Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 2nd July, 1971
Computers (Sale To Ussr)
asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on the outcome of the talks which he had last winter with President Nixon on the sale of computers to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
During my visit to the United States last December I discussed with President Nixon the projected sale by International Computers Limited of two 1906 A computers worth over £5 million to the Institute of High Energy Physics at Serpukhov. President Nixon undertook to have this matter reexamined and talks have since taken place between British and United States officials. I am happy to say that the United States have now withdrawn their earlier objection to the sale. The conditions of the contract will be designed to ensure that the computers will be used solely for peaceful purposes.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
European Economic Community
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the extent to which the agricultural policy of the Common Market countries has changed since June, 1970; and if he will make a statement.
The main changes since June, 1970 are the introduction of the common fisheries policy and the Council's decision to introduce measures to improve the structure of agriculture, which have yet to be implemented.
Cereals And Meat (Marketing)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give further details of his plans to bring about better marketing, with particular reference to cereals and meat.
The National Farmers Union with other interested organisations are conducting a full examination of possible improvements. My right hon. Friend will certainly study their conclusions with care.
Livestock Welfare Codes
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to place before the House his final decisions on the proposed changes to the Livestock Welfare Codes.
My right hon. Friend and I have today laid before Parliament for the approval of both Houses the alterations we propose should be made to the codes of recommendations for the welfare of cattle, pigs, domestic fowls and turkeys.
Defence
Composite Rations
asked the Minister of State for Defence what conditions apply to the issue of Compo rations to members of the Armed Forces; what restrictions are placed upon their use; and what provisions are made for the return of unconsumed rations.
Composite rations are issued for consumption by the Armed Forces, particularly the Army and Royal Marines, during active operations and approved training exercises in field conditions where the cooking and issue of normal fresh rations would be impracticable. Unconsumed rations are required to be returned to unit stores.
asked the Minister of State for Defence whether Compo rations are made available to members of University Officer Training Corps, members of Air Training Corps, Army Cadet Corps, and other voluntary youth organisations.
Composite rations may be issued to the University Training Corps, school contingents of the Combined Cadet Force, the Army Cadet Force and the Sea Cadet Corps in certain circumstances, mainly for annual camps or ardous training. The Air Training Corps and other voluntary youth organisations have no entitlement to composite rations.
Environment
Yorkshire And Humberside (Regional Strategy)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to give the Government's reply to the Regional Strategy published by the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council.
The reply is being published today. The Government welcome the Strategy and have endorsed many of its recommendations. They regard it as a thorough analysis of the problems and tasks facing the Region and as a valuable initial guide to the way ahead. They agree with the Council's proposal to develop the Strategy by area studies carried out jointly with the local planning authorities and consider that as soon as practicable it should be developed into a longer-term strategy jointly by the Regional Council, the Standing Conference of Local Planning Authorities and Central Government. A copy of the full reply has been placed in the Library.
Rate And Rent Rebates
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many working families successfully claimed rate rebates and rent rebates, respectively, in each quarter of 1970; and what proportion these annual totals represented of the number estimated to be eligible for each of these benefits on grounds of low income.
On rate rebates I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his Question on 29th April. Figures of recipients in 1970–71 are not yet available. There are not sufficient data on which to make a reliable estimate of the numbers eligible.Annual totals of rent rebates are published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants in Part I of their "Housing Statistics". The latest issue
covers the financial year 1969–70 and a copy is available in the Library. Information about the extent to which eligible tenants claim rebates should be sought from the local authorities responsible for each rebate scheme.—[Vol. 816. c.
185–6.]
School Milk
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to non-education local authorities, pointing out their rights in regard to the provision of free milk to pupils attending schools in their respective areas.
No. The Government's policy in relation to the supply of milk in schools has been fully explained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the debates on the Education (Milk) Bill.
Route 225 (Bolton)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his plans at the present time with regard to Route 225, in view of the need to inform the public in the Bolton area.
If the local authority wish to put this route forward as a candidate for the next instalment of the Principal Road Preparation List we shall consider it. I cannot say what the result would be.
French Minister Of The Environment (Discussions)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what topics he discussed with the French Minister of the Environment during his recent official visit to London; and if he will make a statement.
My discussions with M. Paujade, which were essentially exploratory, ranged over the organisation of our Departments, matters of urbanisation and planning, the pollution of fresh water and the sea, the problems posed by motor vehicles and the rôles of various international organisations. We found that we had similar views on many issues, and I am sure that we can look to a period of most fruitful collaboration in the future.
River Authorities (Display)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will arrange a display in the Upper Waiting Hall about the work of river authorities.
I am pleased to say that an exhibition will be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 5th July to 8th July. Its purpose is to give Members of this House and of the House of Lords a general view of the whole range of work undertaken by river authorities.
Driving Instructors (Registration)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the working of the Road Transport (Driving Instruction) Act, in view of complaints that unregistered instructors are continuing to operate.
The working of the Act is being kept under close review. The Department is following up all written complaints.
Employment
Distributive Industry Training Board
asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Distributive Industry Training Board requires a 40 per cent. increase in levy; how much this increase will produce for the Board; and how the extra revenue will be disbursed.
The Board has sought an increase in levy to enable it to fulfil obligations placed upon it by the Industrial Training Act, 1964. The additional revenue amounting to £3 millions should ensure that its operations are placed upon a sound financial fiasis.
Job-Seekers (Private And Personal Data)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that companies des- troy private and personal data which they receive from persons seeking employment who fill in their questionnaires and who are not ultimately employed by those companies.
I have no power to make such a requirement. This is, however, one of a number of questions about information held by employers which is being looked at by the Committee on Privacy.
Development Areas
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the percentage of the male working population unemployed in each of the development areas to the latest available date with the percentage of the national male working population unemployed.
Following is the information:
| Rates of unemployment for males at 14th June, 1971 (provisional) | |
| Per cent. | |
| South Western Development Area | 6·6 |
| Merseyside Development Area | 6·8 |
| Northern Development Area | 6·9 |
| Scottish Development Area | 7·7 |
| Welsh Development Area | 5·6 |
| Great Britain | 4·4 |
Unemployment
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, if he will list the number of those unemployed in each region at the latest convenient date.
Following is the information:
| PROVISIONAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT 14TH JUNE, 1971 | ||
| Total | Temporarily stopped included in total | |
| South East | 141,457 | 4,738 |
| East Anglia | 18,281 | 280 |
| Southwestern | 39,242 | 1,362 |
| West Midlands | 73,941 | 12,881 |
| East Midlands | 41,209 | 2,784 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 74,458 | 4,018 |
| North Western | 104,358 | 2,827 |
| Northern | 69,655 | 1,558 |
| Scotland | 121,647 | 6,080 |
| Wales | 40,410 | 680 |
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
European Economic Community
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many jobs he estimates to have been created for workers in European Economic Community countries in the last 10 years by British companies establishing subsidiary plants in the European Economic Communities countries.
I regret that no precise figures are available. I can, however, confirm that in this period British and partly British firms have in the course of their operations in European Economic Community countries created additional jobs both for workers from the Community and from Britain.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will include in the forthcoming White Paper on Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community the implication of the Treaty of Rome and the decision that has flowed there from, particularly as it affects the British Constitution, Parliament and people.
The scope of the forthcoming White Paper was defined by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his statement on 17th June. It will add to information already provided, notably in the White Paper of May, 1967.—[Vol. 819, c. 643–5.]
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will withhold publication of the White Paper on the negotiations for Great Britain's accession to the European Economic Community until after the Ministerial discussion on fishing on 12th July.
No. The White Paper will set out in detail the arrangements reached in the negotiations and the current position on fisheries.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Affairs whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, entitled The Second Battle of Britain, dealing with the application to join the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement thereon.
The communication in question has been received. Whilst I do not agree with some of its contents relating to the European Economic Community, I respect the right of those who hold divergent views to express them.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in support of his declared policy of consulting the people and obtaining the views of the electorate on the issue of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, he will make an official statement calling upon the electorate to write to him on this subject and keep a record of these communications for subsequent publication showing the number for, against and those asking for information.
The electorate are well aware that they may write to Ministers and to their Members about British entry to the European Community. Records of these communications are kept, but due to their diversity it is not practicable to classify them in the manner suggested.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what value Canada's exports to the United Kingdom would be reduced by British entry to the European Economic Community on the terms so far negotiated; what representations he has received from the Canadian Government on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
Throughout the negotiations there has been full and frequent consultation with representatives of the Canadian Government. It is not possible to predict the future value of Canada's exports to the United Kingdom, but a considerable proportion of them would not be affected by our entry into the European Economic Community.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to safeguard Canada's exports of forest products to the United Kingdom, including newsprint, wood pulp and plywood, in the event of Sweden and Finland gaining duty-free entry for their exports of these products to the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
Satisfactory arrangements have been reached with the Community on these items. The details were published in the OFFICIAL REPORT with my statement of 17th May. Canada's exports of these commodities would benefit from the provisions made which take into account possible future arrangements between the enlarged Community and Sweden and Finland.Throughout the negotiations, consultation has been maintained with the Canadians. Mr. Pepin, Canadian Minister of Trade and Industry, visited London in October and I went to Canada in March. We have informed Canadian representatives at every stage of the negotiations about matters affecting their interests.—[Vol. 817, c. 905–6.]
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will arrange for the publication of a complete list of all the measures that would have to be approved by Parliament before Great Britain's entry to the European Economic Community.
If Parliament decides in the forthcoming debate on the White Paper that the terms negotiated for entry into the Communities are satisfactory in principle, legislation will be submitted at an appropriate stage to Parliament to give effect to the Treaty of Accession.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has negotiated transitional arrangements regarding free movement of labour between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community.
No. We have made proposals related to Northern Ireland as outlined in my answer to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 14th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 17.]
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has yet clarified the categories of United Kingdom residents who will be eligible under the European Economic Community provisions for free movement of labour.
Discussions on this subject are not yet complete, but it may be assumed that Commonwealth citizens who have registered as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies would be included amongst those eligible.
Malawi
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent financial talks with the Government of Malawi.
After talks in London at the end of May with the Government of Malawi, the British Government have undertaken to provide a development loan to Malawi of up to £11 million free of interest, over the three years 1972–73–1974–75. This will be for development projects in Malawi which will be mutually agreed from time to time. It will be available for disbursement at the rate of £3 million in the first year and £4 million in each of the next two years.Parliament will in due course be asked to provide the necessary funds.
Home Department
Home Department
Prisoners (Category A)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest numbers and percentages of prisoners in Category A.
On 30th June there were 263 prisoners in security category A, representing less than 1 per cent. of the prison population in England and Wales. This figure includes 31 untried prisoners.
National Finance
Defence Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of hte impact of a higher level of defence spending in the United Kingdom than that obtaining in the European Economic Community countries, on the growth rate of the United Kingdom economy.
The factors affecting the rate of economic growth in the United Kingdom and the European Community are varied and complex but I would not regard the differing shares of defence expenditure in gross national product as constituting a major reason for the differences in growth performance.
Members' Salaries (Purchasing Power)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in relation to the depreciation in purchasing power of Members of Parliament's salaries from October 1964 to October, 1970 to £2,467, what is the figure at hte latest convenient stated date.
Taking the value of a Member of Parliament's salary as being £3,250 in October, 1964, its purchasing power in May 1971, the latest date for which information is available, is estimated at £2,324.This comparison is based on the movement in the Consumer Price Index from 1964 to 1970 adjusted by the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices for the months at the beginning and end of the period.
European Economic Community
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the competitive position of United Kingdom export of wage and salary increases granted to employed persons during any transitional period before full membership of the European Economic Community.
I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the White Paper.
Cost Of Living
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the factual details (1)-(4), as contained in the communication sent to the hon. Member for West Ham, North under date of December, 1970 on the cost of living and purchasing power of the £ sterling, and bring the figures up to date to the latest stated date for which figures are readily available.
The information requested is as follows:
Scotland
Hospital Scientific Council
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken following the Zuckerman Report on hospital scientific and technical services to set up a Scottish hospital scientific council.
Proposals for setting up a Council to cover scientific aspects of all sectors of the Health Service were discussed with representatives of interested bodies at a conference held in January last. Professor Michael Swann, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh University, has accepted my invitation to chair the Council and after considering names suggested by the interested bodies I have appointed the members listed below. These include the chairmen designate of the regional scientific advisory committees which are being set up in the five hospital regions.The terms of reference of the Council are:
"to review and advise on the organisation of the scientific and technical services in the Health Service but excluding pay and conditions of service and to make recommendations concerning future developments".
It has arranged to hold its first meeting on 6th July.
The names of the members are:
- Professor Michael Swann. Chairman.
- Professor J. N. Anderson.
- Dr. J. Bruce.
- Miss H. C. Cousland.
- Professor A. R. Currie.
- Dr. S. H. Davies.
- Professor J. P. Duguid.
- Dr. R. Graham.
- Dr. J. K. Grant.
- Dr. J. Halliday-Croom.
- Dr. J. C. J. Ives.
- Professor R. M. Kenedi.
- Dr. E. V. Kuenssberg.
- T. S. Lansley, Esq.
- Dr. J. M. Lenihan.
- A. H. McCall. Esq.
- Professor M. C. Macnaughton.
- Dr. G. B. S. Roberts.
- Professor E. Samuel.
- Dr. D. C. Simpson.
- W. H. Valentine, Esq.
- Professor L. G. Whitby.
- Dr. T. S. Wilson.
Housing Improvement Grants
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many housing improvement grants were made in 1971 to the latest convenient date, and if he will give the breakdown of this total into its various categories.
The latest available figures are those for the first quarter of 1971, which were published in the Housing Return for Scotland, 31st March, 1971.
Trade And Industry
Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any new company acquiring the assets of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders will be entitled to the full range of incentives offered by the special development area of West Central Scotland.
Such a company would be eligible to apply for appropriate assistance under the Local Employment Acts. As the hon. Member knows, however, the present range of special development area incentives were designed to meet the particular needs of new incoming industry.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the communication between his Department and the Shipbuilding Industry Board's director on Upper Clyde Shipbuilders on 14th October, 1970.
The Shipbuilding Industry Board Director discussed the position of the company with officials of my Department on 14th October. In the course of that discussion, he expressed doubts about whether the company should continue trading. No written communication passed between Mr. Mackenzie and the Department.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the progress which had been made in the capital reconstruction for Upper Clyde Shipbuilders before 3rd February, 1971.
As I told the House on 11th February, the company was proposing a capital reconstruction to reflect the realities of its balance sheet but the precise details remained to be worked out. It did not prove possible to carry out this reconstruction before the company petitioned for liquidation. The capital reconstruction proposed did not involve the provision of new public funds to the company.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the five shipowners involved in the hold up of recent guarantees relating to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders were directly informed.
As I told the House on 15th June, I met representatives of the ship-owner customers of U.C.S. at the time when efforts were being made to strengthen U.C.S.'s position. I made clear to them then the Government's position on credit guarantees.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sums have been paid to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders with respect to the guarantees held up between October, 1970, and February, 1971.
Guarantees are given in respect of loans to shipowners. I cannot disclose what payments have been made by such owners to U.C.S.
Air Charter Flights
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to stop the illegal issue of air tickets on charter flights as reported to him in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the Air Transport Licensing Board's Report of 1971.
In addition to the normal enforcement action taken by the Department, I am studying the ways in which the abuses referred to in this Report might be dealt with more effectively.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ascertain which air lines are operating with the Charter Travel Centre, Varol Travel, Jet Travel Concessions charter flight facilities, Expo International, Travelscene, Club Olympian and the Seven Seas Fellowship enabling them to contravene his regulations governing air fares and the internationally approved air rates by illegally selling tickets; to what extent he estimates this practice may ultimately affect safety in the air; and if he will institute proceedings against those concerned.
Organisations such as these rarely charter aircraft in their own names. I have no reason to believe that their activities endanger air safety. Despite the difficulties of obtaining sufficiently firm evidence, there have been two successful prosecutions recently and I am considering action in other cases.
Sugar And Rum (Exports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from information available to him from international sources, what were the exports of sugar and rum, respectively, from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Reunion to the Six in 1960 and 1970.
Following is the information:
| EXPORTS TO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY | ||
| From | Sugar | Rum |
| (metric tons) | ||
| Guadeloupe | ||
| 1960 | 123,449 | 7,763 |
| 1968* | 107,414 | 8,186 |
| Martinique | ||
| 1960 | 69,240 | 14,161 |
| 1968* | 25,512 | 9,604 |
| Reunion | ||
| 1960 | 165,967 | 2,545 |
| 1968* | 223,013 | 4,688 |
| * The latest year for which figures are available. | ||
Northern Region (New Factories)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make arrangements with his regional office in the Northern Region so that it is to be notified of all firms wishing to set up factories in the region by the respective local authorities and other bodies, seeking to bring new firms and jobs to the North, in order to avoid preventable overlapping and competition.
Such information is normally given to regional offices early on, but I do not want to insist on disclosure since firms may prefer their inquiries to be confidential.
Uk Exports
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will identify Great Britain's new exports to world markets and indicate their rate of growth in each year over the last 10 years.
I regret that the cost of providing the required information would be prohibitive.
Growth Rate And Productivity Increases
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the correlation between the United Kingdom growth rate in gross national product and productivity increases in industry, including agriculture.
Industries covered by the index of industrial production, together with agriculture, forestry and fishing, contribute about half of the gross national product of the United Kingdom. Over the period 1963–70, the overall increase in output per head in these sectors, estimated at about 4 per cent. per annum, has accounted for some two-thirds of the average annual growth in gross national product of slightly under 3 per cent.
European Economic Community
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what industries have informed him of their intention to give longer paid holiday's to their employees in the event of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community.
None. There is no obligation under the Treaty of Rome to harmonise paid holiday arrangements. Members of the European Economic Community follow their own practices and there are wide variations.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes in regional policies, as they presently affect Scotland, with particular regard to Government loans and grants, would become mandatory if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.
No changes would be mandatory on entry.
National Council Of Social Service
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funds were allocated last year and this year by his Department to the National Council of Social Service.
The grant-in-aid by the Department of Trade and Industry to the National Council of Social Service was £62,000 last year and, subject to Parliamentary approval, will be £75,000 this year.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the allocation of funds by his Department to the National Council of Social Service following the dismissals of National Citizens' Advice Bureaux officials and the resignation of the Chairman, or what alternative action he proposes to take.
None.
Cities (Economic Performance)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will undertake a study with a view to establishing a means of measuring and recording on a gross product, import, export basis or otherwise, the economic performance of major cities in the United Kingdom in order to enable them to assess and review their economic performance and potential, and if he will include the city of Sheffield in any such study.
No. Given the structure of United Kingdom industry, there are fundamental difficulties in collecting information on the basis suggested.
Gas Boards (Reminder Letters)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to gas boards to send final reminder letters by first-class mail.
No. This is the responsibility of the area boards.
Social Services
National Insurance Contributions (Self-Employed Persons)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of the contributions payable by a self-employed person to the National
| Men | Women | Boys Under 18 | Girls Under 18 | |||||||||||||
| Date of Change | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | ||||
| 3rd June, 1963 (in force at October, 1964) | … | 13 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | |||||||
| 29th March, 1965 | … | … | … | … | 15 | 10 | 13 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 6 | ||||
| 30th October, 1967 | … | … | … | … | 18 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 7 | ||||
| 6th May, 1968 | … | … | … | … | 18 | 10 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | ||||
| 3rd November, 1969 | … | … | … | … | 1 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 10 | 3 | |||
| £ p | £ p | £ p | £ p | |
| 15th February, 1971 (Decimalisation no increase) | 1·073 | 0·897 | 0·612 | 0·512 |
| Proposed rate from 20th September, 1971 | 1·333 | 1·117 | 0·762 | 0·642 |
Wales
Colwyn Bay (Collcon Proposals)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in order to relieve the anxiety of owners of properties in Colwyn Bay, which have been blighted by the Collcon proposals of 1968, he will make an announcement of his policy with regard to purchase at the owner's request of such properties.
I have no statutory obligation at present to buy properties blighted by the 1968 Collcon proposals. But I am prepared to consider buying on a discretionary basis where an owner /occupier can show that he is suffering severe financial hardship through inability to sell a house which would have to be acquired under those proposals.
Pedestrian Crossings
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the criteria by which the need for a pedestrian crossing on a particular site in the Principality is determined by his Department.
The criteria are set out in Appendix II to Welsh Office Roads Division Circular No. 39/68, a copy of which I am forwarding to my hon. Friend.
Insurance funds in October, 1964 and on each stated date from then when contributions were increased.
The following is a table showing the rate of contribution payable by a self-employed person to the National Insurance Fund from October, 1964, until the present time. In addition, a National Health Service contribution is payable.
Education And Science
School Meals (Frozen Foods)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what experiments her Department is carrying out to reduce the cost of school meals by bulk buying of frozen foods and by the use of infra red and other quick cooking stoves.
My Department has no power to carry out experiments of this nature, but a grant has been made towards the cost of an experiment in the blast-freezing of school meals being carried out by the Procter Department of Food and Leather Science, Leeds University. Also, close contact is maintained with local education authorities who are experimenting with new and more economic methods of providing the school meal.
Teachers (Wastage Rate)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what percentage of all teachers who had served for five years or less left the profession within those five years; what percentage of those who had served between five years and 10 years left between the fifth and tenth year; and what percentage of those who had served more than 10 years left after 10 years, in 1968, 1969 and 1970, respectively; (2) how many teachers left the profession in 1968, 1969 and 1970 who had served for less than five years, between five and 10 years, and more than 10 years as qualified teachers, respectively.
Information about wastage of teachers according to length of service is not available but the numbers of teachers entering, leaving and re-entering full-time service between April, 1968 and March, 1969 are given, by five-year age-groups, in Table 25 of Statistics of Education, Volume 4, 1969. Percentage rates of gross wastage for each band are also given.