asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the provision of wiring and earphones for the reception of broadcasts for hospital patients, with particular reference to the adequacy of this equipment in the Portsmouth area.

An individual bed-head unit with a choice of radio channels is recommended by my Department. I understand that most of the wards in the Portsmouth hospitals are equipped in this way but that reception has sometimes been unsatisfactory because of faults in the equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent National Health Service facilities and personnel are used by clinics specialising in aborting foreign girls for profit; and what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of these services.

Apart from supplies of blood and certain pathological services, I am not aware of the use of National Health Service facilities or personnel by such clinics. Blood is supplied free to private nursing homes. I would expect any pathological services provided to be charged for.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he requires the views of hospital management committees on his Department's consultative document; why only five copies were sent to the chairmen, the regional hospital boards; and why his Department refused to make any others available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many copies of the consultative document on the National Health Service reorganisation were sent to the Inner London Dental Executive Council; and what specific steps have been taken to ensure adequate consultation with the dental profession on the proposal outlined in the document.

I have consulted national organisations, including those representing dentists and hospital management committees.Organisations consulted were sent a few copies of the consultative document for immediate use and told that they could reproduce it, which in many cases has been done. At its request, the Inner London Executive Council and its local dental committee were each sent a copy direct, as were a number of hospital management committees. I regret that this method of distribution did somewhat delay consultation, but the contents are now widely known and I am receiving valuable comments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the fact that environmental conditions influence mental breakdown, in particular relapse, what plans he has to provide special financial resources in depressed areas.

Financial support to local authorities through rate support grant already takes account of certain adverse environmental conditions such as high density of population.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why supplementary benefit offices do not offset the increases in rent and rates, to people on supplementary benefit, even when the time comes for their books to be renewed and reviewed and there has not been any change in circumstances.

Increases in rent and rates are taken into account straightaway if the resultant increase in supplementary benefit is more than 10p a week. If the increase in benefit is 10p a week or less, it is given from the date the next determination is issued.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why some supplementary benefits offices are paying rent and rate increases, plus arrears, while other offices are not, or are delaying paying the increases.

Local offices follow the same general rules in dealing with increases of this kind; it is the amount of the increase which determines whether it is paid straightaway or at a later date.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he now intends to publish a policy statement on the care of the mentally handicapped.

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) yesterday, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I intend to publish a Command Paper tomorrow.—[Vol. 819, c. 203.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of babies lost during the last two years due to strangulation by the umbilical cord, how many of these occurred in hospital, and in how many cases did the birth take place at home.

Complete figures are not yet available for 1970. In 1969 it is estimated that in England and Wales approximately 490 babies were lost due to this cause, and that some 450 of these deaths occurred in hospital and 35 at home.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he is planning to take in the immediate future to relieve the growing waiting lists for hospital in-patient care in the Plymouth clinical area, given that the new Derriford Hospital will not be ready for use in the short term;(2) whether any consideration is being given to offering patients awaiting surgical in-patient treatment in the Plymouth clinical area the opportunity of immediate treatment in other hospitals in the county where there are not such large waiting lists.

The waiting lists in the Plymouth clinical area on 31st March, 1971, showed a reduction of over 500 compared with the previous year. The South-Western Regional Hospital Board is planning improvements at Freedom Fields, Mount Gould and Plympton Hospitals which will improve existing facilities. I am asking the board to examine the possibility of securing the transfer of patients from Plymouth waiting lists to shorter lists elsewhere in the county.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet able to announce the appointment of a National Health Service ombudsman.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 15th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 48.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the agreement between the Pharmaceutical Society and the British Medical Association for the clear labelling of all medicine bottles with the proper name of their contents will be implemented.

I welcome this agreement, and my Department is urgently studying its implications for the National Health Service. It will involve the printing and distribution of amended National Health Service prescription forms, which will inevitably take some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the figures contained in the income guide in leaflet FB11, issued by his Department, were calculated, particularly those relating to the income levels at which a married couple qualify for various benefits.

I circulate below the information of the benefits for which my Department is responsible. Free school meals are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he is taking to ensure that the accident departments of hospitals in England and Wales are adequately staffed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to increase the number of casualty officers.

As my hon. Friend said in his reply to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Mr. Conlan) on 16th March, increased participation by consultants is needed. Improved career prospects in these departments will make them more attractive to young doctors. I am discussing with the profession ways of achieving these aims.—[Vol. 813, c. 263.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many unfilled vacancies exist in local government social service posts such as health visitors and child care officers, in the South-West Durham area.

Information in the detail required is not available centrally. The hon. Gentleman may wish to inquire of the Durham County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what expansion of the Home Help Service has taken place since legislation contained in the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, making it mandatory for local authorities to provide a service on a scale adequate for the needs of the area.

Section 13 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, to which the hon. Lady refers, was not brought into force until 1st April this year. It is, therefore, too early to assess what expansion has taken place since this function became mandatory.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to regional hospital boards on the use of design and construct contracts for building projects.

Hospital boards require my approval when they wish to depart from the normal practice of design by private architects and engineers or by professional staff in the employment of boards, or to appoint contractors without competitive tenders. Design and construct contracts have been approved for some minor hospital building work where they have been found to be justified on merits but in general hospital projects are too complex for this type of contract to be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount of unemployment benefit, including earnings-related benefit, paid out in England and Wales during April, 1971.

£15·3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount of unemployment benefit, including earnings-related benefit, paid out in Scotland during April, 1971.

£2·9 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the nature and cost of measures to reduce external noise at the new radiotherapy department at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

No special measures were considered necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures were used to reduce external noise at the new casualty and out-patient department at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Partial double-glazing and mechanical ventilation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ask the South-West Regional Hospital Board, the Board of Governors of the United Bristol Hospitals and Bristol University to defer any further work on the formation of a University Hospital Management Committee for Bristol until the Consultative Document has been considered in and out of Parliament and he has received comments on it from organisations.

This proposal and the timing of discussions on it are matters for local initiative and it is not for me to intervene. I understand that the local discussions are still at an exploratory stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which regional hospital boards are in process of appointing for the first time full-time officers dealing with public relations.

South Western and Liverpool.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the way in which local authorities are implementing the appropriate provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act with regard to the provision of telphones for the disabled; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham, (Mr. Moate) on 8th June.—[Vol. 818, c. 300–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now increase the salaries of the executive officers employed in the Department.

Executive Officers employed in my Department are part of the General Service class. Negotiations have recently been concluded with the staff associations concerning increases in their salaries. These increases are retrospective to 1st January, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which bodies have been asked to submit evidence to the Davies Committee on Hospital Complaints Procedure; and what is the last date by which this evidence should be received.

The following 98 bodies have been invited to submit evidence:

1. Aid for the Elderly in Government Institutions (A.E.G.I.S.).

2. Association of Building Technicians.

3. Association of Clinical Biochemists.

4. Association of Dispensing Opticians Ltd.

5. Association of Hospital Management Committees.

6. Association of Hospital Matrons.

7. Association of Hospital Opticians.

8. Association of Hospital and Welfare Administrators.

9. Association of Hospital and Residential Care Officers.

10. Association of Officers of Executive Councils and Pricing Committees.

11. Association of Optical Practitioners.

12. Association of Occupational Therapists.

13. Association of Psychiatric Social Workers.

14. Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs.

15. Association of Supervisors and Midwives.

16. Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital.

17. British Dental Association.

18. British Dietetic Association.

19. British Hospitals Contributory Schemes Association.

20. British Medical Association.

21. British Optical Association.

22. British Orthoptic Association.

23. British Psychological Society.

24. British Red Cross Society.

25. British United Provident Association (B.U.P.A.).

26. Chartered Society for Physiotherapy.

27. Citizens' Advice Bureau.

28. Company Chemists Association Ltd.

29. Confederation of Health Service Employees.

30. Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions.

31. Co-operative Union Ltd.

32. Council on Tribunals.

33. Electrical and Electronic Telecommunications Union and Plumbing Trades Union.

34. General Dental Council.

35. General Medical Council.

36. General and Municipal Workers Union.

37. Guild of Public Pharmacists.

38. Health Visitors Association.

39. Hospital Physicists Association.

40. Institution of Engineers in Charge.

41. Institute of Health Service Administrators.

42. Institution of Hospital Engineers.

43. British Association of Social Workers.

44. Joint Committee of Opthalmic Opticians.

45. Joint Consultants Committee.

46. King Edwards Hospital Fund for London.

47. Leukaemia Society.

48. Maternity and Infant Care Association.

49. Medical Defence Union Ltd.

50. Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.

51. Medical Protection Society Ltd.

52. Medico—Legal Society.

53. Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.

54. National Association of Chief and Principal Nursing Officers.

55. National Association of Hospital Management Committee Group Secretaries.

56. National Association of Leagues of Hospital Friends.

57. National Association for Mental Health.

58. National Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital.

59. National Corporation for the Care of Old People.

60. National Federation of Construction Unions.

61. National and Local Government Officers Association.

62. National Pharmaceutical Union.

63. National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.

64. National Union of General and Municipal Workers.

65. National Union of Gold, Silver and Allied Trades.

66. National Union of Public Employees.

67. Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust.

68. Office of Health Economics.

69. Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

70. Parliamentary Committee of the Cooperative Union.

71. The Patients Association.

72. Pharmaceutical Standing Committee (Scotland).

73. Private Patients Plan.

74. Royal College of Midwives.

75. Royal College of Nursing.

76. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

77. Royal College of Physicians of London.

78. Royal College of Surgeons of England.

79. Royal Medico-Psychological Association.

80. St. John Ambulance and Brigade.

81. Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists.

82. Scottish Association of Senior Hospital Nursing Officers.

83. Scottish Health Visitors Association.

84. Scottish National Committee of Opthalmic Opticians.

85. Socialist Medical Association.

86. Society of Chiropodists.

87. Society of Clerks of National Health Service Executive Councils.

88. Society of Medical Officers of Health.

89. Society of Opticians.

90. Society of Radiographers.

91. Society of Remedial Gymnasts.

92. Spastics Society.

93. Teaching Hospitals Association.

94. Transport and General Workers Union.

95. Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.

96. Union of Speech Therapists.

97. Womens Royal Voluntary Service.

98. The Coroners Society for England and Wales.

The latest date by which the evidence should be received is 31st August, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the names of members of tribunals held under the Ministry of Social Security Act, 1966, are not made known to the appellant or his or her representative, whilst the names of members of rent assessment panels are made known to the general public on form F.16.

It has hitherto been left to tribunal members to decide whether or not to make known their names but we are considering whether this practice should be changed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the form B/O.40 has been revised in the last decade; and how it differs now from the one in use in 1964.

The form has not needed revision in the course of the last decade; and the one in use today is the same as that used in 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why some social security offices issue to recipients of supplementary

Authority	Year coming into Operation	Shellfish Affected
Millom Rural District Council	1936	Mussels.
Plymouth Port Health Authority	1937	All Shellfish (in 1966 an amending order was made excluding oysters subject to certain cleansing requirements).
Newhaven Urban District Council	1941	All Shellfish.
Barnstaple Rural District Council	1943	Mussels.
Dalton-in-Furness Urban District Council	1943	Cockles.
Abergele Urban District Council	1944	All Shellfish.
Rhyl Urban District Council	1944	All Shellfish.
Barrow County Borough Council	1947	All Shellfish (in 1957 an amending order was made excluding certain periwinkles).
Southampton County Borough Council	1953	Cockles.
		Winkles.
		Mussels.
		Whelks.
		Butterfish.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what procedures he proposes to seek to bring into operation to authorise hospitals to detain persons referred for treatment who, whilst under the influence of drugs, may endanger their own safety.

As indicated to the House on 9th December last we shall consider whether further action is needed after we have seen the report from the subcommittee of which the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) has been

All forms issued to the public should of course be completed properly. If the hon. Member knows of a case where inconvenience has been caused because this has not been done, and will send me details, I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many closing orders have been placed on shellfish beds under the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations since 1934; and if he will list the principal areas affected.

Under the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations, 1934, nine closing orders have been made since 1934 by local authorities for prescribed areas within their jurisdiction, as follows. The orders are still in force subject to the amending orders indicated.chairman. We hope to receive this shortly.—[Vol. 808, c. 596–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will seek powers to establish a fund to loan capital to persons with a war disability pension or long-term industrial injury benefit to assist the re-establishment of their economic independence.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons, for each month since 20th December, 1970, have had their entitlement to a supplementary allowance terminated as a result of the application of the standard control procedures after four weeks and three months; how many in both these categories have each month had their allowance extended; and how

LIMITED AWARDS MADE AT THE OUTSET OF A CLAIM
			Applications for renewal of allowance†		Appeals heard
Statistical period		Limited awards	Allowance extended	Allowance refused	All	Successful
16th December, 1970–19th January, 1971*	…	7,845	536	235	54	6
20th January, 1971–16th February, 1971	…	6,310	354	157	38	5
17th February, 1971–23rd March, 1971*	…	7,010	524	177	80	18
24th March, 1971–20th April, 1971	…	5,290	370	170	80	7
21st April, 1971–18th May, 1971	…	5,887	477	157	84	15
* Five-week period.
† Within 6 weeks of the end of the limited allowance.

LIMITED AWARDS MADE AFTER 3 MONTHS AND PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCE CEASED†
			Appeals heard
Statistical period		Number of Cases	All	Successful
16th December, 1970–23rd March, 1971*	…	672	19	3
* 13 weeks. On 16th December, 1970 records were put on a quarterly basis, distinct from records of limitations at the outset of a claim.
† Since 16th December, 1970, records have been kept only of cases in which payment of an allowance ceased following limitation of an allowance after 3 months, either because the claimant made no application for a renewal of his allowance or made an application and was refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons have so far had their entitlement to supplementary allowance terminated by both the standard control procedures, respectively, after four weeks and three months in each of the Department's administrative regions during each month since June, 1968.

I regret that the information requested could not be made available without undue use of resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many disabled persons during the last year have been in receipt of exceptional needs heating grants from supplementary benefit offices; what proportion this number is of the total receiving these grants; and what was the average weekly grant received by these disabled persons and the total annual expenditure both for the disabled, exclusively, and for all persons in receipt of these grants.

I regret that this information is not available.

I regret the precise information requested is not available. The information collected is given in the tables below:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish and distribute widely in pamphlet form a table representing a guide to income ceilings for eligibility for each of the passport systems of benefits associated with the family income supplement in the case of single-parent families with different numbers of children; and whether he will publish such a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The various leaflets and claim forms relating to dental and optical charges, prescription charges and welfare milk and foods at present give seven examples of income levels. It is not thought necessary to issue a special pamphlet for one-parent families but consideration will be given to including one or more examples of one-parent families in the revised prints of these forms—based on the new supplementary benefit scale rates which will operate from September—which are now being prepared.Following are examples of the levels of income below which a one-parent

family consisting of a woman in employment with three children aged 4, 8 and 11 would qualify. The examples are based on current supplementary benefit scale rates, a rent of £2·95 and fares to work of 35p.

	£
Dental and optical charges	18·62
Welfare milk and foods	18·47
Prescription charges	17·57

NOTES:1. Dental, optical and prescription charges would not in any event be payable in respect of the children.2. If, as seems likely, a payment was being made for the care of the youngest child whilst the mother was at work, the income levels would be correspondingly higher.3. Income levels for free school meals are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about those nations who enjoy traditional fishing rights within the British six- to 12-mile limits, showing to what extent those rights extend around British coasts.

The pattern of fishing rights is complex, and best seen from the map I have placed in the Library. Those rights granted under the terms of the European Fisheries Convention are without limit of time. Those granted to Norway for dogfish and sharks expire in 1984. There are only relatively short stretches in which only British vessels may fish.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the agricultural lime scheme as administered in the United Kingdom at present is compatible with the provisions of the Treaty of Rome and the regulations made by the European Economic Community under it.

The effect of entry into the European Economic Community on particular production grants would be determined by negotiations as necessary within the enlarged community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the increase in the imports of strawberries from European countries during the current season; and how this has affected the financial position of British strawberry growers.

Import statistics for May, covering the start of the home-grown strawberry season, will not be available until later this month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the countries from which butter has been imported into the United Kingdom since 1st January, 1971, together with the quantities in each case.

The countries from which the United Kingdom imported butter during the period 1st January to 30th April, 1971, and the provisional quantities imported were:

	Tons
New Zealand	90,383
Australia	29,643
Denmark	22,020
Netherlands	9,697
France	5,064
Finland	4,836
Irish Republic	4,648
Poland	2,653
Canada	1,759
Belgium	1,531
Federal Republic of Germany	1,093
South Africa	733
Sweden	718
Rumania	716
Hungary	676
Austria	585
Argentina	125
People's Republic of China	98
Norway	12

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the result of his investigation into the export of underweight calves exported to Belgium.

The investigation produced no conclusive evidence of such exports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many qualified veterinary staff are employed by his Department in the brucellosis eradication scheme; what increase in these numbers he anticipates in the next five years; and what are the comparative figures for laboratory staff.

Most of my veterinary staff in the field are engaged to a greater or lesser extent on duties connected with the Brucellosis incentives scheme. They are supported, particularly in regard to blood sampling, by local veterinary inspectors and qualified lay staff. The extent to which the allocation of staff to this work will change with the progressive introduction of eradication areas will need to be considered as the scheme develops.The same is true of laboratory staff, although it will probably be necessary to augment existing staff in eradication areas to deal with the additional blood testing resulting from the introduction of compulsory eradication in November, 1971.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many deaths of farm animals attributable to atmospheric or water pollution have been notified to his Department since 1st January, 1966.

Deaths of farm animals are not notifiable. But even amongst those deaths that have come to our notice, I regret it is not possible to say how many were due to atmospheric or water pollution.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate his Department has made of the economic value of shellfish production lost as a result of the imposition of closing and cleansing orders under the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations, 1934.

None, since the necessary information is not available. In any case most orders permit the sale of cleansed shellfish and so avoid loss of production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the final report of the committee which is reviewing the Preservatives in Food Regulations, 1962.

I hope to receive this report towards the end of this year: it will be published at that time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on present known terms, the present system whereby Great Britain is able to control the entry of livestock, cattle, animals and birds will be affected; and whether Great Britain will be able to maintain her laws on quarantine, health laws and rules of entry of meat.

If the present Community régime were applied without alteration, some changes in our import procedures would be necessary. For example, we would have to substitute a system of inspection of animals at the ports of entry for our present quarantine arrangements; and we would not be able to maintain our existing ban on stock vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease, although imports would be permitted only from disease-free areas. But these and other questions of animal and public health controls which would be applied to livestock and meat are at present being discussed with the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the adoption of the European Economic Community's common agricultural policy covering hops would affect the British hop growing industry on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

The European Economic Community has no common market organisation for hops.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has agreed to the introduction of a compensatory levy on fats and oils; how this levy compares with the previous proposal for a $60 per ton tax on margarine and some other vegetable oils; and to what extent, on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, this will affect the supply and price of these commodities in this country.

I am aware that the Community has provided for the possibility of compensatory levies on imported oilseeds, oils and fats as a safeguard against community producers being injured by the volume of low-priced imports. This has nothing to do with the proposals for an internal tax considered within the Commission in 1968. If applied, it would have no overall effect on the supply or price of oils and fats here if the United Kingdom joined the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a detailed statement on the costs in finance, loss of labour, and unemployment on the implementation of the policy of grubbing-up fruit trees; and to what extent such action is needed for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Grubbing up grants have been available since 1960 to growers who in the normal course of good husbandry wish to renew their orchards or to put the land to some other agricultural use. It would be difficult to assess the full economic value to growers of grubbing up old and unwanted trees but I certainly would not expect this to result in loss of efficiency or wastage of labour. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for for Maidstone (Mr. John Wells), on 15th June, I now propose to introduce a higher rate of grant, tied to a no replanting condition, to encourage the grubbing of uneconomic apple and pear orchards. These orchards are a drag on the industry whether or not we join the European Economic Community.—[Vol. 819, c. 57-8.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the value-added tax administrative centre will be located in the North-East.

In view of the Government's policy of dispersing staff as much as possible it has now been decided that the central control organisation for the V.A.T. will be located in the existing Customs and Excise dispersal area at Southend and something approaching three-quarters of the staff engaged on the tax will be working in local offices throughout the Customs and Excise Collection Areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what communication he has received from the South Wales-based firm, Bristol Channel Ship Repairs, on the subject of value-added tax; and what was the nature of his reply.

They have asked that ship repairing should be zero rated. My reply indicates that decisions on the rates and coverage of the tax will be taken nearer the date of its introduction, and that the interests of British ship repairers will be fully taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the British ship repairing industry of the proposed value-added tax; how it will affect efficiency in relation to overseas competitors; what consideration he has given to the possibility of a zero rating; and if he will make a statement.

The effect of V.A.T. on the British ship repairing industry cannot be estimated until the rates and coverage of the tax are decided, but the interests of the industry will be fully taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield of an investment income surcharge at a rate of 10 per cent. on all investment income in excess of £2,000 per annum, at a rate of 10 per cent. on the slice of investment income between £2,000 and £5,000 per annum, with a rate of 15 per cent. applying to investment income in excess of £5,000 per annum, at a rate of 10 per cent. on all investment income in excess of £1,500 per annum, and at a rate of 10 per cent. on all investment income in excess of £2,500 per annum, respectively.

The figures, for 1971–72, are about £75 million, £90 million, £90 million and £65 million, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many assessments have been raised under Section 412 of the Income Tax Act, 1952, or under Section 478 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act, 1970, in respect of each of the years 1959–60 to 1969–70, inclusive, and what was the aggregate amount of such assessments for each such year.

The number of assessments to income tax and the aggregate amount of income tax charged under Section 412 of the Income Tax Act, 1952, for each year was as follows:

ASSESSMENTS TO INCOME TAX: S. 412 I.T.A. 1952
Year of assessment	Number of assessments	Total tax charged £
1959–60	443	466,534
1960–61	395	534,460
1961–62	350	599,568
1962–63	296	744,261
1963–64	298	1,327,354
1964–65	273	1,006,282
1965–66	104	247,225
1966–67	75	190,577
1967–68	51	120,253
1968–69	24	37,975
1969–70	11	15,554

Further assessments to income tax will be made for each of the years from 1965–66 inclusive as further information reaches the Inland Revenue.Neither the aggregate amount of income assessed to income tax nor details of assessments to surtax are readily available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has instructed the Inland Revenue not to apply paragraph 27(1) of the Sixth Schedule to the Finance Act so as to charge tax on chargeable gain which is greater than the actual gain to the taxpayer; and whether he will instruct the Inland Revenue to embody his instruction in a published concession.

It is the practice of the Inland Revenue in these cases not to charge tax on more than the actual gain if the entire holding is disposed of. The practice has been published in the professional Press and will be included in the next revision of the Inland Revenue booklet on Capital Gains Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which social benefits Her Majesty's Government intend to adjust so as to protect low-paid workers against the adverse effects of food price increases resulting from entry into the European Economic Community;(2) to what extent he estimates wages and salaries in the United Kingdom will be increased in the transitional period if the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community.

Entry into the European Economic Community should result in a faster improvement in living standards and thus should benefit workers generally. For low-paid workers there will be available the Government's policies for family support and other social benefits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, during the discussions held in the National Economic Development Council recently regarding the introduction of value-added tax and his assurance that this would not be imposed on food, apart from certain items at present charged with purchase tax, he dealt with the position of how these taxes will apply if Great Britain enters the European Economic Community; and whether he can now give an assurance that entry will not in any way mean the imposition of value-added tax on food.

As the E.E.C. countries have not yet agreed on harmonisation of rates or coverage of their value-added taxes, member States are free to determine their own rates and coverage; entry would not, therefore, involve any obligation to impose V.A.T. on food.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the fuel oil taxes in the countries of the European Economic Community, as compared with the 1p per gallon charged in Great Britain, in accordance with the details as sent by him to the hon. Member for West Ham, North under date of 7th June, 1971.

Yes.

TAXES ON HEAVY FUEL OIL IN THE E.E.C.
Product	W. Germany	France	Italy	Belgium and Luxembourg	Netherlands
Fuel Oil	per 100 Kilograms	per hectolitre (hl)/100 Kilograms (100Kg)	per 100 Kilograms	per hectolitre (hl)100 Kilograms (100Kg)	per 100 Kilograms
Used for combustion purposes	2·50 Deutsch marks	Domestic fuel oil no. 2:1.83 Francs/hl	Special combustible oils	Medium—30 Francs/hl (Luxembourg)	1·40 Florins
			Gas oil 5,400 Lire	45 Francs/100 Kg (Belgium)
			Other fuel oil exempt	Other	Other 10 Exempt—
			combustible oils	Francs/l00Kg	navigation and international air travel
			—heavy: 250 Lire
			—medium: 320 Lire
			—light 1: 370 Lire
			—light 2: 440 Lire
			for use in agriculture: (combustible fuel or motor fuel)
		Exempt
Used as basic industrial materials	Exempt	Domestic fuel oil no. 2 with a flash point less than 120°c: 35·40 Francs/hl or Exempt*	For use in petrochemistry:Exempt	Exempt	Exempt
		Other fuel oils: 27·00 Francs/l00Kg or Exempt*
Others	Lubricants: 38·85 Deutsch marks	Motor fuel:	Hydrocarbon research: 250 Lire	As for combustion	1·40 Florins
		Domestic fuel oil no. 2 with a flash point less than 120°c: 35·40	Water works: 250 Lire
		Francs/hl Other: 27·00 Francs/l00Kg	Electricity generation: 250 Lire
		Other fuel oils: 27·00 Francs/l00Kg
		Agriculture Domestic fuel oil no. 2: 1·83	Fixed motors: 250 Lire
		Francs/hl Other fuel oils: Exempt	For making panels in wood fibre: 2,000 Lire
		Lubricants Domestic fuel oil no. 2 with a flash-point less than 120°c	Motor testing: 2,000 Lire
		35·40 Francs/hl	Use in refineries (heavy oils): 175 Lire
		Other: 27·00 Francs/100 Kg Other fuel oils: 27·00 Francs/100 Kg	Other: 1,000 Lire
* This exemption is allowed to the products enumerated in the list on condition that they are used in refineries for the conduct of the vusiness.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much detailed information as may be available giving for 1968, 1969 and 1970 the direct United Kingdom investment abroad, excluding oil, insurance and banking, United Kingdom oil company net assets abroad, United Kingdom insurance company direct investment in the United States of America, portfolio investment, banking and commercial claims; and how much of these amounts in each instance relate to the countries in the European Economic Community.

Global estimates of the items referred to were published in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin for June, 1971. Such detailed information as is available for certain of these items has also been published. Details of the published sources are:

Detailed information on	Published in
Book values of direct overseas investment (excluding oil, insurance and banking), 1962 to 1968.	Business Monitor M4—Overseas Transactions (published April, 1971).
United Kingdom banks' external advances and overdrafts in sterling, 1963 onwards*.	(A)—Table 25.
	(B)—Table 24.
United Kingdom banks' external claims in non-sterling currencies, 1963 onwards.	(A)—Table 20.
	(B)—Table 20.
(A) Bank of England Statistical Abstract.
(B) Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, June. 1971.
* EEC figures are as follows: end 1962, £13 million; end 1969, £21 million; end 1970, £28 million

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the West German Government recently floated the Deutschemark without international consultation; and whether, in the current negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, Her Majesty's Government will now press for freedom to float the £ sterling with similar lack of obligation to consult the countries of the Six.

The action of the Federal German Government was taken after consultation with their Community partners. The matter raised in the second part of the Question does not arise in the accession negotiations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax relief is available to companies which incur expenditure on advertising circulars advocating entry to the Common Market.

Such expenditure is allowable as a deduction in computing profits for tax purposes only if it is shown to have been incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the company's trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the tax position of companies when a sale-and-lease-back agreement has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Inland Revenue's attitude to sale-and-lease-back arrangements in the light of the recent Austin Reed case.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement in reply hon. Friends to my statement in reply to the debate on new Clause 57 in Standing Committee on the Finance Bill earlier today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he will not replace the President of the National Savings Movernment.

Because my right hon. Friend sees no reason to make a change at this time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the effect of the changes in the price of foods which took place in the 12 months up to 30th April, 1971, on the expenditure necessary for typical households consisting of two adults, two pensioners, two adults and one child and two adults and three children, respectively, to maintain their standard of living.

Following are the approximate increase in weekly expenditure which would have been necessary between 21st April, 1970, and 20th April, 1971, to maintain the 1969 average pattern of household food consumption.

Type of household	Increase in weekly expenditure on food
Two adults with weekly income of £20 and under £30 in 1969	55½p
Two-person pensioner household dependent mainly on national insurance retirement pensions (July, 1967 to June, 1970 pattern of consumption)	43½p
Two adults and one child with weekly income of £25 and under £30 in 1969	61p
Two adults and three or more children with weekly income of £25 and under £30 in 1969	80½p

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in view of the fact that the directors of Shell have increased the salaries of their part-time directors, who never work more than two days per week, from £2,000 per annum to £5,000 per annum, if, when he next makes a public speech calling for wage and salary restraint, he will make an appeal to all executives and to the boards of directors of private companies to set an example in supporting the Government's call for wage and salary restraint by declining to accept or award such increases in salaries.

Without considering all the circumstances, particularly the period which has elapsed since the last increase, no sensible judgment on the justification for a pay increase can be made. I do not therefore accept the implication in the question in relation to this particular case nor am I prepared to comment on individual cases of this kind. But the Government certainly expects restraint to be exercised at all levels of remuneration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to amend the Companies Acts so as to add a Schedule to the Act of 1948 to be the model memorandum and articles of association of an unlimited company having no share capital; and if he will, in the meantime, state what advice the Registrar gives to promoters of such companies desirous of drafting an acceptable memorandum and acceptable articles in preparation for application for registration of such a company.

No. I think it right that the promoters of a company in this uncommon class should consider what form, within the limitations imposed by the Act, the memorandum and articles should take if the company is to serve its purpose. The advice to promoters would be to consult their legal advisers and, perhaps, to look at Table C.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a further statement on the Government's policy towards the British Steel Corporation.

It is hoped to do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the White Paper on metrication.

Work is still proceeding on this White Paper. I do not expect to be in a position to publish it before the Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will devote the relevant facilities of his Department at the Warren Spring Laboratory to make special researches into atmospheric pollution in the South Wales valleys.

The need for such research is being considered by the Departments concerned. The facilities of the Warren Spring Laboratory can be made available if required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the existing facilities for measuring the heavy metal content of atmospheric pollutants; and if he will make a statement.

Yes; satisfactory methods exist for measuring the small quantities of heavy metals found in the atmosphere. The deployment of the facilities for such measurements at the Warren Spring Laboratory is determined in consultation with the Department of the Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry how many industrial development certificates were approved during the months April-May, 1971, in each of the planning regions; how many new jobs are estimated to arise, male and female; and what are the comparative figures for the same period in each year from 1965.

The information requested for the April-May period in the years from 1967 onwards is given in the following table. I regret that the information for the same period in 1965 and 1966 is not readily available but I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED (Projects of 10,000 sq. ft. and over)
April-May, 1967
		EAE (1)
	Number	Males	Total
North	29	1,709	2,237
Yorkshire and Humberside	53	977	1,522
East Midlands	31	330	459
East Anglia	26	424	638
South East	120	1,509	1,915
South West	21	622	1,038
Wales	20	1,323	2,462
West Midlands	40	672	781
North West	56	1,295	2,628
Scotland	35	1,860	3,052

April-May, 1968
		EAE (1)
	Number	Males	Total
North	36	3,509	4,583
Yorkshire and Humberside	50	865	1,846
East Midlands	31	438	992
East Anglia	29	623	1,007
South East	117	1,903	2,471
South West	35	1,289	2,455
Wales	30	866	1,049
West Midlands	52	422	523
North West	87	2,471	3,492
Scotland	29	2,868	4,213

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken during the past month to ensure that the Dollar Land Company Limited carry out the Companies Act so far as presentation and adoption of the Company's 1968, 1969, and 1970 accounts; and when he expects to initiate prosecutions for failing to have directors or having directors without the necessary share qualifications in the period 21st November, 1969, to 4th June, 1970.

Accounts for 1968 were adopted at an annual general meeting held on 30th December, 1970. My Department remain in close touch with the company in regard to the accounts for 1969. I do not propose to prosecute any former director of the company for acting as a director when he had not the necessary share qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give a detailed and chronological history of the action which his Department took between 22nd May, 1969, on receipt of information from Mr. Redman and Mrs. Duver of the Sunday Mirror concerning Valriff Limited, up until the winding up of the Company on 6th October, 1969; and whether, while this Company was in existence his Department carried out all the provisions of the Companies Act in relation to it.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 14th June, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 819, c. 9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why it took him from 28th February until 14th June to send a negative and not fully documented reply to the claim of the hon. Member for West Ham, North, that prima facie evidence did exist and is in existence warranting an independent investigation into misdemeanours and corruption upon the part of an official of one of the nationalised boards.

It took time to examine the evidence submitted by the hon. Member in order to establish that it did not substantiate any charge of corruption or improper conduct.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will invite applications for further petroleum production licences on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.

I have decided to invite applications for about 430 blocks; the formal statutory notice inviting applications and giving details of the terms and conditions is being published in the official Gazette today.The blocks offered will be in four main areas, the southern part of the North Sea, the northern Sector of the North Sea, an area to the north-west of the Orkneys and Shetlands and parts of the Bristol Channel and Western Approaches. For 15 specified blocks cash tenders will be invited and, subject to the published conditions, those blocks will be awarded to the highest bidders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many vacancies there were at the latest available date for colliery workers in each of the National Coal Board regions; and what percentage of the vacancies was for craftsmen.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board and I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will announce the name of the new Chairman of Harland and Wolff Limited.

The Northern Ireland Government are taking steps to strengthen the management of this company and will be making an announcement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to provide airfields for corporate and business aviation in the London area, in addition to those presently available at Gatwick and Heathrow.

Such powers already exist, but we look to local interests to provide aerodromes other than those owned by the British Airports Authority. A number of aerodromes are already available for business aviation in the London area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received from the Manchester Corporation concerning the provision of free milk in schools; and what reply she has sent.

I have received and acknowledged a copy of a resolution adopted by Manchester Education Committee calling upon the Government to permit local education authorities which so wish to continue to supply milk free of charge to all primary school pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions she has had with the Inner London Education Authority regarding the proposed extension to St. John's Church of England School, Pemberton Gardens, London, N.19; what is the estimated cost; and when she expects work will commence.

A proposal to complete the rebuilding of this school was approved in May, 1970, at an estimated cost of about £31,000. The lowest tender received by the managers, based on traditional methods of construction, was greatly in excess of this figure. After consultation with the Inner London Education Authority and the Department, the managers are now seeking fresh tenders, based on prefabricated methods of construction, which are due early in July. Provided one of these proves acceptable, the work will be able to start soon afterwards, with grant of 80 per cent. from my right hon. Friend on that part of the expenditure for which the managers are responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of children in the City of Carlisle and the county of Cumberland, respectively, who have ceased taking school meals since the increases of prices; and if she will make a statement.