asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the amount of additional moneys that will be released into the economy in July, August and September as a result of his Budgetary measures.

I am afraid I cannot provide figures on the basis asked for by my hon. Friend but I can assure him that both the increase in the child tax allowances and the cut in S.E.T. rates are now beginning to provide a substantial stimulus to the economy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to remove from the terms of reference of the Page Committee the subject of personal loans which the Trustee Savings Bank Movement wishes to introduce, so that the scheme which has been approved by the National Debt Office can now proceed without further delay.

The terms of reference do not specifically include personal loans but they would involve a major change in the rôle of the Trustee Savings Banks. Therefore I am clear that the scheme, which the National Debt Office has not approved, ought not to go ahead until the Page Committee has reported.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that diplomats who purchase tax free cars for personal use for export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics sell them at inflated prices; and whether these profits which sometimes reach 100 per cent. to 400 per cent. are taxable for income tax purposes or capital gains tax on the return to this country of the diplomats or whilst they are serving in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: and whether he will make a statement

British diplomats posted abroad may, like any other British subject, buy British motor cars free of purchase tax, and, if serving in Moscow, may sell their cars there on leaving. The vendor has to pay Soviet import duty (up to 50 per cent. ad valorem), but any profit on the sale is subject neither to Soviet nor to United Kingdom tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what price reductions have been proposed by Government Departments where Ministers have direct responsibilities, arising from the reduction of selective employment tax in July.

Under standing instructions, Departments are taking the reduction of selective employment tax fully into account when fixing the level of fees and charges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a married man with two children, earning £25 per week, has a take-home pay of £22·47 when at work and £24·75 when unemployed and that he can be better off unemployed than at work for 18 weeks per year; and what corrective action he intends to take.

I am well aware that this situation can arise when earnings-related supplement is paid; we are considering the whole matter as part of the Government's continuing review of the tax structure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he took into consideration other locations before deciding to locate the central control organisation for the value-added tax at Southend; and if he will list these other locations.

Reports that vast numbers of staff will be employed on V.A.T. at Southend have been greatly exaggerated. Nearly three-quarters of the staff will be in local offices spread throughout the country. Most of the remaining one-quarter of the staff will be in Southend which is the existing Customs and Excise dispersal area where there is already a substantial concentration of Customs staff and where considerable economies can be secured.I am circulating a list of local offices in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Aberdeen	Leeds
Aberdeen.	Leeds.
	York.
Belfast	Bradford.
Belfast.	Sheffield.
	Doncaster.
Birmingham	Halifax.
Birmingham.	Liverpool
Coventry.
Dudley.	Liverpool.
Wolverhampton.	Birkenhead.
	Southport.
Brighton	Wigan.
Brighton.	Warrington.
Eastbourne.	London Central
Worthing.
Reigate.	City, E.C.I.
Tunbridge Wells.	Leytonstone.
	Romford.
Bristol	Southend.
Bristol.	London North
Taunton.
Worcester.	Holborn/St. Pancras.
Gloucester.
	Stoke Newington.
Chester	Finchley/Enfield.
Chester.	London South
Colwyn Bay.
Shrewsbury.	Southwark.
Stoke-on-Trent.	Catford/Lewisham.
	Croydon.
Dover	Kingston.
Canterbury.	London West
Hastings.
Maidstone.	Westminster.
	Hammersmith.
Edinburgh	Ealing/Hounslow.
Edinburgh.	Manchester
Galashiels.	Manchester.
Dundee.	Bolton.
	Stockport.
Glasgow
Glasgow.	Newcastle
Stirling.	Newcastle.
	Sunderland.
Greenock	Middlesbrough.
Greenock.
Ayr.	Northampton
Dumfries.	Northampton.
	Peterborough.
Harwich	Bedford.
Ipswich.	Cambridge.
Chelmsford.	Hertford.
Norwich.	Watford.
Hull	Nottingham
Hull.	Nottingham.
Scarborough.	Leicester.
Grimsby.	Derby.
Lincoln.	Chesterfield.

Plymouth	High Wycombe.
Plymouth.	Woking.
Barnstple.	Oxford.
Truro.	Swindon.
Exeter.
Torquay.	Southampton
	Southampton.
Preston	Portsmouth.
Blackpool.	Bournemouth.
Preston.	Yeovil.
Lancaster.
Carlisle.	South Wales and the Borders
Workington.
Accrington.	Cardiff.
	Newport.
Reading	Hereford.
Reading.	Swansea.
Slough.	Haverfordwest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the therapeutic value for mentally handicapped children of the newly-developed inflatable play equipment; why this equipment is chargeable with purchase tax at 36⅔ per cent.; and if he will take steps to reduce it.

I understand that a prototype of one such inflatable item likely to be attractive to all young children was recently regarded as chargeable to tax. If the right hon. Member will let me have particulars of the equipment he has in mind I will look into the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantity of coin and/or scrap coin is at present being stored at St. Athan's airfield in Glamorgan.

Neither coin nor scrap coin is stored at St. Athan's airfield.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has now received from the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry on the need for a prices and incomes policy; and what action he will take.

The T.U.C. have prepared a paper on Inflation, Unemployment and Economic Growth which I look forward to discussing with them, and with the C.B.I., at tomorrow's meeting of the N.E.D.C.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what official discussions he has had recently with the Finance Houses Association and individual finance companies on the possibilities of easing present terms controls.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a Ministerial broadcast outlining the benefits which the United Kingdom economy can expect in the event of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community.

I have no such plans at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what way he estimates that the distribution of income and capital in Great Britain will be affected in the medium term by entry into the Common Market.

It is not expected that entry will affect the distribution of income and capital in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the Brussels discussions on the free movement of money across national boundaries; how they will affect Great Britain's reserves and sterling balances; why Her Majesty's Government asked for a two-and-a-half year wait before British citizens will be allowed to export their capital and five years before they have complete freedom to invest in continental shares; and whether he will include these details in the forthcoming White Paper.

I ask the hon. Member to await publication of the forthcoming White Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that on the present terms and conditions for Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community, Great Britain will be able to maintain the present situation whereby persons who decide to live abroad in the countries of the Six will have to live for four years overseas before transferring more than £5,000 capital.

No. The United Kingdom has proposed to remove this restriction by the middle of the transitional period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of coins contracted-out to private contractors by the Royal Mint in the period 1st January to 31st May, 1971; and what were the corresponding numbers for the same period in 1969 and 1970.

Approximately 52 million coins were produced under subcontract for the Royal Mint during the first five months of 1971. The corresponding figures for 1969 and 1970 are 109 and 50 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Excehquer what consultations he has now had with the construction industry about value-added tax.

The Customs and Excise Department, who will be responsible for the administration of the tax, have had discussions with representatives of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers, the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, the Federation of Associations of Specialist and Subcontractors, and the Committee of Associations of Specialist Engineering Contractors. They are in touch with some other trade and professional associations in the industry, and would be glad to receive comments from any associations which have not yet approached them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the construction industry about relief from value-added tax for housing.

Those associations in the construction industry which have so far made representations have suggested that sales of newly constructed houses might be zero-rated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for protecting lower income groups from the effects of the proposed value-added tax and the European Economic Community agricultural policy in so far as they will add to the cost of living.

It is too early to say whether or not the replacement of S.E.T. and purchase tax by V.A.T. will affect the cost of living. In any case, the Government are fully committed to ensuring that retirement pensioners and those dependent on other social benefits will be protected through adjustments to benefits against the effect of any price increases which may result from our entry into the E.E.C.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make the money spent by pharmaceutical manufacturers in promoting the prescribing of medicines to National Health Service patients not tax-deductible.

I would refer to my reply earlier today to the hon. Lady the Member for Halifax (Dr. Summerskill).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates the yield from taxation would be increased in the year 1972–73 by the abolition of stamp duties from 6th April, 1972.

If stamp duties were abolished from 6th April, 1972 there would be a loss of stamp duty revenue of over £100 million. I have made no estimate of the effects on other taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the latest economic indicators contained in the report of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a copy of which is in his possession, he will review his policies towards prices and unemployment.

We are currently reviewing the economic situation and prospect in the light of the latest economic indicators and if we then judge that further action is required we shall take it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the increase in investment for the remainder of the current financial year.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to what my right hon. Friend said in his speech during the debate on 28th June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is intending to take to earmark specific charges or taxes for specific items of public expenditure.

The revenues from all Central Government taxes are paid into the Consolidated Fund, which is the principal source of finance for the Government's general expenditure, but charges paid by the users of services help to defray their costs. I have no proposals for altering these arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, under date of 30th June, regarding the application of the general rule on taxation in particular cases; and when the hon. Member may expect his reply.

A reply was sent yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give, for the longest most convenient stated period of time, the number of communications he has received and from whom, regarding the closing of the Royal Mint; what was the nature of these communications; what replies he has sent; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Answers given to similar Questions by the hon. Member on 18th May, 1971 and 25th May, 1971.—[Vol. 817, c. 246; Vol. 818, c. 89.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will refer to the Lane Committee of Inquiry into the working of the Abortion Act details of the recent case in which a 12-year-old Bradford girl made pregnant by a 13-year-old boy was refused an abortion by a consultant in the National Health Service, despite a recommendation by the family doctor.

I would expect the Committee, without reviewing clinical decisions in individual cases, to examine the extent to which there are differences in the application of the Act. I see no need to refer this particular case to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the proposed sample census on incomes will take place.

The proposed voluntary sample survey of incomes is being reviewed in the light of the recent census.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many accident units operate within the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board; and whether he will investigate their adequacy and the average waiting time for medical or surgical attention.

Twenty-eight. I am aware that the service in this region as elsewhere in the country has been affected by medical staffing difficulties and my Department is continuing discussions with the profession on how these may be overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to improve the conditions of junior medical staff of hospitals within the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

This is primarily a matter for the hospital authorities in the Region. I know that the Board is reviewing the staffing of certain hospital departments in which junior medical staff have been working long hours.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what conditions have to be satisfied before he authorises repatriation grants to Commonwealth citizens; and what changes are contemplated in these conditions.

Broadly, the Supplementary Benefits Commission are prepared to advance the costs of repatriation to any person receiving supplementary benefit, regardless of his country of origin, if he wishes to return to his home country and his doing so would lead to a saving of public funds. No change in these arrangements is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about prosecutions as a result of failure to fill out census forms.

Completed census forms are still being received in response to further approaches from the census organisation. It is too early, therefore, to make any statement about the numbers of prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services taking the flat-rate retirement pensions as valued at 100 on 18th June, 1970, what is their value at present; and in money terms, what increase would be required in total to establish the purchasing power of the pensions a year ago and at the point of the last pension increase, respectively.

The value is 91·3, based on the General Index of Retail Prices for May, 1971; over the same period 48p would be needed to restore the purchasing power of the standard single rate of retirement pension. Over the period November, 1969 to May, 1971, 74p would be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has to be paid out by his Department because maintenance orders which have been awarded by the courts have not been paid.

It is not possible to make a reliable estimate on the information available, as the only social security benefit at present paid in these circumstances is supplementary benefit, and the reasons for payment of this are not analysed. My hon. Friend may, however, wish to know that on the evidence of information obtained annually of the amount of supplementary benefit paid out to various categories of claimants, it is estimated that in 1970 about £93¼ million was paid to persons where it was necessary to pursue the question of liability to maintain. This sum was paid after taking into account about £8 million in maintenance payments received by them. The Department also recovered a sum of about £8¼ million from persons liable for maintenance, so that the net cost to public funds was about £85 million. How much of this sum of £85 million was paid as a direct consequence of the failure to meet maintenance or affiliation orders is not known.A sample survey carried out in June, 1970 showed that the women then in receipt of supplementary benefit had 102,500 maintenance orders of which 46,000 were being complied with regularly (to the extent of 75 per cent. or more) and 38,000 were not being paid at all, and they also had 26,500 affiliation orders of which 12,500 were being complied with regularly and 9,500 were not being paid at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the system of appointment for consultants in National Health Service practice whereby the number of hours worked is only agreed after an appointment has been made; and if he will make; a statement.

We would expect an assessment of the time required to be made before a post is advertised. The option for a whole-time or a maximum part-time contract is normally exercised after appointment but in either case the consultant is expected to devote substantially the whole of his time to the National Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many references, or appeals, from medical appeal tribunals have been referred to the Commissioner of National Insurance in Wales since 1st January, 1971; and how many cases he decided to hear without oral evidence.

In the period from 1st January, 1971, to 30th June, 1971, the National Insurance Commissioner in Wales heard two appeals from Medical Appeal Tribunals. Both were decided without an oral hearing and in the claimant's favour. A reference or appeal to the Commissioner from a decision of a Medical Appeal Tribunal can be made only on a point of law.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appeals under the Industrial Injuries Acts have been made to the Commissioner of National Insurance in Wales since 1st January, 1971; and how many decisions were recorded in favour of claimants.

In the period from 1st January, 1971, to 30th June, 1971, the National Insurance Commissioner in Wales dealt with 40 appeals of which five were decided in favour of the claimant.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to introduce legislation compelling all employers to make provision for payment during the first three days of employee's absence from work of a sum equal to that received from the State after the first three days of absence from work for reasons of sickness or unemployment, when periods of 12 days' absence are involved.

No, for the reasons which we put forward in the debates on the Committee Stage of the Social Security Bill.—[Standing Committee F, Tenth Sitting, c. 411–14.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what number of

MANCHESTER REGIONAL HOSPITAL BOARD—STUDENT NURSES AT 31ST MARCH
		1967	1968	1969	1970	1971 (provisional figures)
(1) Barrow and Furness Hospital Management Committee:
North Lonsdale	…	70	66	69	68	66
(2) North Lancashire and South Westmorland Hospital Management Committee:
Royal Lancaster Infirmary	…	57	65	59	50	60
Beaumont	…	15	6	12	7	8
Ethel Headlev Orthopaedic	…	12	11	8	4	0
Lancaster Moor	…	50	39	7	32	43
Ridge Lea	…	14	12	13	13	12
(3) Blackpool and Fylde Hospital Management Committee:
Victoria Hospital	…	165	172	200	199	175
Devonshire Road	…	0	0	0	3	0
Moss Side	…	1	1	0	0	0
(4) Preston and Choriey Hospital Management Committee:
Royal Infirmary	…	124	128	136	94	95
Sharoe Green	…	53	66	43	68	84
(5) Blackburn and District Hospital Management Committee:
Queen's Park	…	58	71	42	19	55
Royal Infirmary	…	145	141	125	115	98
Withnell	…	3	3	2	2	2
(6) Burnley and District Hospital Management Committee:
Burnley General	…	98	110	91	123	92
Victoria	…	47	72	65	63	59
Bank Hall	…	5	5	0	0	0
Reedyford Memorial	…	6	4	4	8	5
(7) Wigan and Leigh Hospital Management Committee:
Royal Albert Edward Infirmary	…	90	86	81	85	92
Christopher Home	…	5	6	7	0	1
Billinge	…	0	0	0	0	6
Whelley	…	14	13	16	0	11
(8) Bolton and District Hospital Management Committee:
Royal Infirmary	…	95	70	69	69	60
Bolton District General	…	158	152	141	110	135
(Townleys Branch)	…	0	13	17	35	34
(9) Bury and Rossendale Hospital Management Committee:
Bury General	…	130	106	111	83	81
(10) Rochdale and District Hospital Management Committee:
Birch Hill	…	140	136	153	152	151
Rochdale Infirmary	…	36	36	30	33	39

The following is the information. During the period from 31st March, 1967, to 31st March, 1971, the number of pupil nurses rose from 1,627 to 2,027.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what new facilities are to be provided before 1973 for autistic children and psychiatric adolescent inpatients; and whether he will make a statement in relation to the facilities currently available in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

Autistic children are usually treated with other mentally disordered children and there are no plans to provide new hospital units specifically for them. There are provisional plans for eight additional special units for mentally ill adolescents to be provided before 1973, with between 170 and 180 beds.With regard to existing facilities in the Manchester Region, I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 8th March.—[Vol. 813, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, now that Her Majesty's Government have agreed to accept the terms and conditions for entry into the European Economic Community, he will give a detailed statement on how the implementation of social welfare payments to immigrants from the Six will operate.

Acceptance of the terms and conditions for entry into the Community can come only through the treaty of accession. In that event the present pattern of reciprocity in social security

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, now that the Government have accepted the terms and conditions for Great Britain's entry into the Six, he can state whether contributions to the National Insurance scheme and for retirement pensions will have to be increased; and whether he will make a statement;(2) now that the Government have agreed to accept the terms and conditions for Great Britain's entry into the Six, to what extent the financing of the National Health Service will have to be altered from Exchequer payments to the National Insurance contribution; and to what extent those who are sick and disabled will have to pay more in the reduction of Exchequer grants.

Acceptance of the terms and conditions for entry into the Community can come only through the treaty of accession, but there is nothing in the Treaty of Rome or in the Community Regulations which would require us to change the method of financing our social services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, as the Government have stated that health and social insurance benefits are better in the countries of the Six than in Great Britain, and on entry the United Kingdom will have to adopt these higher payments, why he will not, before Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, lift these benefits to the level enjoyed in the Six forthwith; and whether he will make a statement.

There is nothing in the Treaty of Rome or in the Community Regulations which would require us to vary the level of our social security benefits on entry into the Common Market.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services with how many Western countries Great Britain does not at present have reciprocal agreements on social security whereby elderly persons who emigrate from Great Britain after retirement receive pension increases as from time to time provided in the new country of residence; and whether he will seek to negotiate reciprocal agreements for this purpose with these countries in the near future.

We are willing to pay to people drawing our retirement pensions abroad the increases payable in this country if other countries will agree to do likewise in respect of their pensions payable in this country. Arrangements on these lines have been made in reciprocal agreements with 13 Western countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the claim form for the constant attendance allowance includes questions about the possible intention of applicants to emigrate.

The conditions for entitlement to attendance allowance include conditions relating to residence and presence in the United Kingdom. The claim forms therefore include simple questions about recent absences from this country and about any plans to leave it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria have been recommended to local authorities in exercising their responsibility under Section 21 of the National Assistance Act, 1948 to provide suitable temporary accommodation for the homeless; and by what means he discovers whether these criteria are met by each local authority.

Guidance was given to local authorities in circulars issued in 1966 and 1967 copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member. The Department's Regional Social Work Service Officers keep the services provided by local authorities under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he refuses to produce a national welfare benefits guide to assist social workers and welfare rights representatives in ensuring that their clients obtain all the benefits to which they are entitled.

A national guide to welfare benefits entitled "Family Benefits Your Right to Claim Them" has already been published and 340,000 copies have been distributed free of charge since April. A revised edition of the Supplementary Benefits Handbook was also published in April.We are constantly reviewing the need for booklets of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the current salary levels of clerical officers and executive officers, respectively, of the Supplementary Benefits Commission; and how many persons are at present employed at each level of these salary grades

The salary scales of officers serving the Supplementary Benefits Commission are from £507 to £1,385 for clerical officers and from £800 to £2,000 for executive officers. About 9,500 clerical officers and 5,850 executive officers in my Department are engaged on Supplementary Benefits work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will conduct a review of the compensation paid for injuries, illness and death as a result of mistakes in hospitals.

No. Such payments are either at the direction of the Courts or are at a level commensurate with Court awards in like cases. It would not, therefore, be appropriate for me to conduct a review of the compensation paid in consequence of such settlements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what extent he estimates the retirement pension will have to be increased to compensate for the accumulated loss in purchasing power over the last 11 months.

As measured by the General Index of Retail Prices between June, 1970 and May, 1971, the retirement pension rate for a single person would need to be increased by 48p to restore the June, 1970 rate of purchasing power.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the negotiations with the Republic of Austria for a reciprocal agreement on social security.

A reciprocal agreement on social security between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Austria was signed in Vienna on 18th June. The agreement provides for insurance in one country to count for the purpose of social security benefits in the other, and for benefits awarded in one country to be paid in the other. It also provides that any national of the United Kingdom who is in urgent need of medical treatment when in Austria shall be entitled to free in-patient treatment in an Austrian hospital. Subject to ratification in both countries it is expected that the agreement will come into force early next year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the position regarding foot-and-mouth disease in the island of Tierra del Fuego, Argentine, in view of the fact that import licences for mutton and lamb have recently been issued for importation of these products into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland were satisfied on this point before they authorised the issue of licences.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many nations since 1964 have been given specific rights of entry to fish in United Kingdom territorial waters between the six- and 12-mile limits; in what specific areas were these rights granted; what other special provisions were attached to these rights; and what is the present position.

Six countries have rights to fish between the 6- and 12-mile fishery limits. The areas and species of fish which can be taken were determined on the basis of the pre-1964 fishing pattern. The full picture is complex and best seen from the map that has been placed in the Library. There are no other special provisions, except that one country's rights have a terminal date in 1984.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has completed his review of Government-aided research and development in the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's review is in its final stages and I hope that an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the Report of the Board for the white fish industry.

The White Fish Authority is an independent body which reports each year on a wide variety of matters within the interests it serves. Due note has been taken of its observations on this occasion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on the position of carnation growers if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community and on what progress he has made in considering what compensation would be available, under what circumstances, to which growers.

The special transitional arrangements agreed for horticulture in the event of our joining the European Economic Community will apply to car nations and will assist growers to adapt to the new conditions. On the second part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 29th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, East (Sir D. Walker-Smith).—[Vol. 820, c. 183–4.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, now that Her Majesty's Government have agreed the terms and conditions for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, to what extent he now estimates that entry into the Common Market on such terms will increase food prices; and whether he will arrange for full details of such price rises to be included in the forthcoming White Paper in stated and itemised form.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the White Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will discuss the recommendations contained in the report of the committee of investigation into rabies in his consultations with the Community on the free flow of cattle and animals to and from Europe on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

I do not expect any difficulties in the E.E.C. over action stemming from the Committee's Report, but if any difficulty emerges, we shall, of course, consult with the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what chemical substances are forbidden to be used in agriculture or forestry; and what are the reasons for their prohibition.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 20th April.—[Vol. 815, c. 366–7.] The Pesticides Safety Precautions Scheme ensures first of all that a substance is not put on the market unless the Advisory Committee are satisfied that it can be used safely; and secondly, that those already on the market are withdrawn where this is justified by new scientific evidence. Thanks to these screening arrangements, many formulations have never been marketed at all, but to divulge the commercial details could breach the mutual confidence under which manufacturers supply essential information to the Committee and upon which the success of the Scheme depends. The substances which have been withdrawn from agricultural or forestry use since the Scheme began are:

Cadmium compounds.

Calcium arsenate.

Tetrachloroethane.

Thallium sulphate (except as a rodenticide in the hands of trained operators).

Selenium compounds.

Alkali arsenites.

Fluoroacetamide (except as a rodenticide in the hands of trained operators).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what chemical substances, described by their scientific and by their trade names, are in use in agriculture, horticulture and forestry although they are known to be harmful to the health of human beings and other mammals.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave him on 20th April. Agriculture, horticulture and forestry are no exception to the general rule that most chemical substances can be harmful unless the proper precautions are taken.I am glad of this opportunity to pay tribute to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals for the painstaking way in which it establishes and prescribes the precautions needed for the various uses of each product cleared for marketing.—[Vol. 815, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now move to set up a Select Committee on the relations between the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited and Her Majesty's Government to examine, inter alia, the allegations of bad faith on the part of the Government made by the Chairman and certain directors of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Upper Clyde Shipbuilders will be permitted to take fresh orders, such as the new product carriers, while the investigation of the experts continues.

This is for the provisional liquidator to decide in the light of his responsibilities to the creditors of the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he expects Great Britain will cease to have unilateral control over the import and export of coal and other fuels; and what the situation will be in that respect after that date, assuming the United Kingdom joins the European Coal and Steel Community.

It would be contrary to the principles of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community for Her Majesty's Government to control unilaterally trade in coal, coke and briquettes between the United Kingdom and the other Community countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals the European Economic Community has made to Her Majesty's Government on imports of coal to the United Kingdom from the countries of the European Economic Community; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on this matter.

If we enter the Community coal imports from Community countries would be free from restrictions as at present, but barriers against our coal exports to the Community would be lifted. This greater freedom of trade should be of considerable benefit to our coal industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who are or will be the members of the consortium appointed by the National Film Finance Corporation to receive loan facilities and utilise them; and by what criteria they have been or will be appointed.

The National Film Finance Corporation hopes to form a consortium with investors from the private sector. I propose to allow the Corporation a free hand in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many limited partnerships are registered; and how many statements of capital contributed by limited partners were received in the last full financial year.

2,137 limited partnerships have been registered up to 30th June, 1971. 40 statements of capital contributed and 9 statements of capital increased were received during the year ended 5th April, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that the rate of unemployment is now 6·1 per cent. for wholly unemployed males in the Bradford and Shipley travel-to-work area; and if he will now class Bradford and district as an intermediate area.

I am aware of the position in the area. The Government do not consider, however, that the circumstances of the Bradford district, in relation to the needs of other areas, justify its designation as an intermediate area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will institute an inter-Departmental inquiry into the methods by which Government Departments deal with communications between them and companies in which the Government is a major shareholder.

No. Communications with companies in which the Government have a major stake are devised to suit the circumstances of each individual case.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the valuations of equity shares held by the Government in Scottish firms.

Following is the information on the Government's shareholdings in companies with registered offices in Scotland:

(i) Nuclear Enterprises Ltd. 7,353 B ordinary £1 shares subscribed for by the I.R.C. at a cost of £100,000 and now transferred to the Government. These shares are valued at cost as the shares are not quoted.

(ii) Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd. 875,000 £1 ordinary shares are held by the Government. These were acquired when U.C.S. was formed in exchange for 540,000 £1 shares, acquired at par, held by the Government in Fairfields (Glasgow) Ltd. The Shipbuilding Industry Board also hold 12 million 5s. "A" shares in U.C.S., acquired at par in August, 1969. No valuation can be placed on these shares in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take steps to provide a subsidy to the David Brown Corporation, in view of its financial difficulties, similar to that given to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders and Rolls-Royce.

The Corporation has made no approach to me for assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement on Harland and Wolff, following the announcement on 3rd March. 1971, by the Ministry of Commerce for Northern Ireland, that the existing company would continue under strengthened management and that financial assistance would be provided by the Northern Ireland Government.

The Minister of Commerce for Northern Ireland is announcing today that Viscount Rochdale will become part-time chairman of the company with effect from Thursday 8th July. Mr. Alan Watt at present acting chairman will become deputy chairman and Mr. Iver Hoppe will be appointed full-time managing director, taking up his post this autumn. Mr. Hoppe has, since 1964, been managing director of the Odense Steel Shipyard Limited in Denmark.The Minister of Commerce is also announcing the form in which further financial assistance will be given. His Ministry will subscribe at par for 4 million of the authorised but unissued £1 ordinary shares in the company giving a holding of 47·6 per cent. of the enlarged ordinary capital. As soon as practicable a further sum expected to be in the region of £2 million to £3 million will be provided by way of a grant. This grant, together with the share subscription, will, in the opinion of the Northern Ireland Government and of the company, be sufficient to enable the company to become fully viable.In addition, the existing £3½ million secured loan from the Northern Ireland Government to Harland and Wolff will be re-scheduled to provide for repayment over 33 years from 1st July, 1974, and interest on this loan will be waived until 31st December, 1974.The Minister of Commerce is making it clear that, once this financial support has been given, there will be no question of his Government accepting any responsibility for making good any deficiency in the company's resources, should it get into financial difficulties in the future. The United Kingdom Government fully agree with this attitude and, for their part, would not accept any such responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether in official publications he will ensure that all wages and salaries are referred to on a uniform scale of £'s per month, rather than on the dual scale of £'s per week and of £100's per year.

It is not practicable to express all wages in terms of £'s per month. The earnings of weekly-paid workers often fluctuate from week to week and valid estimates of their monthly

Earnings
The latest date for which information is available is October, 1970.
				All Industries and Services covered
		Average weekly earnings: manual workers— full time		Percentage rise over October, 1964		Average weekly earnings: administrative, technical, and clerical workers		Percentage rise
Date		Men (aged 21 years and over) £	Women (aged 18 years and over) £	Men	Women	Males £	Females £	Males	Females
October, 1964	…	18·11	8·95	—	—	23·53	12·60	—	—
October, 1965	…	19·59	9·60	8·2	7·3	25·53	13·71	8·5	8·8
October, 1966	…	20·30	10·07	12·1	12·5	26·69	14·25	13·4	13·1
October, 1967	…	21·38	10·56	18·1	18·0	27·90	14·90	18·6	18·3
October, 1968	…	23·00	11·30	27·0	26·3	29·77	15·76	26·5	25·1
October, 1969	…	24·82	12·11	37·1	35·3	32·07	17·05	36·3	35·3
October, 1970	…	28·05	13·99	54·9	56·3	36·12	19·59	53·5	55·5
October, 1971	…		Not Available				Not Available
Information about the average salary scales of secretaries and personal secretaries is not available

General Index of Retail Prices
The following table gives the percentage increases between mid-October, 1964 and (a) mid-October in each of the years 1965 to 1970 and (b) mid-May, 1971.
		October, 1965	October, 1966	October 1967	October, 1968	October. 1969	October 1970	May, 1971
All items	…	4·8	8·8	10·9	17·1	23·4	32·5	42·0
Food	…	3·1	6·9	8·3	14·3	22·0	30·9	44·7
Fares	…	6·0	11·4	14·4	20·8	25·4	42·0	68·8
Postage	…	22·4	35·1	35·1	52·7	52·7	52·7	118·1

Purchasing value of the £ sterling
The fall in the purchasing value of the £ sterling (taken as l00p in mid-October, 1964) is as follows:
Mid-October, 1965	…	…	…	4½p
Mid-October, 1966	…	…	…	8p
Mid-October, 1967	…	…	…	9½p
Mid-October, 1968	…	…	…	14p
Mid-October, 1969	…	…	…	18½p
Mid-October, 1970	…	…	…	23½p
Mid-May 1971	…	…	…	28½p

These estimates are based on the movement of the Consumer Price Index for calendar years, adjusted by the movements of the General Index of Retail Prices for the months at the beginning and end of each period.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much detailed information as may be available of the average wage and salary rate paid in each of the years from October. 1964, until October, 1971, and at the latest stated date, and similar details for the rise in the cost of living, the fall in the purchasing value of the £ sterling, the rise in the cost of food, fares, and postage; and what, on each of the dates stated, were the average salary scales paid to secretaries capable of shorthand typing or classified as personal secretaries.

Following is the information available:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage rise in price from 1961 to 1965 and from 1965 to date, as measured by the Index of Retail Prices, of admission to cinemas as compared with the general rise in prices.

The latest figures available relate to 18th May, 1971, the percentage rises are as follows:

	Mid-May, 1961 to Mid-May, 1965	Mid-May, 1965 to Mid-May, 1971
Admission to cinemas	30·6	79·7
General Index of Retail Prices—Ali items	16·3	36·3

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of persons at present undergoing a course of industrial training in Wales; and what is the total number of places now available for trainees under the Government's scheme.

The numbers under training in industry are not known. On 14th June 812 persons were attending courses and there were 1,052 training places at Government Training Centres in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost to public funds of the winding-up of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

The only cost to public funds attributable to winding up the National Board for Prices and Incomes is £1,535, representing payments under the Redundancy Payments Act to 16 former employees. Provision of £30,000 has been made in the current financial year to cover outstanding bills for fees, travelling and subsistence and for telephones.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will state the latest unemployment figures for Newcastle-under-Lyme in their various categories, and the total as a percentage of the work force.

At 14th June the provisional number of persons registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Newcastle-under-Lyme Employment Exchange was 972–876 males and 96 females—of whom four were temporarily stopped. The rate of unemployment for the Stoke-on-Trent travel-to-work area, which includes Newcastle-under-Lyme, was 2·6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the ratio of male vacancies to unemployed workers in the Paisley travel-to-work area at the latest available date; and what were the comparable figures in 1970, 1969 and 1968.

Following is the information:

Notified vacancies for males remaining unfilled per hundred males registered as wholly unemployed in the Paisely travel-to-work area.
June, 1971 (provisional)	…	…	4·8
June, 1970	…	…	22·1
June, 1969	…	…	22·6
June, 1968	…	…	27·2

The figures are based only on notified vacancies remaining unfilled which do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the ratio of wholly unemployed males to notified vacancies in the area covered by the West of Scotland Special Development Area.

At June, 1971, there were 4·8 notified vacancies for males remaining unfilled in the West Central Scotland Special Development Area to every hundred males registered as wholly unemployed. This area comprises all employment exchange areas in Scotland which have been listed as Special Development Areas except Leven and Methil and Girvan. The figure is based only on notified vacancies remaining unfilled which do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.