asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the figures for the amount paid in social security and unemployment benefits on the latest available day; and what were the figures on 18th June, 1970.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to social security benefits paid to unemployed persons. In week ended 2nd April, 1971, £3·6 million was paid in unemployment benefit and £2·1 million in supplementary benefit to such persons. The amounts paid in week ended 19th June, 1970, were £2·5 million and £1·4 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of cases of malnutrition diagnosed in England and Wales in the last quarter of 1970.

The various manifestations of malnutrition are too variable in nature and degree to be capable of notification. The findings of the programme of surveillance advised by the Department's Chief Medical Officer's Committee on Medical aspects of Food Policy have to date indicated that its prevelance is low.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now review the proposal for the closure of Petworth Hospital.

I am not aware of any change in circumstances since my hon. Friend informed the hon. Member in February that after considering all the local representations I had accepted the recommendation of the Regional Hospital Board to close this hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated saving in supplementary benefit payment arising from the increases in National Insurance benefits and pensions in September.

About £33 million in the twelve months from September, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce an annual review of supplementary benefits.

Arrangements to ensure that supplementary benefit rates are reviewed when appropriate are already adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what representations he has received about the remuneration of salaried dentists employed in health centres; and what action he proposes to take to implement the award made to them in December, 1970.

The British Dental Association have asked for the salaries of this group of staff to be adjusted in the light of the agreement reached in December, 1970, in respect of local authority dentists. The necessary consultations are in progress, and my right hon. Friend expects to give effect to increased remuneration for this group shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of concern about difficulties in finding out information about contraceptive methods, he will carry out a publicity campaign, directed towards women especially, advising them to seek the help of their family doctor, health visitor, local family planning clinic, or hospital.

The Health Education Council recently carried out some Press advertising; they have conducted a poster campaign; and have produced a new leaflet on methods of contraception. They are considering the use of television for further publicity and will reach conclusions on this when the results of the family planning research sponsored by the Government are available later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the proportion of the payments made to the pharmaceutical industry by the National Health Service for drugs devoted by the industry to research as compared with the proportion devoted to advertising; and if he will make a statement.

The levels of research and advertising expenditure are primarily matters for the industry itself. It is important that companies should have the incentive to undertake the research and development essential to safe and advancing therapy. I recognise the need for adequate promotional expenditure but shall continue to discourage excess.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet received the report from the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board about private practice at Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, for which he has asked; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I have asked the Regional Hospital Board to convey to the Hospital Management Committee my concern at the failure to observe the statutory requirements, and to be informed of the arrangements that have now been made to ensure that the amount of accommodation authorised for private patients is not exceeded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of cases of elderly people diagnosed as suffering from hypothermia during the last quarter of 1970 in England and Wales.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are now the numbers of men and of women who are members of occupational pension schemes.

The last survey by the Government Actuary related to the end of 1967, when nearly 10 million men and more than 2 million women were estimated to be members of occupational pension schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he will take to ascretain the views of members of occupational pension schemes in regard to the reform of the law governing the administration of such schemes.

When we publish our detailed proposals for legislation affecting State and occupational pension provision there will be opportunity for all relevant aspects to be discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will circulate to all local authorities tables covering the following periods: 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69 and 1969–70, and showing, respectively, the number of physically-handicapped persons per thousand population registered by each local authority, in rank order, and the average annual amount spent by each local authority, in rank order, per person registered.

I have no doubt that local authorities are aware of the figures published in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 23rd and 24th February last, and I see no advantage in circularising them. The figures are in any event not reliable indicators of provision of services for the handicapped.—[Vol. 812, c. 75–80; c. 183–190.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends taking under the provisions of Section 28 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins) on 22nd April.—[Vol. 815, c. 447–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will call for returns from county and county borough councils showing their methods of implementing the provisions of Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

We would not regard it as reasonable to call for special returns of this kind at the present time in view of the burdens imposed on authorities by the current reorganisation of their social services administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of treatment for persons suffering from schizophrenia; and what he estimates to be the average cost to the National Health Service of the drugs prescribed during that period.

The information about average length of treatment is not available in the form requested, but most discharges from hospital of schizophrenic patients take place within seven weeks of admission; the information about cost of drugs is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects to receive the report from the hon. and learned Member for Northwich (Sir J. Foster) on Scientology.

I have just received the Report which, at my predecessor's invitation, has been prepared by my hon. and learned Friend the member for Northwich. I wish to express the Government's thanks to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are on the waiting lists for admission to hospital in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospitals Board.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 19th April, 1971.—[Vol. 815, c. 360.]

asked the Secreary of State for Social Services what research into health damage caused by noise is being undertaken by his Department.

None, but I am informed that following a recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has under consideration a proposal for long-term research into the effect of aircraft noise on the health of a community exposed in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest information on the effects of cigarette smoking on health; and what tests have been carried out on the effects of filtration of cigarette smoke.

Evidence of the damaging effects of cigarette smoking on health is cumulative. My Chief Medical Officer has repeatedly drawn attention to the dangers in his annual reports; and within the last few months we have had the second report on smoking and health of the Royal College of Physicians—which itself contains extensive references to other published works on this subject.On the second part of the Question, experimental work on the filtration of cigarette smoke is being carried out—mainly in the United States, but some has also been done in this country. I understand that results suggest that filters may have some effect in reducing the danger and research is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what facilities are provided by regional hospital boards for the early diagnosis of glaucoma.

All hospital eye departments have facilities for ophthalmoscopy, tonometry and visual field measurement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the position with regard to availability of doctors, nurses and other staff in the accident unit in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

There are 28 major accident units in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board. There are difficulties in recruiting doctors to these units, but no general difficulties in the recruitment of nursing staff for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state the gross cost of the National Health Service for the years 1960 to 1970 showing the cost as a proportion of the National Income.

Total health and welfare expenditure in Great Britain has been the following percentages of gross national product at factor cost:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when it is proposed to grant loan sanction for additional staff, storage and workshop accommodation for Western House, Ware, Hertfordshire.

I am in touch with the Hertfordshire County Council about the future of Western House, including the question of loan sanction for additional accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is aware of the new developments in chemical lavatory technology; if he is aware of the possibilities of using this equipment in the homes of disabled people which are difficult to alter structurally; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will take steps to inform the health and welfare departments of the usefulness of advanced forms of chemical lavatories for disabled people under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; if he will inform them that substantial discounts are available on the purchase of such equipment; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he will advise local authorities of the availability of showers with reliable mixer-taps which are frequently more suitable for the bodily hygiene requirements of disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

These matters will be considered amongst others in the course of the forthcoming discussions with the local authority associations following publication of the national survey report on the Handicapped and Impaired in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the follow-up service regarding the provision of wheelchairs by his Department; if he will consider earlier visits to the homes of patients fitted with wheelchairs to see that they are of a suitable size and model; and if he will make a statement.

Every effort is made to issue the right chair initially but only experience in use for some time can confirm its suitability. Some eight months ago, therefore, the follow-up service was improved by asking new users to say after they had had a chair for three months whether it met their requirements. A domiciliary visit is then made if necessary. This arrangement will be reviewed in the light of experience.A forthcoming booklet of advice which will be supplied to all new wheelchair users on how to get the best out of their chairs will supplement these follow-up arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many chronically sick and disabled people in the London Borough of Waltham Forest take advantage of the season ticket facility for payment of prescription charges.

The information is not available in the form requested. The number of prepayment certificates issued by the North-East London Executive Council valid for six months and 12 months respectively, was 1,236 and 809 in 1969 and 1,046 and 1,019 in 1970. Waltham Forest is one of the five London boroughs included in this Executive Council's area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many accident cases involving tourists have been admitted to Westmorland County Hospital in each of the last five years; how many of these accidents happened on the fells and mountains; what were the average number of beds occupied by these cases during each year; and what proportion of the total beds available in the hospital was occupied by them.

I regret that this information is not readily available and it would require a disproportionate amount of staff time to obtain it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average cost per bed provided for private patients incurred by each of the regional hospital boards in 1969–70.

The available in-patient costs do not distinguish between private and other patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of in-patients and out-patients treated in hospitals in England and Wales in 1969–70; and the number and proportion of those who were private patients.

There were 5,282,160 discharges and deaths during the year ended 31st December, 1969, the latest date for which information is available; of these 109,144 or 2·07 per cent. were private patients. New out-patients, excluding accident and emergency cases, number 8,054,902. Information on out-patients treated privately is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average payment made by private in-patients to cover the cost of accommodation and services in each of the regional hospital board areas of England and Wales in 1969–70.

Payments by private inpatients are made at national rates applicable to all regional hospital board areas in England and Wales, and vary according to the type of hospital and the accommodation and services provided. For example, for a single room in an acute non-teaching hospital, the patient making his own arangements for private medical treatment, the daily charge in 1969–70 was £8·25.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the Supplementary Benefit Commission will have discretion to modify the deduction of 40 per cent. proposed in industrial misconduct cases under Clause 1(2) of the Social Security Bill.

The Supplementary Benefits Commission will be required to apply the 40 per cent. reduction in the appropriate adult scale rate under the provisions of the Bill in all cases where a person is, or would be, disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit as a result of industrial misconduct and the like. The Commission will, however, still have power, under paragraph 4(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Act (adjustments for exceptional circumstances) to increase the resultant award of benefit if, in their view, unreasonable hardship would arise if no such adjustment were made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has available from international sources, regarding the proportion of national income per head of the population that was spent by the Member States of the European Economic Community taken as a whole and by the United Kingdom on social services in 1958, and in the latest year for which he has comparative statistics available.

I regret that the information asked for in the Question is not available. Basic Statistics, published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities, give the following information with the proviso—which should not be overlooked—that figures for non-European Economic Community countries are not strictly comparable since they do not cover the same fields:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to introduce the proposed further increases in National Health Service charges.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Member for Halifax (Dr. Summerskill).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date he received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, sent under date of 8th April, concerning alleged maladministration and neglect upon the part of his Department; why, in view of the contents of this communication complaining of failure of his Department to deal with the Member's correspondence, that he had not by 21st April, 1971, sent a reply; and whether he will send photostats of all the correspondence on this case to the hon. Member, to enable him to raise this with the Parliamentary Commissioner.

On 14th April. A reply enclosing photostats was sent on 23rd April.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases have been discovered regarding illegal claims for social security benefits by Ford workers; how many of these stated cases he has thought it appropriate to prosecute; when such cases are likely to take place; and whether he will make a statement.

To date 30 wrongful claims to Social Security benefits by Ford workers have been established. Prosecution has been authorised in seven and 11 more are under consideration. In another 12 the evidence did not warrant prosecution for fraud, but action has been taken to recover the amount overpaid.No dates of hearing have yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost to public funds of supplementary benefits paid to those involved in the Ford strike, and their dependants.

A total of £626,466 was paid for the dependants of men involved in the dispute and 28 discretionary payments totalling £72 were made to strikers for their own requirements. In addition, a total of £185,843 was paid out after the men had returned to work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he will not cease the present practice whereby his Department keep under constant review the prices and charges for which he has responsibility and initiate a system of monthly reviews of such prices and charges to enable him to show from month to month to what extent, since June, 1970, the Government's policy of reducing prices and costs is operating so far as it affects his departmental responsibilities; and whether he will make a statement.

Because monthly reviews would not be a useful or practicable arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that many wealthy persons have, over the years, of their own volition emigrated to foreign countries to avoid paying British taxes on their self-declared admissions; and, as the proposed increases in retirement and other pensions are to cover the increased cost of living in Great Britain, if he will see that these increased benefits are not paid to persons who have voluntarily opted to leave Great Britain.

Pensioners who are not ordinarily resident in this country will receive the proposed increases only if they are covered by reciprocal agreements which so provide.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that more than 200 complaints were made to the Registrar General's Office that Census forms had not been received; whether an extended period for return of their completed forms will be permitted; under what stautory authority such extensions will be granted; what action will be taken against those responsible; and what estimate he has made of the effect of such delays on the accuracy of the Census.

I am grateful to members of the public who have notified the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys that they had not received a Census form. In such cases the forms will have been delivered and collected as soon as practicable and any extension of time needed does not require statutory authority. Since failure to deliver the forms originally can be assumed to have been inadvertent, no action against those responsible would be appropriate and I do not expect that it will affect the accuracy of the Census to any significant degree.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it was with his authority that the Registrar General made a radio and Press announcement giving the numbers of prosecutions which took place in connection with the last Census; and whether he will take action to ensure that all statements connected with the present Census which could in any way affect confidentiality are only made with his personal authority or to the House of Commons.

The interviews given by the Registrar General were given with my approval. I have full confidence in him and his staff in regard to any statements they may make on the conduct of the Census. The House has on more than one occasion accepted the assurances on the confidentiality of Census information given both by the present Government and by their predecessors in office.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give further particulars explaining how the small-scale sample by interviews are conducted to assess the accuracy of the Census responses; whether these voluntary surveys carried out by the Census organisation include persons sworn to secrecy; whether each road, street, town, or county area is covered; on past experiences how accurate these surveys have proved to be; and whether he will make a statement.

The voluntary surveys will be carried out by staff of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, who are subject to the Official Secrets Act. On the other points in the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the General Report on the 1961 Census.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give a detailed list of the number of enumerators appointed for the Census survey and now they were selected, showing the number who were, on selection and appointment, civil servants, local government officers, tax inspectors and other stated categories; and what action was taken to give preference of appointments to retirement pensioners and other persons who were physically disabled but fit enough to carry out these duties.

Approximately 105,000 enumerators have been appointed by local census officers and assistant census officers on the basis of applications submitted. No comprehensive information is available centrally on their normal occupations. Preference was not given to pensioners or physically disabled people, because the enumerator's task involves an amount of walking and climbing stairs which normally makes it unsuitable for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that, on Sunday, 25th April, 1971, several persons publicly and with malice aforethought tore up, burnt and otherwise destroyed in public their Census forms, and that this action was planned; what action his officials took to be present to witness this demonstration; what legal action has been, or will be, taken against those responsible; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware that certain persons burnt or otherwise destroyed their Census forms and that on at least one occasion this was witnessed by a member of the Registrar General's staff. No immediate legal action is being taken against them but those failing to return a Census form in such circumstances are being given a further copy to fill in.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he can give an assurance that, as public statements and announcements affecting the secret and confidential nature of the Census have been made by officials connected with the Census Office, he will cause an investigation to be made to ensure that such leaks will not occur from the Census Office and his Department when the Census forms are completed.

No statement about the Census by any member of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys has disclosed confidential information, can be regarded as a "leak" in any sense of the word, or required any investigation. The Office will continue to ensure that there is no disclosure of confidential information.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the fact that Census enumerators have been and are writing to the press, giving details of their activities in interviewing persons and quoting responses received on matters connected with their duties as enumerators, he will state to what extent this abrogates their undertaking of secrecy and why these persons like full time civil servants are not precluded by their terms of employment from writing to the press on matters and information gained whilst carrying out their public duties.

Any instance in which an enumerator appears to have disclosed information in contravention of his pledge of secrecy will be investigated immediately. I see no reason why the terms of employment of enumerators should pre- clude them from writing otherwise to the press about their work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what authority the Registrar General made radio and television broadcasts and press announcements concerning the work of his Department, officers and enumerators; whether he is satisfied that such statements are in accordance with his official status; and whether he will make a statement.

The Registrar General needs no special authority to accept invitations to broadcast or to make statements to the press on the work of his Department. He is subject to the usual conditions regarding such statements by civil servants and in doing so recently he had my full approval. His broadcasts and press statements were in accord with his official status.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make the September increases in retirement pensions retrospective to 1st May when they are paid.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to introduce a disability income related to loss of earnings.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what part of the proposals submitted to him by the Disablement Income Group he proposes to implement;(2) when he will introduce a disability income related to loss of earnings;(3) whether he will produce a long-term plan for financial help for all disabled people.

Hon. Members will be aware that the National Insurance Bill which was before the House on Second Reading yesterday includes a substantial package of selective improvements for the chronic sick at an estimated cost to the National Insurance Fund of £24 million in a full year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in receipt of National Insurance pensions live in dwellings other than local authority and private houses for the aged, and hospital institutions.

About 7·3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated number of men in Great Britain who were born before 5th July 1883, and women who were born before 5th July, 1888.

It is estimated that at mid-1970 there were in Great Britain approximately 65,000 men aged 87 years or more and 596,000 women aged 82 years or more.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether the normal requirements for quarantine are enforced on ponies imported from the Continent for sale in this country;(2) what are the arrangements made for examination by veterinary surgeons from the Ministry of Agriculture of ponies imported from the Continent.

Imports of ponies are prohibited from sources where there is a risk of infection with African horse sickness. Imports from permitted sources, including mainland Europe, are allowed subject to veterinary certification by the exporting country. We do not require veterinary examination or quarantine of correctly certified ponies, but those arriving without the required veterinary certification are detained in isolation for examination and testing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consult the brewers with a view to the compulsory exhibition of both alco- holic content and gravity of all draught beers.

My right hon. Friend is ready at all times to consult manufacturers about representations made on behalf of consumers about the labelling of food and drink. In this particular case, he would also keep in mind the social implications which have been shown to be important by experience in some other countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the figures of sales of milk off farms for the 12 months ending 31st March, 1971; how this compares with the previous year; and what was the figure for 1964.

Sales of milk off farms in the United Kingdom were 2·1 per cent. higher in 1970–71 than in 1969–70. The figures are:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the figures of production of milk for fresh cream for the year ending 31st March, 1971, stating how this compares with the previous year; and the figure for 1964.

The volume of milk used for fresh cream in the United Kingdom was 5·8 per cent. greater in 1970–71 than in 1969–70. The figures are:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the effect of the 1971 Price Review on the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland.

The determinations for 1971–72 should be generally helpful to Northern Ireland farmers and give them considerable opportunities for expansion. In particular, the increased prices for livestock and livestock products and the higher rates under the Brucellosis Incentives Scheme should benefit them substantially.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement about the current negotiations with the Irish Republic relating to the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement.

I cannot yet add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 27th January, but I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.—[Vol. 810, c. 145–6.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the figures of cheese production for England and Wales for the year ending 31st March, 1971 and state how this compares with the previous year; and what was the figure for 1964.

Cheese production in England and Wales was 11·8 per cent. higher in 1970–71 than in 1969–70. The figures are:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he will not cease the present practice whereby his Department keep under constant review the prices and charges for which he has responsibility and initiate a system of monthly reviews of such prices and charges to enable him to show from month to month to what extent since June, 1970 the Government's policy of reducing prices and costs is operating so far as it affects his departmental responsibilities; and whether he will make a statement.

Because my right hon. Friend considers that the present arrangements are satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last held discussions with the Apple and Pear Development Council concerning the fruit industry; and when the time will be ripe for a further meeting.

The Chairman of the Apple and Pear Development Council last came to see my right hon. Friend on 8th February, 1971, when he was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary of the Council, and when matters concerning the apple and pear industry were discussed. It is always open to the Council to seek further discussions as occasion demands.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will accept the recommendation of the working party on Sewage Disposal that the shipborne dumping of domestic and trade wastes should be brought under statutory control.

The report of the Working Party on Sewage Disposal is under consideration, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment hopes to announce the Government's conclusions on all the main recommendations before long.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the names, composition and object, together with total grant, of every organisation which receives a Government grant, and seek to provide that where reports or printed works emanate from the organisation a copy is sent to the Library.

I regret that a comprehensive statement could not be provided without undue expenditure of time and effort, but all grants in aid are separately specified in the Estimates. The Library already receives many of the publications referred to in the Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the revenue of delaying payment of estate duty on that part of an estate left to a surviving spouse until such time as the survivor dies.

About £150 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the revenue of exempting from estate duty the value of the family house left to the surviving spouse.

About £40 million for the first full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the revenue of increasing the estate duty exemption limit to £15,000 and £20,000, respectively.

Nearly £20 million and about £45 million in addition to the cost of the budget proposal, assuming that the other change points on the scale of rates remained unaltered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual investment in private industry in the Northern Region in each year from 1960 to 1970; and what is his estimate of the annual investment for 1971.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer taking the purchasing power of the £ sterling at 100p in June, 1968, what is its value at the most recent convenient date.

Taking the value of the £ sterling as 100p in June, 1968, its value in March, 1971, the latest date for which information is available, is estimated at 85p.This comparison is based on the movement in the consumer price index from 1968 to 1970 adjusted by the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices for the months at the beginning and end of the period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish or otherwise provide for the use of Members a revised version of figure 1 in the 113th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue on the basis of taxation proposed in the present Finance Bill.

I am sending the hon. Member a revised version of the chart he refers to. I am also placing some copies in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to have discussions with the Minister of Finance of the Canadian Government.

My right hon. Friend has no present plans for discussions with Mr. Benson, but looks forward to seeing him again in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Royal Mint has promoted three persons to the designation of directors and in two cases has given salary increases of up to and over £1,000 per annum; whether he is aware that these rises, including the Deputy Master's salary and three directors, amount to £24,300 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the relationship between these increases and the Government's policy of de-escalating the rate of wage increases.

The management of the Royal Mint has, after due enquiry by the Civil Service Department, recently been reorganised in the interests of greater efficiency. Two new senior posts with new and wider duties were approved into which existing officials of the Royal Mint were promoted. The additional cost of these changes was £855 per annum; but two full-time and one part-time senior posts have been surrendered, at an annual saving of £11,455 per annum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a detailed list showing the number of masters, deputy masters, and directors and higher paid executive staffs who were employed at the Royal Mint in 1967; what was the annual production; what were their respective salaries; and if he will give similar details for the latest most convenient stated date.

Following is the information:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give for the period back to 1950, or the longest retrospective period that may prove convenient, the amounts of sterling invested in New Zealand and the amount of earnings that have accrued from these investments; and to what extent he estimates these will be affected on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on any present known terms.

Following are the available estimates:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek a meeting with Mr. V. Feather, the Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, to discuss the Government's policies on labour employment, prices, balance of payments, and entry conditions into the European Economic Community, and publish the results of these discussions.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply on 27th April to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short).—[Vol. 816, c. 61.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent it is the Government's policy to assist Great Britain's entry into the Common Market by allowing current prices and unemployment to rise to maintain the present balance of payments; and whether he will make a statement.

Not at all.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the French Government on the price of gold, should Great Britain enter the European Economic Community.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that during 1970 the previous year's favourable balance of £98,608 in currency transfer for the sale and purchase of houses, flats and villas in the countries of the Six had turned to a deficit of £177,687; and to what extent he estimates this deficit will increase or be reduced on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community and the free flow of currency is enforced.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave the hon. Member on 20th April.—[Vol. 815, c. 370.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer as all food is taxed in each of the countries of the Six which have a value-added tax, why he will not obtain and publish details of these value-added taxes.

Because it would involve disproportionate expenditure of resources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, in view of his Budget proposal to introduce a value-added tax, discontinue purchase tax on ice cream, soft drinks, confectionery, chocolate biscuits, potato crisps, packaged nuts and pet foods; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to announce details of a proof issue of decimal coinage.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 30th April. An announcement will be made at the appropriate time.—[Vol. 816, c. 235.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of allowing wives to disaggregate their investment income from that of their husbands, in the same manner that has been allowed for earned income in his Budget proposals.

The information available, in particular as to the ownership of investments by husband and wife respectively, is not adequate to allow a reliable estimate, but it is improbable that the cost would be less than £100 million per annum and it might be considerably more.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an official visit to the Goodwin Sands.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to compel British companies with trading connections and investment interests in the Republic of South Africa to improve pay and training for non-white employees, and to devote a proportion of their profits to non-white education.

No. These are matters for the companies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take action to prevent the Continental Oil Company of the United States of America obtaining a controlling interest in Burmah Oil.

Any aspects of the merger proposals announced by the Burmah Oil Company and the Continental Oil Company on 25th February which may concern the public interest, will, of course, be considered at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress Her Majesty's Government have made towards implementing the recommendations of the 1968 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development regarding the trade and products of the developing nations; and whether he will make a statement.

Clause 1 of the Finance Bill seeks powers to enable us to introduce generalised tariff preferences. We take an active and constructive part in U.N.C.T.A.D.'s continuing work on the other recommendations of the 1968 Conference regarding the trade of developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the advanced factories in Wales were allocated to tenants in 1968, 1969, and the first half of 1970; and what is the total since 18th June, 1970.

Allocations to tenants were: 1968–15; 1969—five 1970 to 17th June—one; 18th June, 1970 to date—five, including two provisional allocations. In addition, one advance factory was sold in 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many policyholders, according to category, have lost their cover as a result of bankruptcies in the field of insurance brokerage in the last 10 years.

The information is not available, but failures of insurance brokers do not normally result in loss of cover.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist the development area of Bothwell in finding new jobs, in view of the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Bothwell concerning the request of W. and H. Nelson Limited, Bellshill; and if he will make a statement.

I am writing to the hon. Member. In addition to the full range of normal development area incentives, Bothwell will benefit from the extra assistance which is designed to attract new employment-creating industry into the West Central Scotland special development area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have now announced their intention of locating in Wales since 18th June; and what is the number of jobs envisaged.

The Department is aware of some 40 firms who have decided to locate in Wales during this period and estimate their projects will employ over 4,700 people when complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will increase the import duty on printed matter from Europe in view of the shortage of work being experienced by printers in this country; and if he will make a statement.

Applications for particular tariff changes have to be considered against the criteria laid down in the Imports Duties Act, 1958. I am considering an application for the imposition of a duty on brochures advertising foreign travel and holidays which are printed abroad to the order of United Kingdom firms. This application has been opposed by certain interests in the United Kingdom. My investigations have not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the amount of money spent on importing printed matter from Italy during 1970; and how much of the total amount spent related to advertising matter for cigarettes.

£5·5 million in total; the import statistics do not distinguish advertising matter for cigarettes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what amount of money was spent by the Shipbuilders Board in 1970–71; and what sum is estimated in 1971–72.

The figures are given in the table below.Figures of expenditure in 1970–71 are provisional. The audited accounts of the Shipbuilding Industry Board will be laid before Parliament later this year.Estimates of expenditure in 1971–72 were published in the White Paper on Loans from the National Loans Fund 1971–72 (Cmnd. 4635) and in the Supply Estimates 1971–72 Class IV, 5, Subhead G.I.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new firms have been established in the Northern Region and how many new jobs they have provided from June, 1970 to the latest convenient date; and how this compares with similar periods in the last five years.

According to our records the number of new firms established in the Northern Region in each of the last five years was:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information has been supplied to him about an insurance company, details of which have been supplied to him, other than the Vehicle and General, which is in difficulties; and whether he will take action under the Companies Act to investigate this situation.

The hon. Member refers to an unspecific rumour in the Evening Standard on 29th April, 1971. I cannot comment on Press speculation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, during his investigations into matters pertaining to the Vehicle and General Insurance Company, he will also investigate matters of a similar character affecting his Department's handling of the Dollar Land Company Limited.

I do not think that it would be appropriate to extend to Dollar Land Holdings Ltd. the inquiry which Inspectors appointed under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948 are making into the affairs of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company Limited. As to the appointment of separate Inspectors to investigate the affairs of Dollar Land Holdings Ltd., I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 26th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many National Coal Board collieries are presently in operation; how many of these are high-cost pits as defined in the introductory note to Report No. 153 (Supplement No. 1) of the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and what is the labour force employed in them.

At present there are 292 producing collieries operated by the National Coal Board. I am asking the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to the hon. Member on the remainder of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present coal mining labour force in the United Kingdom; and how the figures compare with each of the last three years.

The number of mineworkers at National Coal Board mines on 17th April, 1971 was 285,743. This compares with 294,543; 316,915; and 360,162 at the corresponding time in 1970, 1969 and 1968 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were completed in the first quarter of 1971; how many were under construction; how many new starts were made; and how these figures compare with the previous four quarters.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will have regular meetings with the Scottish Economic Council in 1971.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of constructing the road B7001 300 feet east of the entrance from Colderbraes Golf Clubhouse to the farmstead; how long it took to construct; and if he will make a statement.

The new access to Woodhead Farm steading, to replace that severed by construction of the M73 motorway, took three weeks to build and, including subsequent drainage improvements, cost approximately £9,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give particulars of the radiation and contamination levels for milk, meat, fish, eggs, vegetation and seaweed, respectively, within a radius of 10 miles from the Hunterston peninsula before the construc- tion of the nuclear power station and at the present time, respectively.

Regular monitoring has been carried out in the vicinity of the Hunterston nuclear power station since before its commissioning. This covers milk, the critical item in the food chain, from farms up to a radius of six miles from the station, and also fish, shellfish and seaweed from the seaward side of the station. The monitoring has shown no signficant changes in radioactive levels.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money in grants or loans the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the Scottish Tourist Board have given annually to holders of premises licensed for the sale of alcohol.

In the five years from 1966 to 1970 the Highlands and Islands Development Board made grants averaging £151,194 a year and loans averaging £118,178 a year to holders of premises which were licensed either at the time or subsequently.In 1970, the only full year of the Hotel Development Incentives Scheme, the Scottish Tourist Board paid £109,586 in grants to hotels: no analysis of this amount distinguishing between licensed and unlicensed premises is immediately available.