asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration is being given to the position of the United Kingdom sugar refining industry in the event of this country's acceding to the European Economic Community.

Together with representatives of the three sugar refining companies, the British Sugar Corporation Ltd., Messrs. Manbre & Garton, Ltd. and Messrs. Tate & Lyle Ltd., my officials are currently examining this country's probable future requirements of refining capacity. To facilitate these discussions, independent consultants have been engaged to undertake an inquiry to assess and report on the economic and financial benefits from, and equitable methods of, reorganising the industry. The consultants will have regard to the national interest, and that of consumers, existing and prospective refining capacity, to the supply position and to the interests of all sectors of the industry. Their report will be confidential to the four parties engaged in these discussions, and there is no intention that the report itself or any recommendations arising from it should be made public except to the extent necessary for the purpose of wider public discussion of any specific measures of reorganisation.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the average age of promotion to Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively, of direct entry graduate members of the Administration Group at the latest convenient date; and how this compares with five years ago.

The information is most readily available in the following form. It covers all those who started as Assistant Principals. This was the main source of graduate recruitment to the Administrative Class, which was merged with other classes to form the Administration Group on 1st January, 1971:

	Average age (years)
Promotions	In 1966	In 1970
From Principal to Assistant Secretary	39·9	38·5
From Assistant Secretary to Under Secretary	46·9	47·2

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service, that where a woman has elderly or infirm dependants or relatives, Departments should ensure that every effort is made to help her to cope with her domestic responsibilities and that unpaid leave should be available if the dependant or relative requires considerable attention; and what action he proposes;(2) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding reinstatement, that women who have children and who have had at least 20 years' experience should be able to take at least six months' and not more than 12 months' unpaid leave, at a time to be agreed with the Department; and what action he proposes;(3) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding reinstatement, that applicants for reinstatement should not be required to state their intention to remain permanently in the Service and that rejection of an application for reinstatement to a specific grade should be made only at the level at which promotion to the grade concerned is confirmed; and what action he proposes;(4) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service that women who resigned because of domestic responsibilities should not be debarred from reinstatement in grades up to and including the substantive grade held on resignation; and what action he proposes;(5) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service that on reinstatement, previous service should be taken into account in all cases in determining conditions of service, in particular starting salary and promotion seniority, and what action he proposes; and if he will make a statement;(6) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service, that Departments should, in consultation with the Civil Service Department, advise women who wish to prepare to return to work of the appropriate retraining and that as far as possible there should be flexible arrangements for the training of women who find it difficult to leave home to attend residential courses; and what action he proposes;(7) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service, that Departments should examine the organisation of their work and consider what appropriate part-time work can be provided for serving or former women civil servants who are giving or have given satisfactory service, who are unable to work full-time because they have children to care for, but who wish to continue or resume work in the Service; and what action he proposes;(8) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service, that at least one nursery should be set up for an experimental period for the children of civil servants in an area other than London, fees should be fixed in relation to salary but with a maximum, and if the experiment proves to be of value other nurseries should be set up on a similar basis; and what action he proposes;(9) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding part-time work that Departments which have a substantial amount of case work or a high turnover of staff or a large amount of overtime or blocks of routine work should introduce part-time posts on an experimental basis: and what action he proposes;(10) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service, that where work and staff holiday arrangements permit, Departments should consider sympathetically applications from women who have children at school for some unpaid leave during school holidays, particularly where the applicant has only the basic leave allowance: and what action he proposes;(11) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding flexibility of hours, that Departments should encourage the use of discretion in arranging the hours of attendance of women with family responsibilities; and what action he proposes;(12) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service concerning recruitment, that it should be open to both men and women to be considered for any job, and appointments should be solely on the grounds of suitability and qualifications; and what action he proposes;(13) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding leave for urgent domestic affairs, that Departments should use more widely their discretion in granting both paid and unpaid special leave for urgent domestic affairs, and it should be unnecessary first to exhaust annual leave; and what action he proposes;(14) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding annual leave, that Departments should review their annual leave arrangements to ensure that so far as possible married women are able to take annual leave at the same time as their husbands; and what action he proposes;(15) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service, that unpaid leave of up to three years should be available to a woman whose services her Department wishes to retain if she accompanies her husband on a move required by his employment to a place where she cannot continue her own employment in the Civil Service; and what action he proposes;(16) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding marriage gratuity, that women who now qualify for a marriage gratuity should, under the new superannuation scheme, qualify for either deferred pension benefits or a short service gratuity; and what action he proposes;(17) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding allowances, that all rules governing Civil Service allowances should be examined with the intention of removing any discrimination on the grounds of sex; and what action he proposes;(18) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service regarding promotion, that wherever practicable, Departments should arrange for promotion boards to consist of both men and women; and what action he proposes;(19) what consideration he has given to the recommendation of the Report of the departmental Committee on the Employment of Women in the Civil Service, that recruitment literature should explain what provisions there are to assist women to combine a family with a career in the Service, and that Departments should ensure that full information is readily available to staff on the provisions for maternity leave, paid and unpaid leave for special reasons, reinstatement, and retraining; and what action he proposes;

The recommendations of the Committee are now being discussed with the Staff Side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council. When these discussions are concluded, appropriate action will be taken.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many unauthorised flights have been made by military aircraft of the Irish Republic over Northern Ireland in the last six months; what type of aircraft made these flights; and over what parts of Northern Ireland they were made.

I have received reports of three unauthorised flights by military aircraft within the last six months. All three were Alouette helicopters similar to those used by the Army of the Republic of Ireland. They were sighted heading in a north-westerly direction: two over Omagh, one over Victoria Bridge near Strabane. As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester-Clark) on 11th November, these helicopters may have been engaged in the transfer of hospital patients. Such flights are not regarded as having any security significance.—[Vol. 825, c. 260.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence why British subjects born in Northern Ireland are now required, when filling in enlistment papers for Her Majesty's Forces, to list their nationality as British/Irish.

The Army and the Royal Air Force required applicants to state both nationality and country of birth on their application forms (e.g. British (English), British (Welsh)). This is not a new requirement nor it is confined to applicants born in Northern Ireland, who could, if they wished, describe themselves as British (Northern Ireland) or British (Ulster).

asked the Minister of State for Defence what arrangements he is making for troops in Northern Ireland serving there over the Christmas period to have special relaxation and recreation; and if he is prepared to support with a special money grant the Lord Mayor of Belfast's appeal fund for this purpose.

The amount of relaxation and recreation which the troops will enjoy over Christmas will depend on the operational situation at that time. However, we shall do all we can to see that the troops have as much time off as possible. We shall also be making the customary arrangements for extra Christmas fare, and generally seeing that as far as the situation permits the troops are able to celebrate Christmas in the traditional manner. We much appreciate the Lord Mayor of Belfast's wish to recognise the good work of the troops in some tangible way, but we have no plans to make a grant from public funds.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps the security forces are now proposing to take, in view of the many Irish Republican Army attacks and robberies on post offices in Northern Ireland, to give better security to Post Office personnel and properties in the province.

Post Offices and other business premises will continue to receive particular attention from Army and Royal Ulster Constabulary patrols.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what attacks have been mounted from the Irish Republic at troops cratering cross-border roads in Northern Ireland; how many shots have been fired in these incidents at the security forces; how many casualties have resulted; and how many shots have the Army returned and with what effect.

Up to 17th November there have been 13 incidents in which an estimated 500 rounds have been fired from positions identifiably within the Republic at troops engaged in road blocking operations. Three soldiers were wounded. In nine of the incidents the Army returned fire, firing a total of 830 rounds. It is believed that at least three terrorists have been hit.

asked the Minister (A State for Defence what amount of Irish Republican Army arms, ammunition, etc., was uncovered by security forces at Martinstown, County Antrim, recently; what particular type of shotgun cartridges were also discovered; and how many arrests were made.

In the early hours of 15th November, security forces discovered the following items at a farm in Knockanully, Martinstown:

28	shotguns.
20	rifles.
4	pistols and revolvers.
1	anti-tank rifle.
1	sub-machine gun.
9,840	rounds of ammunition.
1,144	shotgun cartridges.
1	hand grenade.
1	plunge igniter.
1,500	ft. fuze.
45	lbs. Explosives.

A lorry was also found, with a concealed compartment large enough to hold six men. The shotgun cartridges included 70 of the solid shot type. I understand that two men were arrested by the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many unapproved road crossings from Northern Ireland into the Irish Republic have now been cratered by the Army; how many of these have ben filled by republicans; and how many of these have been re-cratered.

In all, 123 unapproved road crossings have been blocked by various means including cratering. Of these, 82 were subsequently repaired, but 37 of these have since been reblocked.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what proportion of avionics contracts for the multi-rôle combat project have been awarded to British firms to date.

Of the 10 major avionic equipments which have now been selected since the radar, British firms will be the prime contractors for six.The firms concerned are Elliotts for the Autopilot and for the T.V. Tabulator, Ferranti for the Inertial Navigation System and for the Combined radar/map Display, Smiths for the Head-up Display, and Decca for the Doppler. There will also be some work share for British firms on two of the other four items.The slections have been made after a process of competitive tendering and evaluation by the three participating countries and are, of course, subject to the completion of satisfactory contract arrangements. They represent the major part of the remaining avionic equipment requirements, and British industry is receiving a very fair share of the overall avionics programme.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will ensure that boys who wish to join the Forces at 15 years of age will be enabled to do so when the school leaving age is raised to 16 years of age.

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science about this. I cannot say any more at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state for the last three years the numbers of new school places in primary and secondary schools, occasioned by an increase in the number of pupils, which have been met from the basic need element in the school-building programme and the minor works element, respectively.

This information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the total number of new jobs expected to be created in Scotland as a direct consequence of oil finds in Scottish waters.

It is difficult to make an estimate, since developments are likely to be spread over a number of years and cannot as yet be fully quantified. I understand, however, that if known major projects were to materialise they could give rise to as many as 4,000 jobs in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young persons are unemployed in the County of Monmouthshire; and how many vacancies exist at the latest available date.

At November, 1971 there were in Monmouthshire 865 young persons registered as unemployed. The number of notified vacancies for young persons remaining unfilled was 149. The figures are provisional. The vacancy figure relates only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and does not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males are unemployed in the County of Monmouthshire; and how many male vacancies exist at the latest available date.

At November, 1971 there were in Monmouthshire 6,862 males registered as unemployed. The number of notified vacancies for males remaining unfilled was 311. The figures are provisional. The vacancy figure relates only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and does not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled men who qualify for Remploy type of employment are out of work in the mid-Northumberland local employment area.

On 11th October, 1971, 127 men in the mid-Northumberland local employment area were registered as unemployed and unlikely to obtain work except under sheltered conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many miners between 50 and 65 years of age are unemployed in the mid-Northumberland local employment area.

An age analysis of all miners unemployed is not available. However, an analysis made on 13th September of miners unemployed through colliery closures or planned rundown of the labour force showed 1,098 aged 55 and over in the Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth and Morpeth Employment Exchange areas, which correspond to the area covered by the Mid-Northumberland Local Employment Committee. We do not have statistics showing the number of unemployed miners who are over 50 but under 55, nor do we know how many of those older than 55 are over 65.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider extending the Remploy factory at North Seaton, Ashington.

We estimate that in the area served by the Ashington factory the number of severely disabled people who are both suitable and available for employment with Remploy is about 35. Vacancies for 10 or 12 people to replace employees who have left or retired are expected to occur shortly, whilst the company is planning, by reorganising the production layout, to provide a further 20 places at the factory over the next 18 months. In these circumstances, and having regard to the needs of other areas, my right hon. Friend would not feel justified in asking Remploy to extend the factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to alleviate the high unemployment of redundant mineworkers above 50 years of age in the mid-Northumberland local employment area.

The employment prospects of older ex-miners in mid-Northumberland should be improved by the many measures the Government have taken to stimulate the national economy and to encourage industrial expansion in the development areas. They also stand to benefit both from the special arrangements whereby grants are available to employers in the assisted areas who engage and train workers aged 45 and over who have been unemployed at least eight weeks, and from my Department's general policy of encouraging employers not to discriminate against older workers in their recruitment policies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the number of road accidents which have occurred in the London Borough of Newham; how many were fatal; how many were caused by dangerously loaded lorries; how many through loads falling off lorries either wholly or in part; and what was the cause of the death of the schoolboy in Upton Lane E.7 during recent weeks.

No. But the local authority should be able to provide this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is satisfied that adequate research was conducted into safety aspects on the design of doors for British Rail 100 m.p.h. coaches; whether he is satisfied that adequate tests were carried out on passenger safety before the new coaches were introduced into service; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will obtain from British Rail information as to what action was taken after the fatal accident on 19th August to a passenger on one of the new 100 m.p.h. coaches, to ensure the safety of the doors, as to why no modifications were made before a second fatal accident on 1st October, and as to why British Rail did not carry out improvements to the safety of doors on coaches in service until after a third fatal accident on 25th October;(3) how many accidents involving passengers have occurred since British Rail introduced their new 100 m.p.h. coaches into service; how many were fatal; and if he is satisfied, that following modifications, the doors on coaches in service are now safe;(4) whether he is conducting a full inquiry into the fatal accidents to passengers on the new 100 m.p.h. coaches recently introduced into service by British Rail; and whether such an inquiry will disclose why doors with inadequate safety of design were put into service.

I very greatly regret that there have been three accidents to passengers, all fatal, since the British Railways Board brought its new Mark II D stock into service. Each resulted from the opening of a door while the train was in motion. I am satisfied that the action taken by the board has now removed this hazard.The safety of the door locking arrangements on the new stock was very carefully considered and tested by British Railways before the new coaches were introduced.The first accident, on 19th August, involved a boy of seven. The board took immediate action and by the end of September had produced the prototype of an improved lock. After the second accident, on 1st October, it went ahead with all speed to organise its production and fitting. But when the third accident occurred, on 25th October, the board decided to remove forthwith all interior handles to the locks, and this has now been done.The board already has in hand a full inquiry, by a senior railway officer not hitherto concerned in any way with what has happened. I do not think a further inquiry by my Department would therefore serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the sale of Atlantic Steam Navigation Limited and the closure of Associated Humber Lines are being undertaken with his consent.

The sale and closure are being undertaken by the National Freight Corporation on commercial grounds; my consent was not required except on a technical point relating to the method of sale of A.S.N. Both decisions do, however, accord with Government policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why it is proposed to sign the Treaty of Accession to the Treaty of Rome before the consequential legislation has been debated by the British Parliament; and what would be the practical effect of leaving such action until all consequential legislation had been passed.

The legislation which will be introduced will be primarily designed to make the changes in our law which are necessary to enable us to fulfil the international obligations and commitments which we will assume. The instruments of accession will set out what these will be. Those instruments must therefore be concluded before legislation can be introduced.Signature will be the means of establishing an agreed text on which our legislation can be based. Signature itself will not bring the obligations into force. That will not happen until after we have deposited an instrument of ratification or, in the case of the European Coal and Steel Community, an instrument of accession, following the enactment of the legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the estimated extra cost to the balance of payments and the estimated rise in food prices as set out in paragraphs 43 and 88, respectively, of Command Paper Number 4715 if the European Economic Community countries gave across-the-board price increases in agricultural products of five per cent., seven per cent., nine per cent. and 11 per cent., respectively.

This is a hypothetical question. Community producer price increases are, in fact, not made across the board but are assessed by individual commodity and vary considerably in the light of market circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make available to Members of Parliament a translation of the Annex to the West German Federal Advertiser of 3rd February, 1970, which consists of a classified index of the laws and regulations of the European Communities.

The index referred to is not an official publication of the European Economic Community. The Community instruments listed in it are not all relevant to the United Kingdom since many will have lapsed before 1st January, 1973, the proposed date of Britain's entry to the Community. There will be made available to Parliament an index to the Community instruments which will be binding on the United Kingdom at the time of entry. This index will be published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office and will be publicly available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will obtain enough copies of the authenticated agreed translations of the Clasified Index of Laws and Regulations of the European Coal and Steel Community, Ell, Financing and Production, to enable him to circulate a copy to each Member of Parliament;(2) whether he will obtain enough copies of the authenticated agreed translations of the Clasified Index of Laws and Regulations of the European Coal and Steel Community, E10, Legal Taxes, to circulate a copy to each Member of Parliament;

The series of indices in question is produced for the convenience of the present members of the Community. We will at the appropriate time provide for the House translations of the European Coal and Steel Community instruments, duly modified and agreed for accession, which will be binding on the United Kingdom at the time of accession, together with an index.

(1) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether Her Majesty's Government will endeavour at the United Nations to restore in the Convention for the Elimination of Biological and Toxic Weapons the absolute prohibition against use whereby the reservations to the Geneva Protocol, 1925, would have been removed;(2) whether Her Majesty's Government will endeavour at the United Nations to restore in the Convention for the Elimination of Biological and Toxic Weapons provision for the automatic fact-finding investigation by the Secretary-General in case of complaint that biological weapons have been used against a state.

The draft convention on the prohibition of the development, production, and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxic weapons and on their destruction, which was negotiated in the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament covers much the same ground as the original British draft put forward in 1969, although it stems directly from a Soviet redraft tabled in March of this year. The main difference between the two drafts was that the British version incorporated an express prohibition of use and a complaints procedure directed against use involving the United Nations Secretary-General. The major British effort in the negotiations on the convention in the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament this year has, in fact, been to try to ensure that the instrument eventually agreed would cover the question of use of biological weapons. It is a measure of our success that the final draft convention goes a considerable way to meet our wishes.Her Majesty's Government believe that the draft convention, which has now been referred to the United Nations General Assembly, is the best available compromise in the circumstances, and we hope that it will be endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly and opened for signature at an early date. Attempts to re-open its wording at this stage could jeopardise these objectives.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what protests have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and of the United States of America, respectively, regarding the megaton underground tests in Novaya Zemlya and the United States test in the Aleutian Islands;(2) whether Her Majesty's Government will now protest to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America Government, respectively, regarding the megaton underground tests in Novaya Zemlya and the United States test in the Aleutian Islands.

No such protests have been made, and none is contemplated. So far as I am aware, no violation of the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963, to which the United Kingdom is a party and for which Her Majesty's Government are a depositary Government, was involved in either of these underground nuclear tests. We must recognise that in the absence of a comprehensive test ban countries are not debarred from carrying out underground nuclear tests which they judge necessary to their national security.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Irish Republic about unauthorised flights of military aircraft belonging to the Republic over Northern Ireland during the last six months; and what reply he has received.

No unauthorised flights of military aircraft belonging to the Republic over Northern Ireland have been reported during the last six months.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to ensure that when members of the Government reply to a Written Question any associated comment to the Press makes clear that the reply was not made orally in the House of Commons and that a distinction is made between the text of an answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT and any additional material.

While I do not think this calls for formal action, I will ensure that Departments are reminded of Members' interests in this regard.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will arrange to convey to Lord Boyle's Committee details of recent food price increases and thereafter to keep them regularly informed of all price changes that affect the purchasing value of Members of Parliament's salaries.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 17th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro).—[Vol. 826, c. 409–11.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next proposes to meet representatives of the Trades Union Congress to discuss unemployment and related problems.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 16th November to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).—[Vol. 826, c. 83.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether instructions have been given to inspectors of taxes to enclose an extra copy of their reply to correspondence with Members of Parliament.

Yes. An instruction to this effect was issued on 1st July this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the delay until next Spring in publishing his legislative proposals for the introduction of a value-added tax and the consequent curtailment of the period available to business to prepare for accounting, marketing and inventory problems, he will undertake the presentation before Christmas of a White Paper by way of a progress report containing the maximum possible detail.

As my right hon. Friend explained in the course of the debate on the Queen's Speech, one of the principal reasons for postponing the V.A.T. legislation until next year's Finance Bill is to allow further discussions to take place between trade and professional associations and Customs and Excise. It would be wrong to attempt to pre-judge the outcome of those discussions.—[Vol. 825, c. 851–2.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government, as the purchaser of a substantial part of the goods and services produced and provided in Great Britain, to place long-term contracts with firms in areas of special economic difficulty, such as Wales.

Government Departments seek tenders from firms in development areas when they can offer what is required, and place orders with them on a preferential basis when their tenders are acceptable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish tables showing the net income of a single man, a married man with two children and a married man with four children who earns £15, £16, £17 and so on up to £25 a week gross pay, taking into consideration any increase or decrease due to, respectively, family income supplement, income tax, payments for school meals, the rent rebates due under the proposed housing legislation and the average rate rebate payable to families under these circumstances.

No. The interaction of these various factors is a complex one. The results would vary considerably according to the particular circumstances of individual families; to make arbitrary assumptions about these could well be misleading for those in different circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £1,778 million paid out in National Insurance retirement pensions in 1971 was returned to him in the form of income tax.

If the pension is regarded as the top slice of the pensioner's income, about £175 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of recent increases in the cost of meals, what action he is taking to increase the amount by which luncheon vouchers can be issued free of tax; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given on 23rd July, 1971, to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Poplar (Mr. Mikardo).—[Vol. 821, c. 376.]

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the average and what is the maximum waiting time for the installation of a telephone in a private house.

These are management matters for the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the programme for the installation of television transmitters in West Dunbartonshire to provide the area with B.B.C.2 and colour coverage.

The B.B.C. which is primarily responsible for the extension of its services tells me that because of unusual geographical features of the area, technical studies, likely to take several months, are being conducted into the best way of providing a service. I will invite the B.B.C. to write to the hon. Member when its planning is more advanced.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the progress made in the detection of television licence evaders in England, Wales and Scotland, respectively, in the past 12 months.

In the 12 months ending 30th September, 1971, the number of television licences in force in England rose from 13,406,056 to 13,615,463; in Wales from 967,963 to 988,671, and in Scotland from 1,449,178 to 1,475,836.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now publish the independent report on the National Giro prepared for him by Cooper Brothers.

No. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 20th October to the supplementary question asked by the hon. Member for Islington. East (Mr. John D. Grant).—[Vol. 823, c. 712.]

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how many public telephone kiosks are now in operation; and approximately how many and what average number of such telephones are out of order at any particular time, as a result of vandalism.

The information given me by the Post Office is that the total number of kiosks installed is about 75,600; kiosks out of order as a result of vandalism numbered 855 on 31st October, of which over 500 were still available for operator and emergency services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will place in the Library a list of the criteria upon which agreement can be sought by his Department with the pharmaceutical industry for the sales promotion expenditure permissible for drugs used in the National Health Service.

The present voluntary Price Regulation Scheme provides for an interim review of its general operation and consideration of criteria for sales promotion and profitability. Discussions on these questions are taking place with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and I would prefer to await their outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will establish a few hospitals to concentrate solely upon the treatment of rheumatism and allied conditions in which the many differing disciplines, including bio-engineering can be combined with a specialist institution; and also to enable some orthopaedic surgeons to specialise with a greater degree of definition in this field to the benefit of sufferers.

There are a few specialised hospitals such as the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases at Bath, the Devonshire Royal Hospital at Buxton and the Royal Bath Hospital at Harrogate, which do concentrate solely on the treatment of rheumatism and allied conditions. These conditions are also the subject of multi-disciplinary research and treatment in such special centres as the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Mary Marlborough Lodge, Oxford, and Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry. In addition, many district general hospitals provide specialised treatment for patients suffering from rheumatism and allied conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average number of hospital beds available daily in the National Health Service, the average number occupied and the percentage of under-occupancy represented by the difference.

The numbers are as follows:

England 1970
Average daily number of available beds	423,621
Average daily bed occupation	351,251

This means that the proposition of unoccupied beds is, on average, 17·08 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the percentage increase last awarded to doctors in the categories of consultant with A, B and C merit awards and a consultant on maximum pay, together with their weekly remuneration at existing rates.

It was 20 per cent. for all categories, giving weekly rates of £213.45, £175.48, £144.41 and £121.39 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total waiting list for North Staffordshire of aged persons waiting for admission to a local authority welfare bed.

It was 214 on 31st October, 1971, but a new home at Stoke-on-Trent now ready for occupation should reduce this figure substantially within the next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in addition to the information he issues from time to time in Prescribers' Journal on new developments in drug treatment of rheumatism and arthritis, he will issue to general practitioners further information concerning new development in therapy, surgery and bio-engineering for these conditions.

Information on clinical matters is normally disseminated through the established professional channels, and not by my Department. But perhaps the hon. Member would write to me if there is any particular aspect of the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis about which he considers doctors have insufficient information.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of single-parent families now receiving family income supplement; and what is the average amount of benefit received by each family.

On 15th November about 20,000 single-parent families were receiving family income supplement. The average weekly payment to these families was £2·17.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to improve casualty departments in hospitals.

We are fully aware of the need for improvements both in premises and staffing. Hospital boards have been asked to aim at faster progress in improving accident and emergency services. My Department is arranging with hospital authorities for the creation of a limited number of consultant posts which will directly improve the services and will provide a basis for study by the Department and the profession, of the best patterns of staffing for this service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the per capita expenditure of each regional hospital board for 1970 and 1971.

The information for 1970–71 is as follows:

Regional Hospital Board	Capital Expenditure 1970–71 (per capita)	Revenue Expenditure 1970–71 (per capita)
	£	£
Newcastle	1·8	16·7
Leeds	1·7	18·1
Sheffield	1·9	14·2
East Anglia	2·6	14·4
North West Metropolitan	1·7	16·8
North East Metropolitan	1·5	18·6
South East Metropolitan	1·7	17·6
South West Metropolitan	1·7	20·8
Oxford	3·3	15·4
South Western	2·2	18·1
Birmingham	1·8	15·5
Manchester	2·0	16·9
Liverpool	2·6	18·6
Wessex	2·5	17·9

These figures have been calculated by dividing the total expenditure of each regional hospital board by the estimated population of its area. They make no allowance for the fact that one regional hospital board may provide services for patients who reside in the area of another, nor do they include expenditure by boards of governors of teaching hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what directions or advice were given by the Government to the Chairman of the National Coal Board prior to the opening on negotiations on the wage claim by the National Union of Mineworkers.

No constraints were imposed upon the National Coal Board. It, like other employers, is aware of the Gov- ernment's views on the need to reduce the level of wages settlements as part of their general policy for checking inflation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new factories have been occupied in Newport, Monmouthshire, in 1971; and how many new jobs have been provided.

None known to the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now consider making the whole of South-East Wales into a development area.

These matters are kept under continuous review, but I have no statement to make on possible future changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when it is expected that the Monopolies Commission will report on the question of connection charges of electricity and gas Supplies to new dwellings.

I understand that the Commission expects to complete its report early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the fact that there are now 32 operational commercial 16 mm. film shows, he will take steps to extend to cinemas showing 16 mm. films the quota, levy and other regulations affecting orthodox 35 mm. shows.

I have asked the Cinematograph Films Council to consider this matter, and to advise me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the fertiliser industry to the Monopolies Commission in view of the recently announced agreement between Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, Fisons Limited and Shell Chemicals Limited regarding the exchange of information and co-ordination of action on investment plans, production and prices.

No. There is no evidence that this agreement has created a situation in which a reference to the Monopolies Commission would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 12th November, 1971, giving evidence that the Dollar Land Holdings Company Limited have for many years been breaking sections of the 1948 Companies Act; and whether, in the light of the information contained in this communication, he will prosecute this company.

The letter from the hon. Member is being considered, and a reply will be sent as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average cost per therm of gas supplied to domestic and industrial users, respectively.

The average price of gas in 1970–71 was 10·58p per therm to domestic users and 4·52p per therm to industrial users.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what volume of North Sea natural gas has been delivered in Scotland in recent years; and what is the value imputed to this supply.

As stated in the annual report of the Scottish Gas Board, since June, 1970, when natural gas first arrived in Scotland, to 31st March, 1971, 107 million therms—nearly 11,000 million cubic feet—of natural gas were received. The cost to the board was about £1·9 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the possibly more promising alternatives referred to in his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Putney on 25th October on reduction of aircraft noise at London Heathrow Airport, concerning methods other than the two-segment glidepath.

We are examining the feasibility of curved approach paths, higher altitudes for joining the approach and means of reducing power on approach. These techniques do not have the disadvantage of requiring more elaborate ground aids or aircraft reinstrumentation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what checks are placed on the acceptability of passenger safety certificates as issued by foreign shipping societies or bureaux.

Passenger ship safety certificates issued under the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1960—to which almost all the major maritime nations are parties—must be in the form prescribed by the convention. They must be issued either by or on the authority of the Government of the country of registry. Certificates issued by classification societies must indicate the Government on whose authority they are issued. In any case of doubt as to the authority of a society to act, appropriate inquiries would be made through the representatives of the country of registry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how soon he expects to be able to make known his conclusions on what action is needed to prevent sexual discrimination, following his study of the replies from those representing the London Stock Exchange and midwifery, arising from his undertaking of 28th October, 1970 to write to the professional organisations asking them to examine their restrictive practices; and if he will make a statement.

As regards the London Stock Exchange, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 17th November to the hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Dormand). To allow males to train and practise as midwives would require an amendment to the Midwives Act, 1951. This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in appointing the members of the British Airways Board, he will consider members of both sexes on the basis of suitability.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in appointing members of the new Civil Aviation Authority, he will consider members of both sexes on the basis of suitability.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now give the details of the projects being undertaken this winter as a result of his plans for additional public expenditure to alleviate the unemployment problem.

For reasons given in my reply of 18th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Nicholas Edwards) it is not possible to give a detailed breakdown project by project. However, a high proportion of the total expenditure of £21 million will be committed by April, 1972 and on present estimates work to the value of about £6 million will have been carried out before then.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what special plans he has in mind to replace the net loss of 27,000 male jobs lost in Wales in the 15 months up to 1st June, 1971.

There has been a continuous decline in the number of male employees in employment in Wales since June, 1964. The Government have already taken measures to stimulate demand, to secure a sustained growth in output and to increase public expenditure on infrastructure. These measures will improve prospects for employment in Wales, and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many members of the Welsh Economic Council were not in agreement with the Council's basic assessments concerning the likely consequences to Wales in the event of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community.

I understand that no members of the Welsh Council expressed disagreement.