance of residential social work will, however, be fully recognised by other interests represented on the council, and will be taken into account by Ministers when the seven appointments reserved to them are made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the population ratio per dentist in Oldham at the present time; how this ratio compares with that for other towns in England and Wales with a population of over 100,000; and what proposals he has to redress the balance in the interests of towns that suffer from a shortage of dentists.

Information in the form requested is not readily available, but the ratio of dentists practising in the General Dental Services to population in Oldham is 1:5688 compared with a ratio of 1:5838 for the geographical county of Lancashire (including Oldham) and 1:4495 for England and Wales. We are concerned at the uneven distribution of dentists in the country as a whole and are considering whether there is any means by which we can help to improve the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what services will be available in Bootle General Hospital after the re-organisation of the hospital is completed.

		Substantive increase(hourly rates)	Operative date	Interim increase (hourly rates)	Operative date
Engineering craftsmen	…	1s. 0d.(12 per cent.)	1st September,1969	5d. (4½per cent.)	3rd March, 1970
Electricians	…	1s. 0d.(11 per sent.)	3rd March,1969	5d(4½ per cent.)	3rd March,1970
Building craftsmen	…	9d.(9½ per cent.)	3rd November,1969	4d.(4 per cent.)	3rd March,1970

The interim increases in March, 1970, were agreed pending negotiations between the Health Departments and the trade unions concerned on proposals for a common grading structure for all hospital maintenance staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost in clerical wages and other required administrative expenditures, for the latest period for which information is available in each case, for checking to detect fraudulent claims in applications for rent rebates, rate rebates, free school meals, uniform grants, education maintenance allowances and other means-tested benefits; how many fraudulent

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 10th February, 1971, on the future of Bootle General Hospital. The Liverpool Regional Hospital Board has not made formal proposals.—[Vol. 811, c. 211.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the pay negotiations on behalf of National Health Service hospital craftsmen.

A reply is awaited from one of the groups of unions concerned to proposals for a common pay and grading structure covering the various trades in hospital maintenance departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the date of commencement of the last pay increase for National Health Service hospital craftsmen; and what was the amount in percentage and cash terms.

The last pay increases for craftsmen in the National Health Service were as follows:claims were discovered in each case; and how much was recovered for the Exchequer in regard to each benefit.

On prescription charges, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 23rd February.Information concerning rent and rates rebates is a matter for local authorities. Matters concerning free school meals, uniform grants and education maintenance allowances are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.—[Vol. 812, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will describe the method or methods used in assessing disability; if he will review the procedure to obtain a more accurate assessment; and if he will make a statement.

The procedure depends on the purpose for which the assessment is made. In the case of the Industrial Injuries scheme assessments are made by independent medical authorities, medical boards in the first instance and medical appeal tribunals on appeal, in accordance with the principles laid down in the Industrial Injuries Acts. The system has stood the test of time and I have no reason to believe that a better standard of assessments would be achieved by any other method.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what advice his Department has given to local authorities about the recommendation in the Seebohm Report on the setting-up of research and intelligence units at local level; and if he will make a statement;(2) if and when he intends to implement the recommendation of the Seebohm Report on the setting up of an independent central organisation for research and evaluation as part of the social services, in view of the support by professional bodies of the establishment of such an independent organisation.

The appropriate organisation of research and intelligence for all departments of local authorities is a matter for the authorities themselves to consider. But I expect to issue guidance shortly to local authorities in England on some of the questions likely to arise as their social services departments take shape, and this will refer to the desirability of making provision to evaluate, and of promoting research into, the effectiveness of the departments' work.The Government are in consultation with the local authority associations and other interests concerned about the establishment of an advisory council for the personal social services, one of whose functions would, as the Seebohm Committee recommended, be the promotion of development and research.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the lack of information in the United Kingdom concerning the effectiveness of the facilities and services provided for the physically and mentally handicapped, he will set up an institute to study this problem on the lines of the Swedish Institute for the Handicapped, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Eccles.

In the very different statutory, administrative and other circumstances of this country, I am not satisfied that a separate body of this kind is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake some value analysis studies to show the true economic cost of aiding the disabled.

The general objective in aiding the disabled is to enable them to lead as full lives as possible. We are studying the feasibility of an operational research approach including economic analysis which might in due course assist in the rational allocation of resources for this and other groups.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of persons that have died from cancer for each year since 1960 to the most convenient date; and how many of these were under 21 years of age.

Figures for England and Wales are as follows:

DEATHS FROM CANCER*
Year	All Ages	Under 20 years
1960	98,788	1,028
1961	99,915	1,031
1962	101,608	1,045
1963	102,416	1,087
1964	104,698	1,054
1965	106,338	1,145
1966	108,158	1,092
1967	110,072	1,088
1968	112,551	1,041
1969	114,704	1,027
*Cancer=Malignant neoplasms, including neoplasms of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissues (ICD (7th) 140–205 for 1960 to 1967; ICD (8th) 140–209 for 1968 and 1969).
Note: Figures for ages under 21 are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an assurance that there will he no withdrawal, curtailment or regrouping of maternity and casualty services in West Cornwall pending the announcement date of the implementation of the final development stage of the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro.

No, but I can give an assurance that no controversial proposal for a significant cessation of or change in maternity or casualty services in the area will be implemented unless proper local consultations have been undertaken on the proposal, and on the alternative arrangements envisaged in it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will recommend a standard form by which a person may express the wish that his kidneys should be removed for transplant in the event of his death.

I have not recommended the use of such a form; it is not called for by the legal provisions which govern such bequests.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will enable regular financial help from the National Society of Cancer Relief of up to £1·50 weekly to be disregarded in assessments of supplementary benefit payable to cancer victims in receipt of this help.

Up to £1 a week of miscellaneous income, including regular payments from charities, can be disregarded in the assessment of supplementary benefit. We have at present no proposals for increasing this statutory amount. But the Supplementary Benefits Commission uses its discretionary powers to ignore additional charitable payments where these are made for specific purposes not covered by the supplementary benefit scale rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the vita- min preparation to be introduced for preschool children, which is to be given to them in the form of liquid drops, will only be administered by competent staffs in clinics, or whether it is to be made freely available to all mothers of pre-school children for use under uncontrolled conditions.

The new vitamin drops, which mix readily with milk, fruit juice or other liquid foods or can be given directly from a spoon, will be supplied in a bottle complete with a special dispenser and with simple instructions and there is no need to require administration by clinic staff. Drop preparations are already widely marketed for administration by parents.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for doctors to be supplied with official pre-paid envelopes for issue to those pensioners who require regularly to renew prescriptions without recourse to further medical consultation.

No: this is neither necessary nor desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has completed his review of the staffing needs of Doncaster Royal Infirmary; and what changes he proposes to enable the sixty beds unused since April, 1970, to be made available for National Health Service patients.

The staffing needs of this hospital are still under review. The number of beds closed at present is 44.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases, in each of the last ten years, supplementary benefit has been given to retirement pensioners and other persons to help them with telephone bills; in how many cases it has been refused; and what proposals he has for increasing help in this regard.

I regret the figures requested are not available. It is known however that over the last 18 months the number of new cases in which the Supplementary Benefits Commission (in Great Britain) has helped with the installation or rental (or both) of a telephone has been about 140. Not all the people helped were retirement pensioners. The Commission has no proposals for increasing the extent of help with telephones under the supplementary benefits scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now make a statement on his policy regarding supplementary benefit for retirement pensioners who find difficulties in paying their television licences.

It is the Government's policy to provide supplementary pensioners with a level of income which allows a margin for amenities, to be spent as the individual pensioner chooses on such things as television licences.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many fires have occurred in hospitals during the last five years; how many occurred at mental hospitals and how many at general hospitals; whether, as a result of inquiries which took place following the fires, he is satisfied that everything possible has been done in these hospitals and in all others to eliminate all risk, including possible smoking by patients; and if he will make a statement.

The statistics that are available for the whole of this period show that between 600 and 700 outbreaks of fire have occurred annually in National Health Service hospitals, private hospitals, nursing homes etc. Many of these caused only minor damage.For the last two years specific information has been available about fires in National Health Service hospitals causing casualties, disturbance to patients or significant damage to property. In the 12 months commencing March, 1969, 123 such fires occurred and in the last 12 months 103 have so far been reported. Of these totals 26 and 24 respectively occurred in hospitals for the mentally ill and mentally subnormal. All reports are carefully studied and action taken to remedy any deficiencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much cheese and butter, respectively, were imported into the United Kingdom from New Zealand in 1970.

65,000 tons and 156,000 tons respectively. The figures are published in the Overseas Trade Statistics for December, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the report of the Crowther Committee on consumer credit.

I cannot add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bethnal Green (Mr. Hilton) on 1st February.—[Vol. 810, c. 244.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will arrange to display in the Upper Waiting Hall models of the third London airport sites short-listed by the Roskill Commission.

An exhibition is taking place until 5th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which ways the Simonstown Agreement has been renegotiated since the departure of South Africa from the Commonwealth in 1961.

South Africa's departure from the Commonwealth has not affected the Simonstown Agreements. Following discussions in 1967 between the Governments of the United Kingdom and South Africa it was agreed that the Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic and his staff should be withdrawn from South Africa, and the arrangement whereby a Royal Naval frigate was based at Simonstown, terminated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the rise in the cost of food in each European Economic Community country in 1970, taking the year 1966 as a base year.

The figures for the first 11 months of 1970 are as follows:

PERCENTAGE RISE IN FOOD PRICES IN E.E.C. COUNTRIES IN 1970
	1966 Base	1969	1970 January—November inclusive
Belgium	100	109·1	112·9
France	100	111·4	118·1
Germany	100	100·0	102·7
Italy	100	105·0	109·4
Netherlands	100	110·2	115·1
Luxembourg	100	108·4	114·2

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom is discussing the problems posed by the European Economic Community's common fishing policy with the other applicant countries.

Her Majesty's Government take a close interest in the attitudes of the other applicant countries to the Common Fisheries policy of the Community. We are in contact with them on matters of common interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Norwegian Government continues to reserve its position on the common fishing policy of the European Economic Community.

I cannot, of course, answer for the Norwegian Government but we are in contact with them on matters of mutual interest arising from the Community's common fisheries policy and understand that they continue to reserve their position on this policy, as do Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take steps to raise to 65 years the retirement age of members of the Diplomatic Corps.

No. The normal retiring age of 60 is that best suited to the particular needs of the Diplomatic Service at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the division between countries of the total Government expenditure on overseas aid in each of the years 1969–70 to 1974–75, inclusive, as shown in Table 2·3 of Command Paper No. 4578, Public Expenditure 1969–70 to 1974–75.

No. It would not be practicable to give precise forecasts of expenditure in individual recipient countries. Parliament is informed when individual agreements have been negotiated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the action being taken by Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations Organisation on the report issued on the 24th February, 1971 of the investigating group appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Commission into the forced removal of Africans from lands in Rhodesia and Namibia.

The Report is now being considered by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. It is long and detailed and was received in London only yesterday. We are studying its contents carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will refer to the Central Policy Review Body for investigation the relationship between housing shortages and social problems.

The need to eliminate housing shortages as a cause of human unhappiness is self-evident and accepted. The Government's policies are already directed towards the more speedy ending of those shortages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cases of illegal eviction by landlords occurred in Leicester in each of the years from 1964 to 1970.

Illegal eviction became a criminal offence in December, 1964. There were no prosecutions in Leicester in 1965. In 1966, three persons were prosecuted on four charges of illegal eviction and all were convicted. In 1967, five persons were prosecuted on seven charges; two persons were convicted on three charges. There were no prosecutions in 1968 or 1969. Figures for 1970 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to correct the discrepancy between council and private landlords, whereby, after modernisation of their properties, the fair rent for private landlords has to be phased over five years; while council landlords are permitted an immediate 12½ per cent. increase in rent.

I will bear in mind the considerations referred to by my hon. Friend in my plans for the reform of housing finance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to raise the amount in Section 37(4) of the Housing Act, 1969, from £100 to £300 per dwelling, so that local authorities can expedite all the provisions of the Act concerning improvement areas;(2) if he will provide further grant for local authorities who have to resite industrial premises from improvement areas.

I have no proposals at present for increasing the Government contribution to environmental improvement in General Improvement Areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to increase the number of items in the list of standard grants by including, for example, replacement of obsolete and dangerous fittings such as gas geysers, replacement of perished or non-existent damp courses, roof repairs, and faulty electrical wiring.

The purpose of standard grants is to encourage the provision of certain well-defined basic amenities in houses which lack these facilities. Discretionary grants are available for more comprehensive schemes of conversion or improvement and for any necessary repairs and replacements carried out at the same time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the value of public sector construction projects which have so far reached the design stage in metric dimensions; how much of that work represents projects designed by his Department; and how much by local authorities.

The total value is £2,600 million, of which £698 million represents projects designed by Department and £1,406 million those designed by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of council houses without tenants in the whole of Yorkshire, including all towns and cities.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of the forward programmes of slum clearance

				Estimated number of houses to be represented in clearance areas			Estimated number of houses expected to be cleared or closed under Parts II and III of the Housing Act 1957
				1971	1972	1973	1971	1972	1973
Greater London Council	…	…	…	—	—	—	2,400	2,400	2,400
Barking	…	…	…	231	101	—	300	240	100
Barnet	…	…	…	42	—	—	94	93	63
Bexley	…	…	…	76	75	75	100	96	95
Brent	…	…	…	12	12	12	94	30	144
Bromley	…	…	…	40	32	60	235 approximately
Camden	…	…	…	67	5	10	96	125	21
Croydon	…	…	…	—	—	—	20	20	20
Ealing	…	…	…	48	52	80	58	62	90
Enfield	…	…	…	—	—	115	169 approximately
Greenwich	…	…	…	150	94	50	255	147	180
Hackney	…	…	…	Possible action on 1,226 houses			Not available
Hammersmith	…	…	…	—	—	—	59	—	—
Haringey	…	…	…	659	412	—	815	415	451
Harrow	…	…	…	—	—	—	12	12	12
Havering	…	…	…	—	—	—	20	20	20
Hillingdon	…	…	…	—	—	—	6	6	6
Hounslow	…	…	…	Possible action to be taken on approximately 600 houses
Islington	…	…	…	248	248	248	272	272	272
Kensington and Chelsea	…	…	…	—	—		69	70	52
Kingston-upon-Thames	…	…	…	9	—	60	50	5	5
Lambeth	…	…	…	244	219	232	383	506	598
Lewisham	…	…	…	76	68	82	406	238	162
Merton	…	…	…	185	41	58	166	128	112
Newham	…	…	…	1,160	1,160	1,160	1,160	1,160	1,160
(provisional figures only)
Redbridge	…	…	…	11	13	42	45	32	2
Richmond-upon-Thames	…	…	…	—	—	—	40	40	40
Southwark	…	…	…	800	800	800	1,260 approximately
Sutton	…	…	…	22	—	—	52	22	—
Tower Hamlets	…	…	…	717	652	703	298	239	358
Waltham Forest	…	…	…	100	63	70	87	169	100
Wandsworth	…	…	…	67	100	49	136	117	82
Westminster	…	…	…	122	137	124	82	150	122

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a Schedule of derelict land sites in Walsall he proposes will be developed; and by what time scale in accordance with his proposals for improving the environment of the Black Country.

It is for the county borough council to initiate proposals. They have put to my right hon. Friend outline proposals for the reclamation of three derelict sites covering 44 representations and slum clearance which he has received from the Greater London Council and respective London boroughs for each of the years 1971 to 1975.

Forward programmes as requested in Circular 92/69 do not extend beyond the calendar year 1973. The following is the available information for the three years 1971–73.acres at an estimated cost of £108,000. The council have still to work out detailed schemes and timing. I will with permission circulate a list of the schemes in the OFFICIAL REPORT.The information is as follows:

Site	Area(acres)	Estimated Cost £
Clarkes Lane Gasworks	9·2	88,000
Bentley Canal	22·2	14,000
Land near Willenhall Lawn Cemetery	13·0	6,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the regions of the countries of the European Economic Community which come under Article 92 of the Treaty of Rome.

The regions which come under Article 92(3) of the Treaty of Rome have not been defined.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the list of environmental development projects covered by his proposals for improving the environment of the Black Country includes the provision of playing fields for the Bentley Estate in Walsall.

Loan sanction for levelling and draining the Bentley West Playing Fields was issued in June, 1970.

asked the Secretary of tate for the Environment what are the types of motorway safety barrier currently in service on British motorways; and to what relative angle and speed of impact has each been tested by a manned vehicle in the course of trials sponsored by his department.

With the exceptions of a short length of the M1 (18 miles) and at bridges and embankments which are equipped with barriers of the blocked-out beam system and part of M62 which is equipped with the wire rope type of safety fence, all installations on British motorways are of the tensioned beam type.Testing has been undertaken by the Road Research Laboratory with a manned vehicle. In the early days of the research into the blocked-out beam system a 3,000 lb. manned vehicle was crashed at 30 m.p.h. at an angle of 20

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount of money was spent in total on improving the road structure in the Northern Region in the five years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

£137·5 million was spent in the five years 1965–66 to 1969–70 on road construction in the Northern Region of which £128·5 million was spent on motorways, trunk and principal roads. These figures exclude the cost of land.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that any inquiry into the new proposed route for the M11 will take into consideration the needs for East Anglia as a whole, as well as the need to preserve the amenities of Cambridge.

Decisions to proceed with this road, and other new roads in the area, will take fully into account the needs of East Anglia as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in consideration of the application for the siting of a grain mill at Seaforth New Docks he will take account of the fact that it may not be now necessary in view of the announcement made by Unilever and its associate companies on 18th February, 1971.

The application for planning permission was received on 8th December and consideration of it was completed on 23rd December. It was decided to leave the local planning authority free to decide the application themselves and they gave planning permission on 20th January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to extend the installation of overhead lighting on motorways.

Yes. In cases where I am satisfied that there is a special need.