asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the proposed common external tariff on tea in the European Economic Community.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster reported to the House on 17th May the Community has agreed to an indefinite suspension of the duty on tea. This suspension is to zero in the case of bulk tea, and to 5 per cent. for tea in packets of less than 3 kilogrammes.—[Vol. 817, c. 899–900.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect on the price of wines of joining the European Economic Community.

It is not possible to arrive at a clear estimate until all the factors bearing on price changes have been determined; but any changes in price would be likely to take place gradually over a period of years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of United Kingdom sugar consumption would he expect to be supplied by Australia after 1974 if Great Britain were to enter the European Economic Community.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 17th May by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to my hon. Friends the Members for Wembley, South (Sir R. Russell) and Keighley (Miss Joan Hall).—[Vol. 817, c. 859–60.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect upon the smaller milk producers of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

United Kingdom membership of the European Econo- mic Community would raise the price which the dairy farmer in this country receives for his output. I expect that the smaller milk producer would share fully in the benefit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the total stocks of butter in the European Economic Community.

The stock of butter in the European Economic Community at the end of April, 1971 was estimated to be 49,845 metric tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he expects Northern Ireland to be served by a separate intervention centre for certain products under the Common Agricultural Policy in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community.

No decisions have yet been taken on the location of intervention centres, but in considering this matter the Government would take full account of Northern Ireland interests.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his estimate of the effect of entry into the European Economic Community on the price of cereals imported into Northern Ireland;(2) what is his estimate of the effect of entry into the European Economic Community on the price of cereals imported from outside the United Kingdom into Northern Ireland.

As detailed decisions have still to be taken on the application of the Community's cereals regime to the United Kingdom, meaningful estimates cannot be made at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to safeguard the standard of plant health and animal health, respectively, in Northern Ireland in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community.

There is nothing in the European Economic Community's legislation which would reduce the existing standard of plant health in Northern Ireland in the event of United Kingdom entry into the Community.The question of preserving the animal health status of Northern Ireland is among those which are being discussed in the negotiations with the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give an assurance that the standard of Brucellosis eradication in Northern Ireland will be safeguarded in the event of United Kingdom entry into European Economic Community.

This is one of the questions which is being discussed in the E.E.C. entry negotiations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest estimates for the increase in food

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the amount and the value of apples and pears destroyed by the European Economic Community under the Community intervention policy in the period commencing 1st August, 1970 to date; and how these figures compare with the United Kingdom production.

It has been reported that 118,000 tons of apples and 620,000 tons of pears have been with-

As I told the House on 21st January, the estimate made in 1970 may now be on the high side.—[Vol. 809, c. 1319.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the figures for the acreage of apples and pears in each Common Market country over the last five years, showing separately the acreage grubbed in each country.

I regret that information is not available for all of the Common Market countries in the form in which my hon. Friend has asked for it, but the following is such information as I possess on apple and pear acreages. On the question of grubbing, I would refer him to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Jenkin) on 30th April.—[Vol. 816, c. 223.] drawn from Community markets over different periods in member countries since August, 1970 for disposal under Community rules. United Kingdom apple and pear production in the 1970 season is estimated at 538,000 tons and 76,000 tons respectively excluding cider apples and perry pears. Details of value are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, by volume and value, the products withdrawn from the market under the European Economic Community intervention policies in 1970–71.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce the terms of compensation for growers of horticultural products whose livelihood would suffer if Great Britain should join the European Economic Community.

My right hon. Friend has undertaken to discuss with leaders of the industry what help the Government can give in the case of growers faced with difficult problems of adjustment. I cannot yet say when he will be able to make an announcement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the approximate market intervention price per pound for apples and pears in the European Economic Community in 1970; and how this compares with prices received by the United Kingdom growers.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what firms have now written to him intimating that they are reducing prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 11th May.—[Vol. 817. c. 57.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what price Great Britain now pays for butter imported from New Zealand, and how this compares with the price in June, 1970.

The New Zealand Dairy Board has raised the selling price of its butter in the United Kingdom market by 40 per cent. since June, 1970. On 1st June, 1970, the firsthand selling price of New Zealand bulk butter was £300 a ton, it is now £420 a ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total cost to the Exchequer of the support

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the proposal to abolish bull licensing; what replies he has sent; and whether he will now make a statement about the progress of his consideration of this matter.

No proposals have been announced. As foreshadowed in Cmnd. 4564 "Proposed Changes in the

It is not possible to go back further than 1955–56. Prior to that date the direct cost of agricultural support cannot be identified because of the system of food control and rationing then in operation.The available information is as follows:Work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food", the future of all forms of sire licensing is being carefully considered. My right hon. Friend has been made aware of strong feelings for and against abolition of bull licensing, and he will be making an announcement in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average cost to his Department last year for each bull rejected under the bull licensing scheme.

This cannot readily be identified separately. In general the cost of rejecting or accepting a bull falls to be recovered from the proceeds of licence and appeal fees which now stand at £2·75 and up to £7 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take legislative powers to give further assistance to small farms.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals for making further Schemes under the powers available in the Agriculture (Small Farmers) Act, 1959. He accepted the conclusion in the 1970 Annual Review that the Small Farm (Business Management) Scheme, which was the last in this series and which expired on 31st August, 1970, should not be renewed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can now announce details of his new orchard grubbing scheme.

I am not yet in a position to make an announcement about the changes which my hon. Friend would like to see in the orchard grubbing grant. I assure him that I will do so as soon as I can.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss to the United Kingdom invisible earnings if the rôle of sterling as a reserve currency is phased out; and if he will make a statement.

None. It is however of interest that our invisible earnings have gone steadily ahead in recent years despite the relative decline in the reserve rôle of sterling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual income for the financial year 1970–71, or latest available year, of the combined income from all the hereditary revenue surrendered by the Sovereign in exchange for the Civil List; and what was the amount of the Civil List for the same period.

In the financial year 1970–71 the total income paid into the Consolidated Fund in respect of the hereditary revenues surrendered by the Sovereign in exchange for the Civil List was £5,583,000. Payments from the Consolidated Fund in the same period for The Queen's Civil List amounted to £514,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those stamp duties for which no revenue was received in the last full financial year.

I regret that this information is not available as it is not possible to allocate to particular heads of charge documents which were not classified at the time of their presentation for stamping.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers during the last fiscal year paid without querying their assessment; and if he will publish a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing how many were involved in each income range.

The information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the combined figures for the United Kingdom's visible and invisible trade for each of the last five years with Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and, separately, for the Commonwealth, the Sterling Area, the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Association, showing in each case the surpluses or deficits.

Data on United Kingdom balance of payments transactions analysed by country are very incomplete and in general reliable estimates of the balance of current transactions with individual countries or areas are not available. Such estimates as have been compiled are already published in Tables 9 and 12 of the Balance of Payments Pink Book.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will agree to meet the Trades Union Congress General Council to discuss the value-added tax before taking any irrevocable step on imposing the tax on foodstuffs.

There was a useful discussion about value-added tax at the N.E.D.C. meeting last week when the T.U.C representatives made their views clear. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer reaffirmed the Government's intention that food, apart perhaps from certain items at present charged to purchase tax, would be relieved of value-added tax.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to end the refusal by medical appeal tribunals to inform an appellant or his representative of the findings of an appeal at the time when it is held.

No. The procedure at Medical Appeal Tribunal hearings is a matter for the tribunal, subject to the provision laid down by regulations that the tribunal's decision shall be in writing and contain a statement of the reasons for the decision, including findings on all material questions of fact.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy in regard to requiring National Health Service doctors to give reasons when they have asked for patients' names to be removed from their lists.

Family doctors are not required to give reasons for asking Executive Councils to remove patients' names from their National Health Service lists, nor do patients need to give reasons for changing their doctors. I think it is in the interests of good doctor/patient relationships that both parties should have this freedom of choice.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the report of the Tunbridge Committee on rehabilitation; if he will arrange for it to receive wide publicity and distribution; and if he will make a statement.

The Standing Medical Advisory Committee's sub-committee on rehabilitation, under the chairmanship of Professor Sir Ronald Tunbridge, is expected to report later this year. When I receive the report I will consider the appropriate further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish details of the criteria adopted by local authorities for the assessment of need for telephones under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act;(2) if he is satisfied with the way in which local authorities are implementing the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act with regard to the provision of telephones to the disabled; and if he will make a statement.

With the concurrence of the local authority associations I have arranged for the minimum criteria suggested in their circular of 17th March, with which we are in general agreement, to be printed below.Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider making available extra funds to the South East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for the improvement of the geriatric services in the area, following the working party report of April, 1971, which referred, inter alia, to the need for improved facilities at Bensted House, Faversham, the Sheppey General Hospital, and the long-term deve10pment of Milton Regis Hospital.

The Board have already been notified of their share of the additional money made available over the four years 1971 to 1975 to speed progress in care for the elderly and in other vulnerable sectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many executive officers were employed in his Department on 29th May, 1971; and what were their salaries.

The latest date for which details of staff numbers are available is 1st May, 1971, when there were 13,457 executive officers employed in my Department at salaries in the range £741 to £1,835. It is estimated that the salary cost of these staff would amount to about £21½ million in a full year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to changing the basis of the Food Index to make it more representative of present day trends in food consumption.

The weights assigned to the items included in the food group of the Index of Retail Prices and the items priced are revised each January. More frequent revisions are not practicable in an index of this type published monthly in less than five weeks after the date to which it relates.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average weekly wage in the woollen textile industry for male and female workers, respectively.

The October, 1970 figures given in reply to the hon. Member's question on 28th April are the latest available, namely £23·25 and £12·52 respectively (HANSARD, 28th April, c. 147–8.)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if United Kingdom citizens moving to other countries under the free movement of labour provisions of the Treaty of Rome would have to carry identity cards or other documents of personal identification if the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community.

The rules of the European Economic Community require nationals of a member country seeking work in another to carry a passport or identity card and, if employment is likely to last for more than three months, a temporary residence permit. Wives and dependants require similar documents, together with proof of relationship or dependency.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he cut the current budget of the Agricultural Training Board by £50,000.

The projected increase above the Board's previous year's expenditure on its agricultural and horticultural activities was more than my right hon. Friend could accept at a time when he is looking seriously to training boards generally to contain and, where possible, reduce their expenditure. Some boards have already managed to reduce their levy demand.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated cost to public funds of paying unemployment benefit when 1 per cent., 2 per cent., 3 per cent., 4 per cent. and 5 per cent., respectively, of the labour force are unemployed in Great Britain excluding Northern Ireland.

I have been asked to reply.The cost of unemployment benefit depends not only on the number of unemployed but on the proportion entitled to benefit, but at the rates of benefit proposed in the National Insurance Bill, 1971 the cost to the National Insurance Fund might be of the following order:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the glasshouse industry and horticultural committees in Scotland about their prospects should Great Britain join the European Economic Community on present known terms; and what replies he has given.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Agriculture saw members of the Horticultural Committees of the National Farmers Unions on 12th May to discuss their general representations about the present glasshouse industry. It was recognised that on entry to the E.E.C. there would be adjustment problems for some growers which we would be willing to discuss further with the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young people, to the nearest convenient date, are presently being treated in old people's wards in Scottish hospitals for lack of proper accommodation; and what steps are now being taken to avoid this.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland for each of the regional hospital boards, how many young chronic sick patients are cared for in wards together with patients over 65 years of age.

On 31st December, 1970, there were 690 chronically sick and disabled patients under the age of 65 in non-psychiatric hospitals accommodated in wards intended wholly or mainly for the care of persons aged 65 or over. Hospital authorities are considering what better arrangements can be made for these patients, and further details about them which will shortly be available will help in assessing their needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from duodenal ulcer of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(2) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from nervous dyspepsia of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(3) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from ulcerative colitis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(4) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from piles not needing an operation of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a maximum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(5) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from chronic urinary infection of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(6) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from genito-urinary fistula of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(7) What is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from vaginitis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(8) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from venereal disease of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(9) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from batholinitis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(10) what is his estimate of the cost to the chronically sick patient suffering from urethritis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum, charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(11) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from a psychogenetic anxiety state of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p, steps with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(12) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from a personality disorder of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(13) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from psychogenic depression of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(14) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from manic depressive illness of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(15) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from schizophrenia of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(16) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(17) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from chronic psoriasis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(18) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from chronic fungus infections of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription:(19) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from chronic seborrheic dermatitis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(20) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from hiatus hernia of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(21) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from peptic ulcer of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;(22) what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from dysmenorrhoea of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the nor-may quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;23. what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from menopause of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;24. what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from bronchial astma of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;25. what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from chronic bronchitis of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;26. what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from emphysema of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2½p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;27. what is his estimate of the cost to a chronically sick patient suffering from mouth ulcers of each prescription given on form E.C.10, assuming that the general practitioner prescribes the normal quantities, in the event of a system of payment being instituted in which the patient would pay half of the cost of the prescription, graded in 2·p steps, with a minimum charge of 10p and a maximum of 25p per prescription;

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many communications were received by him during 1970, and during 1971 to the latest convenient date, respectively, from organisations and individuals wishing to extend the present licensing hours; and what replies have been sent.

Two from organisations and five from individuals in 1970, and none in 1971; they were told that the views expressed had been noted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25th May to similar questions by the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) and the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars).—[Vol. 818, c. 96–105.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full details of the prison building programme proposed by his Department.

The principal projects included in the present programme are as follows:present system is for payment of prisoners working under the training for freedom scheme in Scotland; and to what extent it resembles the system operating in England and Wales.

A prisoner in outside employment under the training for freedom scheme hands over his pay to the prison. His travelling expenses and the cost of meals he has to buy during the working day are met by the prison authorities; and he receives a weekly pocket money allowance of £1·75 plus one-sixth of any overtime earned up to a maximum of 50p per week. A sum of 50p per week and the balance up to one-half of overtime earned is credited to his personal cash account for payment on his release.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to construct a bypass for Ringford on the A75 trunk road.

I have no plans to bypass this village.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether lists are published of classified and unclassified roads for whose maintenance the local roads authority has accepted responsibility; and whether in future he will arrange for such lists to be compiled at a suitable interval of years and made available to the public.

Each county and town council in Scotland is required by statute to maintain lists of roads within its responsibility, and each town council to allow inspection of the register of streets by the public. I have no evidence that these arrangements are inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of inmates of each prison under his administration on the basis of one prisoner to a cell; and what is the actual number in each of these prisons, respectively, at the most recent convenient date.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the funds available to the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland.

I am pleased to announce that, for the remaining two years of the Council's current commitment programme, its allocation of funds will be increased from £110,000 to £150,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, when the terms of entry are known and before any decision is taken by Parliament on the matter of joining the Common Market, he will arrange for the national free distribution of a pamphlet setting out the anticipated advantages and disadvantages of Great Britain's membership.

As the House will be aware, we are issuing Factsheets on Britain and Europe through the Post Office; and in view of the great public interest we are planning to issue the remainder during the next few weeks. A White Paper will also be issued in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent Ministerial consultations with Norway over the European Economic Community fisheries policy.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster had comprehensive talks with the Norwegian Government on 25th May which included full discussion of the two Governments' attitudes to the Common Fisheries Policy of the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he considers associate membership of an enlarged European Economic Community is not appropriate for Asian Commonwealth countries.

Successive Governments have accepted the view of the Community expressed at the time of its 1963 Declaration of Intent that association should be offered only to countries whose economic structure and production are comparable to those of existing associates of the present Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for which products mentioned in the solutions agreed for the tariff treatment of industrial materials it would be possible for the United Kingdom to apply to the European Economic Community for duty quotas.

The products in question are ferro-chrome and ferro-silicone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what particular respects an agreement with the European Economic Community on specific quantities and prices for sugar from Commonwealth deve10ping countries after 1974, together with the offer of associated status, would be a lesser assurance for those countries than the agreement reached in Brussels on this question.

The Community's assurance on sugar is both a specific and moral commitment. It relates particularly to sugar, but covers additionally other primary products of importance to the countries concerned.As for sugar, the countries concerned have recognised, in the communiqué issued after last week's consultations, that the Community's offer is a firm assurance of a secure and continuing market in the enlarged Community on fair terms for the quantities of sugar covered by the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement in respect of all its existing deve10ping member countries, and will continue to plan their future on this basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to negotiate amendments to the European Economic Community Common Fisheries Policy before the House of Commons is asked to take a decision on the issue of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community.

We have now asked the Community to recognise that the regulations of the Common Fisheries Policy would need modification to meet the needs and circumstances of an enlarged Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a separate series of Factsheets on Northern Ireland and Europe.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the series of Factsheets on Great Britain and Europe are not called Factsheets on the United Kingdom and Europe.

The series of Factsheets to which the hon. Member refers is not called "Great Britain and Europe", but "Britain and Europe". The term "Britain" is commonly used to mean the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what further action Her Majesty's Government are taking to use their influence to secure an end to the strife in, and the admission of United Nations or other international relief organisations to, East Pakistan;(2) what further discussions he has held with the Indian High Commissioner concerning international action about the problems created by the numbers of refugees from East Pakistan who have entered India; and if he will make a statement.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement my right hon. Friend will be making later this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many students are given military training each year from certain foreign and Commonwealth countries under subhead D1 of the Foreign and Commonwealth Services Vote, and what is his estimate of the total number of students from each country who have benefitted from this scheme since it started.

Approximately 750 students are given military training in the United Kingdom each year under subhead Dl of the Foreign and Commonwealth Services Vote.Since 1968 when the Foreign and Commonwealth Office came into being some 2,264 students have received training from the countries listed in paragraph 2 of my reply given to my hon. Friend on 27th April. Details have been regarded as confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the countries concerned. But the main recipients have been the new Commonwealth countries with whom our defence links have remained strong.Figures prior to 1968 are not readily available and it is regretted that the cost of providing them would not be considered justified.—[Vol. 818, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will revise his plans for aid to India and Pakistan in view of the outbreak of cholera and the deve10pment of other medical problems on the borders of India and East Pakistan.

As hon. Members know, Britain immediately offered £1 million to the United Nations in response to the Secretary-General's appeal for the relief of the East Pakistan refugees in India. We are also prepared to play a part in any international relief effort in East Pakistan itself. I have no doubt that any relief operation will give priority to the treatment of cholera. Our contribution is additional to the existing British aid programmes in both India and Pakistan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom has not ratified the Protocol to the European Code of Social Security.

I have been asked to reply.The Question of ratification must await the reconstruction of the National Insurance Scheme.

asked the Prime Minister what classes of Questions dealing with the implementation of his Administration's policies for the West Country he proposes to answer.

General Questions on the deve10pment of the West Country are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment as the Minister with the leading responsibility for regional policy. Questions on specific aspects of policy should be addressed to the responsible Minister.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to improve liaison between the Departments of Employment and of Education and Science to achieve more satisfactory results in the placing of school leavers in employment.

The two Departments already co-operate very closely over careers guidance and youth employment. The Department of Education and Science is represented on the Central Youth Employment Executive, the body responsible for the Youth Employment Service in the Department of Employment.

asked the Prime Minister on what date he received a communication from Mr. V. Feather, the Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, concerning the attitude of the Trades Union Congress on adequate public discussion of all matters pertaining to Great Britain's conditions for entry into the European Economic Community before a Commons decision is taken; and what was the nature of his reply.

I received Mr. Feather's letter on 2nd June. My reply summarised what the Leader of the House and I have already said on this subject in the House, and explained that there was nothing more to add at this stage.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange that when a revised order of Questions is agreed, details are circulated to all Members immediately.

I am, of course, always willing to consider changes in the arrangements should there appear to be a general wish. However, I would think that the present arrangements are satisfactory, whereby, on the day when a New Question Roster is published, copies are included with the Order Paper and Votes, and further copies are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now proposes to implement the recommendations of the Working Party on Sewage Disposal, which reported in July, 1970.

My right hon. Friends and I have been carefully considering the recommendations. My right hon. Friend hopes to announce our conclusions on the main recommendations soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements have been made for the permanent allocation of tugs to stand by the Thames Barrier when completed;what is the estimated annual cost at current prices; who will pay for them; and what other consultations he has made concerning their provision and operation.

I have agreed in principle that tugs will be available as may be found necessary and that their cost will not fall upon the Thames shipping organisations. With at least six years to go before the barrier is complete, further consideration would be premature at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what communications he has received from Trinity House and the Port of London Authority concerning the design of the proposed Thames Barrier; what replies he has sent; and if he will place copies of any documents and correspondence in the Library.

Following discussions last December, Trinity House and the Port of London Authority informed me that a rising sector gate barrier, while less attractive to them than a drop-gate, would nevertheless be practicably negotiable by shipping using Woolwich Reach and that they could accept it in principle. My reply stated that, having regard to an estimate of cost £12 million less than that of a drop-gate and a construction period shorter by a year, I had no doubt that the balance of advantage lay with the rising sector gate. I do not consider it necessary to place copies of this correspondence in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in order to ensure freedom of navigation in the River Thames over the period of construction, operation, maintenance, or trial closure of a flood barrier, he will consider the advantages of immediate construction of a lock at Silvertown in Woolwich Reach that could be incorporated in any future works.

Construction, maintenance and trial closure are not expected to impede navigation unduly. For some time after completion of the barrier, closure upon flood warning will be relatively infrequent and the capital cost of a lock will be justified only if half-tide control is judged both practicable and desirable. Before deciding that, we need to know more about the effect of river siltation and on the ground-water table. Studies are proceeding, but meanwhile the barrier design will include provision for the later addition of a lock.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount currently available for grants made on the advice of the Historic Buildings Council for England.

The amount available for such grants in England is being increased from £700,000 to £1,000,000 a year with immediate effect. This is by far the biggest single increase in both percentage or actual money terms since the level of these grants was first fixed in 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the stability, wind-resistance and road-holding capabilities of the new three-wheel 500 c.c. invalid car, as compared with the 197 c.c. car, in the light of modern traffic conditions.

I have been asked to reply.I am advised that in relation to these and other characteristics the new invalid three-wheeler compares favourably with the present vehicle.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the financial risks and commitments undertaken by the international private group on the Channel Tunnel.

The Group's share of financial risks and commitments for later phases of the project will be discussed during the first phases of studies on the basis settled with the group on 22nd March. If, in the event no formal agreement can be reached, the Group will transfer to the British and French Governments the results of the first phase of studies and, depending on the circumstances of the failure to reach agreement, the two Governments will reimburse to the Group the whole or part of their approved costs. On present estimates Her Majesty's Government's share of the contingent commitment to the Group is under £500,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the cost of each of the phases of the final study of the Channel Tunnel undertaken by the international private group.

The costs of the first phase of studies are estimated now at something under £1 million. One of the objects of this first phase is to arrive at a costed programme for later phases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to increase the insurance responsibility limit for carriers above the present figure of £800 per ton.

No. This is purely a contractual matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many summary convictions have taken place under Section 1(1) of the Firearms Act, 1968 for the offence of possessing, purchasing, or acquiring a firearm or ammunition without a firearm certificate, stipulating a maximum penalty of a fine of £200 or six months' imprisonment or both; and what has been the average penalty imposed;

I am obtaining this information and shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in connection with the fourth round of applications for production licences on the United Kingdom section of the Continental Shelf, whether companies registered and managed within the United Kingdom and Commonwealth will be regarded by him as giving the necessary United Kingdom content to an applicant consortium if the ultimate control of such company cannot in fact be shown to be in the hands of British or Commonwealth citizens.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the announcement about further applications for licences which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in reviewing legislation to protect the interests of minority shareholders in private companies.

I expect that the proposals which we hope to make in due course for companies legislation will include measures to this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider strengthening Section 210 of the Companies Act, 1948, to provide a shareholder who considers himself unfairly treated with more prospect of success in making applications under this Section for an order regulating the conduct of his company's affairs or requiring the purchase of his shares by other members of the company.

Yes. The recommendations of the Jenkins Committee for strengthening Section 210 come within the review which the Government are making of company law.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give, for the latest available years, details of imports into the United Kingdom by quantity and country of origin, of silicon carbide, ferro-chrome, ferro-silicon, refined lead, zinc and aluminium.

Information up to 1969 is published in Volume II of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom. Imports of aluminium and zinc in 1970 are shown in the Table III of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom for December 1970. For the remaining items, imports in 1970 were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many recorded incidents involving a collision or the grounding of a ship have taken place in each of the past five years in the Straits of Dover; what ships were involved; and in what countries they were registered.

The number of collisions in each of the past five years in the Straits of Dover were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the incident concerning the United States Anti-Submarine Carrier "Intrepid" sailing through the Varne danger area in the English Channel.

On 27th May at about 16.40 the United States Navy ship "Intrepid" seemed about to pass between the two wreck-marking vessels. After these vessels had made appropriate signals the "Intrepid" immediately altered course and cleared the danger area safely.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the incident concerning the unknown vessel which sailed through the Varne danger area in the English Channel, as reported by the Varne lightship on Sunday, 30th May, 1971.

On 30th May, at about 2.30 a.m., an unidentified vessel on a south-west course passed between the two Trinity House wreck-marking vessels. The wreck-marking vessels made warning signals and the vessel cleared the wreck area safely.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many vessels have been reported as having sailed through the Varne area since the sinkings of the "Brandenberg", "Nicki" and "Texaco Caribbean".

Eighteen vessels have been so reported.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he now intends to take following the two Safety at Sea conferences under the auspices of the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation to make the English Channel safer for shipping; and if he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend said in the reply to the right hon. Member on 20th May, he hopes soon to make a statement about this.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set up a study group to consider the effect upon the sea fishing industry in Wales of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

The Government's study of the E.E.C.'s common fisheries policy, and the steps they have now taken in the entry negotiations, took full account of the implications for Wales as well as for other parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish his proposals for the reorganisation of the Health Service in Wales.

I have today issued a consultative document on the reorganisation of the health service in Wales, copies of which have been sent to all Welsh Members. The main health service organisations have been sent copies and invited to comment on my proposals.