asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to prohibit the export of live animals for slaughter on the Continent.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Clark Hutchison) on 9th March.—[Vol. 813, c. 72.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current price per ton in Great Britain of New Zealand butter; and by how much it increased in the latest rise.

The firsthand price of New Zealand bulk butter is now £460 a ton and of New Zealand packet butter is now £487 a ton. The last major increase was £40 a ton on 21st June, 1971.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Irish Republic regarding the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement and the Irish Republic application to join the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

During my recent visit to Dublin the opportunity was taken to exchange views on certain agricultural and fisheries aspects of our Common Market negotiations. My officials participate in the continuing contacts with Irish Republic officials on this subject and official discussions also take place as necessary on the operation of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement as to the value of the nought to six-mile limit as opposed to the six- to 12-mile limit from the point of view of conservation of fish stocks.

Although roughly three times as much fish is caught within six miles as is caught between six and 12 miles, the conservation problems are to a large extent similar. The inner six miles is, however, particularly important for the protection of shellfish and also nursery grounds for juvenile fish, especially flat fish.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement upon the position of the British deep-sea fishing fleet within the six to 12-mile limits off Europe, following the negotiations with the European Economic Community in Luxembourg;(2) if he will make a statement on the position of British inshore fishermen within the six-mile limit and the six-to-12-mile limits off Great Britain, respectively, following the negotiations with the European Economic Community in Luxembourg.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the inshore fishing industry resultant on the negotiations with the European Economic Community in Luxembourg.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said in his statement on 24th June, the negotiations with the European Economic Community on fish are to continue at a further Ministerial meeting during the week beginning 12th July.I have nothing further to add to my right hon. and learned Friend's statement.—[Vol. 819, c. 1609–10.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which countries are already permitted to fish between Great Britain's six and 12-mile limits.

Belgium, France, West Germany, the Netherlands, the Irish Republic and Norway.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect on the British fishing industry of an extension of the Icelandic fisheries limits to 50 miles.

Such an extension would exclude us from nearly all our present fishing grounds off Iceland, but I would emphasise that the Icelandic Government have not made any such proposal to us as is required by the Agreement of 1961, which provides for the reference of disputes to the International Court of Justice. We have no doubt that an extension beyond the present 12-mile limit would be contrary to international law.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to ensure that in the Ministerial discussions on the fisheries policy with the members and applicants of the European Economic Community, to protect the interests of the deep water fleet by ensuring their access to their former traditional and historic grounds off the Faroes, Greenland and Norway within the 12-mile limit.

I cannot predict the outcome of the Ministerial meeting to be held in the week beginning 12th July, but we of course want to see fair and equitable arrangements on access to coastal waters throughout the enlarged Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the Herring Industry Board has urged that Great Britain maintains the present fishing limits on the present basis; and whether he will therefore give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will press for the maintenance of these limits in the negotiations with the European Economic Community.

I am aware of the Herring Industry Board's view that the Government should negotiate with the European Economic Community on the basis of maintaining the status quo on our fishery limits. We think that this would be unrealistic because it would amount to differing degrees of discrimination against member states, most of whom already fish in designated parts of our 6 to 12 mile belt.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will initiate an inquiry into the effects of rural and urban planning policies on shop costs and food costs;(2) if he has studied the proposals in his possession relating to new out-of-town and other shopping centres in relation to rent and shop costs; and what action he proposes to take in view of their possible effect on food prices.

Yes; I am aware of the consultation document on out-of-town and other shopping centres which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is discussing with the local authority associations and retail trade organisations and of which my hon. Friend has a copy. I do not think any further action is called for at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make representations to the Government of Eire to endeavour to engage their co-operation in stopping the export from that country of cattle bearing Northern Ireland ear-punch identification to destinations outside Great Britain;(2) what steps he is taking to stop the traffic from Northern and Southern Ireland of fat cattle on which subsidy of £11·50 per head has been paid, in view of the fact that considerable numbers of these animals are subsequently shipped to North African and other markets, thus circumventing the whole intention behind the granting of the subsidy.

My right hon. Friend does not propose to take steps to stop the export of fat cattle from Northern Ireland to Southern Ireland on which United Kingdom subsidy has been paid nor to influence the subsequent trade in these cattle.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the progress being made by the Eggs Authority; and if he will make a statement.

The Eggs Authority has begun its work quickly. It is already operating a market intelligence service and has announced its policy on support buying. My right hon. Friend has every confidence in its ability to help the industry to adjust to free market conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average percentage increase and the average increase in pence per pound avoirdupois in the retail price of beef since June 1970.

The retail price of most cuts of beef rose between June, 1970 and May, 1971 by 4 to 7 new pence a lb. on average, an increase of 15 to 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has sent to Manchester City Council's request for financial assistance from public funds to help offset the annual £400,000 deficit which the city incurs in providing abattoir facilities for the Greater Manchester area.

I have explained to the Council that, because of the pressing need to reduce public expenditure, no financial help can be given.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will initiate a departmental study of the system of food distribution in the United Kingdom, considering, in particular, the rôle of the middle man in relation to rising prices;(2) whether he will institute an investigation into the effects of rising distribution costs on prices of food and other essential items.

These matters have been studied recently and I see no need at present for the further enquiries suggested by the hon. Member. But I have set up a Committee on Contract Farming to study the area where I think further information is required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take powers to make it an offence for individuals or organisations to supply pesticides in unlabelled bags and bottles.

It is already an offence to sell in unlabelled containers those pesticides which, on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and other Toxic Chemicals, are included in the Poisons List.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the processing of poultry manure as an animal feed destroys all salmonella and other organisms, including viruses, some of which are not killed by heat; whether he is satisfied that there is no danger from any other residues; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has undertaken and is continuing to undertake considerable experimental and investigational work on the use of dried poultry manure as animal feed. All the evidence indicates that the high temperatures used in the conversion process do destroy salmonella and other dangerous organisms, including viruses. We have found no evidence of the presence of other dangerous residues.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present output annually in £ sterling of the glasshouse industry; and what estimate he has made of the import saving for it in the event of Great Britain joining the Common Market.

The value of the glasshouse industry's output in the United Kingdom is estimated at £56 million in 1970–71. With some possible variation between individual crops, I would not expect there to be any great change in the industry's import-saving rôle in the event of our joining the Common Market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to pay an official visit to Carmarthenshire.

I visited mid-Wales in May and have no plans for any further visi to Wales for the present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement about the final report of the Committee of Inquiry on Rabies.

The Final Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Rabies is published today. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I would like to thank Mr. Waterhouse and his Committee for carrying out this very substantial task so thoroughly. The Committee has drawn attention to the growing risk of importing rabies into Great Britain, and we accept the need to take further action to protect this country against it. The Committee's many and detailed recommendations are very wide-ranging, affecting a number of interests. But rabies is a very serious disease, whose introduction on any scale into this country could have major repercussions on public health and on the cost of our preventive measures. Some of the recommendations have already been implemented, including all the major proposals in the Interim Report. We are today initiating consultations with the main interests concerned on the remainder.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has now made in his consultations with all the interests concerned prior to his amendment of the regulations on tractor safety cabs; and when he proposes to lay the amended regulations.

The Government's objective has been to enable those who buy new tractors to have them fitted with approved cabs of their own choice. The consultations showed that the amendment originally proposed would not in itself necessarily secure this objective, and that the safety problems inherent in allowing new tractors to be sold without cabs could not be overcome. However, alternative proposals have now been formulated, and my right hon. Friends and I would like to record our thanks to all those who have contributed to what will, I believe, be a satisfactory solution.The safety standard of each type of cab is tested officially before it is approved for use with a particular tractor. My right hon. Friends propose that in future the scope of the assessment should be extended to include the technical suitability of the particular cab for use with the particular tractor, including any exceptional problem of noise levels, and for this purpose the Agricultural Departments will have regard to the tractor manufacturer's views. Interests concerned are being consulted on this proposed statutory change, which should remove any occasion for discarding a cab on the grounds that it limits normal use of the tractor concerned.Under amended Regulations on the lines I have described, it will still be necessary for new tractors to be fitted with a cab at or before the point of sale.In the meantime all the leading tractor manufacturers have assured my right hon. Friends that, in order to ensure continuing compliance with this law, they will introduce arrangements under which the customer will be able to obtain any of their tractors fitted with any approved cab of his choice, and with an appropriate discount for omission of their cab or frame.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure a parity of return on milk produced by Northern Ireland farmers compared with that produced by farmers in other parts of the United Kingdom.

Following the Annual Review the United Kingdom average guaranteed price for milk was raised by 2·5p to 22·lp a gallon, but the guaranteed price for milk in the area of the Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland was increased by 2·9p to 21·95p a gallon. Thus the disparity in guaranteed prices has been largely removed. As a large part of the milk produced in Northern Ireland is sold for manufacture into milk products, producers there will derive particular benefit from the Government's decision to introduce minimum import prices for certain milk products from 1st July, as well as from the firm markets for milk products generally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will abolish the standard quantity of milk for which a price is guaranteed and relate support for milk producers to the entire production at a common level.

As stated in the White Paper on the Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees 1971 (Cmnd. 4623), it is proposed that the method of supporting milk production, including the standard quantity system, should be reconsidered in the near future as part of the change over to levy arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will state the quantity and average price of cheese and butter imported into Great Britain from the Irish Republic and from Northern Ireland in each of the five years 1966 to 1970.

Details of imports into Great Britain from the Irish Republic and from Northern Ireland are not separately available.Figures for imports into the United Kingdom—including Northern Ireland—in 1970 are obtainable from the Overseas Trade Accounts for December 1970 and for earlier years in the Annual Statements of Trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement about the arrangements to be made for the import of minor milk products, butter and cheese, respectively, from the Irish Republic in 1971–72.

The import quota for butter from the Irish Republic in 1971–72 is 35,000 tons, but my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, announced on 29th April that, in view of the short supply, butter quotas were being supplemented by open individual licensing. The period of the later has been extended until 30th September. For cheddar and cheddar-type cheese the Irish Republic participates in the voluntary restraint arrangement, details of which were given by my right hon. Friend in reply to his hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Boscawen) on 17th March.For milk products for which minimum import prices are being set under the Price Stability of Imported Products (Minimum Import Price Levels) (Milk and Milk Products) Order, 1971, the Irish Republic is not liable to levy, but the prices or quantities of these products will be so regulated as to be consistent with the objectives of the scheme.—[Vol. 813, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to take further action to improve the present egg marketing situation; and if he will make a statement.

There is now a free market in eggs and my right hon. Friend sees no reason for Government intervention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of production grants to hill farms before the summer Recess.

The statement last week by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made clear that, in the event of entering the European Community, we should be able to give the continuing assistance needed to maintain the incomes of farmers in the hill areas. We are studying the problems of the hills, but matters concerning the level or form of production grants are normally decided after the Annual Reviews. We can then take account of all factors in consultation with the industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish as full and detailed information as may be available giving the percentage rise in all food prices between 18th June, 1970, and 18th June, 1971, and similar details for the rise in the price of lamb, beef, bread, butter, eggs and milk.

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro). As to the second part, the following table shows the percentage increases between 16th June, 1970, and 18th May, 1971, in the average prices collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent, between 18th June, 1970, and 18th June, 1971, there have been impositions or increases made in the import duties or taxes on food in general and lamb in particular; what increases will be imposed during the next month; and to what extent he estimates these taxes for import levies have been responsible for increasing the price of food to the consumer.

Between 18th June, 1970, and 18th June, 1971, no action was taken regarding lamb but orders were made from time to time varying the rates of levies on imports of cereals and eggs in order to maintain the prescribed minimum import prices.As to the coming month, information about the interim levy schemes covering cereals, beef and veal, mutton and lamb and minor milk products, which are to come into operation at the beginning of July, was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 17th March.These measures have had no significant effect on food prices to date.—[Vol. 813, c. 1438–40.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the Cost-of-Living Index resulting from a 10 per cent. reduction in the excise duty on hydrocarbon oils.

The direct effect on the retail price index would be a reduction of about one-fifth of 1 per cent., with an additional indirect effect of about one-eighth of 1 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual percentage increase in gross investment in machinery and equipment at fixed prices in the periods 1958–64, 1964 to the latest available date, and 1958 to the latest available date, in the following countries, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and from information available from international sources, in Japan and the United States of America.

The figures are given in the table below covering the nearest period to that requested for which they are available on a comparable basis. The information is taken from the latest returns made to O.E.C.D. The figures cover transport equipment—vehicles, ships and aircraft—as well as plant and machinery, since these categories are not reported separately by some of the countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he now intends to take to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration concerning financial remedy in cases of tax errors by the Inland Revenue Department.

It is hoped to publish a White Paper on the Select Committee's recommendations within the next week or two, which will announce my right hon. Friend's conclusions on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce or abolish purchase tax on the gird in view of the fact that it is not a conventional toy but an essential part of an ancient Scottish street pastime.

Requisites for games or sports or amusements whether traditional or not are taxable at the same rate as toys. I do not think that it would be justifiable to give preferential treatment to this item.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what reductions in the cost of living will follow the reduction of selective employment tax for laundries;(2) what reduction in the cost of living is estimated to follow the reduction of selective employment tax for banks.

It is not possible to make a quantitative estimate of the effect the cut in S.E.T. paid by laundries and banks will have on the cost of living.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Government has now made about the effect of the United Kingdom contribution to the European Economic Community budget during the transitional period on the growth of the gross national product.

The growth of the gross national product will be dependent on a wide range of factors. It would be unrealistic to assess its response to a single isolated factor.We expect that the overall effects of membership—allowing for the financial arrangements—will increase our rate of growth, and that our industry will take the opportunities it will provide.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of his budget proposals on Tyneside.

In common with the rest of the country Tyneside will benefit from the economic stimulus provided by the Budget, which will reinforce the Government's measures for strengthening the regions, including making Tyneside a Special Development Area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to a reduction in the level of petrol duty for vehicles involved in the distribution of food as a means' of reducing prices.

Such selective relief is impracticable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a general rule, money spent by business firms on political activities is an allowable expense against profits for tax purposes.

As a general rule, no.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take to reduce the cost to the National Health Service of the recently marketed drug, nobrium, in the light of the information about promotional costs sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West.

I am in touch with the company concerned about its prices in general for drugs supplied to the National Health Service. The cost of promotional expenditure is among the matters under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will request the regional hospital boards in process of appointing for the first time a full-time officer dealing with public relations to expedite the process in regions where public relations are giving cause for concern.

I am not aware of any general cause for concern or of any unnecessary delay, so I see no need for such a request.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information has been supplied to him as to the target date for the formation of a University Hospital Management Committee for Bristol, the local discussions for which are still at an exploratory stage.

April, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultations are planned, and with whom, by the South West Regional Hospital Board, the Board of Governors of the United Bristol Hospitals and Bristol University, on the formation of a University Hospital Management Committee for Bristol;

These are matters for local consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what bodies the South West Regional Hospital Board is obliged to consult in connection with the development of the hospital service in the Bristol area.

There is no statutory requirement, but it is established policy and practice for boards to undertake a wide range of consultation according to the circumstances of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent on the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community and the flow of labour from the Six to Great Britain workers coming from the Six will be able to claim full Social Security benefits in the United Kingdom.

There will be no difference as regards social security benefits from the position now.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking, or intends to take, to inform himself of the means and methods whereby he will be able to introduce social security benefits on a par with those paid in the European Economic Community.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to him on 11th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 74–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent he estimates that the regulations of the European Economic Community relating to sickness insurance will affect the time for which citizens of the United Kingdom have to await treatment under the National Health Service, in view of the fact that under the European Economic Community regulations workers from the Six entering Great Britain will be entitled to receive treatment.

I should not expect British membership of the European Economic Community to have any significant effect in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families in total, where the head of household was in full-time work, he estimates obtained one or more means-tested benefits during the latest year for which information is available; and how was this aggregate total divided between the various benefits involved.

Estimates of this kind are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total number of successful claims for the family income supplement for each week since 3rd May; how many during each of these weeks have been successful claims for amounts, respectively, of less than £1, at least £1 but less than £2, at least £2 but less than £3, at least £3 but

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make vibration syndrome a prescribed disease for the purpose of entitlement to industrial benefit.

This matter is currently before the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. The question of prescription will be considered in the light of the Council's advice when its report is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he less than £4, and exactly £4; how were these claims divided between two-parent and one-parent families; and how many of each type of family were living above their supplementary benefit entitlement level.

By 22nd June, the latest date for which figures are available, over 12,000 favourable decisions had been given on claims for family income supplement. 1 regret the other information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the number of successful claims during each week since 11th May for each of the benefits comprising the family income supplement passport system, and where reference was made to eligibility for other benefits after an original application for one of them; and how many times were each of these benefits the aim of the original application.

The latest figures available as to the number of successful claims since 11th May for each of the benefits in so far as they relate to my Department's responsibilities are as follows:proposes to take to increase accommodation for the homeless on the lines proposed in the Christian Action publication, "Dossers' Charter", a copy of which is in his possession.

We are considering the suggestions, in consultation with other Departments concerned, as part of a continuing review of the problems of homeless single people.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount spent by his Department in each of the last three years on advertising.

Expenditure for the three years to 31st March, 1971, was £360,000, £352,000 and £488,000. The figure for 1968–69 includes expenditure by the then separate Ministries of Health and Social Security.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount spent by the regional hospital boards in England in each of the last three years on advertising.

The amounts spent by the regional hospital boards in England in the three financial years up to 31st March, 1970, were £128,000; £118,000 and £146,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, to protect a 12-year-old girl, who has undergone an abortion in a private clinic and details of whom have been sent to him, he will now consult with the appropriate local authority with a view to the child being brought before the juvenile courts under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969, as being in need of care.

This is entirely a matter for the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dispensations have been allowed in England and Wales, to alderman and councillors, under the Local Government Acts since 18th June 1970; if he will publish a list; and if he will make a statement.

A total of 1,513 dispensations to speak or vote has been granted to local authority members in England since 18th June, 1970. Parish councillors are excluded, since they apply to the county councils for dispensation. The Secretary of State for Wales gives dispensations to Welsh councillors.Dispensations are normally given in accordance with the policy outlined in Circular No. 5/67 issued jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Welsh Office on 18th January, 1967. I see no good reason to published detailed lists of dispensations given, but each local authority clerk is required to keep a register of all interests declared available for inspection by members of his authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase the Government grant for the clearance of derelict land in the Northwest from 75 per cent. to 85 per cent. to bring the grants in line with rates payable in development areas.

The 75 per cent. grant in the intermediate and derelict land clearance areas coupled with the further assistance through the resources element of the rate support grant which the other 25 per cent. of the expenditure attracts may bring the aggregate assistance for derelict land reclamation up to 85 per cent. in the intermediate and derelict land clearance areas. But except for that levelling of benefit, the Government intend to maintain the present differential rates of grant.Since the introduction of the 75 per cent. rate of grant the gross cost of approved schemes in the North West has risen from £360,000 in 1968–69 to £1,146,000 in 1970–71.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of acres of derelict land in England which the local planning authorities, at 31st December, 1970, considered to justify restoration; how many of that number were in priority areas; and how many acres were reclaimed in 1970.

The survey information provided by the local planning authorities for 1970 is now being collated by the Department. The figures desired by the hon. Member should be available by September.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake a study to ascertain means local authorities have implemented the recommendations of the 1967 working party report on refuse collection which advocated the abolition of both skep and kerbside collections.

The Working Party on Refuse Collection described kerbside collection as unhygienic, untidy and a hardship for many people and said that it should be tolerated only where collectors would otherwise have no access to refuse receptacles. They regarded the use of skeps as rarely justified. Local authorities would not normally inform my Department when implementing the recommendations of the Working Party and I regret that the information as to the number which have done so is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of grant paid in the year 1st April, 1970 to 31st March, 1971 to local authorities, shown by counties, county boroughs and county districts, respectively, under Section 20 of the Industrial Development Act, 1966, and the percentage which this represents of the total cost.

The grants paid during the financial year 1970–71 in England are shown below. The payments represent 85 per cent. of the net eligible costs in the development areas and 75 per cent. in the intermediate and derelict land clearance areas.whereby the optimum economic growth rate of cities in the United Kingdom can be determined.

One of the purposes of a regional strategy is to appraise the economic and other factors which are likely to affect growth rates in selected areas. I believe that work on the strategies which the Government are commissioning is more likely in practice to come nearer to securing my hon. Friend's objective than a general study.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many householders are now estimated to be eligible to claim rate rebates; and how many made such claims in the years 1969–70 and 1970–71.

The number of ratepayers entitled to a rate rebate cannot be established precisely without extensive and detailed inquiries into the circumstances of individual households which I do not consider would be justified.The number of those successfully claiming rebate in 1969–70 can be found in "Rate Rebates in England and Wales" copies of which are available in the Library. The figure for 1970–71 is not yet known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to reintroduce restrictions on the sale of houses which have been the subject of improvements financed by grants under the Housing Act, 1969.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 15th June to my hon. Friend, the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Mudd)—[Vol. 819, c. 67.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in respect of his proposals to increase financial assistance under Parts I and II of the Housing Act, 1969, he will include local government areas in receipt of industrial dereliction grants.

No; the Housing Bill introduced on 23rd June applies only in local government areas wholly or partly within development and intermediate areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there has been any change in the estimated completion date of late 1971 of the A19 road between Sunderland and Sheraton.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Road Research Laboratory is investigating the results achieved in other countries by the fitting of additional brighter rear lights on motor vehicles for use in fog; and whether he proposes to encourage the use of such lights in the United Kingdom.

The R.R.L. is aware of the experiences of other countries in this field. The use in conditions of bad visibility of an additional rear light of high intensity has my general support, although I would not be justified in making the fitting of such a lamp compulsory.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will discontinue the practice of printing Unemployment Benefit on Post Office Giro credits issued by his Department.

No. The provision of a separate notice and receipt would substantially increase administrative costs and mean employing more civil servants. The same procedure is followed by the Department of Health and Social Security for other national insurance payments and by my Department for payments apart from benefit. Giro-cheques are normally encashed at Post Offices where the confidentiality of transaction is observed.

asked the Secretary of Sate for Employment with reference to the recently announced redundancies at Aston Martin Lagonda, what are the total numbers of male vacancies in the engineering and allied trades for the Newport Pagnell travel-to-work area and the corresponding number unemployed before these redundancies were announced; and what steps his Department is taking to help provide alternative employment.

On the date of the June official count, there were 17 male vacancies and 18 men unemployed in engineering and allied trades in the Wolverton travel-to-work area, which includes Newport Pagnell. My local

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average weekly wage in Scotland at the latest available date, and what is the average wage in England and Wales at the same date; and what were the figures five and 10 years previously.

The latest date for which information is available is October, 1970. Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to encourage more women to enter and train for work in engineering and technical pursuits; and what action he is taking to ensure adequate training facilities.

Women's own preferences largely control the present pattern of women's employment and training. My Department's services will continue to encourage women and girls to widen their range of choice and to take advantage of the increasing variety of career opportunities available to them. I have no reason to believe that training facilities are inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent work permits are required before persons can obtain employment in areas currently within the jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Government.

In general foreigners require work permits before taking up employment in Great Britain. The position in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those organisations that have protested to him concerning his decision to contribute up to £7,000 towards the cost of the British Wild Life Organising Committee which is preparing a British exhibit at the World Hunting Exhibition to be held in Budapest.

The Bradford Vegetarian Society, the National Organiser for the United Societies for the Welfare of all Living Creatures, the Chairman of the National Society for the Abolition of Cruel Sports Ltd., and a number of individual members of the League Against Cruel Sports Ltd. have written to my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange to provide suitable material for the Nature Conservancy at the World Hunting Exhibition in Budapest in order to give a representative view of British public opinion on the subject of blood sports.

The British exhibit is being organised by a private body, the British Wildlife Organising Committee in consultation with the Nature Conservancy. Official assistance is limited to the financial provision described by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State in answer to Questions on 17th June and the loan of surplus display equipment referred to by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade in his answer on 15th June. Her Majesty's Government's assistance is all intended to help transport and mount the organising Committee's exhibit.—[Vol. 819, c. 77; Vol. 819 c. 130–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representation he has received from India regarding contributions towards the cumulative costs to India of looking after the refugees from East Pakistan; if he will give the cumulative contributions given by Great Britain and the United Nations, respectively, towards such costs; and if he will make a statement;(2) what the interim report from the United Nations regarding the refugees from East Pakistan to India has suggested regarding the costs to India; what estimate this interim report has given of India's needs to sustain the refugees; and if he will make a statement.

It is not possible to make a realistic estimate of the extent of the costs; the figure of $175 million (£73 million) contained in the United Nations Secretary-General's first appeal was based on a much lower number of refugees than are now in India. The Government of India made no direct formal appeal, but has made it clear that it would welcome assistance.The total contributions given or promised by Britain, including those which were the subject of the statement by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on 23 rd June, are now over £8 million. The United Nations estimated that on 17th June the total international response from governments and other sources, both to the Secretary-General's appeal and directly to the India Government, was about $75 million (£31 million).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the amount of capital now being made available to Tunisia.

During the recent visit to Britain by the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Her Majesty's Government offered to provide a loan of £500,000 as a further instalment of a programme of British capital aid towards the economic development of Tunisia. The loan is to be spent on British goods and services, and will be used to finance agreed development projects. The loan will be repayable over a period of 25 years, including a grace period of seven years, and interest will be at 2 per cent.At present Tunisia is receiving from Britain an interest-free loan of £246,000 towards the reconstruction of the telecommunications network after the 1969 floods. I expect drawings under this loan to be made before 31st March, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be able to announce his decision on the application for assistance under the Urban Aid Programme by the London Borough of Camden in respect of the mobile youth club to be sponsored by the Camden Committee for Community Relations.

I hope in the early autumn, when Departments have completed their selection from nearly a thousand competing applications received by the beginning of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information which he is obtaining about convictions under the Firearms Act, 1968.

Following is the information:Smullens; and what facilities are being made available to him that he may pursue educational courses.

This prisoner is in security category "A". He attends evening classes and is taking a correspondence course. Arrangements have been made for him to sit General Certificate of Education examinations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether Chief Inspector Peter Darke in the course of his activities in the North of Ireland acts in accordance with the instructions of the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary or other members of that force; and whether he will make a statement, outlining what persons within his Department have responsibility for this man's activities;(2) whether Chief Superintendent Eric Peyton has been constituted as part of the civil authority in Northern Ireland; by what person and on what occasions; and whether he will make a statement.