asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of changes in retail food prices for the month prior to 15th February and the month following.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of changes in retail food prices for each of the periods of five weeks preceding and following 15th February.

Between 19th January and 16th February, the Index of Retail Food Prices rose by 0·4 per cent. Information for the following four-week period is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the increase in the cost of living in relation to food in the first two months of 1971.

The Index of Retail Food Prices rose by 2·4 per cent. between 15th December, 1970 and 16th February, 1971.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many invitations he has received to address consumers' associations about the introduction of import food levies.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage increase in food prices would take place, should the price of food as existing at present in European Economic Community countries be introduced in the United Kingdom.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 27th November and to my reply to the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Oram) on 2nd December.—[Vol. 807, c. 225, 418–20.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has assessed the benefits to food manufacturers of the progressive removal of tariff barriers within a Community of Ten.

Our food manufacturers should gain by the removal of tariff barriers since duties on manufactured foods are in general higher in the other countries than in ours.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the British fishing industry about the effect on the industry should Great Britain join the European Economic Community.

I and my officials continue to be in regular contact with the fishing industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has had from representatives of the inshore fishing industry about the effect of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community.

I have recently received a memorandum from the Fisheries Organisation Society which represents inshore fishermen in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has studied the official representations of the United States Government on the consequences of the proposed increases in the European Economic Community farm prices for 1971–72; and to what extent this assessment coincides with his own.

Representations by the United States Government to the European Economic Community are a matter for the two parties concerned and not for the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will invite the Ford Motor Company to hold discussions with him on the provision of tractor safety cabs.

This company was represented at the discussions to which I referred in replying to my hon. Friend on 2nd March. Since there has been no subsequent change in the situation, I do not think further discussions would be useful.—[Vol. 812, c. 382–3.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to announce the membership of the proposed committee of inquiry into the veterinary profession.

The Government have decided to go ahead with the proposal to establish a Committee of Inquiry into the veterinary profession and my right hon. Friends and I are very glad that Professor Swann, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, has agreed to take the chair.The following are the members: Professor M. M. Swann, LL.D., F.R.S. (Chairman); Professor R. C. Curran, M.D., F.R.S.E.; Mr. Austen Laing; Dr. J. T. Owen, M.B., B.S.: Mr. J. H. Parsons, M.R.C.V.S.; Mr. J. Reid, C.B., M.R.C.V.S., D.V.S.M.; Professor Sir Alexander Robertson, C.B.E., M.A., B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.C.V.S., F.R.S.H., F.R.I.C., F.R.S.E.; Mr. W. B. Singleton, M.R.C.V.S.Two additional members will be appointed shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the progress of the move to voluntary accreditation against brucellosis.

Progress has been very good. The Incentives Scheme has attracted over 15,000 new applications in eight months; and the substantial increase in incentive premiums, announced last week, should give still further nationwide encouragement to voluntary accreditation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now increase the eradication of brucellosis incentive for eligible cows and consider extending the scheme to cows which are not presently eligible.

Substantial increases in the brucellosis incentives were announced last week and take effect from 1st April, 1971. In general the incentives apply only where a Milk Marketing Board payment is made on milk or where the Hill or Beef Cow Subsidy is payable on the animals concerned.Special arrangements have been made for producer retailers and for certain dairy herds in outlying areas of Scotland; and the new rules to be introduced for the beef cow subsidy will mean that more cows are eligible for the incentives. Any further special arrangements would either make for difficulty with mixed herds or involve disproportionate administrative costs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from the National Farmers Union on the question of marketing of British farm products; and if he will make a statement.

In recent months the Union has been in touch with my Department about a number of aspects of marketing. They will no doubt be making further representations in due course about the marketing of farm products generally. I do not think any further statement would be appropriate at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food how the price of milk paid to the dairy farmer for 1971 compares with the prices paid in the years 1964 to 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage milk farmers' takings will increase as a result of the 1971 Price Review; and in what previous year a similar percentage increase was granted.

The net average price paid to wholesale milk producers in the United Kingdom is forecast to be 1·3p a gallon higher in 1970–71 than in 1969–70. Over the period 1964–65 to 1969–70 it increased by 0·8p a gallon.As a result of the increase in the guaranteed price for milk for 1971–72 and after allowing for a fall in the standard quantity, the net average price paid to wholesale milk producers in 1971–72 is estimated to rise by a further 1·1p a gallon. There will also be some additional benefit from an expected increase in the price which the Milk Marketing Boards receive for milk for manufacture.The net average price paid to wholesale producers in the United Kingdom was:

	per gallon
Year ending 30th March, 1964–65	15·6
Year ending 30th March, 1965–66	15·7
Year ending 30th March, 1966–67	16·2
Year ending 30th March, 1967–68	16·4
Year ending 30th March, 1968–69	16·5
Year ending 30th March, 1969–70	16·4
Year ending 30th March, 1970–71 (estimate)	17·7

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will institute a campaign to increase the consumption of home-produced fresh fruit and vegetables.

No. My right hon. Friend and I would be glad to see a campaign of this kind, but it is a matter for those in the horticultural industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that liquid milk supplies will be adequate in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

I expect liquid milk supplies to be fully adequate for demand this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the fall in returns to growers of brussels sprouts this autumn and winter has been due to general farmers using them as a break crop; and if he will consider using the services of the National Agricultural Advisory Service to discourage this trend.

There are many factors which can influence the selling price of brussels sprouts and hence growers' returns. The crop's increased popularity as a break crop is no doubt one. In giving advice to growers, advisory officers draw attention to production and marketing possibilities and dangers; but it is for each individual grower to decide what crops he will grow.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of how many acres of brussels sprouts were deliberately destroyed in the 1970–71 season.

This year's crop of brussels sprouts is a record one and there has been some ploughing-in in a few areas. But picking is still going on and a firm assessment of overall wastage cannot be made until after the season is over.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he hopes to be able to make a statement on the withdrawal of the Fishing Vessels (Acquisition and Improvement) (Grants) (Amendment) Scheme, 1970.

I hope to make a statement on this Scheme very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for grant and loan facilities have been received from inshore fishermen since 27th October, 1970 by the White Fish Authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many applications for assistance under the Fishing Vessels (Acquisition and Improvement) (Grants) Schemes have been approved by the White Fish Authority since 27th October, 1970;(2) how many fishing vessels were approved for grant and loan assistance by the White Fish Authority for each of the first nine months of 1970.

I am informed by the Authority that from 27th October up to mid-March they received some 325 applications from inshore fishermen, and approved 275 applications, which would be of earlier date, from all sectors. Following are the detailed figures of approvals in earlier months:

GRANT AND LOAN ASSISTANCE FOR FISHING VESSELS APPROVED BY THE WHITE FLSH AUTHORITY IN FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1970
	Grants		Loans (Inshore vessels only)
	New Vessels	Improvements	New Vessels	Improvements
January	9	169	3	3
February	6	142	4	3
March	5	97	2	2
April	11	109	7	—
May	7	136	4	4
June	13	135	8	2
July	9	129	3	—
August	4	92	3	1
September	7	138	4	3

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of how many tons of potatoes were deliberately made unsuitable for human consumption in the 1970–71 season.

About 500,000 tons of surplus potatoes have so far been removed from the market and sold for stockfeed under a market support buying programme financed jointly by the Government and the Potato Marketing Board. The potatoes are dyed before sale.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the efficacy and estimated cost of the Potato Marketing Board's support-buying campaign.

The support buying programme in Great Britain this season has achieved its initial purpose of placing the record surplus under control. The cost of the programme is currently estimated at about £12½ million, and will be shared between the Government and the Potato Marketing Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase in the total acreage of trees planted he anticipates in the current year over last year, giving the percentages planted by private forestry enterprises and the Forestry Commission, respectively.

In the year ended 31st March, 1970, the total area of new planting in England was about 13,200 acres of which 44 per cent. was planted by the Forestry Commission and 56 per cent. by private interests. The returns for the year ended 31st March, 1971, are not complete but it is estimated that the results are likely to be roughly of the same order.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why purchases of plant machinery and vehicles by farmers in the East Midlands area fell by 10 per cent. in the year 1969–70.

I am not aware of any published estimate that indicates a decline of this order, but such decline as there has been is no doubt due to the reduction in farmers' financial resources to which two years' bad weather in the East Midlands have contributed substantially.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) why average net farm incomes in the East Midlands area fell by 40·3 per cent. over the two years 1968–69 and 1969–70;(2) why average net farm incomes in the East Midlands area fell by 18 per cent. in 1969–70 compared with the previous year.

Average incomes in the East Midlands were depressed by very poor weather both in 1968–69, when other areas also experienced a setback, and again in 1969–70 when incomes on similar farms elsewhere largely recovered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why it was necessary for six members of the Meat and Livestock Commission to attend a meeting of the European Association of Animal Production in Budapest in August; and what was the cost of this journey.

This is entirely a domestic matter for the Meat and Livestock Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution will be made by the Government to the Greater London Council towards the cost of the proposed works for the protection of London from tidal flooding.

Grant at a special flat rate of 65 per cent. will be paid towards the approved costs to the Greater London Council of the proposed Barrier, of the associated permanent raising of the river walls downstream of the Barrier, and of the raising of the walls of the Thames in London as an interim measure of protection.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the lambing percentage among sheep eligible for the hill sheep subsidy;(2) what variation there is in lambing percentages in counties in England and Wales where sheep are eligible for hill sheep subsidy; and if he will make a statement.

Information about lambing rates among hill sheep eligible for subsidy could not be made available either nationally or by counties without a disproportionate amount of time and expense.Because of the widely differing conditions existing in the hills, notably altitude and weather, lambing rates vary enormously. In sheltered areas the lambing rate can be well over 100 per cent., whereas in those which are exposed a rate as low as 60 per cent. is not uncommon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest forecast for aggregate farming net income for 1970–71, represented as a percentage of farming net income for 1964–65 at constant prices.

The purchasing power of aggregate farming net income as forecast for 1970–71 is estimated to he some 92 per cent. of the figure for 1964–65, using the Consumer Price Index as the means of adjustment to constant money values.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing the real net income per farm for each of the years from 1963–64.

Accounts collected for about 2,500 farms annually in England and Wales gives information for successive parts of years. When adjusted to 1963–64 prices by changes in the Consumer Price Index, the figures for average net income for full-time farms (275–4199 standard man-days: all types excluding horticulture) are:

	£ per farm
1963–64	1,491
1964–65	1,798
1964–65	1,825
1965–66	1,710
1965–66	1,699
1966–67	1,540
1966–67	1,547
1967–68	1,767
1967–68	1,934
1968–69	1,552
1968–69	1,582
1969–70	1,647

These figures must be treated with caution because of the changes in the sample from year to year and changes of concept within the period. There is, for example, a large difference between the two figures for 1967–68. This is due to change in the assessments of standard man-day equivalents made in 1968.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if costs relating to milk outside the standdard quantity and eggs sold other than through packing stations were included in the total figure of cost increases in all the Annual Farm Price Reviews up to and including that for March, 1970.

The calculation of the total figures of cost changes on produce to which the guaranteed prices applied did, I understand, include—when standard quantities were in operation—some cost changes which related to production of milk and eggs outside the standard quantity. The basis of calculation was altered this year to bring it in line with the provisions of Section 3 of the Agriculture Act, 1957.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why his Department's decision to increase by £85 million over last year, the Farm Price Review to £138 million, taking account of the £54 million in the emergency review of last October, was given to the Press for publication on Monday, 15th March, before an announcement to the House of Commons; and whether he will take action to prevent this practice in the future.

The Annual Review procedures have always lent themselves to speculation—both ill-informed and well-informed. I am confident that there was no premature disclosure of information to the Press by my Department. But I can assure the hon. Member that in considering changes in the present procedures as we move to a levy system I will see what can be done to minimise the risk of the premature disclosure of information which causes embarrassment to the House and, indeed, to myself.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the National Farmers' Union have agreed with the new basis of calculation of costs in the 1971 Annual Review.

The Farmers' Unions have agreed that the calculation of costs on produce to which the guarantee prices apply made for the purposes of the 1971 Annual Review has been carried out in complete accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1957.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reasons the National Farmers' Unions have given him for their not agreeing with the 1971 Annual Review.

The reason given by the National Farmers' Union was that in their opinion, the determinations failed to provide the necessary resources to enable the industry to expand on the scale required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the method of computation of costs for the 1971 Annual Price Review on a strictly statutory basis differs from the practice adopted in previous reviews.

At this Review, costs changes have been calculated in respect of the produce to which the guaranteed prices apply in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1957. This has meant that, in arriving at the total figure, costs changes in respect of milk and eggs have related to the standard quantitites only. At previous Reviews, the assessments of cost changes in respect of feedingstuffs for milk and eggs and transport costs for milk included amounts relating to produce outside the standard quantities in the years when these were in operation. All other cost changes were correctly calculated in respect of the standard quantities only.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the figure of increased costs in the 1971 Annual Review comparable with the figure of £60 million increased costs shown in paragraph 16 of the 1970 Annual Review.

The calculation of cost changes in respect of products to which the guaranteed prices apply has been made this year in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1957. I see no useful purpose in attempting to recalculate this year's costs on the basis used at the 1970 Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultations he has had with the National Farmers' Union on the future method of financing the Agricultural Training Board;(2) what consultation he has had with the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers about the future of the Agricultural Training Board, in the light of his decision to end the present system of support for agriculture.

There has been no need for any such consultations. These matters are already subject to review, and any consultations would be undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment at the appropriate time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to encourage traders to adopt the Meat and Livestock Commission's meat labelling scheme.

This is the Commission's scheme and it is their task to persuade traders to adopt it. Anything which gives the housewife better information about what she is buying is useful.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he estimates the further increase in the farm review of £84 million beginning on 1st April, 1971, will, in addition to the £54 million review last October, increase the price of stated foodstuffs and the cost of living.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Kinsey) and the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins). The effect on the General Index of Retail Prices will be under a quarter of one per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect on consumption per head of milk of the increased consumer price announced in the 1971 Annual Review.

The increase in the retail price of milk at the beginning of July, taken in isolation, might result in a reduction in consumption—provisionally estimated for 1970 at 240.· pints per head per annum—of rather less than one pint per head in 1971. A number of other important factors, however, such as changes in real incomes, consumer preference and the use of substitutes also influence liquid milk consumption.

asked the Attorney-General why Alderman Peter Ross, a Justice of the Peace for Worthing, was invited to refrain from sitting in court until the end of this year; and whether this reason will prevent him from sitting in 1972.

Alderman Peter Ross, a Justice of the Peace for Worthing, was invited by my noble Friend to refrain from sitting on the bench during 1971 because of a statement which he made in December, 1970, at the time of the electricity workers' work to rule. In the course of his statement Alderman Ross said: "I am going to deduct money from my bill because I think it is a loss of amenity. And I shall sit in court and judge myself". This statement attracted considerable publicity and Alderman Ross's dismissal was requested by the Worthing Trades Council.In reply to my noble Friend's inquiries, Alderman Ross frankly admitted that he had made these remarks for which he apologised, recognising that they were incompatible with his position as a magistrate. Alderman Ross retracted his remarks unreservedly and issued a statement to this effect which has been published in the

asked the Attorney-General if he will give the names of the Government's legal advisers in the United States of America.

No.

asked the Attorney-General (1) if he will now publish the results of his inquiries into the bartering of drugs between Great Britain and the United States of America;(2) what further inquiries he is now making into cases of illegal supplying and possession of drugs.

The police are constantly investigating alleged drug offences. Where evidence is obtained which discloses the illegal importation, possession, supply or procurement of drugs the appropriate proceedings are instituted.

asked the Attorney-General whether, as children can have sexual intercourse at 16 years of age, remain the responsibility of their parents till 18 years of age, have their incomes aggregated with their parents' till 21 years of age, and as their higher education remains a parental charge, even if they are married, under the age of 25, he will introduce legislation to delineate clearly when a parent's responsibility ends.

It is correct that the present law permits different age limits in differing circumstances. But if my hon. Friend is proposing that there should be a single age at which full capacity and independence begins for all purposes, I would not agree that that would be in the interest of children or parents.

asked the Attorney-General what was the cost to public funds of the prosecution and defence of Nigel Strange at York Assizes.

The costs of the prosecution were £440; the costs of the defence are not yet known.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the Government's attitude with regard to the Ormrod Report on legal education.

The Ormrod Report has only just been published, and it raises questions for the legal profession and the universities and polytechnics as much as for the Government. Any statement would be premature until my noble and learned Friend has been able to consider the report in consultation with the various independent bodies concerned, which he is now in course of doing. However, I am glad to have an opportunity, on the Government's behalf, to thank Mr. Justice Ormrod and his colleagues for this excellent report, which lays down the general lines on which legal education can develop for many years ahead.

asked the Attorney-General if he will institute proceedings against Electronics (Croydon) Limited and John Barnaby of 1124, Whitgift Centre, Croydon, for selling hearing aids in contravention to the Hearing Aid Council Act, 1968, which makes it an offence to sell aids without being registered.

I understand that the local police investigated an alleged breach of the Act by this company, and decided that criminal proceedings should not be instituted. No evidence has been placed before me which would justify a prosecution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the lowest and highest hourly rates paid to women cleaners employed by cleaning contractors in offices of the Inland Revenue.

The information is not available; contracts are based on a price for the services and not on the cleaners' rates of pay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what annual amount is raised through direct taxation, through indirect taxation, through contributions to the National Insurance Fund, and through user charges accruing to the Treasury, all broken down under their main headings, at the latest available date; and what percentage these amounts represent of the total figure accruing to the Treasury.

Figures for 1969–70 are as follows:

	£ million	As a percentage of total central government receipts on current account
Direct taxation(taxeson income):
Income tax	4,905	30·0
Surtax	255	1·6
Corporation tax	1,483	9·0
less Overspill relief	-3·7	-0·2
Total	6,606	40·4
Indirect taxation (taxes on expenditure):
Beer	450	2·8
Wines and spirits	413	2·5
Tobacco	1,141	7·0
Hydrocarbon oils	1,309	8·0
Protective duties	226	1·1
Purchase tax	1,166	7·1
Motor vehicle licence duties	424	2·6
Selective employment tax	840	5·1
Stamp duties	121	0·7
Other taxes	210	1·3
Total	6,300	38·5
National insurance contributions:
Employers' contributions	1,090	6·7
Contributions by insured persons*	997	6·1
Total	2,087	12·8
Charges†:
Defence Budget	194	1·2
Health and Welfare	93	0·5
Other programmes	44	0·3
Total	331	20
* Including payments inlieu ofgraduated contributions.
† Deducted from expenditure and not included in total receipts.

These figures are defined as in the national income and expenditure accounts, which are described in "National Accounts Statistics: Sources and Methods".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will call a joint meeting of the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress, at which he will preside, to discuss the latest unemployment figures and the problems caused by the recent collapse of a number of companies.

No. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have recently had meetings with both the C.B.I. and the T.U.C. and there will be a full discussion of the economic situation at the meeting of the National Economic Development Council on 7th April in the light of the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why it has always been held by the Treasury that a concession on import duty or purchase tax for sales in this country in aid of a charity could not be justified; and if he will review the general practice on concessions of this nature.

In general, goods sold in aid of charities compete with goods sold through normal commercial channels. A concession on import duty or purchase tax would therefore involve discrimination against traders in this country who have to bear duty or tax on similar goods. I see no case for a review of the established practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far the expenditure of the Northern Ireland Government is met from the proceeds of taxation on the inhabitants of Northern Ireland, and how far this has to be supplemented.

The Northern Ireland budget estimated expenditure from the Northern Ireland Exchequer at £372 million in 1970–71. Of this, £340 million was estimated to be met by revenue raised by the Northern Ireland Government or out of the Residuary Share of reserved taxes attributed to Northern Ireland by the Joint Exchequer Board. The remainder was to be covered by payments under the Social Services Agreement, the Agriculture Act, 1957, and the Finance Act, 1967 from the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest available figure for uninsured losses caused by fire damage to Government property.

Losses of Government property, which is not normally commercially insured, are recorded in appropriation accounts, but the classification does not distinguish as a separate category all those due to fire and does not include repairable damage. Of the larger cases reported in detail in the 1969–70 Accounts, £276,005 was attributed to fire. Fuller information could only be obtained at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ensure that the Pay As You Earn coding of new members of the Ulster Defence Regiment is adjusted not to take account of anticipated earnings arising from membership of the regiment until the training period is completed.

I am not clear in what respect my hon. Friend considers that the arrangements described in the reply I gave him on 5th February are unsatisfactory, and perhaps he will write to me.—[Vol. 810, c. 487.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, to ensure that the confidences of young men and women are respected by physicians, he will introduce legislation to amend the medical Acts so that no decision of the General Medical Council shall be permitted to affect the present powers of the Chancery Court to restrain breaches of confidence.

No. The position already is that a decision made by the Disciplinary Committee of the General Medical Council cannot affect the powers of the court to restrain breaches of confidence.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons were given temporary accommodation in the London Borough of Lambeth as a result of being homeless in the years 1967 to 1970, inclusive.

The figures are given below:

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
Year	Persons admitted to temporary accommodation
1967	1,001
1968	1,072
1969	1,266
1970	1,213

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of average earnings in manufacturing industry a widow's pension represents, respectively, for a widow with no children, one child, three children, and five children, widowed at age 40 and age 50 years.

The information requested is as follows:

	Weekly benefit payable at standard rate	Benefit as percentage of gross average earnings {October, 1970) in manufacturing industries
Woman widowed at 40 with no children	£1·50*	5·2
Woman widowed at 50 with no children	£5·00	17·3
Widow with one child†	£7·45	25·8
Widow with three children†	£10·45	36·1
Widow with five children†	£13·35	46·2
* Applicable from 5th April, 1971 only.
† Widow's age is not a condition of entitlement for widowed mother's allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the saving to the National Health Service of bulk purchase from overseas of ampicillin for use by hospitals as a service of the Crown.

I regret that I do not have this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has studied the report, a copy of which has been sent to him, of the speech by the President of the National Union of Teachers in Portsmouth in which he referred to children deprived of cultural and environmental stimulation, affection and understanding, food, clothing and adequate accommodation; and whether he will initiate an inquiry into poverty in Portsmouth.

I have read Press reports of the speech, which illustrated extremes of parental neglect—not necessarily or always connected with poverty. Where family poverty is a contributory cause I hope that the Family Income Supplement will help. The social causes of parental neglect are a matter for the local authority social services committees.The Portsmouth City Council, I understand, have under review the local needs to which the speech referred. No useful purpose would be served by my initiating an inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what percentage of retired householders in the Greater London area live in conditions colder than the minimum recommended for factories;(2) what percentage of retired householders in the inner London area live in conditions colder than the minimum recommended for factories.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will initiate an inquiry into the extent and consequences of inadequate heating for the retired population of London so as to enable agencies responsible for the care of the elderly to take the requisite action.

My Department has already drawn the attention of those concerned to the precautionary measures that can be taken locally to deal with problems caused by inadequate heating, and any inquiries are for each local authority to undertake.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many persons in the inner London area are suffering from hypothermia;(2) how many retired persons in Hackney are suffering from hypothermia.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the level of income below which a family with two children aged 11 and 15 years, and a family with three children aged 4, 11 and 15 years, is exempt from charges for ophthalmic services, dental services, welfare milk, prescription charges and school meals, respectively.

School meals are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. The levels of income below which families qualify for full remission of the other charges mentioned depend on individual circumstances including rent and special needs. The figures below are therefore based on stated assumptions:

GROSS INCOME LEVEL (I.E. BEFORE DEDUCTIONS FOF INCOME TAX AND NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS) INCLUDING FAMILY ALLOWANCE
	Two·child family, children aged 11 and 15	Three·child family, children aged 4,11 and 15
Opthalmic and dental	£23·05	£24·40
Welfare milk	Not applicable	£24·15
Prescriptions	£21·55	£22·85

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the increased charges for ophthalmic services, he will now extend the provision of lenses under the National Health Service to children, normally ex-exempt, who choose privately manufactured frames.

No. This would in any case require legislation. I am however considering a possible addition to the range of children's standard frames.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice is given to women, attending family planning clinics, as to the possible ill effects of the contraceptive pill.

It is for the doctor prescribing the oral contraceptive to give the patient any advice which he considers necessary on possible ill effects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will convene a meeting of regional economic councils in the near future and arrange to take the chair.

My right hon. Friend and I are in the course of holding meetings with each of the English regional economic planning councils. We plan to continue with such meetings and in addition my right hon. Friend will shortly be holding another of his periodical meetings with all their chairmen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes in policy are proposed at Government research establishments under his Department's control as a result of the appointment of a controller of research.

No changes in policy are presently proposed, but the work of the research establishments for which I am responsible is being reviewed as part of the general review of departmental functions and activities, to which reference has already been made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the duties of the recently appointed controller of research.

The Director-General of Research is responsible for the general direction and co-ordination of the research programmes of the Department of the Environment, including those of its associated research establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislation he intends to introduce to ensure that the industrial firms whose processes produce pollution pay for its abatement, and what machinery he envisages to enforce compliance with any such legislation.

Industry already meets the cost of abatement of many forms of pollution, for example by installing the "best practicable means" of control under the Alkali etc. Works legislation. The costs of complying with the requirements of the Clean Air (Emission of Grit and Dust from Furnaces) Regulations, 1971, will have to be met by industry. In considering further measures for abating pollution I am working on the principle that the cost of abatement should fall on the originators of the pollution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission into the reclamation and recycling of domestic waste and municipal sewage, in view of the short-term commercial advantages and the longer-term benefits of pollution prevention.

A Commission on the Recycling of Wastes would not be justified at present.The Working Parties on Sewage Disposal and Refuse Disposal have made recommendations on reclamation and reuse of wastes which I am considering and the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution can inquire into this problem. I should emphasise, however, that the techniques of reclamation are at present generally uneconomic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the appointment of a Staff Commission under paragraph 51 of Command Paper No. 4584, Local Government in England; and if it is his policy that independent assessors should be appointed to ensure the safeguarding of staff interests.

It is my intention to establish the staff commission at the earliest possible moment. Legislation will be required before it can be established formally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the average weekly increase in rents of local authority houses in Salford, which would be caused by the removal of Government housing subsidies.

I am making no such estimate because the Government have no intention of abolishing housing subsidies. They are to be redirected so that more help is given where it is needed.If the hon. Member is advocating the abolition of all housing subsidies, I hope he will let me have details of his proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he can now estimate by how much rents of municipally-owned dwellings will rise in the London Borough of Greenwich on the assumption that existing Government subsidies were ended.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 17th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 440.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much rents for municipally-owned dwellings have increased in the London Borough of Greenwich since June, 1970; and by how much he estimates that they will increase further during the next 12 months.

This information should be sought from the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to establish a national antiquities service, responsible for the continuing compilation of a comprehensive national register of field antiquities, such a service to have the right to excavate any important find or site where known or newly discovered, and to postpone any property development involved where necessary.

Under existing legislation there are arrangements for dealing with these problems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times the Central Housing Advisory Committee met in 1970; what reports ensued as a result of those meetings; how many sub-committees of this body are currently in existence; and what is their programme of work for 1971.

The Central Housing Advisory Committee met twice—on 9th February and 12th October, 1970; a third meeting was cancelled because of the General Election. The Committee itself considers housing problems in general, with particular emphasis on the social aspects of housing; reports are produced by sub-committees set up to undertake specific studies. No reports were issued in 1970 and no sub-committees are sitting at the present time. The Committee's future work will be discussed at the next meeting in April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much the official target for industrialised dwellings to be completed in the public sector in 1970, as set out in Circular 76/65, was missed; and what were the general reasons for that failure.

The last Administration forecast that 40 per cent. of all public sector housing in the United Kingdom would need to be built by industrialised methods by 1970, given a projected house-building programme of 500,000 by that date. Local authorities and new towns in England and Wales built 55,701 industrialised dwellings in 1970, which were 41·3 per cent. of all the new housing completed by these authorities. Similar information is not available for 1970 for the remainder of the United Kingdom.It is very probable that any shortfall in numbers was due to the failure of the previous Government to create the conditions in which it would have been possible to achieve their own target of 500,000 dwellings a year by 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many technical and professional staff are currently engaged full time by the National Building Agency on work other than appraising industrialised building systems; and whether he will list in general terms the activities which are involved.

109 technical and professional staff are currently engaged by the National Building Agency on work other than the appraisal of industrialised house-building systems. The main activities on which these staff are employed are as follows:—

Improvement areas—pilot surveys and advisory services to local authorities.

Metrication—training seminars, information and advisory services.

Management services—development of new techniques in budgetary control of building programmes, contracts and design offices for public departments and the building industry.

Demonstration projects—e.g. building schemes testing the use of improved methods of design, construction or management; comparative cost studies.

Technical services to the Housing Corporation.

Co-ordination and cost control of school and residential school hostels building programmes in Scotland.

Advisory services on capital works pro-grammes in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present staff establishment of the National Building Agency; how many persons are professional and technical staff; how many are administrators; how many are clerical staff; and what were the equivalent figures for each year since its inception.

Following is the information:

	Professional/technical staff	Others*	Total
At 31st March, 1966*	104	71	175
At 31st March, 1967	138	77	215
At 31st March, 1968	133	71	204
At 31st March, 1969	127	75	202
At 31st March, 1970	116	72	188
January, 1971	117	75	192
* No comparative information for 1964–65, and no separate figures for administrative and clerical staff, are readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many organisations have been invited to submit oral evidence to the Forbes Committee; and how many have done so.

None. Many organisations have been invited to submit written evidence, and have done so. Those principally concerned with the question of registration of builders will be given full opportunity to submit any further views, orally if they so wish, before the report is compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether plans of the Greater London Council for the improvement of flood defences involve any temporary or permanent alterations to the Houses of Parliament.

I am considering what temporary measures are necessary to protect this building against flooding, and will report to the appropriate Committees of the Houses shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will describe the original and current use of the building situated between Horse Guards Parade and the Mall, sometimes referred to as the Citadel; and if he will estimate the cost of its demolition.

The Admiralty Citadel was erected as a communications centre and is still used for this purpose.The cost of demolishing the structure to ground level was recently estimated to be £1·5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment since the introduction of the Driving Examination Centre at Coatbridge, how many persons have applied for driving tests; how many passed at the first, second, third or subsequent attempts, respectively; and what was the total number of persons who failed to obtain a driving licence.

The information requested is not available. Between 1st January, 1969 and 12th March, 1971, 4,788 driving tests were conducted at Coatbridge; 2,145 were failures.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to validate marriages performed in Rhodesia and divorces granted by the High Court of Southern Rhodesia since the Unilateral Declaration of Independence.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 15th March.—[Vol. 813, c. 208.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, from the progress so far made in negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he is satisfied that the Highlands and Islands Development Board should continue in existence in giving the type of assistance now offered after Great Britain's entry; and if he will make a statement.

We see no reason why our present regional policies, including the operations of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, should be affected by the Treaty of Rome. After entry, our regional policies will, of course, be subject to examination by the Commission of the European Community under Article 93 of the Treaty of Rome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how far the problems of urban development and pollution have figured in Great Britain's negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community.

Neither subject is amongst those specified for negotiation in Her Majesty's Government's opening statement to the Community (Cmnd. 4401). The Treaty of Rome exerts no influence on urban development. Certain selected pollution problems are already under discussion with members of the European Economic Community in the meetings of the so-called Cost group in which Her Majesty's Government take an active part.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from the progress so far made in negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, if it is yet certain that tapering charges for freight and other assistance in keeping down the cost of transport in areas such as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland will be permissible after entry.

Domestic charges for freight are not an issue in the negotiations as there is no Community regulation which controls charges which may be imposed by carriers engaged in domestic transport.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will institute an inquiry into the methods of payment for postal charges and associated services by Government Departments with a view to ensuring that the full economic cost for these charges and services is met; and if he will make a statement.

Government Departments already pay the normal postal charges for official mail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list, by reference to the Parliamentary Register which came into force in February, 1971 and to the revised constituency boundaries promulgated in the Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order, 1969, of the electorates of the constituencies in the county of Hertfordshire, specifying in each case the number of electors, and the amount by which the said number, respectively, exceeds or falls short of the prescribed electoral quota;(2) whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list, by reference to the Parliamentary Register which came into force in February, 1971 and to the revised constituency boundaries promulgated in the Parliamentary Counties (England) Order, 1969, of the 20 English constituencies with the largest, and the 20 English constituencies with the smallest, electorates, indicating in each case the number of electors and the amount by which the said number, respectively, exceeds or falls short of the prescribed electoral quota.

Details of 1971 electorates are not complete, and the 1971 electoral quota cannot yet be calculated. I shall place this information in the Library of the House as soon as it is available. Following are the 1971 electorates of the new constituencies in Hertfordshire:

Constituencies in Hertfordshire constituted by the Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970
Constituency	1971 Electorate
East Hertfordshire	86,418
Hemel Hempstead	81,328
Hertford and Stevenage	76,003
Hitchin	70,424
St. Albans	68,828
South Hertfordshire	64,611
South West Hertfordshire	76,404
Welwyn and Hatfield	66,532

Constituency in Hertfordshire not affected by above-mentioned Order
Constituency	1971 Electorate
Watford	56,863

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in the past 12 months about the restriction on newspaper reporting of preliminary hearings before magistrates' courts imposed by the Criminal Justice Act, 1967; and if he is satisfied with the operation of the restriction in practice.

In the past 12 months two letters have been received from the editor of the Wolverhampton Express and Star.As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. Arthur Davidson) on 3rd December, 1970. —[Vol. 807, c. 1444–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a notice board in the main entrance hall to the building used for the Courts for Assizes, the Leeds Quarter Sessions and the Leeds Petty Sessions, exhibits to the public the name, age and address of and charge against persons committed for trial; and if he will state by whose order, and under what statutory or other authority, such a notice is exhibited.

These particulars are required to be displayed by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has of the number of Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians, respectively, now living overseas who can qualify as patrials under the provisions of the Immigration Bill;(2) what estimate he has of the number of persons, now living overseas, who can qualify as patrials under the provisions of the Immigration Bill, excluding Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians, giving their countries of origin, in so far as it is practicable.

It is not possible to give reliable estimates. The total would run into some millions but this would include large numbers already exempt from control, including people born in the United Kingdom or whose fathers were born here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps he proposes, in the light of the representations made by the hon. Member for Newark, to enable women to perform jury service on the same basis as men.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18th March to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for South Fylde (Mr. Gardner).—[Vol. 813, c. 367.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many aliens were deported from the United Kingdom during each of the last five calendar years on the ground that their presence in the country was not conducive to the public good; how many of these had been convicted of criminal offences; and in each case, how many were students in universities, polytechnics or colleges of further education.

Following is the information:

Year	Total Number of aliens	Number convicted of criminal offences	Number of students
1966	8	7	2
1967	14	10	—
1968	15	15	1
1969	9	9	1
1970	16	15	4

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the regional distribution of bankruptcies during each of the last five years, according to the Department's classification of regions.

I regret that the information is not available.The distribution of bankruptcies for 1970, according to the bankruptcy districts of the courts in which the Receiving Orders and Orders of Administration (under Section 130 of the Bankruptcy Act, 1914) were made, is contained in the return published in the

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons were made redundant in each of the Department's regions during each of the last five years as a result of bankruptcies.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bankruptcies have been registered in the first two months of this year; and how many persons have been made redundant as a result.

The provisional figures for the number of receiving orders and orders of administration (under section 130 of the Bankruptcy Act, 1914) made in England and Wales for the first two months of the year are 392 in January and 325 in February. I regret that information about resultant redundancies is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the opencast sites completed in Northumberland in each of the years since 1960, and those in operation at present.