asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by his Department in considering the Council of Europe's draft agreement on au pair employment of overseas visitors in British households.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement about Her Majesty's Government's ratification of the European agreement on au pair placement made by the Council of Europe in December, 1969.

I am doubtful whether the formal proposals embodied in this Agreement would help. But I am considering if more needs to be done to achieve the broad objective behind the Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is considering signing the Agreement of the Council of Europe concerning au pairs which will be open for signature on 30th May, 1971.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) and Ilford, North (Mr. Iremonger).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the annual report of the Gaming Board.

I welcome the report. It is evident that so far the Gaming Act, 1968, is having the effect that Parliament intended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to cease the arrangement whereby Borstal allocation centres are sited inside existing prisons.

The prison building programme includes two new allocation centres. Work has already started on one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the planned increase of horticultural production at Kirkham Prison is intended to be sold on the open market; and if that percentage has been revealed at a national level to the National Farmers' Union at all times.

About 85 per cent. The planned volume of sales on the open market, though not the estimated percentage of output, has been made known to the National Farmers' Union.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in the case which has been referred to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, immigration officers thought it necessary to examine separately first and second class passengers; why all passengers cannot be examined at the same time; and whether it is the general practice of immigration officers to examine separately first and second class travellers.

It was more convenient, and quicker for all concerned, to examine the classes separately. But they were examined simultaneously. The answer to the third part of the Question is, "No."

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the present restrictions upon, and conditions of, entry of Rhodesians into the United Kingdom.

The admission of citizens of Rhodesia is governed by the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts. There are additional controls under Article 13 of the Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many males and females, respectively, under the age of 21 years have been convicted for drunkenness in each year since 1951.

The information relating to England and Wales is as follows:

Persons aged under 21 found guilty of drunkenness
				Male	Female
1951	…	…	…	2,314	174
1952	…	…	…	2,487	212
1953	…	…	…	2,674	208
1954	…	…	…	3,024	210
1955	…	…	…	3,872	226
1956	…	…	…	4,668	249
1957	…	…	…	5,414	271
1958	…	…	…	5,450	256
1959	…	…	…	5,686	262
1960	…	…	…	7,146	290
1961	…	…	…	7,922	321
1962	…	…	…	8,214	291
1963	…	…	…	8,054	300
1964	…	…	…	8,027	269
1965	…	…	…	8,579	260
1966	…	…	…	8,564	275
1967	…	…	…	9,602	344
1968	…	…	…	10,366	380
1969	…	…	…	11,130	392
1970	…	…	…	11,816	542

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now appoint a committee to consider what kind of legislation is required to govern the conditions in which unsupervised guard dogs are used to protect property.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he now has for the revision of the laws relating to the control and licensing of dogs.

As the House knows, I am consulting the police and the security industry. The detailed information for which I have asked the police is taking a little time to assemble. I would not wish to take any decision about the need for further action until the information has been fully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now report on his investigations and consultations with the police on the private use of guard dogs; whether he has received the information from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, showing that some yards in the London Borough of Newham are dangerous and potentially hazardous to children; and whether he will take appropriate action to prevent the possibility of further savaging of children by poorly trained guard dogs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to Questions by the hon. Member for Islington, South-West (Mr. George Cunningham) and my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. John Stradling Thomas).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what increase is anticipated in the numbers of probation officers during the next year.

There are at present about 3,500 whole-time officers. The plans for the expansion of the service envisage an increase to about 3,900 by the end of 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions have been issued to members of the Metropolitan Police Force employed at the Palace of Westminster in respect of the wearing of badges by members of the public visiting the House of Commons on legitimate business.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the objections of the North Riding County Council to the proposal in Circular 65/71 to combine counties five and eight for police purposes; and what action he is taking thereon.

I have received these objections. I shall consider them carefully together with the comments of the other authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now increase by 2,000 the number of entry vouchers to be given for 1971 to United Kingdom passport holders in East Africa, in view of the social problems faced by that number of persons.

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable as to the action he is taking to prevent the misuse of drugs at the University of East Anglia.

		1962	1968	1969	1970
Uniformed officers	…	14,377	15,446	15,738	16,058
Percentage of force strength	…	81·0	77·4	77·9	78·0

The figures available relate to uniformed officers on duty in divisions. It is not possible to distinguish those engaged on outside duty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the numbers held in prison awaiting trial.

Among the points my right hon. Friend is pursuing are arrangements for speeding up the provision of reports on defendants remanded in custody and the establishment on an experimental basis of a "bail hostel".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders on 31st January were residing in Her Majesty's Prisons awaiting allocation to Borstal training centres.

On 31st January in England and Wales 151 young men were in local prisons, and 36 in remand centres, awaiting transfer to borstal allocation centres; 657 young men were in allocation centres awaiting allocation or transfer to training borstals. 20 young women were at Holloway prison or at remand centres awaiting transfer to training borstals.

The duty of the police is to enforce the law. The chief constable and his officers are doing their best to discharge it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Metropolitan Police have been employed on uniformed street duty in the year 1962 and in each of the last three years for which figures are available, respectively; and what percentage of the total force is represented by each figure in each year.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the Metropolitan Police co-operated with the British Broadcasting Corporation in making a film of the McKay murder case, whilst an appeal was pending and in process of being heard, he will prohibit such action in the future as a safeguard against prejudicing proceedings actually in progress.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions, other than the Mrs. Muriel McKay murder case, whilst an appeal against the finding of guilty was pending and in the process of being heard by the Appeal Court, the Metropolitan Police gave permission for a film connected with the murder to be made, cooperated in making the film and supplied police officers to take part in the same.

One.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Commissioner of Police gave facilities and the co-operation of the police to the British Broadcasting Corporation in making the film "Worse than Murder" in the knowledge that such was given and action taken in making the film before the commencement of the trial of the accused in the McKay murder case and before the verdict had been given and appeal had been heard.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that facilities to assist in making the film were not given before the trial had been completed. My hon. Friend the Minister of State is in correspondence with the hon. Member about other aspects of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Home Office Immigration Department's Form APP 101 C addressed to Miss R. M. McKenna on 7th May required Miss McKenna to leave this country by 15th June, since the Minister of State's letter of 27th April stated that permission to remain in this country would be granted until the end of this year; and what steps he has taken to improve the efficiency of Home Office administration in this regard.

I am sorry for this error, and for any distress it has caused Miss McKenna. A letter of apology has been sent to her.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make the grant to the Community Relations Commission conditional on it withdrawing support from the Islington Committee for Community Relations, in view of that committee's action in advertising in the Press, with the support of named officials of political organisations, its opposition to the Immigration Bill.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent in the Metropolitan area persons and organisations other than the police are allowed to enforce the law on stated road traffic regulations, etc.; and whether, as in Constitution Hill, White- hall, The Broadway, S.W.1, etc., lorries of 60 feet in length are not allowed to park all day and all night without lights, he will see that these other organisations enforce the law in similar circumstances in Stratford Broadway, E.15, and the surrounding areas.

Enforcement of the law is in general for the police, supported by traffic wardens. This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and it is not open to my right hon. Friend to issue instructions to him. Nor is it open to him to instruct those concerned in the enforcement of byelaw and other regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to control the sale of syringes as a means of reducing drug-taking, especially among young people.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson) on 18th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 2114.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for licences to experiment on live animals were received by the Home Office in the latest available full year; how many were granted; and how many refused.

2,961 licences were granted in 1970. Records are not maintained of the number of licence applications received by the Home Office or the number of refusals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for certificates to experiment on live animals without anaesthetics were received in the latest available full year; how many certificates were granted; and how many refused.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations he made to ensure that all the experiments permitted under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876 during the latest available full year were performed according to the provisions of Section 3(1) of the Act.

All applicants for licences and certificates under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, are required to state on their application forms the manner in which the experiments may be of service in advancing by new discovery physiological knowledge or knowledge which will be useful for saving or prolonging life or alleviating suffering. Home Office Inspectors make spot checks to verify that permitted experiments are undertaken with a view to these purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many experiments under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, were performed in the latest available full year for cosmetic tests, development of war weapons, demonstrations of known scientific phenomena to students, and confirmation of discoveries made by other methods.

In the course of 1969, 10,200 experiments were performed in illustration of lectures in medical schools, hospitals and elsewhere. The information requested in the other parts of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many experiments on live animals performed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876 in the latest available full year were witnessed from start to finish by the Home Office inspectors.

This information is not immediately available and I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individual animals were used in the 5,418,928 experiments performed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, during the latest available full year.

Details of the number of animals used are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department take to ensure that laboratory animal houses do not unwittingly buy animals which have been stolen or obtained by false pretences.

Laboratory authorities are free to obtain their animals by any legitimate means and my right hon. Friend has no statutory responsibility in the matter of the supply of animals for experimental purposes. It is an offence to receive stolen animals; laboratory authorities are aware of the need to ensure that the supplies they acquire have been properly obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the purpose of the visits by inspectors to 163 premises not included on the register of pemises licensed to perform experiments on animals under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876.

To inspect premises prior to registration and to discuss other matters relevant to the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to curb the growing practice of trapping badgers by means of snares in order to provide trimmings for women's clothing.

My right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any evidence which my hon. Friend can supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether his policy of seeking to de-escalate wage awards of high pay increases to those in the private and public sectors applies to those on salary scales of£9,700 per annum being increased to£13,500 per annum, and those on£10,700 per annum being increased to£11,500 per annum, details of which have been conveyed to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North; if he will condemn such high pay increases; and if he will make a statement;

My right hon. Friend has not received his communication but I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the salary increases for board members of the London Transport Executive. These increases were authorised by the Greater London Council and are in line with the 1969 recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes. The salary increases quoted in the Questions apply to two members of the executive, one of whom is assuming the appointment of Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Buses and the other is assuming the responsibility of Managing Director Railways. These salary increases do not therefore refer to individuals who are remaining in their present appointments but to individuals who are being promoted to additional responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present rate of unemployment in the North-East of Scotland in numbers

Days lost through industrial disputes, per person employed, in mining, manufacturing, construction and transport in 1953–69
		1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961
United Kingdom*	…	0·170	0·190	0·280	0·150	0·620	0·260	0·420	0·240	0·220
U.S.A.†	…	1·070	0·890	1·100	1·300	0·630	1·030	2·770	0·750	0·650
Australia‡	…	0·660	0·540	0·580	0·630	0·370	0·250	0·200	0·380	0·330
		1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969
United Kingdom*	…	0·440	0·140	0·170	0·220	0·170	0·210	0·360	0·510
U.S.A. †	…	0·730	0·630	0·850	0·860	0·880	1·430	1·600	1·390
Australia‡	…	0·280	0·300	0·460	0·390	0·340	0·300	0·440	0·810
* Owing to changes in industrial classification, the figures from 1959 onwards are not strictly comparable with those for earlier years.
† Includes electricity, gas and sanitary services.
‡ Includes electricity and gas.
Source: Information supplied by the International Labour Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that the growing unemployment in the London Borough of Newham is affecting the finding of jobs for the disabled and partially disabled; and what and as a percentage; and how this compares with the last five years.

At 12th May the provisional number registered as unemployed in the North-East Planning Region of Scotland was 6,625 and the rate of unemployment was 4·3 per cent.Following is a table showing figures for earlier dates:

Numbers registered as unemployed and rates of unemployment in the North-East Planning Region of Scotland
			Number	Per cent.
May, 1970	…	…	5,531	3·6
May, 1969	…	…	4,965	3·2
May, 1968	…	…	4,786	3·1
May, 1967	…	…	5,081	3·2
May, 1966	…	…	3,951	2·5

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish information from international sources in the possession of his Department giving the days lost per worker per year through strikes in Australia, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, between 1930 to 1933, 1946 to 1954, 1955 to 1960, and 1961 to 1970, respectively.

The information is available only for the years 1953 onwards. Figures for 1970 will be available towards the end of 1971.Following is the information:action he has taken or intends taking to help to place in employment disabled persons registered at the Stratford Exchange, E.5.

I am aware that disabled people find it harder to get jobs when the level of general unemployment is higher, but there has been little change in the level of unemployment among disabled people in the Stratford area during the past year. The steps that are being taken to assist disabled people to find work which I announced to the House on 25th March should be of assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what, in sterling, was the gross weekly income of the average wage earner in each Common Market country and in the United Kingdom, respectively, in 1958 and at the latest available date.

I regret that the precise figures asked for are not available, but the following figures of average income per employed person, including earnings, social security payments and fringe benefits, have been published by the European Community Information Service and relate to 1958 and 1968.

AVERAGE INCOME PER EMPLOYED PERSON U.S. $ PER YEAR (IN EXCHANGE RATE THEN CURRENT)
		1958	1968
Belgium	…	1,833	3,512
France	…	1,735	3,846
Germany	…	1,427	3,059
Italy	…	1,033	2,588
Luxembourg	…	2,401 (1960)	3,604 (1967)
Netherlands	…	1,432	3,546
United Kingdom	…	1,677	2,578

International comparisons of this kind present many problems; they must be made in terms of a chosen currency, and changes in the rate of exchange complicate the position. At the old rate the figure for the United Kingdom in 1968 would have been 3,008. Furthermore, there are differences in the purchasing power of the currencies and in the levels of direct and indirect taxation and of social benefits between one country and another.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what, in sterling, was the net weekly disposable income after deduction of taxes and national insurance contributions of the average wage earner in each Common Market country and in the United Kingdom, respectively, in 1958, 1969 and at the latest available date.

I regret that this information is not available from international sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the amount of the average national weekly savings, expressed as a proportion of the net disposable income of the average wage earner, in the United Kingdom and each of the six countries of the European Economic Community, respectively, for the most recent convenient period.

I regret that this information is not available from international sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what, in sterling and as a percentage, was the real increase in net weekly disposable income of the average wage earner, adjusted for the increase in the cost of living, in each Common Market country and the United Kingdom, respectively, between 1958 and 1969 or a later available date.

I regret that this information is not available from international sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has been taken regarding the conclusions of the Select Committee on Education and Science that an independent inquiry at the Guildford School of Art should be set up; and if she will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement detailing the change in the number of schoolchildren taking school meals in the City of Portsmouth following the introduction of the new charges, with special reference to the income levels of the parents of those who have ceased to take them, and the percentage of children entitled to free meals who are taking them.

Information now being collected by local education authorities about numbers of pupils taking school meals will not be available for some time. Authorities' returns will give details of numbers of pupils receiving free meals but authorities cannot collect information about the income level of parents whose children do not take the meal.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is yet able to state the number of pupils on roll, and the number of school meals taken in schools in the City of Manchester, at the latest available date, compared with the same period in 1970.

The latest available figures relate to a day in the autumn term, 1970, and are given below. Information about the number of pupils taking school meals during the current term is being collected by all local education authorities but it will be some time before these returns are completed. Comparable figures for the summer term were not collected last year.

	Day pupils taking meals
Day pupils present	On payment	Free	Total
93,442	49,931	17,723	67,654

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in England and Wales have notified her Department that they use the Department of Education and Science leaflets on Safety at School and Health Education as a basis for systematic tuition in medical first aid.

The Department does not collect this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the letter addressed to her on 20th September, 1970, by Mr. H. T. Dey, the General Secretary of the Coventry Teachers Association, will be answered, in view of the fact that a reply was promised by her on 21st October, 1970, after the Coventry Local Education Authority had been consulted.

A reply has now been sent to Mr. Dey. I am writing to the hon. Member explaining the delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what she estimates to have been the total annual current expenditure during each of the last years on, respectively, secondary modern schools, state grammar schools, technical schools and comprehensive schools.

Separate expenditure figures for different types of secondary schools are not available.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps are being taken by the security forces to identify the groups or bodies responsible for the recent increase in the use of explosives and incendiary devices in Northern Ireland; and what conclusions have been reached.

Every effort is being made by the security forces to detect those responsible for explosive and incendiary attacks, and to reduce the number of such attacks. New initiatives have been taken, but it would not be in the interests of the success of these measures to reveal details of them.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what were the circumstances in which a patrol of 4th Field Squadron Royal Engineers pursued a car which turned and drove away from an Army road-block at Newry on Sunday night, 16th May; where the car was overtaken; what searches were carried out and with what results; and what arrests were made.

Shortly after 7 p.m. on 16th May a car avoided passing through a road block in Newry. It was followed by a military patrol to a house south of the town, where the driver was seen to carry something inside. The driver of another car was prevented from leaving the house by the patrol. The Royal Ulster Constabulary was called and a search was carried out. Two two-way radios, a police truncheon and seven 22 rounds were found. I understand that the drivers of both cars were detained for questioning by the police, but were later released.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the acreage of the rifle range at Dechmont Hill, Cambuslang.

Five hundred and fifty nine acres, of which the ranges themselves occupy 117 acres, and the surrounding danger area, which is let for farming, the remaining 382 acres.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many accidents have been reported to his Department from the rifle range at Dechmont Hill, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, during the past five years.

None.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many units use the rifle range at Dechmont Hill, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire; and on how many days per year this range is required by them.

Usage varies from year to year. During the past year 17 army and 50 cadet units used the range. The range is required throughout the year.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future of the special naval test facilities, including catapults and arrester gear, for fixed wing aircraft at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford.

The Naval Air Department flight deck installations at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, are representative of equipment fitted in H.M.S. "Eagle" and H.M.S. "Ark Royal". We are considering putting the former on a care and maintenance basis when "Eagle" is withdrawn in 1972. The latter will remain in service while "Ark Royal" is operational, and will be used to train operators, to prove aircraft modifications, to investigate in-service problems and, on a repayment basis, to undertake work for other navies using aircraft carriers.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement about his Department's intention of deliberately discharging oil into the international waters of the south-west approaches to the English Channel; if he is satisfied that it could be effectively dispersed; and what type of information he requires that was not available from the substantial quantities of oil discharged from those Liberian registered vessels that recently collided or grounded in the English Channel.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the purpose and extent of the experiment with oil pollution being conducted this week by the Royal Navy north-west of the Scilly Isles.

The object of this trial, to be conducted by Navy Department scientists, is to study the effect of natural factors on oil spilled at sea. This will be done under controlled conditions which are necessary for the analysis and measurement required and which are absent in the circumstances surrounding the wreck or stranding of a tanker. The information gained from the trial is expected to be of considerable value in dealing with possible future oil pollution disasters. There will be no danger of the oil used polluting beaches, and it will all be dispersed at the end of the trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what, following the Ministerial meeting in Brussels from 11th to 14th May, is Her Majesty's Government's position with regard to the European Economic Community regulations on the free movement of labour.

We accept the Community's policy on freedom of movement of labour. We are clarifying in discussion with the Community certain details which affect the implementation of this policy in regard to this country but these were not discussed at the Ministerial negotiating conference on 11th and 12th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list precisely the spheres in which Great Britain has irrevocably surrendered her sovereignty through membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Some sharing of sovereignty is implicit in the concept of mutual self-defence enshrined in the North Atlantic Treaty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to open future meetings of the National Economic Development Council to the general public.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the meeting of the National Economic Development Council held on 5th May, 1971.

The Council considered papers on the role of monetary policy and on recent anti-inflationary policies in certain other countries. It is not the practice to make a formal statement about the detailed proceedings at Council meetings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) at what combination of earned and unearned income will there be the maximum reduction of the incidence of tax on unearned income as a result of the proposed increase of earned income relief for incomes of£4,005 in the case of a married man with two children under 11 years of age;(2) what are the ranges of combinations of earned and unearned incomes for a married couple with two children under 11 years of age for which the increase of earned income relief will, by lowering the top rates at which unearned income is taxed, lead to a reduction in the tax paid on unearned income.

All surtax-payers earning more than£5,001 in 1971–72 will pay less surtax as a result of the proposed increase in earned income relief. Since surtax is chargeable on a person's total income it cannot be apportioned between the separate components of his income; but if the taxpayer's investment income is regarded as the top slice of his total income, the reduction in the surtax on it will depend on the amount of the earned income, the amount of investment income and the extent to which the latter is brought into a lower surtax bracket as a result of the increased earned income relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated revenue from the anti-interest provisions of Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1969.

About£20 million-£25 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate number of income tax assessments which are calculated on estimated income, at the latest convenient date.

Information is not available on which to base a reliable estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of each stamp duty still payable under the provisions of the Stamp Act, 1891, as amended, stating the rate at which it is payable, the number of transactions in the financial year 1970–71 on which it was paid, the total gross yield in the financial year 1970–71, and, if none, the last financial year in which there were transactions and yield, and the number and amount thereof.

The total net receipt of stamp duties for 1970–71 is classified in the table below. No record is kept of the number of transactions applicable to each duty.A more detailed list of stamp duties in force at 1st August, 1967, is given on pages 307–315 of the 110th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmnd. 3508), but a number of duties have since been abolished (see Schedule 7, Finance Act, 1970) or are proposed to

STAMP DUTIES: CLASSIFICATION OF NET RECEIPT, 1970–71 GREAT BRITAIN
						£ thousand
						1970–71
Land and property other than stocks and shares:
Conveyances:
Land and houses:
On Sale	…	…	…	…	…	28,838
Voluntary dispositions	…	…	…	…	…	511
Other property:
On Sale	…	…	…	…	…	742
Voluntary dispositions	…	…	…	…	…	362
Leases	…	…	…	…	…	3,862
Mortgages etc.:
Lands and houses	…	…	…	…	…	4,056
Other property	…	…	…	…	…
TOTAL	…	…	…	…	…		38,371

Stocks, shares, debentures, etc.:
Transfers of stocks and shares:
On Sale	…	…	…	…	…	49,180
Voluntary dispositions	…	…	…	…	…
Composition for duty from Corporations, etc.		…	…	…	…	122
Bearer instruments	…	…	…	…	…	12
Bonds, debentures, etc. (at 2s. 6d. per cent, duty)		…	…	…	…	163
Loan capital duty	…	…	…	…	…	4,184
Contract notes (stockbrokers')	…	…	…	…	…	1,370
Contract notes (computer)	…	…	…	…	…	112
TOTAL	…	…	…	…	…		55,143

Companies'share capital duty	…	…	…	…	…	5,387
TOTAL	…	…	…	…	…		5,387

Cheques etc.:
Cheques:
Impressed stamps	…	…	…	…	…	20
Composition duty	…	…	…	…	…	10,537
Bankers' bills and notes	…	…	…	…	…	647
Receipts	…	…	…	…	…	305
TOTAL	…	…	…	…	…		11,204

Other stamp duties:
Bankers' licences	…	…	…	…	…	—
Certificates of registration of alkali and other works			…	…	…	—
Life insurance policies.	…	…	…	…	…	5,146
Policies other than life	…	…	…	…	…	62
Settlements and Unit Trust instruments	…	…	…	…	…	626
Documents not classified	…	…	…	…	…	1,366
Penalties	…	…	…	…	…	—
TOTAL	…	…	…	…	…		7,200
TOTAL OF ALL STAMP DUTIES	…	…	…	…	…		117,610

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list precisely the spheres in which Great Britain has irrevocably surrendered her sovereignty through membership of the International Monetary Fund.

The Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund have the force of an international treaty and prescribe rules relating to the exchange rate system, to transactions with the Fund, and to the scheme of Special Drawing Rights. But subscription to the Articles implies no irrevocable decision. Article XV provides that a member may withdraw from the Fund at any time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage increase in gross consumer's expenditure, the comparable percentage increase in the cost of living and the real percentage increase in consumer's expenditure since

Period for which consistent figures available	United Kingdom	Belgium	France	Germany	Italy	Luxembourg	Netherlands
	1958–69	1959–69	1958–69	1960–69	1958–69	1960–69	1958–69
Consumers' expenditure at current prices
Percentage increase
Total	87·5	91·3	177·6	93·4	161·9	79·2	170·3
At an annual rate	5·9	6·7	9·7	7·6	9·1	6·7	9·5
Price index of consumers' expenditure
Percentage increase
Total	40·6	28·3	54·9	26·7	41·4	28·5	49·6
At an annual rate	3·1	2·5	4·1	2·7	3·2	2·8	3·7
Consumers' expenditure at constant prices
Percentage increase
Total	33·4	49·1	79·2	52·7	85·2	39·5	80·6
At an annual rate	2·7	4·1	5·4	4·8	5·8	3·8	5·5
Sources: U.K. National Income Blue Book and Economic Trends.
E.E.C. National Accounts 1959–69.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he instructed the Bank of England to request all practising solicitors in England and Wales to make returns to the Bank of all their overseas earnings and payments in 1971; and whether he will make a statement.

This request by the Bank of England is part of the programme recommended by the Committee on Invisible Exports, in its Report published in 1967, to improve statistics of invisible earnings. It enjoys the support and cooperation of the Law Society, and is the subject of an authoritative article in the March-April issue of the Society's Gazette (p. 173).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he

The figures are given in the table below for the longest periods for which they are available on a comparable basis. In view of the differences in the periods covered, annual rates have been shown as well as the total increase.expects the Technical Committee he has set up on the disposal of toxic wastes to report; and when he intends to announce his conclusions on it and on the report of the committee on refuse disposal.

The main recommendations in the Report of the Technical Committee on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes, which was published in August, 1970, are complementary to and are being considered with those of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal which was published on 27th April, 1971. In Circular 26/71 my right hon. Friend indicated he has accepted in principle that the disposal of solid waste should be co-ordinated over reasonably large areas and that there should be a greater measure of control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on the Final Report by the Control Unit of Environmental Planning on the Severnside Study.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Severnside Study were made by the Central Unit of Environmental Planning and do not commit the Government. The Government do, however, welcome this thorough study of an important part of the country and will be consulting the local planning authorities and regional councils concerned about the planning issues it raises. A further statement will be made when these consultations are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total in each year since their inception, of grants made by him on the advice of the Historic Buildings Councils for England, Scotland and Wales, to properties owned by the National Trust and the National Trusts for Scotland.

The following are the grants made by my right hon. Friend or his predecessors. Figures are not given for Scotland or Wales after 30th June, 1966, since under the Transfer of Functions (Building Control and Historic Buildings) Order, 1966, responsibility for making these grants in respect of Scotland and Wales was transferred to the respective Secretaries of State with effect from 1st July, 1966.

GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL TRUST AND THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND
		England	Scotland	Wales
		£	£	£
1954	…	25,237	17,500	—
1955	…	65,450	3,500	—
1956	…	8,352	7,500	—
1957	…	44,084	—	—
1958	…	143,300	5,500	810
1959	…	81,477	14,600	495
1960	…	77,462	15,000	495
1961	…	49,556	8,300	—
1962	…	156,730	21,500	—
1963	…	52,936	20,300	—
1964	…	148,068	15,150	—
1965	…	126,015	33,000	—
1966	…	76,307	23,775	—
1967	…	132,547	—	—
1968	…	112,721	—	—
1969	…	144,725	—	—
1970	…	91,589	—	—
		£1,536,556	£185,625	£1,800

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what criteria he has adopted for the speed limit of 40 miles per hour on the Hollinwood Avenue and Middleton Road sections of the main Leeds to Liverpool road;(2) what were the numbers of accidents, personal injuries and deaths on the main Lancashire-Yorkshire road within the constituency of the hon. Member for Blackley during the period when 40 miles per hour speed limits were permitted on the Hollinwood Avenue and Middleton Road section.

The limits were raised to 40 m.p.h. by Manchester City Council in 1966. The Council no doubt took account of the Department's criteria which included the recorded speeds of the majority of drivers. Since then there have been I fatal and 41 injury accidents on the Middleton Road length and 4 fatal and 57 injury accidents on the other length.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representation he has received in relation to Hollinwood Avenue and Middleton Road traffic hazards in so far as they affect those parts within the constituency of the hon. Member for Blackley; and what replies he has given;(2) if he has approved the erection of a pelican crossing on Hollinwood Avenue, Moston, Manchester; and what was the approximate cost;(3) whether a traffic count has been taken on Hollinwood Avenue, Moston, Manchester; and with what result.

The only representation has been Manchester County Borough Council's application for a Pelican crossing at Hollinwood Avenue in October, 1970. Traffic and pedestrian counts were taken. As a result the divisional road engineer approved the crossing in January, 1971. Installation, which is a matter for the local authority, will cost about£1,500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the applications he received to the end of March, 1971, from sports bodies in England and Wales in respect of approved travel expenses for international competitions overseas in the year 1971–72, and for each case state the total travel expense for which grant was sought.

The following is the information:

Applications received to 31st March, 1971 from sports bodies in England and Wales in respect of approved travel expenses for International Competitions overseas in 1971–72:
Name of Body	Total approved travel expense for which grant was sought
	£
Amateur Fencing Association	10,730
National Skating Association	1,298
British Tenpin Bowling Association	7,027
British Orienteering Federation	856
Joint Shooting Committee	22,122
British Hockey Board	5,790
Amateur Rowing Association	4,299
British Amateur Gymnastic Association	3,143
Tug of War Association	1,152
British Judo Association	816
British Water Ski Federation	4,480
British Canoe Union	9,643
British Horse Society	11,214
Grand National Archery Society	4,353
Billiards Association	160
Royal and Ancient Golf Club	500
Hockey Association	512
Royal Yachting Association	10,906
Amateur Boxing Association	2,166
Amateur Swimming Associations of Great Britain	10,480
Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain	778
Schools Amateur Boxing Association	926
British Amateur Weight Lifters' Association	6,198
Amateur Basket Ball Association	3,696
Squash Rackets Association	3,000
Badminton Association of England	367
Amateur Volleyball Association	1,050
All England Women's Hockey Association	9,000
Welsh Amateur Basket Ball Association	1,598
Welsh Hockey Association	630
Welsh Amateur Boxing Association	878
Welsh Secondary Schools Rugby Union	341
Welsh Badminton Union	364
Welsh Women's Hockey Association	9,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he is undertaking into the causes of the higher accident rate to small goods vehicles of one-and-a-half tons or less as compared with the rate for passenger cars or for vans or lorries of higher tonnage.

No special research is in hand. Different uses are reflected in the accident rates.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange that the Members for Welsh constituencies shall be granted three whole days in every Session to discuss on the Floor of the House problems relating to their constituencies and to Wales in general, in view of the fact that present arrangements are inadequate.

I believe that the opportunities for the discussion of Welsh affairs are already adequate.

asked the Lord President of the Council what agreements affecting the Refreshment Department have been entered into with commercial interests.

I have been asked to reply.The Catering Sub-Committee has entered into an agreement with Versa-Serve Limited whereby that company will advise and assist it in all aspects of the operation of the Refreshment Department. The agreement is for one year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the numbers of patients admitted to Queen Charlotte's Hospital in each of the years 1969 and 1970 from each of the two groups of London Boroughs, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Ealing, Hounslow, and Richmond; and if he will now state the catchment area he intends to use for calculating the future provision of maternity beds in West London.

Following is the information:

The area used for calculating the future needs for maternity beds in West London is that of the London Boroughs of Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. In calculating these needs account has been taken of the fact that a substantial number of patients will come from outside this area to the teaching hospitals within it. In general, however, it is preferable for patients to receive hospital services within reasonable distances of their homes.

ADMISSION OF MATERNITY PATIENTS TO QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL FROM CERTAIN LONDON BOROUGHS IN 1969 AND 1970
London Borough		Admissions
		1969	1970
Hammersmith	…	1,401	1,397
Kensington and Chelsea	…	379	270
Westminster	…	101	39
Total	…	1,881	1,706
Ealing	…	1,020	883
Hounslow	…	735	733
Richmond	…	299	343
Total	…	2,054	1,959

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the liquor trade.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has completed the appointment of members of the committee of inquiry into the veterinary professions.

Yes. My colleagues and I are glad that Mr. John E. Moffitt has accepted our invitation to serve on this Committee. His appointment completes the membership.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the total value of exports of butter and lamb from New Zealand to the United Kingdom for the last five full years for which figures are available.

I have been asked to reply.Following is the information:

Year ended 30th June	Butter	Lamb
	£m.	£m.
1966	43·7	45·3
1967	42·7	45·0
1968	46·6	51·7
1969	48·7	61·9
1970	46·0	62·2

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage increase over the last year in the price of coffee, biscuits and preserves.

The average retail price of a 4 oz. tin of branded instant coffee increased by about 17 per cent. between 17th March, 1970 and 16th March, 1971, according to figures collected by the Department of Employment for the purposes of the General Index of Retail Prices. Comparable information for biscuits and preserves is not available because of the wide range of individual products involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will state for each of the last three years, at any convenient date, the number of persons proceeded against on charges of assaults against the person and the number of such persons believed to be under the influence of drink, respectively; what is the percentage of the latter to the former; and if he will draw the attention of the committee of inquiry into the licensing laws to this matter;(2) if he will state for each of the last three years, at any convenient date, the number of persons proceeded against on charges of breach of the peace and the number of such persons believed to be under the influence of alcohol, respectively; what is the percentage of the latter to the former; and if he will draw the attention of the committee of inquiry into the licensing laws to this matter.

Precise information about the alcoholic condition of persons charged with these offences is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what resources are available in Scotland for the treatment of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Every major general hospital deals with the problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The main centres are at the Northern General Hospital, Edinburgh, the Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Baird Street, Glasgow and the City Hospital, Aberdeen.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients suffering from rheumatoid arthiritis are awaiting surgery; and what is the average waiting period for admission to hospital.

About 300; the average waiting time varies from hospital to hospital.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants are permanently engaged in preparing answers to Members' Questions; what is the average time and cost per answer at the last convenient accounting date; and what is the total cost of these answers since the opening of this Parliament.

A large number of civil servants spend some of their time in preparing answers to Members' Ques-

					Persons and unincorporated businesses Bankruptcies				Numbers Companies
					Receiving and Administration Orders made		Numbers adjudicated bankrupt	Deeds of arrangement	Liquidations*
1968	…	…	…	…	4,150	…	3,926	138	3,168
1969	…	…	…	…	4,549		4,369	212	3,510
1970	…	…	…	…	4,907		4,656	174	3,689
1971–1st Quarter			…	…	1,145		..	..	..
* Compulsory, and creditors' voluntary, liquidations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether tie will establish a civilian helicopter air/sea rescue service at Chivenor, North Devon, after the closing of the airfield as a Royal Air Force flying station in 1972–73.

I shall consider this in the light of our experience of the experimental civilian helicopter service at Manston and alternative air/sea rescue

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of bankruptcies reported for each of the last three years with figures to the latest available date.