asked the Minister of State for Defence how many Service personnel who retired with a pension more than 10 years ago have had no pension increase since.

Approximately 42,000.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the present-day value, adjusted for the rise in the cost of living, of an Army pension of £160 per annum in 1953.

A pension of £160 per annum awarded in 1953 would have been increased to £388·74 under the recent measures which restored purchasing power on the basis of the rise in the cost of living.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the British share of the extra £400 million the European governments are contributing towards North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as a result of the December meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Foreign Ministers.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. John) on 14th December, 1971.—[Vol. 828, c. 64.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is now taking further to improve recruitment to the armed forces; and how progress in 1971 compared with that of 1970.

1971 will be the best year for male other rank recruiting since 1962. In the twelve months ending November, 1971, we recruited over 45,000 male other ranks compared with 37,500 for a similar period ending November, 1970. For the future we shall ensure that pay and service conditions remain competitive with civilian life, and endeavour to maintain the improvement in the status of the Forces which we believe has taken place in the last 18 months.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what provision will be made for Parliamentary accountability for the use of Aldermaston Research Station for atomic weapons research when the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment is transferred to the Ministry of Defence.

Provision for the expenditure will be made in the appropriate Ministry of Defence Vote and accountability to Parliament will follow the accepted procedures.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many overseas visitors have been invited to attend the arms sales symposium to be held in June; from which countries they will come; how many will come at the expense of the British Government; and how many British firms and civil servants will be involved.

Invitations to overseas visitors to the Army Engineer Equipment Symposium being held in June, 1972, have not yet been sent out, but I expect that about 200 visitors from about 50 countries will attend. None will come at the expense of the British Government. Between 60 and 100 firms will probably take part and a small number of civil servants will be organising the symposium as part of their normal duties.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what will be the interval between the withdrawal from service of H.M.S. "Eagle" and the commissioning of a through-deck cruiser equipped with vertical and short take-off and landing aircraft.

The cruisers are planned to start entering service in the late 1970s. But no decision has been taken to deploy vertical and short take-off and landing aircraft at sea.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the progress of the proposed command through-deck cruisers.

I have nothing to add at this stage to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 21st October.—[Vol. 823, c. 884–5.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence from where the steel for manufacturing submarines is obtained; and if he will make a statement.

The maximum use is made of the limited facilities available in the United Kingdom for the production of special submarine steel but the bulk has at present to be obtained from the United States.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what estimate he made, in coming to his decision about H.M.S. "Eagle", of the annual upkeep costs in money and manpower to keep her in maintained reserve.

The annual cost of keeping H.M.S. "Eagle" in maintained reserve with her present capability would probably be between £1½ million and £2 million, including the cost of necessary refitting and of the 350 to 400 officers and ratings required to man her. Additional resources would be required to maintain a reserve complement of Sea Vixen aircraft as H.M.S. "Eagle" is not adapted to operate Phantoms.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what estimate he made, in coming to his decision about H.M.S. "Eagle", of the cost of converting her to operate Phantom aircraft.

Between £25 million and £30 million at current price levels and including the cost of other long refitting work.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what sum of money is represented by the difference between the 5·7 per cent. of gross national product which Her Majesty's Government spends on defence and the 4·2 per cent. which is the average for European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Salford (East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on 25th November, 1971.—[Vol. 826, c. 1519–20.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what acreage of land on Portsea Island, Portsmouth, is at present held by the Ministry of Defence; what acreage was held in 1965, 1960, 1950 and 1945, respectively; what plans he is making to release existing service land to the city of Portsmouth and on what terms; and whether he will make a statement.

1,116 acres, including 99 acres in course of sale to the Portsmouth Corporation and 29 acres held by them on lease.Holdings in 1945, 1950, 1960 and 1965 were 1,329, 1326, 1,317 and 1,223 acres respectively.A further 28 acres will shortly be offered at market valuation to the Portsmouth Corporation if there is no other Government requirement for it.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will state the instructions regarding the non-racial nature of entertainment aboard Her Majesty's ships while visiting South African ports.

The instructions to Commanding Officers of Her Majesty's ships visiting South African ports state that, where possible, entertainment given on board should be multi-racial in character.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the average time that soldiers' wives have to wait for a married quarter in Germany within two miles of where their husbands are stationed.

The waiting time for married accommodation varies from station to station and according to individual circumstances. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what decision has been made concerning the future of H.M.S. "Lion".

Following the decision, announced in the Supplementary Statement on Defence Policy 1970, not to proceed with the conversion of H.M.S. "Lion" to the helicopter-carrying rôle, it has been decided that the ship will be disposed of by scrapping.

asked the Minister of State for Defence for what purpose the Navy Department is putting up a £17 million building in Bath.

The purpose of the new building is to meet the needs of modern management and to improve working conditions for Ministry of Defence staff at Bath. This will be done by concentrating the staff at present dispersed on six sites in and around the city, including former hotels and buildings erected for short-term use in the last war. It will also enable more staff to be moved out of central London.

asked the Minister of State for Defence why, during the current and future removal of British troops and their personal belongings from Malta, the other ranks are not being given the same degree of priority and opportunity for removing their personal effects as the officers.

All ranks have been given the same additional allowance for the shipment to the United Kingdom of their personal family belongings plus free shipment of a car. I am not aware that any discrimination in the priority for shipment has occurred. If the hon. Member has any information to the contrary and will let me have full details, I will willingly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the estimated value of the installations, quarters and equipment which Her Majesty's Government will leave behind in Malta; and what compensation is anticipated.

These matters are being kept under constant review against the background of current discussions.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will reconsider his refusal to grant ,the Council for Nautical Archaeology exclusive rights of recovery from the wreck of Charles II's royal yacht, the "Mary", which sank in 1675 and which the Admiralty owns; and if he will give the reasons for the initial refusal.

No; it is not the practice to grant exclusive rights of recovery from historic wrecks.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will instruct the Army to take responsibility for giving whatever support the Governor of Belfast Prison may require in the event of a major disturbance in the prison.

Instructions already exist for the Army, if requested, to assist the Governor of Belfast Prison in the control of any situation which is beyond the resources of the civil authorities.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will instruct the Army to take responsibility for protecting the perimeter of Belfast Prison.

Instructions already exist for the Army to assist the civil authorities in the guarding of the perimeter. The Army man the watch-towers, guard the main gate and provide external patrols. They also maintain quick reaction forces on call in case of need.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conduct of British soldiers in the face of abuse and violence in Northern Ireland.

Under conditions of extreme provocation, the troops continue to display exemplary patience, determination and restraint.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what consideration he has given to providing alternative employment for the civil servants who will be made redundant by the proposed closing of the Regimental Pay Office at Worthy Down, Winchester.

We plan to concentrate at Worthy Down the command pay office facilities in support of Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces. This will provide continued employment for the staff now serving in the Regimental Pay Office at Worthy Down.

asked the Minister of State for Defence for what purpose an electronic noise machine was first used by British forces, in 1963, other than for training.

During the interrogation operation in 1963 noise was used to ensure the security of the detainees by preventing them communicating with or overhearing each other, and of the interrogation centre by masking external noise and preventing the passing of information from outside sources.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the suitability of HS 748 as a trainer; and whether he will put in an order for this plane rather than import such planes from abroad.

As I have explained in a letter to my hon. Friend the HS748 is a larger and more expensive aircraft than we require for our purpose. However, a decision has not yet been reached on the choice of aircraft to replace the Varsity.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the progress of the trials of Harrier aircraft at sea.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the potential of the Harrier aircraft for development at sea for naval operations.

I cannot at this stage add to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 25th November. Our studies are being pressed forward with all vigour. —[Vol. 826, c. 417–18.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what options and what orders have now been placed for the Nimrod project.

Deliveries of the aircraft already on contract are almost complete, but as I said in answer to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Normanton) yesterday we have now decided to place a further order.—[Vol. 829, c. 198.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of fisheries protection, in view of the anxiety in the fishing industry on this score.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Government have refused to publish the report into the use of drugs of Market Advertising and Products Study Limited which was commissioned by his Department and presented in June, 1971.

The document submitted in June, 1971, was a draft, not a report. The question of publication will be considered when the associated data have been fully evaluated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for information on the supply of drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts he has made to pharmacists or practitioners in areas where there are special problems; how many areas he has designated for these purposes; and if he will make a statement.

None.Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971, to which the Question refers, is not yet operative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why information was not readily available to give details of the number of drug raids that took place on Tuesday, 2nd December, where these took place and what were the names of those questioned, and what action was taken or intended in each case; and whether he will make the necessary arrangements to have such information readily available in the future.

The work involved in keeping such information readily available would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set up an inquiry into the medical and psychological condition of a prisoner, whose name has been sent to him, with a view to general recommendations in the cases of disturbed women who steal children or commit infanticide.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is prepared to take to ban the import or sale of sword sticks which are being sold in many parts of Great Britain.

On present information, my right hon. Friend is not convinced that any such steps are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the security protection given to Menachem Begin during his recent visit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the security precautions in connection with the visit to the United Kingdom of Menachem Begin, the former Irgun leader.

There was no additional cost to public funds apart from minor transport costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in 1970 permission to see a legal adviser was refused to an arrested person in police stations in the Metropolitan area; and at which police stations this occurred.

I regret that the information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to make it a condition of the granting of a licence to clubs that Her Majesty's Forces in uniform should not be excluded.

My right hon. Friend does not propose to introduce legislation on any aspect of liquor licensing in advance of the report of the Erroll Committee. I shall write to the hon. Member about the case which he no doubt has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now take further psychiatric advice about Pauline Jones, at present in Holloway Prison, in addition to that mentioned in his reply to the letter, dated 19th December, from the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East, urging her discharge from Holloway to the care of the Probation Service.

No. The medical staff at Holloway prison and the consultant psychiatrist from whom my right hon. Friend has received an independent report agree that Miss Jones is not mentally unfit for imprisonment. There have been no developments which suggest the need for any further psychiatric advice. Any psychiatric attention she may require is available in prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that toys are neither manufactured in this country, nor their component parts imported for assembly in this country, such as guillotines, electric torture equipment and dolls to torture and dismember.

None on present information: but my right hon. Friend is watching the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the recent public expenditure proposals set out in Command Paper No. 4829, what is the estimated expenditure of his Department in Lancashire, including the county boroughs, for each of the years to 1975–76; how this compares with other regions; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the information is not available. The forecasts cover a mixture of national and local services and are prepared largely on a national basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the general practice of the Metropolitan Police is with regard to informing or advising the Press on the arrest or possible prosecution of public figures where a Press story may be involved; and to what extent the police are permitted to take payment from the Press for supplying such information.

Where a charge is preferred after arrest the Press may be informed of the name, age, address and occupation of the person charged and the date, time and place of his court appearance.As regards the general practice of the Metropolitan Police before a charge is preferred, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to Questions by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Havers) and the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis) on 22nd

December. The police are not permitted to accept payment for supplying information in any circumstances.—[Vol. 828, c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation making it illegal for the police and court officials to receive fees and payments from the Press for supplying information which may lead to Press stories.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the Metropolitan Police have confirmed to the Press information regarding persons who have been breathalysed; and whether he will ensure that in future no comment is made to persons, other than on the written request of the person breathalysed, his legal representative, or others properly connected with the due process of the law.

The information is not available. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give in detailed form the information which he sent in his letter of the 7th December, 1971, concerning matters raised by Mr. Bert Reeves concerning dangerous loads on the roads which were not readily available between 15th November and 1st December, 1971.

I cannot usefully add to my answers to the hon. Member's previous Questions on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, by the 18th December, 1971, the honourable Member for West Ham, North had not received a reply to his communication dated 2nd December making complaints on behalf of his constituent Mr. Loughlan regarding the Horserace Totalisator and Betting Levy Boards Bill; and whether he will expedite his replies in the future.

Because of the great volume of correspondence on this subject and my wish to send a fully considered reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much detailed information as may be readily available for the longest stated period of time giving the amounts paid by bookmakers and the Horserace Totalisator Board to the Horserace Levy Board; and to what extent on stated times and dates and for cash amounts either of these contributors were excused payment; and for what reasons.

The information sought in the first part of the Question is contained in the Reports of the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the Horserace Totalisator Board, which are laid annually before Parliament and copies of which are available in the Vote Office and the Library. Information about the remission of sums owing by bookmakers is a matter for the Levy Board. In the case of the Horserace Totalisator Board I have nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. Member on 24th June and 16th December last.—[Vol. 819, c. 317; Vol. 828, c. 165.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not appoint an independent inquiry into all aspects of the financing and taxation of the horserace and betting industry and, in particular, into the profits and tax payments of bookmakers and the Horserace Totalisator Board.

Because my right hon. Friend does not consider that an independent inquiry would disclose anything that is not already known. Taxation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange to discuss with all interested parties the feasibility and possibility of using the television system at off periods for the police to send messages, photographs etc., and generally to use this medium for combatting crime.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to his similar Question yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the average time taken by the Metropolitan Police to analyse a blood sample for the purposes of a possible drink and driving charge; and whether he will arrange to ensure that all motorists are given the results of such tests within three days.

The average time taken at the Metropolitan Police Laboratory is approximately four days. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ensure a 24-hour seven day a week police protection for Terence Charles Tozer, a haulage contractor whose address is known to him, and also ensure that his family are equally guarded.

That is a matter for the chief officer of police concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Metropolitan Police commenced their investigations into allegations of abuses by the police made by Mr. Davis of Stratford; and when he expects these investigations to be concluded.

An investigating officer was appointed on 21st October. I wrote to the hon. Member, telling him the outcome of the investigation, on 7th January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of convictions for fraud during the year 1971, how these compared with 1970, the amounts of money involved, and similar details for the longest most convenient period of time before 1970.

I am arranging for this information to be obtained. I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from the Commissioner of the Metropolis and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed statement giving, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the number of robberies which have taken place connected with private security firms and the amount of moneys and valuables stolen.

In the Metropolitan Police District, in 1971, there were nine robberies in which it was known to the police that security guards were attacked. A total of £506,800, in money, was stolen, most of it in one robbery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the confession of Mr. Beverley Nichols that on three occasions he attempted to murder his father, he will state what action the Metropolitan Police propose to take to initiate proceedings for attempted murder against him.

I understand that no action is proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Bromsgrove and Redditch Local Employment Committee has not met since 20th May, 1971, in view of the increase in unemployment in both towns.

Owing to the reconstitution of the Committee unfortunately taking longer than was expected it was not possible to hold its inaugural meeting in the autumn, as had been intended. This will now take place on 27th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, what are the numbers of unfilled vacancies in North Staffordshire, and the number of unemployed.

At January, 1972, the provisional numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled and of people registered as wholly unemployed in North Staffordshire were 1,290 and 7,482 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which arbitration bodies he has written to concerning their attitude to Government pay policy; in what terms he has written to them; and what replies he has received.

Letters have been sent to the Industrial Arbitration Board, the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal, the Post Office Arbitration Tribunal and to various ad hoc boards of arbitration and single arbitrators drawing their attention to the statement which the Chancellor made in the House on 9th November, 1972, on the community interest in restraining inflation and enclosing a copy of the statement. The only reply that my right hon. Friend has received was from the President of the Industrial Arbitration Board who wrote to him in confidence.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the date of the last visit of one of Her Majesty's Factory Inspectors to the Associated Lead Works on the Isle of Dogs; and what were the contents of his report thereon.

Wednesday, 12th January of this year. The Inspector gave preliminary advice on how to minimise the escape of lead outside the works. It has never been customary to disclose details of reports of Inspectors' visits to factories, but I can assume the hon. Member that the firm is co-operating, as it has done in the past, and taking appropriate action.This factory has been periodically visited by Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate for many years. In 1970, detailed measurements were taken of lead in the atmosphere inside the factory. They were generally satisfactory, but certain recommendations were made. Follow-up visits were later paid to check and discuss the action taken by the firm. All of these visits were, however, part of the normal procedure of the Inspectorate taken to enforce the Factories Act, and the regulations to safeguard the health of workers at the factory. Since December, however, a number of visits have been paid to the firm in connection with the possible escape of lead from the premises, for example on workers' clothing, which might have caused the above normal levels of lead then found in children living near the premises, particularly children whose fathers worked in the factory. In co-operation with the Alkali Inspectorate, the Medical Officer of Health and others concerned Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate are continuing investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people aged 15, 16 and 17 years, respectively, are unemployed in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The provisional number of young people under 18 years of age registered as unemployed in the Newcastle-under-Lyme area on 10th January, 1972, was 119. I regret that the statistics do not distinguish between those aged 15, 16 and 17.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware that Priestley's factory, Wombwell, is closing; and what action his Department intends to take to provide jobs for those persons who are declared redundant.

My Department's local officers will do everything possible to help those made redundant to secure alternative employment, including the offer of training opportunities where appropriate. Arrangements have already been made to register workpeople in advance of their discharge and to canvass other firms for suitable vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has received from the National Association of Youth Clubs proposals about experimental schemes for special work groups; and if he will make a statement.

The National Association of Youth Clubs put proposals to my right hon. Friend in December as to the areas in which this experimental work scheme might operate. In replying to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. John Page) on 22nd December my hon. Friend announced the six areas selected in England and Wales. Two areas in Scotland will be decided soon.—[Vol. 828, c. 367–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the rate of notified vacancies to people registered as wholly unemployed in the Wearside area at the latest available date.

At January, 1972, there were provisionally 2·9 notified vacancies remaining unfilled in the Wearside area to every hundred people registered as wholly unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many young persons are unemployed in the county of Monmouthshire; and how many vacancies existed at the latest available date;(2) how many young persons are unemployed in the Newport, Monmouthshire, Employment Exchange area; and how many vacancies existed at the latest available date.

Provisional January figures show that there were 960 unemployed young people and 93 unfilled vacancies in the county of Monmouthshire, including 331 unemployed young people and 25 unfilled vacancies in the area of the Newport County Borough and Cross Keys careers offices.

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

At January, 1972, in the county of Monmouthshire 8,626 males were registered as unemployed, of whom 8,469 were wholly unemployed, and 230 notified vacancies for males remained unfilled. The figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males are unemployed in the Newport, Monmouthshire, employment exchange area; and how many male vacancies existed at the latest available date.

At January, 1972, in the area covered by the Newport and Newport Docks Employment Exchanges, 2.769 males were registered as unemployed, of whom 2,652 were wholly unemployed, and 85 notified vacancies for males remained unfilled. The figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the facilities his Department can offer to individual engineering employers and local union representatives for the resolution of industrial disputes, in view of the ending of the 1922 procedure agreement and the breakdown of talks on new procedure arrangements.

The conciliation and advisory services of my Department are available to employers and trade union

				Stoppages of work due to industrial disputes			Sickness	Industrial injury (industrial accidents and prescribed industrial diseases)
				Working days lost in all stoppages in progress (United Kingdom)*
Year				Total	Of which known official	Year ended	Days of certified incapacity (Great Britain)†
millions
1965	…	…	…	2,925,000	607,000	5th June, 1965‡	299	23
1969	…	…	…	6,846,000	1,613,000	31st May, 1969	329	23
						30th May, 1970	342	23
1971§	…	…	…	13,558,000	3,830,000	6th June, 1971	Not yet available
* Separate estimates are available only for stoppages known to be official.
† For national insurance purposes on the basis of six working days in a week. Days of incapacity following termination of injury benefit are included under sickness.
‡ 53 week period.
§ Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many days were lost to industry in 1971 due to sickness, injury and industrial disputes, respectively.

The provisional total of working days lost in 1971 as a result of stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in the United Kingdom is 13,558,000. The latest available Department of Health and Social Security statistics of certified incapacity for

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the coal strike.

Following Mr. Feather's account to my right hon. Friend yesterday of his meeting earlier that day with representatives of the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers my right hon. Friend has invited both sides to meet him to discuss the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of days lost in 1965, 1969 and 1971, respectively, through official strikes, unofficial strikes, sickness, and injury.

Following is the information:national insurance purposes in Great Britain relate to the year ended 30th May, 1970, and are 342 million days due to sickness and 23 million due to industrial accidents and prescribed industrial diseases.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many construction workers are unemployed, giving the separate figures for each region of the country.

Following is the information:

Numbers of people registered as unemployed at 6th December, 1971 who last worked in the construction industry.
South-East	23,208
East Anglia	3,193
South-West	7,549
West Midlands	11,883
East Midlands	7,027
Yorkshire and Humberside	14,740
North-West	21,653
North	16,797
Wales	11,710
Scotland	28,830
Great Britain	146,590

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in the recent public expenditure proposals set out in Command Paper No. 4829, what is the estimated expenditure of his Department in Lancashire, including the county boroughs, for each of the years to 1975–76; how this compares with other regions; and if he will make a statement.

I regret the information is not available. My Department's estimates in Cmnd. 4829 were prepared on

Description of industry and Minimum List Heading or Order number of the 1968 edition of the Standard Industrial Classification		June, 1960	June, 1961	June, 1962	June, 1963	June, 1964(a)
Agriculture and horticulture (MLH 001)	…	574·9	545·4	521·1	509·9	483·8
Mining and quarrying (Order II)	…	766·0	733·4	711·0	682·4	655·2
Engineering—Mechanical, electrical and instrument (Orders VII—IX)	…	2,029·2	2,120·5	2,155·6	2,125·1	2,181·5
Electronics (included under engineering) (MLH's 364–367)	…	232·1	235·6	259·3	264·3	290·8
Shipbuilding and ship repairing (MLH 370.1)	…	180·3	175·6	169·3	152·4	147·4
Motor vehicle manufacturing (MLH's 380 and 381)	…	434·8	412·7	426·4	449·7	479·8
Textiles (Order XIII)	…	840·9	835·6	796·9	776·4	776·6
Construction (MLH 500)	…	1,422·7	1,477·5	1,512·2	1,540·4	1,614·1
Railways (MLH 701)	…	446·0	445·3	437·1	411·2	389·9
Air transport (MLH 707)	…	40·6	45·6	46·4	45·6	46·9
Postal services and telecommunications (MLH 708)	…	368·0	380·5	395·8	399·6	405·7
Distributive trades (Order XXIII)	…	2,773·6	2,800·7	2,870·4	2,903·5	2,924·6
Hotels and catering (MLH's 884–888)	…	567·4	560·4	587·9	574·4	608·3
National government service, including oversea civil servants (MLH 901) but excluding H.M. Forces	…	512·4	519·6	530·2	548·7	531·5
Local government service (MLH 906)	…	739·2	752·6	771·5	802·0	751·6

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in each of the following sectors of industry in December 1971, namely, electronics, shipbuilding and repairing, engineering, agriculture, building construction, mining, textiles, hotel and catering, railways, air transport, distributive trades, postal services, motor cars and car components, local government, and the Civil Service; and how these figures compare with each of the years 1960 to 1970, inclusive.

Estimates of the numbers of employees in employment in Great Britain, analysed by industry, are available for each mid-year. In addition, provisional estimates are made monthly for Index of Production industries, but not for other industries, and the latest are for November 1971. The following table shows estimates for each June from 1960 to 1970, the latest date for which firm estimates are available, together with provisional estimates for certain industries for November 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies in Scotland and Great Britain, respectively, have been notified to his Department during the past 10 weeks.

Not all redundancies are notified to my Department and it is not the practice to keep records of every minor redundancy. However, our records show that during the period 8th November, 1971, to 14th January, 1972, inclusive, 7,200 redundancies were notified in Scotland and 40,800 in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the main industrial occupation groups affected by the redundancies announced in Wales in 1971 giving the figures in each case.

This information is not available in the form requested and can only be obtained at a disproportionate cost to public funds. However, the numbers of redundancies recorded as taking effect in Wales during 1971 for each of the main industrial groups are:

Iron and Steel	2,900
Other Metal Manufacture	1,500
Mechanical Engineering	1,950
Electrical Engineering	1,250
Other Metal Goods	1,350
Chemicals and Allied Industries	740
Textiles	910
Aerospace Equipment	660
Other Manufacturing	3,250
Coalmining	110
Construction	570
Other Industries and Services	1,070
Total	16,250

NOTE.—Since the figures have been rounded independently, the total does not equal the sum of the components.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the unused training capacity in various industries which might be made available to adults and young people who are currently unemployed.

It is not possible to make a comprehensive estimate but in the last six months, with co-operation from industrial training boards and other interested organisations, my Department has been able so far to identify facilities within industry capable of providing nearly 1,400 training places.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which Sections of the Industrial Relations Act are now in operation; which Sections have still to be brought into force; and when he expects to have the Act in full operation.

The Sections of the Act already in operation are those contained in the following three Commencement Orders, laid before Parliament on 23rd September, 25th October and 4th November, 1971, respectively:

	Statutory Instrument	Operative Date
The Industrial Relations Act 1971 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1971.	1971 No. 1522 (C40)	1st October, 1972
The Industrial Relations Act 1971 (Commencement No. 2) Order 1971.	1971 No. 1682 (C44)	1st November, 1971
The Industrial Relations Act 1971 (Commencement No. 3) Order 1971.	1971 No. 1761 (C48)	1st December, 1971

My right hon. Friend expects shortly to lay before Parliament a fourth Commencement Order, bringing into operation on 28th February, 1972, most of the remaining Sections of the Act. The contents of the order are set out in my right hon. Friend's reply of 16th December, 1971, to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Redmond), with the addition of Section 118 (limit on compensation awarded under section 103, section 106 or section 109) and Section 119 (contribution to compensation on complaint under section 106).With the coming into operation of Commencement Order No. 4, the whole of the Industrial Relations Act will be in force, except the provisions relating to disclosure of information (sections 56, 57, 102(1)(

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest figures of the estimated numbers of women in full-time work with hourly earnings and in manual and in non-manual occupations, respectively, given as a percentage of the total.

The latest estimates relate to April, 1971, and are obtained from the New Earnings Survey. They cover

				All occupations	Manual occupations	Non-manual occupations
Number employed	…	…	…	5·3 million	2·0 million	3·3 million
Average earnings per hour	…	…	…	47·4 pence	38·3 pence	53·0 pence
Average hours per week	…	…	…	37·4 hours	38·4 hours	36·9 hours
In percentage terms
Number employed	…	…	…	100 per cent.	37·5 per cent.	62·5 per cent.
Average earnings per hour	…	…	…	100 per cent.	80·8 per cent.	111·6 per cent.

Table 48 on page 1143 of the December, 1971, issue of the Department of Employment Gazette gives figures for specific occupational groups and tables 56 and 58 show how individual earnings were distributed around the averages.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what provision his Department, working in conjunction with industrial training boards, has made for the training of school leavers; how many industries operate school-leaver schemes; and if he will make a statement.

A number of industrial training boards are providing awards to young people which cover the cost of their initial craft training and support during training. My Department is meeting half the total cost of about £2½ million.Awards have been offered as follows:

Industry	Number
Engineering	2,500
Construction	326
Foundry	200
Hotel and Catering	200
Road Transport	1,000
Rubber and plastics	100
	4,326

Over 3,000 awards have been taken up so far.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will review the criteria employed for paying grants to employers who create new training

My Department will shortly be reviewing the continuance of the scheme of grants for additional craft and technician training in Development and Intermediate areas. The question of altering the qualifying base date will be included in the review.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he has arranged with the Newspaper Society and the National Union of Journalists; and how he proposes to assist the disputing parties to reach a settlement to their present difficulties.

The executive of the National Union of Journalists received a revised pay offer on 21st December from the Newspaper Society and withdrew their strike notice. The offer was put to a ballot of membership and accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of registered unemployed at each of the employment exchanges in the London Borough of Newham for the week before Christmas, 1971; and how these figures compare with a stated date in June, 1970.

At 6th December, 1971, the numbers of unemployed people aged 18 years and over registered at the Stratford, East Ham and Canning Town Employment Exchanges were 1,100, 1,045 and 1,645 respectively. In addition, the numbers of people under 18 years of age registered at the Newham East and Newham West Careers Offices were 69 and 84. The corresponding figures for 8th June, 1970, were 834, 882, 1,082, 30 and 60.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND NOTIFIED VACANCIES REMAINING UNFILLED
		Great Britain			London Borough of Newham*
		Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
January, 1972 (provisional)
Total numbers registered as unemployed	…	827,750	149,788	977,538	4,010	209	4,219
of which:
Temporarily stopped	…	43,993	4,925	48,918	8	6	14
School-leavers	…	6,364	3,661	10,025	12	2	14
Notified vacancies remaining unfilled	…	67,877	66,080	133,957	235	195	430
June, 1970
Total numbers registered as unemployed	…	470,546	76,031	546,577	2,690	198	2,888
of which:
Temporarily stopped	…	20,314	2,625	22,939	6	2	8
School-leavers	…	1,755	838	2,593	61	23	84
Notified vacancies remaining unfilled	…	151,122	144,379	295,501	385	434	819
* The figures for the London Borough of Newham relate to the Stratford, East Ham and Canning Town Employment Exchanges for adults and to the Newham East and Newham West Careers Offices for young persons.
The vacancy statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what, for the latest most convenient stated date, is the total number of miners unemployed and on short-time.

At 6th December, 1971, the latest date for which information is available, there were 19,219 people registered as unemployed in Great Britain who last worked in the coal mining industry, including four who were temporarily stopped.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of days lost by official or unofficial strikes in the coal mining industry during each year since 1960.

Following is the available information:

Following is the information:

Stoppages of work due to industrial disputes: United Kingdom Coal mining industry
	Working days lost in all stoppages in progress in year
1961	737,000
1962	308,000
1963	326,000
1964	302,000
1965	412,000
1966	118,000
1967	105,000
1968	54,000
1969	1,039,000
1970	1,090,000
1971 (provisional)	63,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employment exchanges were in operation in 1969, 1970 and 1971; what were the total staffing figures; how many of these were employed on unemployment registrations and unemployment benefit payments; and how many extensions to exchanges and/or additional buildings were used to cater for the increasing numbers out of work.

		1st October, 1969	1st October, 1970	1st October, 1971
Number of local offices	…	1,149	1,146	1,143
Total staff*	…	20,337	21,247	23,773
Number of staff† in the employment services including those employed on registering and seeking job opportunities for the unemployed ‡	…	9,550	10,100	10,100
Number of staff† employed on unemployment benefit	…	9,950	10,250	12,750
Number of extensions to employment exchanges and/or additional buildings used to cater for the larger number of unemployed§	…	61	92	104
Notes:
* Includes casual staff.
†These figures which include casual staff are estimated; local managers may deploy staff according to the day-to-day needs of their offices.
‡Employment service staff deal with both employed and unemployed people. The number dealing solely with the unemployed is not readily available.
§ Includes occupation of new buildings, extension to existing buildings, hiring of temporary accommodation and new buildings for the Professional and Executive Register.