asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has read the report published by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, on "Drink, Drugs and the Family", a copy of which has been sent to him, drawing attention to the prevalence of violence; and what action he proposes to take.

My right hon. Friend has not had a copy sent to him but he has obtained one. It raises some interesting points but he cannot see that it calls for special action on his part.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to ensure standardisation of labelling of dangerous chemicals, particularly in stating possible antidotes in case of accidental poisoning, and neutralising agents to be used in case of spillage or fire.

Some standardisation is achieved by existing labelling requirements for poisons and certain other dangerous substances. For the rest, most household products are labelled by the manufacturers, where necessary, with appropriate warnings and instructions. My right hon. Friend is not convinced, on present evidence, that further legislation is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the provisions of the law which enable the prosecution, in cases where a preliminary hearing has taken place at a magistrates' court, to apply for a bill of indictment transferring the case to a higher court.

Section 2 of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1933, provides that a bill of indictment may be preferred either after committal for trial or on the authority of a High Court judge. The latter procedure is available whether or not there have been committal proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the recruitment of graduates for the police.

On 31st December, 1971, 267 graduates were serving in police forces in England and Wales. During 1971, 27 graduates were recruited through the normal entry procedure and 13 through the special graduate entry scheme. It looks as though the latter figure for this years should be considerably higher.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Chief Constable as to the number of police officers by which the Northumberland Constabulary is below its authorised establishment.

The number is 82.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Chief Constable as to the present strength of the Drug Squad in Northumberland; and as to its strength in 1969, 1970 and 1971.

I am informed that the strength on 31st March this year was seven and that at the same date in 1969, 1970 and 1971 the strength was respectively two, two and four.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreigners were refused admission to the United Kingdom in 1971, or the latest year for which figures are available, because immigration officers at the ports of entry had reason to believe that they might become a charge on public funds.

1,653 in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what written comments have been received regarding the Home Office proposals for the first election of councillors for the new county of Avon; how many of these proposed changes in the draft scheme, what were the reasons given for, and what was the nature of, these proposed changes.

Twenty-one out of 33 comments proposed changes; these sought to improve the representation of particular county districts or of rural areas in general, or to alter the way in which parishes should be grouped to form electoral divisions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the changes in the control and supervision of the Metropolitan Police announced by the Commissioner on 23rd April, 1972.

These changes were made with my full knowledge and approval.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause an investigation to be made in his Department to ascertain how and why, after the placing of a parliamentary Question on the Order Paper on Wednesday, 12th April, for answer on Thursday, 13th, regarding the appointment of the new chairman of the Totalisator Board, full details were given to the Press and published on the evening of Wednesday, 12th April, and the morning of 13th April prior to his parliamentary reply.

The name of the chairman was not given to the Press by my Department until 3.45 p.m. on 13th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the duties of the two officers who normally carry out foot patrol on the beat which includes Leather Lane includes the enforcement of the new parking restriction on the trucks and lorries parked for two and three hours in the roads and streets at right angles to Leather Lane.

Their duties include the enforcement of parking regulations, but most of this work is carried out by traffic wardens.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent he requires his staff to work on their normal rest days and to work overtime; and whether such staff are able to refuse to work overtime and on their normal rest days if they so desire without disciplinary action being taken against them.

As is the normal arrangement in the Civil Service overtime working, whether during the working week or exceptionally on normal rest days, is undertaken on a voluntary basis, but staff may be required to work overtime should the need arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of unlawful killing have been re ported to the police in Northern Ireland since 12th August, 1969; how many persons have been charged with an offence arising from these deaths; and how many convictions have been obtained to the latest available date.

Two hundred and forty-nine cases of unlawful killing have been reported. Thirty-three persons have been charged with offences arising from these deaths and 14 convictions have been obtained to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suspected Republican terrorists have been detained by the police and security forces in Northern Ireland in each of the past 12 weeks.

The total for the past 12 weeks is 802 persons. The details are as follows:In the past 12 weeks, the numbers of suspected Republican terrorists arrested and detained by the police and security forces have been as follows:

Week ending 30th January	…	108
Week ending 6th February	…	89
Week ending 13th February	…	89
Week ending 20th February	…	78
Week ending 27th February	…	73
Week ending 5th March	…	85
Week ending 12th March	…	66
Week ending 19th March	…	104
Week ending 26th March	…	76
Week ending 2nd April	…	10
Week ending 9th April	…	8
Week ending 16th April	…	16
		802

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters he has received on Northern Ireland since his appointment; how many delegations have requested a meeting with him; and how many he has seen up to the present date.

From the date of my appointment until 25th April I received over 5,000 letters on Northern Ireland; some 40 delegations requested meetings with me and of these I have seen six.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to restore the rule of law throughout Northern Ireland and to ensure that places at present known to the security forces as no-go areas may be regularly patrolled by Army and Royal Ulster Constabulary units at all times.

The restoration of confidence in the rule of law calls for both military and political measures. My right hon. Friend is pursuing both.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many internees have been released in Northern Ireland since 30th March; how many of those released have been rearrested; and for what offences.

One hundred and seven persons were released from internment during the period 30th March to 26th April. None of them has been rearrested.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions took place between the Paymaster-General and the boards of trustees of the national museums in relation to undertakings on admission charges; and if he will list the boards concerned.

Following the announcement of the scheme for admission charges in May, 1971, my noble Friend wrote to the chairmen of all the trustee bodies in England concerned seeking their views on the implementation of the charging scheme. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales consulted similarly. The list of boards concerned is as follows:England:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what percentage the appropriation in aid of the vote for the national museums and galleries is to be reduced from April, 1973, in so far as concerns the proceeds from admission charges.

The Estimates for 1973–74 are due to be prepared this autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is aware of the overcrowding in primary schools in Northamptonshire; what extra accommodation for primary school children she expects to provide in Northamptonshire between 1st July, 1972, and 30th June, 1973; and at what approximate cost.

The proportion of primary classes in Northamptonshire with more than 40 pupils fell from 6·3 per cent. in 1970 to 4·3 per cent. in 1971, and the figure for this year is likely to be even better. The additional £160,000 for minor projects in the county in 1972–73 which my right hon. Friend authorised in March will help the local education authority to deal with any remaining pockets of overcrowding. Apart from this, the authority expects to take into use by June, 1973, nearly 2,000 additional primary school places, at a cost, including the replacement and improvement of other primary school accommodation, of £1·2 million.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the current establishment of bacteriologists in the employment of his Department.

Forty-four scientific grade staff, covering all disciplines, are currently employed under the general heading of bacteriology.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what would be the cost of making a similar monetary award to persons distinguished with the Military Medal in the 1914 to 1918 war as that which is made to men who were awarded the same medal after 1939.

Complete records are not available but it is estimated that the cost of making such payments to surviving holders of the Military Medal from the First World War would be about £450,000 for gratuities and about £130,000 a year for additions to pension.

asked the Minister of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Manchester, Ardwick, dated 4th October, 1971, with regard to the pension of Captain H. Waters, M.C., D.C.M., aged 87 years, of 36 Bygrave Street, Longsight, Manchester.

No such letter was received but the hon. Member sent me a copy on 19th April. I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the implications for the level of civilian employment in his Department in the Portsmouth area of the transfer of work from naval shore establishments there to Wroughton, near Swindon.

Following the assumption by the Royal Navy of responsibility for the repair of helicopters of all three Services, certain changes in organisation and reallocation of tasks have been necessary within the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation.The current storage task of the Royal Naval Aircraft Yard, Fleetlands is being transferred to the Royal Naval Aircraft Yard, Wroughton. This reallocation of work is not expected to affect the level of civilian employment in the Portsmouth area as the resulting reduction should be offset by a compensating increase in other work at Fleetlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek powers to control the activities of employment agencies in Great Britain who recruit workers for employment abroad.

The whole question of the control of employment agencies is now being fully examined but it is too early at this stage to say whether this will lead to legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will invite to 10, Downing Street the leaders of the Trades Union Congress together with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, for the purpose of discussing the implementation of the Industrial Relations Act.

My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Employment met the TUC yesterday for a general discussion when amongst other matters this was discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications were received in 1971 and in the first quarter of 1972 from the Welsh Development Areas for financial and direct assistance for training workers engaged by new and expanding firms, and how this figure compares with 1969 and 1970; what was the total amount paid under the scheme in 1971 compared with 1970 and 1969; and how many workers were assisted in training by these grants in each year.

Following is the information:

	Number of applications received	Total payment made under the scheme	Number of workers
1969	437	866,600	10,700
1970	303	1,072,600	12,100
1971	305	903,300	9,900
1972 (January-March)	95

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons at present from the Carlisle constituency are undergoing retraining at Government training centres.

I regret the information is not available in the form requested, but 20 persons from the Carlisle employment exchange area were receiving training at Government training centres on 10th April, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list separate figures for men and women receiving training from industrial training boards and at Government training centres in England and North Staffordshire, respectively.

On 10th April, 1972, 8,068 men and 35 women were receiving training at Government training centres in England, and 120 men and no women were receiving training at the North Staffordshire Government training centre. I regret that comprehensive information is not available concerning the number of people in training in industries covered by industrial training boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the types of training which are available to women in the North Staffordshire area.

Women are in training in classes under the Vocational Training Scheme in shorthand, typing, clerical work and sewing machining in North Staffordshire. Others may be considered individually for suitable vocational courses in colleges of further education or private colleges. In addition all the classes at North Staffordshire Government training centre though primarily intended for men are also open to women.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will undertake that, in advance of the opening of the Government training centre at Pool, Redruth, advertisements relating to courses and vacancies will be advertised in all local newspapers in West Cornwall.

All appropriate means will be used to publicise the courses and vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage increase in the index of retail prices for the latest six months period for which figures are available and for the same period in 1970–71.

The percentage increase in the General Index of Retail Prices between mid-September, 1971, and mid-March, 1972, was 3·1 per cent. The rise in the same period in 1970–71 was 5·3 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current incidence of unemployment among employable disabled people seeking work; and how the figure compares with that for each of the five preceding years.

The proportion of those people who have chosen to register under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, who were unemployed on 13th March, 1972, was 14·9 per cent. The figures for the five preceding years were:

Per cent.
8th March, 1971	…	…	12·6
9th March, 1970	…	…	11·3
10th March, 1969	…	…	10·7
11th March, 1968	…	…	10·1
14th March, 1967	…	…	8·9

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now make a statement on his proposals for improving the employment opportunities of disabled people.

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED, AND NUMBERS OF NOTIFIED VACANCIES REMAINING UNFILLED, IN SCOTLAND ANALYSED BY COUNTIES AND COUNTIES OF CITIES
			Wholly unemployed		Unfilled vacancies
			Males	Females	Males	Females
Part 1:
Counties
Zetland	…	…	219	50	34	62
Orkney	…	…	134	35	11	8
Caithness and Sutherland	…	…	973	312	25	66
Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty		…	3,467	844	173	255
Argyll	…	…	1,205	478	154	191
Moray and Nairn	…	…	781	343	48	68
Banffshire	…	…	648	124	15	46
Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire		…	4,222	1,114	137	189
Angus	…	…	7,035	2,352	142	258
Perthshire	…	…	1,386	259	175	239
Fife and Kinross-shire	…	…	6,007	2,071	252	105
Edinburgh and Lothians	…	…	14,895	2,805	636	712
Stirling and Clackmannanshire	…	…	4,762	1,782	131	171
Dunbartonshire	…	…	6,073	1,545	91	84
Renfrewshire	…	…	7,603	2,663	154	122
Lanarkshire	…	…	14,913	5,384	277	195
Ayrshire and Bute	…	…	6,902	2,375	180	218
Dumfriesshire	…	…	1,431	386	66	60
Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire	…	…	915	341	22	25
Berwickshire, Peebleshire, Selkirk and Roxburghshire			919	250	138	188
Part 2:
Counties of Cities
Glasgow City	…	…	32,670	5,576	791	1,116
Edinburgh*	…	…	8,904	1,333	523	610
Aberdeen*	…	…	2,904	606	111	156
Dundee*	…	…	5,580	1,861	87	208
*Included also in the appropriate country figures in part 1.

The vacancy statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

Employment opportunities for disabled people will substantially improve only when there is an upturn in the employment situation generally. However, I am now studying the review recently carried out within my Department of its employment policies and services for disabled people and I will, as soon as possible, be discussing with the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled and with the other bodies concerned whether any changes are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will show against each county and the individual counties of cities in Scotland the number of wholly unemployed males and females, and the number of vacancies notified to his Department, at the latest available date.

Following is the information for 13th March, the latest date for which information is available in this form.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total of registered unemployed in Wales the total of unfilled vacancies in Wales, and how these relate in percentage terms to the total of registered unemployed in Wales.

At April, 1972, there were 55,412 people registered as unemployed in Wales and 6,760 notified vacancies remained unfilled. Expressed as a proportion of the total number registered as unemployed, the vacancy figures was 12·2 per cent. 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 (1) what are the most recent figures for the number of women at work in England and North Staffordshire, respectively;(2) what proportion of the total labour force is women in England and North Staffordshire, respectively.

At June, 1971, the estimated number of employees in employment in England was 19,070,000 of whom 7,345,000 (38·5 per cent.) were females. For North Staffordshire, the latest estimates are for June, 1970, and at this date, out of a total of 210,700 employees in employment, 82,800 (39·3 per cent.) were females.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of workers in the pottery industry is women.

Based on provisional estimates of the numbers of employees in employment in Great Britain in the pottery industry at February, 1972, the proportion who were female was 50·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the average percentage unemployment in England, Scotland and Wales in intermediate areas on the last date for which figures are available;(2) what was the lowest percentage of unemployment in an intermediate area in England, Scotland and Wales during the last period for which figures are available.

At 13th March, the latest date for which information is available, the average rate of unemployment in the intermediate areas was 5·5 per cent. and the intermediate area with the lowest rate of unemployment was North-East Lancashire—4·0 per cent. The figures do not take account of the new intermediate areas announced on 22nd March.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will seek to amend the Redundancy Payments Act to ensure that payments for compulsory overtime are included as income for the purposes of assessing redundancy payments.

The Act already provides for this in so far as hours payable as overtime form part of the normal hours under the contract of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the re-allocation of functions within his Department.

Under my general control the work of the Department is now divided between Ministers for Trade, for Industrial Development, for Industry and for Aerospace. Each is assisted by a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of pair age of footwear produced in the United Kingdom in each of the five years to 31st December. 1971, and the equivalent figures for imports over the same period; and to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community and the implementation of the rules and regulations of the Community will assist or

			1967		1968		1969
			Million pairs	£ million (c.i.f.)	Million pairs	£ million (c.i.f.)	Million pairs	£ million (c.i.f.)
Italy	…	…	5·9	6·6	5·5	6·8	5·5	7·4
Hong Kong	…	…	30·3	6·8	37·5	8·8	35·3	9·1
France	…	…	2·4	2·1	2·0	1·9	1·7	1·9
Spain	…	…	0·9	0·7	1·7	1·3	2·2	1·9
Irish Republic	…	…	1·8	2·3	1·9	2·5	1·7	2·7
Austria	…	…	0·4	0·5	1·1	1·4	1·5	1·7
Poland	…	…	1·3	0·8	1·4	1·0	1·3	1·0
Japan	…	…	3·5	1·3	3·7	1·5	2·7	1·2
Czechoslovakia	…	…	0·9	0·6	0·8	0·6	0·9	0·8
Rumania	…	…	0·7	0·5	0·8	0·7	0·8	0·7
Taiwan (Formosa)		…	—	—	1·0	0·2	0·7	0·3
Portugal	…	…	0·8	0·5	0·9	0·7	1·4	0·9
Switzerland	…	…	0·3	0·9	0·3	1·1	0·3	1·1
West Germany	…	…	0·5	0·6	1·0	0·8	1·3	1·1
All other countries		…	4·1	2·3	5·7	2·8	8·1	3·7
TOTAL	…	…	53·9	26·3	65·4	32·0	65·4	35·4

		1970		1971		Total 1971
		Million pairs	£ Million (c.i.f.)	Million pairs	£ million (c.i.f.)	Million pairs	£ million (c.i.f.)
Italy	…	6·7	9·5	10·0	14·4	33·6	44·6
Hong Kong	…	34·9	10·1	38·3	12·2	176·3	46·9
France	…	2·3	3·1	3·6	4·4	12·0	13·5
Spain	…	2·3	2·3	2·7	3·0	9·9	9·2
Irish Republic	…	1·4	2·4	1·5	2·7	8·4	12·6
Austria	…	1·4	1·9	1·5	2·4	5·9	8·0
Poland	…	1·9	1·5	2·5	2·0	8·4	6·2
Japan	…	2·3	1·1	2·7	1·5	15·0	6·6
Czechoslovakia	…	1·0	1·0	1·4	1·4	5·0	4·4
Rumania	…	0·9	0·8	1·3	1·4	4·5	4·0
Taiwan (Formosa)	…	0·6	0·2	2·1	1·1	4·4	1·8
Portugal	…	1·2	0·8	1·2	1·1	5·5	4·0
Switzerland	…	0·3	0·9	0·2	1·0	1·4	5·0
West Germany	…	0·7	0·7	0·4	0·6	3·9	3·8
All other countries	…	7·2	3·8	9·9	5·0	35·0	17·7
TOTAL	…	65·1	40·2	79·4	54·1	329·2	188·1
*Footwear with outer soles of rubber, artificial plastic materials, leather or composition leather (SITC(R) 851.01, 851.02); footwear with outer soles of other materials totalled £0·4 million in 1971.

In answer to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Bray). The removal of trade barriers will stimulate trade in both directions and offer the British footwear industry opportunities which they would welcome.—[Vol. 835, c. 319.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the countries from which footwear has been imported in each of the last five years by name, volume, cost, insurance and freight value, the United Kingdom ports of entry and the totals for the period.

United Kingdom imports of footwear^* in the period were:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement on the subject of the Ferranti contract with Poland for the supply of electronic equipment.

Approval has been given for the export of equipment and technology

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the countries from which footwear has been imported in each of the last six years by name, volume, cost, insurance, and freight value the United Kingdom ports of entry and the totals for the period; and to what extent, under the present rules and regulations of the European Economic Community and the implementation of same on Great Britain's entry, he anticipates these details changing, and in what way.

In answer to the first part of the Question, the figures for the imports by country for the year 1966 and the totals for the period 1966 to 1971 are given below. For the rest of the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Rosendale (Mr. Bray). Entry into EEC will stimulate trade in both directions but it is not possible to make valid estimates of detailed changes.Following is the information:for manufacturing the integrated circuits included in the proposed contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the numbers of seamen employed in the Merchant Service in each of the last 10 years, the estimated total wages bill in each year, and also this last figure adjusted to a similar value of money using a convenient base date.

The number of United Kingdom resident seamen employed in the Merchant Service at the end of each of the last 12 calendar years is shown in the table below. The figures include United Kingdom resident seamen employed from time to time in foreign vessels. There is no available information from which the estimated total wages bills could be reliably estimated.

1960	…	…	…	145,040
1961	…	…	…	146,769
1962	…	…	…	134,592
1963	…	…	…	125,454
1964	…	…	…	123,077
1965	…	…	…	119,553
1966	…	…	…	113,276
1967	…	…	…	107,689
1968	…	…	…	99,703
1969	…	…	…	98,349
1970	…	…	…	99,180
1971	…	…	…	96,287

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the United Kingdom's imports came from the Commonwealth in 1945, 1958 and 1971.

39 per cent., 35 per cent. and 22 per cent., respectively, for those countries members of the Commonwealth in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make his statement on the work of the Steering Committee looking at the next 10 years activity of the British Steel Corporation.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) on 10th April.—[Vol. 834, c. 843–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on his discussions with Mr. Harbin of the Marathon Company.

Discussions with Marathon began last Tuesday and are still continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the Registrar of Companies is now taking six weeks to incorporate a limited company in comparison with the previous eight working days; and what action he is taking to remedy the situation.

The number of applications dealt with at Companies House in the first quarter of 1972 was 40 per cent. higher than in the same period of 1971. The number of applications received increased even more. The staff complement has been increased and the position is being kept under review. There will not however be any improvement for some considerable time unless there is a marked fall in the growth in applications because of the time needed to recruit and train staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what replies he now sends to letters he receives on inflation.

The answer depends on what is said in the letter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those categories of goods on which purchase tax has been increased, since June, 1970.

None, apart from certain marginal extensions of the coverage of the tax to correct anomalies arising from technical developments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the total net weekly income of a man with a wife and three children under 11 years of age, assuming a weekly wage of £15, £20, £25, £30, £35, £40, £45 and £50, respectively, and that the previous year's pay was at the same rates, allowing for relevant tax repayments and any welfare benefits in the following circumstances, for a week's work after 39 weeks at the appropriate rate and when unemployed after 39 weeks' employment and when qualifying for earnings-related supplement; and how these figures compare with those for the year 1971–72;(2) what is the total net weekly income of a man with a wife and two children under 11 years of age, assuming a weekly wage of £35, £40, £45 and £50, respectively, and that the previous year's pay was at the same rates, allowing for relevant tax repayments and any welfare benefits in the following circumstances, for a week's work after 39 weeks at the appropriate rate and when unemployed after 39 weeks' employment and when qualifying for earnings-related supplement; and how these figures compare with those for the year 1971–72.

The figures are as follows:

	1972–73		1971–72
Weekly wage	Married man,		two children under 11
	A	B	A	B
£	£	£	£	£
35	29·36	28·30	28·43	25·55
40	32·67	28·25	31·66	25·55
45	35·74	28·45	35·15	25·55
50	39·12	28·40	38·60	25·55

	1972–73		1971–72
Weekly wage	Married man,		three children under 11
	A	B	A	B
£	£	£	£	£
15	15·72	17·20	15·72	15·43
FIS	3·60	3·60	2·60	2·60
	19·32	20·80	18·32	18·03
20	20·47	19·75	20·13	19·20
FIS	1·10	1·10	—	—
	21·57	20·85	20·13	19·20
25	24·34	29·65	23·47	26·60
30	27·60	30·95	26·70	27·95
35	30·86	31·00	30·03	27·95
40	34·12	30·95	33·26	27·95
45	37·34	30·85	36·75	27·95
50	40·72	30·85	40·20	27·95

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was his estimate of revenue from taxes on sport and the theatre in the years 1969–70 and 1970–71.

The classifications in use for breaking down the yield of taxes are not such as to enable this estimate to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a table showing the number of wage earners and/or salary earners in each of the income groups £250 to £499, £500 to £999, £1,000 to £1,499, and over £1,500 in Scotland, Wales and regional areas of England, and the percentage of total incomes in each region that fall within each range.

I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind. Wages and salaries are only one component of total income, which also includes income from several other sources including the wages and salaries of married women. If the hon. Member will write to me saying precisely what he wants, I should be happy to provide such figures as are available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the value of the domestic United Kingdom market in transactions involving the supply or servicing of works of art and antiques.

Transactions involving the supply or servicing of works of art and antiques are included in the national accounts under a variety of miscellaneous headings—such as "Other business services" for auctioneers, and furniture shops for antique dealers—for which a detailed breakdown is not available. I understand, however, that the net sales in London of the three main auction houses amounted to about £45 million in 1970–71.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has approved a first series of proposals to harmonise excise duties on tobacco, petroleum products, wine, spirits and beer, and that these harmonisation duties will apply from 1st January, 1974; to what extent Great Britain will have to follow these on entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will make full details of these proposals available to the House of Commons.

The Commission has presented to the Council of Ministers a draft directive proposing the general framework of harmonised excise duties which should apply from 1st January, 1974. None of the lengthy consultations which would precede a decision by the Council has yet taken place. From the beginning of 1973 we shall participate as a full member in consideration of this proposal which under the provisions of Article 99 of the Treaty of Rome requires unanimous approval by member States. The Commission's proposal will be published in the Official Journal of the Communities in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on his value added tax policy with reference to wines and spirits; and what replies he has sent:

It has been represented that my right hon. Friend should announce now the rates of duties on wines and spirits which will be in force following the introduction of value added tax on those goods. He has replied to the effect that any decision about the rates of duty next year must be taken in the light of the economic position and budgetary requirements nearer the time of the change.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households with a head in full-time employment are estimated to be below the tax threshold, respectively, before and after the raising of the personal reliefs announced in his Budget.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the method used for the marking of cattle which have reacted to brucellosis tests is sufficiently positive and the present disposal procedure is effective; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that in general the procedures for the disposal of reactors disclosed under the brucellosis schemes are effective. He agrees, however, that the method used for marking these animals may not be wholly satisfactory and is considering whether, and if so in what ways, it can be improved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that adequate measures are now being taken through out the country to combat Dutch elm disease; and if he will make a statement.

Adequate powers to contain the disease, mainly by the felling of infectious trees, have been made available to local authorities and have been taken by nearly all the eligible authorities in the area worst affected. The results notified to date vary but there is evidence that a great deal of work has been done by most of the authorities concerned. They will continue to receive advice and encouragement in their efforts with this difficult problem from the Forestry Commission, which has already contributed £100,000 to their extra administrative expenses and is urgently pursuing its investigations into the disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many intensive farming units engaged in the production of veal have been visited since publication of the codes of practice; how many of the units visited were not complying to the standards set down in the codes; and what steps are being taken to investigate whether the code is being complied with in this respect.

No statistics are available of the total number of units engaged in veal production since publication of the welfare codes but 70 were visited during the State Veterinary Survey in 1970. On 63 of those units the calf pens were narrower than recommended in the welfare code, and on six of these the standard of lighting did not comply with the code recommendation. There was no evidence of pain or distress to the calves but welfare advice was given where appropriate. Veal units, in common with all other livestock premises, are subject to welfare inspections by Ministry veterinary staff who check on observance of the codes and give advice as necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the mergers that have taken place in the brewing industry in the last five years.

My Department does not maintain a record of mergers in the brewing industry. Published information shows the following acquisitions by members of the seven largest brewery companies since 1st January, 1967:BASS MARKETING LTD.Bass, Mitchells & Butlers Ltd. & Charrington United.Breweries Ltd. (August, 1967).Bent's Brewery Co., Ltd. (1967).Welsh Breweries Ltd. (1968).William Stones (1968).Massey's Barnsley Brewery (1968).John Goule (1970).COURAGE LTD.James Hole & Co. Ltd. (1967).John Smith's Tadcaster Brewery Co. (1970).Plymouth Breweries Ltd. (1972).WATNEY MANN LTD.Beverley Bros. (1967).Samuel Webster & Sons Ltd. (1972).WHITBREAD& CO. LTD.Threlfalls Breweries (1967).Archibald Campbell Hope & King (1967).Fremlins (1967).Bentley's Yorkshire Breweries Ltd. (1968).John Young & Co. (1969).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent, and where relevant on what dates, the common agricultural policy prices for 1972–73 will be applied in the United Kingdom.

For the main commodities, the first move towards alignment with the common agricultural policy prices will take place for each commodity at the beginning of the 1973–74 season. Between 1st February, 1973, and the start of the 1973–74 seasons, the prices for each commodity will be determined in accordance with Article 51 of the Act of Accession.For olive oil, wine, tobacco, cottonseed, hemp and flax, which are either not produced at all or not produced to any significant extent in the United Kingdom, the prices which I gave in the reply to Questions from the hon. Member and my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison) on 11th April would apply from 1st February, 1973, to the end of the period of application shown.—[Vol. 834, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed statement giving particulars of the amounts of butter and cheese imported into this country for the longest and most convenient stated dates; and from which countries and to what extent on entry into the European Economic Community such imports from the Commonwealth countries will have to be phased out.

Butter and cheese import figures are available from the published "Annual Statement of Overseas Trade of the United Kingdom" for each year up to 1970. For 1971 the figures, which were published in the December, 1971, issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics, are as follows:

Imports of butter into the United Kingdom in 1971 (provisional)
Tons
Argentina	…	…	1,269
Australia	…	…	32,051
Austria	…	…	1,959
Belgium	…	…	2,646
Bulgaria	…	…	178
Canada	…	…	3,114
China	…	…	166
Denmark	…	…	69,401
Finland	…	…	13,394
West Germany	…	…	1,554
Hungary	…	…	775
France	…	…	6,750
Irish Republic	…	…	30,022
Lebanon	…	…	798
Morocco	…	…	1,468
Netherlands	…	…	17,115
New Zealand	…	…	144,452
Norway	…	…	435
Poland	…	…	5,593
Rumania	…	…	5,059
South Africa	…	…	751
Sweden	…	…	2,269
United States	…	…	25,781
Others	…	…	489
Total	…	…	367,489

Imports of cheese into the United Kingdom in 1971 (provisional)
Tons
Australia	…	…	6,561
Austria	…	…	961
Bulgaria	…	…	704
Canada	…	…	12,151
Denmark	…	…	9,770
Finland	…	…	1,416
France	…	…	9,563
Irish Republic	…	…	25,283
Italy	…	…	1,246
Netherlands	…	…	17,395
New Zealand	…	…	70,280
Norway	…	…	4,124
Poland	…	…	736
Switzerland	…	…	1,079
United States	…	…	93
West Germany	…	…	586
Others	…	…	2,767
Total	…	…	164,715

Special arrangements have been made for imports of butter and cheese from New Zealand which is our main Commonwealth supplier. The extent of imports from other Commonwealth countries will depend on the market situation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report comparable prices for sugar beet in 1970, 1971 and 1972 in Great Britain and the countries of the Six; and to what extent he estimates profits margins for sugar beet growers will fall or rise under the European Economic Community regulations.

The price paid for sugar beet in the Community varies according to whether the sugar produced from it falls within the basic quota of the factory concerned ("quota A" beet), between its basic and maximum quotas ("quota B") or above its maximum quota ("quota C"). The minimum prices payable for beet are as follows:

£ per long ton
	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73
In Italy
Quota A*	7·82	8·02	8·31
Quota B	4·85	5·06	5·23
Elsewhere in the Community
Quota A	7·20	7·20	7·48
Quota B	4·23	4·23	4·40
*The Italian Government may make an additional payment on quota A beet of up to £0·47 per ton in 1970–71 and up to £0·76 per ton in 1971–72 and 1972–73.

There is no minimum price for quota C beet. The guaranteed prices for beet in the United Kingdom for these years are £6·95, £7·60 and £8 per ton, respectively. These prices, however, are not comparable. The United Kingdom price is for beet delivered to the factory, while the Community prices are for beet delivered to a collection centre which is normally at or near the farm; and growers in the Community, but not in the United Kingdom, are entitled to the return of the beet pulp free of charge or a cash payment in lieu.At present Community prices I would expect beet growing in the United Kingdom to become more profitable but it is impossible to estimate by how much.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community have submitted to the Council a draft regulation on the establishment of a common organisation for the production, prices, trade and commerce rules for supply and use of alcoholic drink, with more than 15 per cent, content; whether the United Kingdom will have to adopt such regulations on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will make details of same available to the House of Commons.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the draft of a regulation on the common organisation of the market in ethyl alcohol which was submitted to the Council on 6th March, 1972. The draft primarily takes account of the circumstances of the present member States and is subject to modification in the light of consultation with the acceding States under the interim period arrangements. It is at present being studied by the United Kingdom Departments in consultation with the interests concerned. Particulars of the proposal were published on 10th March in "Community News", a copy of which is available in the Library.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of the withdraw alof bacon-curing facilities at Redruth, he will consider raising the British share of the market above the current level of 41 per cent.

The future operation of the Redruth factory is a matter for commercial decision by the owners, and the impending changes were announced in their Press notice of 10th April as a move to rationalise production and marketing in the South-West. As my right hon. Friend explained in his reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, West(Mr. Scott-Hopkins) on 23rd March, 1972, United Kingdom curers need to plan their production and marketing in 1972–73 to take proper account of market conditions. The recent developments in the South-West do not justify raising the British share of the bacon market above the level envisaged in the 1972–73 Bacon Market Sharing Understanding.—[Vol. 833, c. 363.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken to ensure payment of the appropriate National Insurance benefit to the constituent of the hon. Member for Ilford, North, who is resident in Headley Drive, Ilford, and about whom he has had a communication from the hon. Member.

The appropriate benefit has now been put into payment. I will write to my hon. Friend shortly in reply to his letter of 20th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons paid self-employed National Insurance stamps in each of the last 10 years.

Following is the information:

Average number of self-employed National Insurance contributors, 1961 to 1970
Year	…	…	…	Contributors (millions)
1961	…	…	…	1·41
1962	…	…	…	1·42
1963	…	…	…	1·42
1964	…	…	…	1·42
1965	…	…	…	1·42
1966	…	…	…	1·44
1967	…	…	…	1·48
1968	…	…	…	1·52
1969	…	…	…	1·58
1970	…	…	…	1·59

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of persons on the register of unemployed who have exhausted their right to unemployment benefit.

On 7th February, the latest date for which figures are available, 184,000 persons registered as unemployed had exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to amend the present system whereby if an unemployed man is overpaid by the Department of Employment and underpaid by the Department of Health and Social Security, leaving him with a correct total benefit, it is possible for the Department of Employment to demand repayment of the sum due from the claimant rather than from the Department of Health and Social Security; and how many families or persons are estimated to have been subject to this regulation in the last three years.

Repayment would not ordinarily be enforced in these circumstances, but I am considering whether any change in the regulations is called for. The number of cases is not known but is not likely to be large.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families are at present in receipt of £5 per week family income supplement.

I regret that this information is not yet available. I expect to have it within a few days, and I will then write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many more families he estimates will become entitled to family income supplement as a result of this month's upgrading; and how much more in real terms he estimates the average family in receipt of family income supplement will now receive compared to the time of the last upgrading.

In the last few months before the uprating on 4th April the estimated number of families with incomes within the qualifying levels for family income supplement was estimated to be 100,000 in round terms. The number of eligible families in the period following the uprating is thought to have returned to approximately the same level as estimated in the early months of the scheme—that is, about 160,000. Both these figures are subject to wide margins of error. The information requested in the second part of the hon. Member's Question is not yet available; I expect to have it within the next few days, and I will then write to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the inquiry at South Ockendon Hospital.

In my replies on 11th April to the right hon. Lady the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) I said that the hospital management committee had set up an inquiry into complaints it had received about nursing standards, and that if any need for a further inquiry emerged I would take any necessary action. The hospital management committee has since asked that these complaints should be referred to an independent inquiry.After consultation with the North-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board I have accordingly decided to set up an independent and wider inquiry under Section 70 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, with terms of reference to inquire into the care of patients at South Ockendon Hospital. The names of the persons appointed to conduct this inquiry will be announced as soon as possible. I intend to publish their report.—[Vol. 834, c. 1002–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he will not publish in the Official Report the terms and conditions of his Department's loan to Aberdeen Harbour Board.

Because they are a matter between the Government and the board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the new housing schemes for which he has granted loan sanction to be built by direct labour so far this year have not been won by the direct labour department in competition with private contractors; and whether he will indicate briefly in each case what were the special circumstances which caused him to grant loan sanction, contrary to the general provisions of circular 57/69.

Following is the information:

Consett U.D.: Gloucester Road Estate, 108 dwellings.

Felling U.D.: Lingey Lane, Lean Lane Estate, 12 dwellings.

In both cases, negotiation was specially authorised in the interests of continuity and efficiency as envisaged in paragraph 10 of circular 57/69.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring in legislation to regulate payments of service charges levied by the freeholder upon leaseholder occupants of flats.

Since my hon. Friend tabled her Question this subject has been debated at the Report stage of the Housing Finance Bill. I would refer my hon. Friend to what was said by both the Minister and me during that debate, to which I have nothing at present to add.—[Vol. 835, c. 1073–1109.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute an anlysis of the nature and operation of the housing market and report his findings to the House.