asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet received a report from the management consultants who are reviewing the organisation of his Department.

No. The consultants are assisting a departmental review team and will not be reporting independently.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to exempt a pregnant, woman, who is deserted by her husband and does not qualify for maternity allowance, from the requirement for either her or her husband to have at least 26 flat-rate contributions paid or credited in the test year in order to obtain entitlement to maternity grant.

No. Maternity grant is one of the national insurance benefits and as such can be paid only provided the necessary conditions are satisfied. We have no evidence that the conditions give rise to any general difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the percentage reduction in the purchasing power of the national insurance pension since November, 1969.

As measured by the General Index of Retail Prices, the purchasing power of the standard national insurance retirement pension fell by 12·9 per cent. over the period November, 1969, to May, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local authorities in England and Wales still provide no residential care for mentally handicapped children or adults.

Fifty-eight.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish Chapter 7 of Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped as a separate leaflet for free distribution to the public.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I will be glad to consider arrangements for a free distribution to those who are interested in getting to know more of the very great value of voluntary service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what charge was made to non-exempted users of home helps in May, 1971 ; what was the charge in May, 1970 ; and what part of the total in both cases represents administrative charges.

The making of charges for home help is a matter for each local authority concerned. Information is not available centrally about charges made, though I am aware of some local increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why retirement pension order books now last only for three months instead of a year as previously ; and whether this change involves the employment of additional staff at extra cost.

Thirteen-week pension order books were introduced to enable upratings to be carried out more economically and with the minimum of trouble to the pensioner. They are produced by computer and do not involve the employment of additional staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the increasing incidence of food poisoning, if he will seek powers to require prior approval and licensing of commercial premises used for the preparation and sale of food in England and Wales, the licence to be renewable annually only in cases where the regulations have been observed.

No. The Food Hygiene Regulations already provide local authorities with adequate powers to control hygiene in food premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to ensure that dental patients under the National Health Service are aware of the cost to themselves of particular courses of treatment before the treatment begins.

Dentists have been asked to give this information to their patients, and it has been suggested to them that, if the nature of the treatment is such that they cannot tell a patient before hand the precise amount of the charge, they should explain the position to him and give him the best estimate they can as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the alterations and additional buildings now required at the Mexborough Montague Hospital to bring it up to a reasonable modern standard ;(2) when a new outpatients' department will be ereced at the Montague Hospital, Mexborough.

Extensive rebuilding would be required and, as I told the hon. Member in my reply on 20th July, 1970, there are at present no plans for this, because priority is being given to a new district general hospital at Oakwood Hall, Rotherham, which will serve this area.—[Vol. 804, c. 53–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of geriatric cases in Hull and district who are awaiting admission to hospital; and whether he will make a statement.

None from the area served by Hull A and B Hospital Management Committees.

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

I cannot as yet add to my previous replies to the hon. Member.—[Vol. 816, c. 1163 ; Vol. 818, c. 210–11.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he has taken, following disclosures made at a recent criminal trial concerning the St. Christopher Fellowship hostel at De Crespigny Park, Camberwell, to tighten the system of control over children's homes run by voluntary organisations ;(2) whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the well-being of all children living in homes run by the St. Christopher's Fellowship with a view to preventing a repetition elsewhere of the lack of control over children and unlawful activity by the staff found recently to exist at their De Crespigny Park boys' hostel.

I have considered reports on this tragic case and reviewed the existing system of control. I do not think any further inquiry or modification of the law is called for. The Fellowship of St. Christopher itself closed this hostel in July, 1970, and has sold the premises. I am not aware of any ground for concern about other establishments run by this Fellowship.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will with hold approval of a recent Whitley Council offer in respect of a salary and restructuring claim on behalf of 10,000 medical laboratory technicians employed in the National Health Service on the grounds that the trade union representing half of these employees voted against the terms of settlement on 15th June ; and if he will make a statement.

No. The agreement was properly reached in accordance with the constitution of the Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will publish the special survey on family poverty derived from the 1968 Family Expenditure Survey.

Probably later this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an inquiry into the disclosures to the police of confidential information obtained from private nursing homes registered by him as suitable for carrying out operations for the termination of pregnancy.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital wards are closed because of a shortage of nursing staff.

Hospital wards may have to be closed for a number of reasons and it is not possible to identify those which are closed specifically because of a shortage of nursing staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local authorities are providing telephones for those persons qualified under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

Information about the provision of telephones by local authorities is not centrally available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many telephones have been provided by Newcastle City Council under the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

I regret that this information is not centrally available, but the hon. Member may wish to make inquiries of the Newcastle City Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the rent allowance of 60 new pence payable to recipients of supplementary benefits living in the household of another person.

It is being increased to 65p on 20th September, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when work will start on the new adult training unit in Corby, Northamptonshire.

I am informed that on our present plans building work should start in October.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much detailed information as may be readily available, giving the actual rise or fall in figures or as a percentage, in the costs and charges for the National Health Service and Social Security benefits on 18th June, 1970, compared with 18th June, 1971 ; and how these figures compare with the year ended 18th June, 1970.

Information is not readily available to make comparisons of costs on the dates specified The main charges changed as follows :HEALTH AND PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES1.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will carry out a study of the effects on waiting lists of the admission of private patients in National Health Service hospitals.

The study of waiting lists which my Department is already undertaking will take into account the effects, if any, on waiting lists arising from the admission of private patients to National Health Service hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the proportion of patients treated in accident and emergency departments who are suffering from minor complaints and who could have been treated by their general practitioner; and what steps he is taking to relieve this strain on these departments.

We have insufficient information on which to base such an estimate. Factors such as geographical position and local distribution of general practitioner and hospital services could be expected to cause wide variations between areas. We are currently considering the promotion of publicity to discourage casual attenders not in need of hospital attention from presenting themselves at accident and emergency departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give as much information as is available to him relating to the number of tenants living in Birmingham council houses who are in receipt of supplementary benefits from his Department and the percentage of this total who are retirement pensioners.

I regret that the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the role of the health visitor and her direct contact with the family in their own homes will be changed by the reorganisation of the National Health Service.

In describing the Government's objectives in reorganising the National Health Service I have emphasised the continuing and developing need for the domiciliary preventive health services. I cannot otherwise add at present to my reply on 16th February to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Fitch)—[Vol. 811, c. 397.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his urgent consideration of the findings of the National Board for Prices and Incomes Report No. 166 has now been completed ; and if he will now make a statement about lower-paid workers employed in the National Health Service.

I have consulted representatives of hospital management on the Report and I am now arranging studies in selected hospitals of the feasibility of the new type of incentive scheme suggested by the Board. The Whitley Council have been informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of geriatric patients in North Staffordshire and the number of beds available for their accommodation.

There are at present 706 staffed beds in use for geriatric patients in hospitals in the North Staffordshire Hospital Group. This is equivalent to 14 per 1,000 population aged 65 and over, compared with the recommended planning norm of 10 per 1,000. Numbers on waiting lists fluctuate ; at 31st March, 1971 there were 501 patients on the waiting list. It is expected that a further 84 geriatric beds will be provided by 1973 at the City General Hospital at Stoke.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families have now successfully claimed family income supplement ; if he is satisfied with the response to the publicity for this scheme ; and if he will make a statement.

By 6th July, 16,844 favourable decisions had been given on claims for Family Income Supplement. As the hon. Member knows, the scheme has not yet started and it would be premature to judge the response to the publicity campaign at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has caused an inquiry to be made into the failure of the administering authority for the De Crespigny Park, Camberwell, boys hostel, and of his own inspectors, to detect the breaches in the Administration of Children's Homes Regulations, 1951 perpetrated there until the murder for which a member of the staff was subsequently convicted.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to his other Questions on this matter. I do not consider a formal inquiry would serve a useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the members of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work have yet been nominated ; when the Council will assume responsibility for social work training ; and what will then be the position of students who have entered or applied to enter training courses recognised by the bodies whose training functions will pass to the new Council.

Most of the bodies I named in my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Newbury (Mr. Astor) on 18th December, 1970, have now made their nominations of members-designate. After taking account of these nominations, the Government have concluded that it is necessary for Ministers to appoint nine rather than seven persons in order to give reasonable representation to other interests. The Council will therefore consist of a Chairman and 53 other members.Nominations will be made later by the Directors of Social Services for England and Wales and the proposed advisory council for the personal social services in England and Wales. Subject to the completion of the necessary constitutional procedures the Government hope that the Council will be able to assume its statutory functions on 1st October.The Chairman-designate and members-designate of the Council held preliminary meetings on 4th June and 2nd July. At their first meeting they agreed to issue a statement to make it clear that it was their intention that students completing or embarking on social work courses before the Council announced new arrangements for the award of qualifications would have their position safeguarded.—[Vol. 808, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to protect animal and plant health on entry into the European Community.

There is nothing in the European Economic Community's legislation which would reduce the existing standard of plant health in the United Kingdom on entry into the Community.The question of protecting animal health is being discussed in the negotiations with the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what as been the increase in the prices of compound fertilisers, and nitrogen fertilisers, respectively, during the last 12 months ; and what representations he has made to fertiliser manufacturers.

In both cases the gross price was 11 per cent. higher in the first quarter of this year than in the corresponding period in 1970. Later comparisons are not yet available, but a further 7½ per cent. increase in manufacturers' list prices took effect on 1st June, 1971. The Government were given prior notice of the proposed increases, and no representations were made to the manufacturers concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he estimates that the rise during the past 12 months in food prices of 10·4 per cent., in particular those of staple foods by amounts varying between 15 per cent. to 36·3 per cent., have been affected by the implementation of Government policies.

My right hon. Friend is in no doubt that the policies the Government have pursued have mitigated the effects on food prices of the inflationary situation we inherited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution agriculture has made towards import saving in the last convenient period of 12 months compared with the previous 12 months.

Because imports are affected not only by the level of home production, I regret that valid assessments cannot be made of the contribution of United Kingdom agriculture towards import saving as between so short a period as one year and another. The Government have provided the means for expansion and we must now await the results of this action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take the Chair at a meeting at 10, Downing Street with the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress to discuss economic problems.

No. There was a wide-ranging and useful discussion of the economic situation under my right hon. Friend's Chairmanship at the meeting of the National Economic Development Council on 7th July. It was agreed to continue discussion at the August Council meeting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest assessment of the effect of his Budget on the economic situation.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's speech in the debate on prices and unemployment on 28th June.—[Vol. 820, c. 53–66.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part Her Majesty's Government plays in the appointment of the President of the World Bank.

The President is selected by the executive directors of the Bank. One of the 21 directors is appointed by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the state of his consideration of the question whether value-added tax should be charged in respect of the copyright fees and as the consequential amendments to the Copyright Acts.

I am not sure what particular point my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he would care to write to me about it I will ensure his views are taken into account. The general position is that value-added tax is essentially comprehensive in scope. Decisions on the details of its application to particular sectors will not be taken until nearer the time of introduction of the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the gross investment income required by a single man with no other allowances to produce a net income after deduction of income tax and surtax of £100,000, £200,000, and £300,000, respectively ; and what would be the comparable figures if the income were earned.

For a taxpayer entitled to no personal allowances except that for a single man, and not entitled to any deductions or reliefs for expenditure of any kind, the amounts, assuming that the rates of surtax for 1971–72 are the same as for 1970–71, are approximately £850,000, £1,740,000, and £2,630,000 for investment income, and £390,000, £800,000 and £1,200,000 for income wholly earned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what share of the United Kingdom national income was taken by wages and salaries in 1970 ; and what were the comparable figures for France and West Germany.

The latest information available is given in the table below, based on returns made to O.E.C.D. and the latest published figures for the United Kingdom. The shares shown are affected by differences in the shares of income of independent traders.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to reduce the purchase tax of 100 per cent. on dental hygiene kits to the same rate as ordinary toothpaste.

Purchase tax is not charged on the kits as such. They contain some chargeable items on which tax is payable at the normal rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken, or intends taking, to protect the revenue from the losses due to evasion of vehicle excise duty.

The maximum penalty for evasion was increased in 1967. Non-display of the licence disc became a fixed penalty offence in September, 1970. The centralised licensing system which we are introducing will enable the authorities to check records effectively. It will also speed the updating of the register.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what regulation or Act of Parliament, British diplomats to foreign countries who are allowed to export cars free of tax for personal use are allowed to sell them for amounts in excess of the purchase price without paying income tax and/or capital gains tax on the proceeds ; and whether he will take action to prevent such practices in cases where they contravene the tax laws.

There is no contravention of the tax laws. A gain on the sale of an asset is not taxable as income unless the sale takes place in the course of carrying on a trade : and cars have always been exempt from capital gains tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimated expenditure for 1971–72 on non-departmental research projects ; what requirements he imposes regarding publication and consultation before publication; whether deletions or alterations have been required or permission to publish refused in respect of all or part of any project whose results were submitted to his Department during the last 10 years ; and to what extent he controls entry for research purposes to departmentally-con-trolled institutions.

H.M. Treasury has made provision to spend £336,000 on financing new and ongoing extra-mural research in 1971–72. Research commissioned by the National Economic Development Council is expected to account for £250,000 of this total.Arrangements about the publication of results are included in each research contract. Whenever a contract stipulates that the results are the property of the Department there is consultation before publication. Permission to publish has never ben refused in any case where the work has been successfully concluded and prior agreement to publish existed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to appoint a special committee, consisting of parents and teachers, to consider the effects of the Government's policy with regard to the ending of free school milk.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the total expenditure on books in primary and secondary schools, respectively, required to give effect to the recommendation of the Association of Education Committees for reasonable and good allowances, respectively.

On the basis of the latest recommendations of the Association of Education Committees and of the forecast number of pupils in England and Wales in January, 1972, I estimate that the expenditure on text books would be :

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a further statement on the most recent application for a revised and increased salary structure for members of the teaching profession.

The structure and the level of school teachers' salaries have been referred to arbiters. The arbitral body took evidence on 30th June. I expect to receive its recommendations in a week or so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement about the salary claim by teachers in further education.

Negotiations in the Burnham Further Education Committee have been delayed pending the outcome of arbitration on the pay of schoolteachers. I hope that this will be known early next week and that the way will then be clear for the further education negotiations to be resumed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will consider a grant-in-aid to the British Broadcasting Corporation to allow its training orchestra to survive ; what representations have been made to her about the orchestra's future ; what reply she has made; and if she will make a statement.

No. The B.B.C. has its own resources for the responsibilities laid upon it by its Charter. The future of its training orchestra is a matter for the Corporation to determine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the requests he has received from the Greater London Council and the British Railways Board for sanction for major improvements or additions to the rail network in South-East England, together with the date of the receipt of each request and cost of each project.

No. The G.L.C. do not require my right hon. Friend's sanction for such improvements, and he has received no such requests from the Railways Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to announce his proposals for new trunk roads within Greater London prior to receiving the findings of the panel of the Greater London Development Plan Inquiry.

Yes. The addition of schemes to the preparation pool is part of the normal trunk road planning process. Whilst the Greater London Development Plan is under consideration I will continue to authorise Greater London road schemes only where they stand on their merits, independently of the Plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the grants available to local authorities for tree planting for amenity purposes.

Grants of up to 75 per cent. are available under the Countryside Act, 1968, to local authorities in England and Wales for amenity tree planting in the countryside. Amenity tree planting may also attract grant when incorporated in grant aided projects such as the landscaping of principal roads, the reclamation and restoration of derelict lands, or schemes for general improvement areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the reorganisation of local government and the reorganisation of the National Health Service will affect the role of the public health inspector and his contact with the public regarding slum clearance and environmental health.

Slum clearance and environmental health will continue to be functions of local government, and the public health inspector, as a local government officer, will continue to be closely associated with them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving, as part of the reform of local government to the proposals of the Association for Neighbourhood Councils to establish the parish council system in urban areas details of which are in his possession.

I am studying the Association's proposals, along with other suggestions that have reached me about the future of parishes. The Government's conclusions on this aspect of reorganisation will be reflected in the forthcoming legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will state his policy for applicants in the development areas under the new system of housing improvement grants who have obtained local authority permission under the old arrangement to carry out agreed improvements if the work has not already started; and whether such applicants will benefit under the new scheme.

The Housing Bill provides that, to be eligible for a higher grant a formal application must have been made on or after 23rd June, 1971. Where application was made before 23rd June, 1971, but not approved, it can be withdrawn and re-submitted. I am writing to the hon. Member about the particular case she has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will take action to prevent landlords from using fictitious schedules of dilapidations to pressure tenants into forgoing their rights ;(2) whether he will take steps to ensure that landlords issuing schedules of dilapidations employ only qualified surveyors to prepare them.

Everyone would agree that tenants should be afforded full protection against abuses of this kind. But both the Lord Chancellor and I consider that the existing law in fact affords such protection. It is vital to encourage those affected to seek immediate legal advice. I welcome Press publicity on this subject and I am considering whether further steps can be taken to alert leaseholders to their rights wherever such abuses come to light. If tenants were put under pressure by the use of fictitious schedules of dilapidations, I am advised that the question of prosecution under the Theft Act, 1968, Section 16 or 21, might properly be referred to the appropriate authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to give more ready legal redress to the occupiers of houses and flats held on lease whose landlords do not comply with the intentions of their agreements, or resort to direct or indirect harassment in order to secure possession.

It is already an offence under the Rent Act, 1965, for any person to harass a tenant with intent to secure possession. Anyone who considers he is being harassed in this way should contact his local authority, which has powers to prosecute.I have already announced the Government's view that the existing penalties are inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time actually spent driving a train by drivers on British Railways during an eight-hour shift.

This is a matter of management for the Railways Board.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he now intends to institute proceedings for the recovery from the New Basingstoke Canal Company of the cost to public funds resulting from the breach in the canal bank at the Royal Air Force, Farnborough, in September, 1968.

Yes.

asked the Minister of State for Defence why the sailing of 51 Commando Group Royal Marines for Malta has been cancelled ; and what effect this cancellation will have on the Anglo-Maltese Defence Agreement.

At the request of the Government of Malta, we have agreed to suspend the planned change-over between 41 Commando Group and the 1st battalion the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, pending discussions between the two Governments. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the House on 1st July, it is our view that the 1964 Defence Agreement remains legally in force; this is not affected by our decision to suspend the change-over.—[Vol. 820, c. 578.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps are being taken to assist the wives and families of 51 Commando Group Royal Marines to find accommodation now that their departure for Malta has been cancelled.

The few families of 41 Commando Group who were in immediate need of accommodation have been provided with Service quarters in the Plymouth area. Plans have been made to provide any further accommodation which may be required.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the estimated output of RDX high explosive derived from Royal Ordnance factories and other United Kingdom sources ; and what has been the volume and value of export sales of this material over the past five years.

The Royal Ordnance factory output of RDX mixtures was rather less than 2,000 short tons in 1970–71. There is no other United Kingdom source. The volume and value of bulk export sales were negligible in 1966–67, 1967–68 and 1968–69. The figures—excluding RDX mixtures incorporated in exports of ammunition—for the last two years are set out below.

asked the Minister of State for Defence on what dates since January, 1971 the CS gaseous substance has been used by the British Army in Northern Ireland, and in what areas ; and what numbers of canisters and cartridges have been discharged on each account.

Details of the operational use of CS smoke are as follows :

asked the Minister of State for Defence on what dates since September, 1969 rubber bullets have been discharged by British Army personnel against civilians in Northern Ireland ; in what areas have these projectiles been used; and what number of these has been discharged on each occasion.

The information is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of State for Defence on what dates since July, 1969, British Army personnel have used firearms in Northern Ireland and in what areas; what kinds of weapon were used ; and how many rounds of ammunition were discharged from each kind of weapon on each such occasion.

The frequency of the use of a great variety of firearms by British Army personnel in Northern Ireland, particularly for training, is such that disproportionate time and effort would be needed to provide this information.

asked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions have members of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland testified as prosecution witnesses before the criminal courts in Northern Ireland.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of State for Defence in what circumstances British Army personnel initiate prosecutions in Northern Ireland ; and whether he will make a statement.

Criminal proceedings in the civil courts of Northern Ireland are initiated by the Northern Ireland civil authorities.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether a military patrol active in Manor Street on 29th June, 1971, witnessed behaviour considered likely to cause a breach of the peace ; whether persons were apprehended by soldiers ; what charge or charges were levelled against the people detained; whether the military personnel who witnessed the original disturbances or activities or took part in the arrest of George Keech and Norman McGrath attended Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday, 2nd July, or on any other day with a view to giving evidence; and whether he will make a statement.

A military patrol witnessed two men painting slogans on the gable end of 12, Beechpark Street. The men were apprehended and handed over to the military police who took them to Oldpark Police Station where they were charged with disorderly behaviour by the civil police. Military witnesses were summoned and appeared in the court; they did not give evidence as the accused pleaded guilty.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether the General Officer Commanding British troops in Northern Ireland has attended meetings of the Northern Ireland Government's Joint Security Committee, and on what dates since July, 1969.

The General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland is a member of the Joint Security Committee and attends, or is represented at, all its meetings.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will list the occasions during the last 12 months when the Army in Northern Ireland has come under attack from gunfire and the occasions when the gunfire has been returned.

I regret that this information is not readily available in the form requested. There have been numerous occasions in the last 12 months when the Army has been fired upon. Gunfire will have been returned on every occasion that the attacker presented a clear target and the lives of bystanders were not thereby endangered.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the military role in quelling disturbances in Londonderry on the nights of 6th and 7th July.

The Army assisted the civil power in dealing with disturbances on the two nights in question. It was subjected to attack from gunfire, petrol and gelignite bombs and stones. On two occasions soldiers opened fire to defend themselves from armed attack ; and rubber baton rounds were used to break up stone-throwing mobs.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now make a statement on proposals for the formation of a full-time battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley), on 9th June.—[Vol. 818, c. 343.]

asked the Prime Minister how many letters he received on 12th July on matters for which he is responsible.

About 320.

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Prime Ministers of Australia and Canada about the effect on their countries' trade with the United Kingdom and Western Europe of British membership of an enlarged European Economic Community on the terms now envisaged.

I have recently been in touch with the Prime Ministers of both Australia and Canada. These exchanges are, of course, confidential.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings or conferences he now intends to address on the subject of the European Economic Community.

I expect to make a number of speeches over the coming months about Britain and the European Communities.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether before recommending Parliament to endorse any terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community he will seek to pay an official visit to Australia and discuss with the Australian Government these proposed terms for entry ;(2) whether, before recommending to Parliament any possible terms for Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, he will seek to have a further meeting with President Pompidou to discuss with him the terms of the Luxembourg Agreement.

In the White Paper (Cmnd. 4715) published last Wednesday, Her Majesty's Government recommended to Parliament that the United Kingdom should join the European Communities on the terms which we have negotiated. These Questions therefore no longer arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take action to announce to the people that they should write to him to convey their views and opinions on Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community ; and whether he will publicise this announcement.

I have nothing to add to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave to a similar Question from the hon. Member on 1st July.—[Vol. 820, c. 191.]

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the publication of the White Paper on the conditions for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will invite the Trades Union Congress to Number 10 Downing Street to discuss with them all matters pertaining to Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community, in particular full employment, regional planning, financial subsidies to industry, interchangeability of labour, the iron, coal and steel industries, and the rights of Great Britain's inshore fishermen.

There is regular consultation between Her Majesty's Government and the Trades Union Congress on all relevant matters arising from the negotiations. This consultation will continue, but there are at present no plans for discussion of these issues between the Trades Union Congress and myself.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now invite the Prime Minister of Australia to visit London to discuss matters pertaining to Great Britain's possible entry into the Common Market; and how this will affect Australian and British trade.

The Prime Minister of Australia is, of course, welcome in this country at any time, but there are at present no plans for a visit. Meanwhile, we shall continue to keep in close touch with the Australian Government on issues arising out of the negotiations.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to a hospital for the mentally handicapped.

I have at present no plans to do so, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, who is responsible for the services for the mentally handicapped, regularly includes such hospitals in his visiting programme.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to pay an official visit to Liverpool to discuss its unemployment in the area and the city.

I have at present no plans to pay an official visit to Liverpool.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of the Environment in their relations with local authorities in educational matters; and if he will make a statement.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make an official visit to the north-west of England.

I have at present no plans for a further official visit to the North-West.

asked the Attorney-General if he will take steps to ensure that the Chairman of the Bench in the Chair when shoplifting cases come before him is not himself a shopkeeper.

No. But if a magistrate finds that he is closely associated with a case which is due to be tried before him, normally he should, and would, not take part in those proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider the institution of free education for the children of the English-speaking population of Hong Kong.

The cost of education at English language schools is over three times the cost in equivalent Chinese language schools. The policy of the Hong Kong Government is that the Government subsidy should be the same for all schools offering courses at comparable educational levels

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent breaches of the Anglo-Maltese Defence Agreement by the Maltese Government.

The Government hope to have discussions very soon on the new Malta Government's attitude towards defence arrangements with this country. Meanwhile, as has been made clear, we consider that the 1964 Defence Agreement remains legally in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he received from Mr. Dick Nettleton a letter dated 22nd June, 1971, concerning the implications for Great Britain's defence policies and nuclear weapons of joining the European Economic Community ; and whether he will publish the details of this together with his reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

A letter was received from Mr. Nettleton on 24th June. It raised a number of questions about defence matters not directly connected with Britain's application to join the European Economic Community. I have arranged for a copy of the reply which was sent to be forwarded to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what, for the longest and most convenient period of time, have been the amounts of money spent on publicising and advertising Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community ; and how much he expects to spend during the present financial year.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the hon. and learned Member for South Buckinghamshire (Mr. Ronald Bell) yesterday and the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis) on 8th July.—[Vol. 821, c. 4; Vol. 820 c. 444–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of strikes in Scotland during the first six months of 1971 ; and what was the number for each previous six month period over the last five years.

I regret that figures are not yet available for 1971. Following is the information for the years 1965–1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what annual rate of increase will be needed for average earnings in the United Kingdom to reach parity with the European Economic Community by 1975, having regard to the current rate of growth within the European Economic Community.

A reliable estimate cannot be given. It might be very misleading to project the recent growth of earnings in the Community as far ahead as 1975. As the White Paper indicates, the important point is that real earnings have been rising faster in the Community countries than in the United Kingdom. If we seize our opportunities as members, we should be able to share in the Community's greater prosperity. In the meantime, the more successful we are in keeping down costs the sooner we shall reduce the gap between ourselves and the countries of the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the earnings of engineering workers are between a quarter and a half less on average than the earnings levels within the European Economic Community, as described in the White Paper, Command No. 4715.

Insufficient data are available to make a meaningful comparison of average earnings for individual industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he will not revise Government policy towards public sector pay settlements to enable average earnings to rise by between a quarter and a half and thus come closer to the European Economic Community levels described in White Paper Command No. 4715.

The Government's policy towards pay settlements is and must continue to be determined by the economic situation in this country. The Government's view is that in the current situation it is essential to reduce the present excessive rate of inflation as an indispensable condition for improving the real wages of all groups. There is no separate policy towards public sector pay settlements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the report of the recent inquiry into complaints about New Hall Detention Centre ; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. Two young men who were released from New Hall Detention Centre in January, 1971, subsequently complained to B.B.C. Radio Teesside about the treatment they had received at the centre. These complaints, which included allegations of brutality by staff, were communicated to the Home Office and later broadcast. I asked the Chairman of the Board of Visitors at New Hall if the Board would arrange for the complaints to be investigated. A full investigation, for which I am most grateful, has now been carried out by a group consisting of the Chairman, another member of the Board of Visitors at New Hall, and the Chairman of the Board of Visitors at another detention centre.They have inquired into the complaints in detail and have interviewed the two young men, the officers named by them and certain other witnesses. I have received their report; they are completely and unanimously convinced that none of the allegations of ill-treatment is justified, that neither of the young men has any justifiable grounds for complaint, and that none of the officers at New Hall Detention Centre has behaved in any manner which calls for reproof. I very much regret the anxiety and distress caused to officers at the detention centre by the making of these unjustified allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions are going on in his Department about the possibility of identity cards for United Kingdom citizens within an enlarged European Economic Community ; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it is official policy that visitors to Irish prisoners held on remand at Brixton Prison in connection with demonstrations, alleged firearms offences, etc., be allowed to see two visitors at a time while it is normal practice there for three visitors to be allowed to see detainees at the same time.

Because of pressure on the visiting accommodation, the normal practice at Brixton Prison is to restrict all unconvicted prisoners to two visitors at a time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why discrimination in the number of visitors allowed is operated against Irish prisoners in Brixton Prison ; and whether he will allow it to continue ;(2) whether, in view of the discriminatory treatment of Irish political detainees in Brixton Prison, he will seek discussions with the Government of the Republic of Ireland with a view to renegotiating treaty obligations to bring these into accord with practice.

There is no such discrimination.

asked the Lord President of the Council what has been the total overall cost to date of the Common Market fact-sheets, including production, distribution and advertising.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply containing this information I gave to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Buckinghamshire, South (Mr. Ronald Bell) on 12th July.—[Vol. 821, c.

asked the Lord President of the Council, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the reductions in prices which should follow the cutting down of selective employment tax by 50 per cent., why prices have not been reduced in the various eating and drinking establishments in the House of Commons.

I have been asked to reply.The Refreshment Department has been running at a heavy loss and the cut in S.E.T. will have to be used to reduce this. Many changes in administration are now in process of being made, which it is expected will lead to economies. As soon as any considerable surplus is achieved, the benefits will be returned to Members in lower prices.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what further work on independent local radio he is carrying out in order to prepare in detail the plans contained in the Government's White Paper of March, 1971, Command Paper No. 4636.

The main responsibility for organising the new service will of course be undertaken by the Independent Broadcasting Authority if and when Parliament enacts legislation to give effect to the proposals in the White Paper.In the meantime, I am proposing to recruit temporarily a small additional staff to advise me on technical and general questions. This staff will work alongside the Independent Television Authority and may eventually, when the legislation is passed, transfer to the I.B.A. to form the nucleus of its independent radio organisation. Parliamentary approval for expenditure of up to £80,000 on this work is being sought in a Supplementary Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the average profit earned by hill farms in Scotland in each of the last three years ; what were the extremes of profit and loss ; and what proportion of profit was represented by grants.

The estimated average net income for Scottish hill sheep farms was £1,265 in 1967–68, £1,558 in 1968–69 and £1,163 in 1969–70, and for upland rearing farms £1,186, £1,822 and £1,460 respectively. These figures are derived from a sample of farm accounts provided by the Agricultural Colleges which showed a range extending from losses of more than £400 to incomes of over £4,000 on both types during the period. The estimated proportion of net income accounted for by production grants was 129 per cent. in 1967–68, 121 per cent. in 1968–69 and 163 per cent. in 1967–70 for hill sheep farms and 150 per cent., 107 per cent., and 143 per cent. for upland rearing farms.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of public money has been granted or loaned by the Highlands and Islands Development Board for the establishment of a foxhound pack, and for what social or economic purposes.

The Board has agreed to make a grant of up to £3,000 to the newly formed Lochaber and Sunart Farmers Fox (Control) Club for a three-year experiment in control by shooting supported by a pack of foxhounds. Control is economically necessary in this sheep farming area where the gin trap,