asked the Attorney-General how many stipendiary magistrates there are in London and other cities in England and Wales, compared with each of the years 1965 to 1970.

There are now 38 stipendiary magistrates in London and 11 at other centres in England and Wales. Comparative figures for the years 1965 to 1970 are as follows:

	London	Centres other than London
1965	36	12
1966	36	12
1967	36	12
1968	36	12
1969	36	11
1970	37	11

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much detailed information as may be readily available giving the actual costs as a percentage of the rise and/or fall in the costs of school meals as at 18th June, 1971, compared with 18th June, 1970; and the number of children taking both these subsidised and free meals as near to the dates quoted as possible.

It is estimated that the charge for a school dinner in June, 1970, and June, 1971, represented 58 per cent. and 71 per cent. respectively of the actual cost. For the answer to the second part of the Question I refer the hon. Member to the reply of 5th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Maude).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children in the city and county of Kingston upon Hull have stopped having school meals since the price was raised; what change there has been in the number of children taking fewer meals since the price was raised; in how many schools; and in which schools, having facilities for cooking meals on the premises, kitchens have been closed, cooking facilities are not being fully used or staff have been dismissed.

For the answer to the first two points of his Question I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 5th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Maude). As to the two remaining points, my Department does not collect information relating to the take-up or facilities at particular schools. The hon. Member may wish to consult the authority direct.—[Vol. 820, c. 299–310.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list those parts of the city and county of Kingston upon Hull which have been designated as educational priority areas; what projects her Department has authorised for primary and nursery school projects in those areas; and if she will make a statement.

Educational priority areas have not been designated by the Department. Local education authorities have been invited to identify the districts within their own areas which suffer from the kind of social and physical deficiencies which the Plowden Council described in Chapter 5 of its Report. On the basis of proposals submitted by the Kingston upon Hull local education authority, the city has benefited as follows:

1. A total of £46,000 for minor works to improve old primary schools was included in the 1968–70 school building programme for education priority areas.

2. A project to add three nursery classes, providing 60 places, at an existing primary school was approved under the second phase of the urban programme.

3. Six schools attract special addition of £75 per annum to the salaries of teachers in schools of exceptional difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will obtain and publish figures showing the current shortage of teachers of mathematics and science and her proposals for dealing with the current shortage, and if she will make a statement.

A survey is being made of shortages of teachers with particular qualifications. My Department among other things conducts regular advertising campaigns and ensures that adequate facilities are available for mathematicians and scientists willing to undertake training. It has been in contact with industry about ways of encouraging the flow into teaching of mathematicians and scientists who may become redundant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost in the last financial year, or in the latest period for which figures are available, to the Exchequer of tax relief on mortgage interest on owner-occupied houses; and in respect of how many houses was this relief granted.

Tax relief on mortgage interest payments in Great Britain in 1970–71 is estimated at £302 million. The number of houses on which this relief was granted is estimated at about 5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as detailed information as may be readily available giving either on a cash basis or a percentage basis the rise and/or fall in the average cost of rates and rents and the cost of building a three-bedroom council house since 18th June, 1971, compared with June, 1970; and how these figures compare with 18th June, 1969.

The following information relates to council houses in England and Wales:

Average rents per week, three-bedroomed houses:—
31st March, 1969	31st March, 1970	31st March, 1971
£	£	(not yet available)
2·05	2·22
Average total construction costs of 5-bedspace houses in tenders approved during:—
2nd quarter, 1969	2nd quarter, 1970	2nd quarter, 1971
£3,089	£3,317	(not yet available)
	(provisional)

Information is not available about the actual rate payments on a 3-bedroom council house; percentage increases in the average domestic rate poundages were from 1969–70 to 1970–71 4·1 per cent. and from 1970–71 to 1971–72 13·7 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the future programme of work of the Central Housing Advisory Committee.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the information given in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg) on 12th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 368.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the committees and subcommittees of his Department which have builders serving on them as members which he has closed down since June, 1970.

The following committees have been closed down since June, 1970:

N.C.C. Standing Consultative Committee on Building.

Committee for the Co-ordination of Underground Services on Buildings Sites.

Winter Building Advisory Committee.

Protective Clothing Promotional Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what new committees or sub-committees of his Department which have builders serving on them have been set up since the 1970 General Election.

The Housing Programme Working Party has been reconstituted as the N.C.C. Standing Consultative Committee on Housing with myself as Chairman. No other committees have been set up since June, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce legislation to amend the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967, so as to allow for the 100 per cent. mortgage guarantee scheme to be extended to persons who do not have option mortgages; and whether he will make a statement.

The option mortgage guarantee scheme, like the option mortgage scheme itself, is meant for borrowers of modest means. Others can obtain insurance cover in the ordinary way. I announced to the House on 6th May the raising of the limit of value of a house to be covered by the option mortgage guarantee scheme from £5,000 to £7,500. I also announced that the Building Societies Association had undertaken to recommend to its members an arrangement whereby an applicant who had saved regularly with a building society, even for as short a period as six months, might be granted a mortgage advance above the normal limit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in his circular on the use of disused railway tracks, he will state what action he proposes in response to suggestions that they should be made into bridleways.

It is proposed that the circular should introduce a new procedure under which it will be for local planning authorities to decide what is the best use in the public interest of disused railways in the countryside. Their use as bridleways was considered in the report prepared by Dr. Appleton for the Countryside Commission. Local planning authorities will, I am sure, give due weight to the arguments set forth in that report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to grant compensation based on the report of an independent valuer to owners of property which suffers serious worsenment as the result of building new roads, bridges and other works.

As my right hon. Friend said on 12th May in answer to my hon. Friends the Members for Buckingham (Mr. Benyon) and Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker), details of our proposals will be announced when our comprehensive review of the Compensation Code has been concluded. This review is going ahead with all speed.—[Vol. 817, c. 359–61.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the full text of his reply to the Yorkshire and Humberside Planning Council, following his consideration of its regional strategy.

The full text was considered to be too bulky to be copied in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) on 2nd July, 1971, copies have been placed in the Library. Further copies are available from my Department and from my regional office in Leeds.—[Vol. 820, c. 211.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now concluded his review of the research agencies under the control of his Department; and whether he will make a statement.

I have not yet completed the review of the research activities of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the United Nations Association inviting him to invoke Article 34 (Chapter 6) of the United Nations Charter in relation to tension on the Indian/Pakistan border.

A number of letters have been received from branches of the United Nations Association and one from the Director of the Association, Mr. Donald Tweddle, suggesting that United Nations observers should be stationed on both sides of the border between India and East Pakistan. I doubt whether it would be useful to invoke Article 34 at present, but we certainly do not rule out the possibility of Security Council action at some stage and we shall bear the suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received from Asian Commonwealth countries about the effect on them of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community.

Throughout the negotiations we have been in close touch with the Governments of Asian Commonwealth countries, and there have been continual exchanges of views between us. These were taken into account when we reached agreement with the Community on measures to protect their interests. Close consultation between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Asian Commonwealth countries will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution Her Majesty's Government have made towards the expenditure of 100,000 dollars by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on the celebration of that organisation's 25th anniversary.

The Director-General of U.N.E.S.C.O. has not yet presented to his executive board any estimate of the cost or proposals for financing the expenditure. There is no question of a special contribution by Her Majesty's Government outside our normal contribution to U.N.E.S.C.O.s budget

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth citizens arriving at British airports and ports with entry certificates during the past month have been refused immediate admission; what were their countries of origin; how many are still in detention; and whether he will make a statement.

During June 13 were refused admission. One was a United Kingdom passport holder from East Africa. The countries of origin of the remainder were Australia (1), Ghana (1), Mauritius (4), Nigeria (1), Pakistan (2), Uganda (1) and Tanzania (2). One was in detention on 7th July, pending an appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.Fifty-seven other entry certificate holders had to be detained, in most cases for short periods, pending further examination before they could be admitted.My right hon. Friend is keeping the operation of the entry certificate system under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in each of the years 1965 to 1970 were costs awarded to successful defendants; and what was the total amount so expended.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many travellers from Tanzania were refused entry at Heathrow Airport in June, 1971; what were the reasons for refusal; and what facilities were given to those refused entry to make representations to the Home Office and to receive advice and assistance to put their case for entry being allowed.

Forty-one, which is an exceptionally high figure. Twenty-five were coming for employment without a voucher; 15 wished to settle, but had no entry certificate; and one had a criminal record. All were give the usual facilities to communicate with anyone they wished, and representations were in a number of cases made by them or on their behalf. These were fully considered before the removal directions were put into operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have made a claim under the Family Income Supplement Act to date in total and listed by the sex of the applicant and the district where the application was made.

By 6th July, the latest date for which figures are available, 43,792 claims for family income supplement had been received. I regret the further information requested is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of children has, by the age of 15 years, received the inoculations and vaccinations made available to them by the National Health Service since birth, taking each disease separately.

Figures are not available in the form asked for. Routine immunisations other than B.C.G. and rubella are normally given in the first two years of life. The latest information from local authorities' figures show that at this age approximately 80 per cent. of children are immunised against diptheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and whooping cough, 34 per cent. against measles and 35 per cent. against smallpox.B.C.G. vaccination is normally given between 10 and 13 years of age to tuberculin-negative children and it is estimated that about 75 per cent. of these children are vaccinated.In September, 1970, rubella vaccination was introduced for young girls, with initial priority for those in their 14th year. By 31st December, 1970, about 112,000 girls had been so vaccinated amounting to approximately 27 per cent. of those already in or reaching their 14th year during the period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give as much information as may be readily available showing the rise and/or fall in actual figures or as a percentage in the amount of taxes and net income received, after allowing for National Insurance contributions as stated, health service charges, school meal charges for a man and wife with two children, with normal allowances for tax purposes with incomes of £1,000 per annum, £2,000 per annum, £10,000 per annum, and £15,000 per annum on 18th June, 1970, and 18th June, 1971; and how these figures compare with the year ended 18th June, 1970.

Following is the information:Spanish report and exchange views on its contents. Detailed consideration is now being given to this document prior to a further meeting with the Spaniards shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what industries have now informed him of their intention to give higher wages to their employees in the event of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total sterling value of United Kingdom imports from Australia; and if he will list the 12 largest categories of goods, indicating the percentage value of total Australian exports represented by each category; the sterling value of each category; and the changes which entry into the European Economic Community

Main Categories					Value of Australian exports to the United Kingdom, year ending June, 1970	Exports to the United Kingdom as a percentage of all Australian exports*
Division	Description				£000	Per cent.
68	Non-ferrous metals	…	…	…	50,149	2·6
04	Cereals and cereal preparations	…	…	…	29,584	1·5
26	Textile fibres, etc	…	…	…	29,428	1·5
05	Fruit and vegetables	…	…	…	21,228	1·1
02	Dairy products and eggs	…	…	…	20,972	1·1
01	Meat and meat preparations	…	…	…	20,440	1·1
28	Metalliferous ores and scrap	…	…	…	16,249	0·8
06	Sugar, sugar preparations and honey	…	…	…	15,092	0·8
67	Iron and Steel	…	…	…	2,078	0·1
71	Machinery, non-electric	…	…	…	1,758	0·1
73	Transport equipment	…	…	…	1,689	0·1
21	Hides, skins and furskins, undressed	…	…	…	1,554	0·1
	Total of all exports to the United Kingdom		…	…	227,841	11·8
* The value of all Australian exports to the world as a whole in the year ending June, 1970 was £1,928 million

3. Of the categories listed above only transport equipment is now dutiable, at rates not greatly different from those in the Common External Tariff. Cereals, meat, dairy products, sugar, canned fruits and vegetables would be subject to levies, duties or combined charges of 20 per cent. or more. Iron and steel, wrought metals and non-electric machinery would be dutiable at rates generally below 10 per cent., whilst ores, scrap, most unwrought metals, wool and hides would continue to be duty free.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the categories of United Kingdom exports which are denied entry into Australia under regulations enforcing a total embargo.

The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations of 1969 of the Commonwealth of Australia enforce a

1. Total United Kingdom imports from Australia:1969–£236 million c.i.f.1970–£260 million c.i.f.2. Australian exports to the United Kingdom:total prohibition on the import of certain goods for the familiar purposes of securing public order and health, reinforcing Customs control, protecting the products of prison labour and relating to gold and silver. They are of general application to the goods concerned from all sources. Products specifically itemised are absinthe, imitation brandy, cigars and cigarettes containing explosive substances, matches containing white or yellow phosphorous, counterfeit coin, imitation and counterfeit bank notes, diacetylmorphine (heroin) and preparations thereof, opium prepared for smoking and opium pipes, ketobemidome its salts and preparations thereof, tea in specified unwholesome forms, silencers for use with firearms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many tons of freight have been uplifted from Leeds/Bradford airport for each month from January to June, 1971, inclusive, compared with the similar period last year; and how many scheduled and charter passenger-carrying air movements occurred in the same periods.

Following is the information:

	Freight Uplifted (metrictons)	Air Transport Movements*
		Scheduled Services	Charter Flights
January, 1971	47·0	356	87
February, 1971	58·0	384	150
March, 1971	67·1	459	150
April, 1971	39·0	356	132
* Including some all-cargo flights

Figures for May and June, 1971, are not yet available. The statistics for 1970 have been published in the Civil Aviation series of Business Monitor: CA1–Airport Activity and CA3–Air Freight and Mail.