asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the review of the terms for the compulsory eradication of brucellosis has yet been completed; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have now completed our review of the way in which the terms of compulsory eradication have affected the owners of heavily infected herds in the initial eradication areas. It is clear that some herd owners have already suffered significant losses and that the terms operate inequitably as between the owners of herds of different sizes and kinds. Furthermore, it has been made plain to us by the farmers unions and by the farmers themselves that in their view the only fair way to compensate herd owners whose animals are slaughtered compulsorily is to relate the payments to the value of the animals concerned.We have therefore agreed, in consultation with the unions, that the present Area Eradication Scheme should be closed to new applicants forthwith and replaced by a scheme under which the Ministry or the Department will be responsible for the removal of reactors and dangerous contacts and the herd owner will be paid compensation based on their full market value. The valuation will be agreed with the owner, or in default of agreement settled by an independent arbitrator, and will be based on the market value of the animal as non-accredited.For reactors it will be subject to a maximum of £240, but for dangerous contacts there will be no upper limit. This maximum will be subject to periodic review.We have already assured herd owners who are taking part in the Area Eradication Scheme that any improvements in the terms which were introduced as a result of the review would be applied retrospectively. We propose to honour this assurance by offering these herd owners the option of transferring to the new scheme with effect from the date when they joined the present scheme. In calculating how much is due to those who choose to change over we shall have to take account of the payments they have already received under the scheme and their receipts from the sale of reactors. This will be a complicated calculation, but we shall send each herd owner a full explanation before he has to make up his mind whether to stay in the existing scheme or to change to the new one.I should make it clear that these changes in no way affect the arrangements for the payment of incentives under the voluntary incentives scheme or the obligation which herd owners who are taking part in that scheme have accepted to slaughter reactors without payment of compensation. Indeed we consider that all herd owners must accept some responsibility for maintaining the disease-free status of their herds after they have become accredited; and we remain convinced that it is essential for herd owners to insure their herds against the possibility of infection or re-infection.Nevertheless, we accept that in eradication and attested areas the Government should contribute towards the cost of maintaining freedom from the disease, at least for the duration of the eradication programme. We have therefore agreed that within these areas where reactors are slaughtered compulsorily in accredited herds which are not taking part in the voluntary schemes compensation should be paid at the rate of 75 per cent. of the value of the animal. For dangerous contacts the payment will represent the full market value. The valuation will be based on the market value of the animals as accredited. For reactors it will be subject to a maximum value of £240, which means a maximum payment of £180 for each animal. There will be no upper limit for dangerous contacts.Outside these areas we are anxious that the owners of herds which have become accredited under the incentives scheme should continue to participate in the Scheme and to slaughter reactors voluntarily in accordance with the rules after their period of eligibility for incentives has expired. When this time comes—and this will not be before 31st March, 1976—we propose to offer to these herd owners compensation at the rate of 75 per cent. of the accredited value—subject to a maximum payment of £180 for each animal—for reactors which they agree to have slaughtered. The payment will, of course, be subject to the owner's continued compliance with the rules and conditions of the scheme. As under the compulsory scheme the Ministry or Department will be responsible for the removal of the animal and will retain the carcase value.Finally, we have agreed with the unions that the 1,000 or so herd owners who remain in the old Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme will be allowed to retain the existing benefits until 31st March, 1980, and will thereafter be eligible for terms similar to those available to the incentives-expired herds under the incentives scheme.It will be recognised that these new terms represent a change in our previous approach to compulsory eradication. But we have taken the decision because we are anxious that our brucellosis eradication programme shall succeed and we recognise that we shall not achieve that success unless farmers are satisfied that the compensation terms are fair and reasonable. The fact that we have been able to reach agreement so quickly with the unions on these new terms encourages us to believe that we now have a scheme which will ensure the full co-operation of the industry in our eradication programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the result of his review of the level of compensation paid in respect of tuberculosis reactors in the light of current cattle prices.

I shall shortly be laying before the House an Order to increase the present ceiling of £120 to a ceiling of £180; the actual amount of compensation paid will be limited to 75 per cent. of market value, subject to this ceiling.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure the eradication of salmonellae from poultry.

Because of the widespread occurrence of salmonellae organisms their eradication in any species is impracticable. But precautions are already taken by many rearers and breeders under the voluntary Poultry Health Scheme; and my right hon. Friend is currently considering what can be done to eliminate the risk of infection from feedingstuffs. The Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will give powers to monitor the incidence of salmonellosis in livestock and to take action against outbreaks which might endanger public health.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will give an estimate of the annual rise in the costs of Government telephone charges resulting upon the 10 per cent. value added tax.

On the basis of the estimated total of telephone charges to Government Departments for the current year 1972–73, value added tax at 10 per cent. is likely to increase the total annual telephone charges by about £2·9 million. This amount would, of course, be offset by the increase in revenue to the Exchequer from the tax itself.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will give permission for a concert to be organised at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stone-house, Plymouth, on behalf of Nicholas Date, at one time a patient in the hospital, in order that further funds may be raised for his treatment at the Bavarian Clinic of Dr. Joseph Issels.

This is a matter for local discretion under The Queen's Regulations for the Royal Navy.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now release the Army Drill Hall at Stornoway to the local authority.

No. It is needed for and occupied by the TAVR and the Army Cadet Force.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is aware that two soldiers arrested Mr. Daniel McGrillen on 6th March and that he was taken to Mulhouse Street Barracks where a twig of wood was heated and while still smouldering was thrust up his nostril; and if he will investigate and initiate appropriate disciplinary action.

I am looking into this allegation. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as my investigations are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give consideration to including the replacement of West End Holy Trinity Church of England (Controlled) Primary School in the building programme, as a matter of urgency.

The West End Holy Trinity Church of England controlled school is to become a 320-place, 8–12 middle school, and the necessary extension of the 1968 buildings is included in the current year's major building programme. The school's original buildings are to be taken over by the Surrey Authority for a county first school and a project to give this school new buildings will be considered for inclusion in the next programme to be compiled, that is, of projects expected to start in 1975–76.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what grounds, and under what regulations, she forbids education authorities to spend locally raised funds in providing school places ahead of a known future need.

Capital expenditure on school building financed from revenue has been controlled administratively by successive Governments as part of their general responsibility for public expenditure, and I have imposed no new restrictions. Indeed, I have introduced some flexibility by encouraging local education authorities to use funds accruing from the sale of old school sites to a private developer or to local housing authorities to finance school building as an addition to the normal programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans are in hand for the provision of specialised training courses for teachers of autistic children.

Most teachers in their initial courses are made aware of these children and those colleges which provide initial courses specifically designed for teachers of mentally handicapped children almost all give considerable attention to the needs of autistic children.There are 41 courses for teachers of handicapped children arranged for 1972–73. These courses last for one year or in a few instances one term. On some of these it is possible for a student to make a specialist study of autism and some consideration of the subject is given on most.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action she is taking to improve nursery school provision for severely handicapped children; and if she will make a statement.

Plans for the education of severely handicapped children take account of the needs of those who are of nursery school age. I am authorising the provision of facilities for them in new schools for children aged 2 or 3 upwards or in purpose-built units attached to existing special schools. Children of compulsory school age, however, continue to receive first priority in the use of resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has so far been taken to help deaf-blind, autistic and dyslexic children under the provisions of Sections 25–27 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; and if she will make a statement.

Since I replied to the hon. Member's Questions on this subject on 8th February, 1972, my Department has analysed the information received from local education authorities about autistic children and consultation with the Department of Health and Social Security on the position is in progress. As regards dyslexia the views of local authority and teacher associations have been sought on the report of the Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children and they are now being considered. The reactions to the report which I have so far received from those I have consulted have been on the whole favourable, but points have been raised which will require detailed consideration. As regards the deaf-blind the measures I referred to in my previous answer have established the size of the problem and authorities are making progress in their provision for these severely disabled children.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the number of qualified teachers available for employment as teachers; how this compares with the number in employment by local education authorities and elsewhere; and what is her estimate of the current surplus now, and the likely surplus at the end of 1972 and at the end of 1973;(2) if she will list the number of teachers who have qualified, but are surplus to requirement, and therefore not in employment, in each regional area, and in total, indicating how the figures for Sheffield and South Yorkshire compare with the rest of the country.

In January, 1972, there were 383,724 qualified teachers in maintained schools in England and Wales, some 20,600 more than a year earlier. There are no reliable national or regional figures of qualified teachers out of service. My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that there is any substantial unemployment among qualified teachers seriously seeking posts and ready to go where the jobs are.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the minimum floorspace teaching areas per pupil for primary and secondary schools, respectively, required by current regulations; and what plans she has to review these minimum requirements.

Minimum teaching areas are laid down in the Standards for School Premises Regulations, 1959, as amended, a copy of which is in the Library. They are kept under continuous review.

asked the Secretary for Education and Science how many statutory proposals for comprehensive schools she has vetoed since June, 1970, and for what reasons; and if she will give the numbers in each category.

Since 1st July, 1970, I have rejected 70 proposals relating to the development of comprehensive schools under Section 13(4) of the Education Act, 1944, as amended. Each of these proposals was examined on its particular merits and in the light of local objections.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will under take a review of the financing of the major provincial museums and art galleries in the light of the reorganisation of local government.

The Committee on Provincial Museums and Galleries, set up to review the needs of the principal local museums, is considering the question of their financing. My noble Friend will consult with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on the appropriate action to take in the light of their advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has to provide in-service training in management for senior grades of museum curators in the public service.

The senior staff of the museums and galleries for which the Department of Education and Science is responsible are already able to make use of the in-servicing training facilities provided by the Civil Service College.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will consider seeking to arrange facilities for interchange of senior curatorial staff between national and local authority museums.

The question of interchange of curatorial staff between the national and the principal local museums is under review by the Committee on Provincial Museums and Galleries, appointed by my noble friend the Paymaster-General. Before deciding whether action by the Government is needed, he will study the advice of that committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in England and Wales still lack indoor lavatories and washhand basins; and how the position compares with that in Northern Ireland.

The Department does not collect information of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of industrial accidents as a percentage of the working population, in Bolton, in the North-West Region and in Great Britain as a whole for 1971.

The incidence of notified accidents in factory processes in the Bolton district office area, the North West (Manchester) divisional office area and in Great Britain as a whole were, respectively, 3·6, 3·0 and 3·3 per 100 employees estimated to be at risk. These rates are not regarded as a reliable guide to the comparative accident prevention performance in the areas concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what statistical comparison has been made by his factory inspectors between the age of industrial premises and the number of accidents at work in the Bolton district of the inspectorate.

None, but various studies, and the experience of the Inspectorate in general, indicate that the age of industrial premises is not a principal factor in accident prevention.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost as a result of industrial accidents in Bolton during 1971; and how this compares with the number of days lost as a result of strike action in the town during the same period.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will invite the Robens Committee on Industrial Safety to examine the relationship between the number of accidents at work and the age of industrial premises.

No. The Committee's report is now nearing completion and it would not be proper to make further references to it.

ked the Secretary of State for the Environment for what purpose his Department acquired the lease of 27 South Parade, Doncaster, during 1971; what equipment was installed; and why the premises are as yet unoccupied.

A six-months lease of part of this building was taken as temporary accommodation for staff for value added tax. In part this accommodation is not likely to be needed as the necessary staff can be more economically accommodated elsewhere. No special equipment was installed and the furnishings will be transferred to the main office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of

			1967	1968	1969	1970	1971
Biddulph Urban District Council	…	…	22	—	8	3	—
Kidsgrove Urban District Council	…	…	20	3	44	2	2
Leek Rural District Council	…	…	—	2	9	—	—
Leek Urban District Council	…	…	—	—	—	—	—

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that his national water policy is effective in so far as it relates to the provision of water by the Furness Water Board to Skelwith Fold; and if he will make a statement.

North Lonsdale Rural District Council is responsible for ensuring that its district is adequately supplied with water. I understand they are now discussing with Furness Water Board the cost of a public water supply to Skelwith Fold. It will be for the council to decide whether or not to ask the water board to provide a supply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses were sold in East Suffolk in each of the years 1967 to 1971 inclusive; and what action he is taking to ensure that the figure continues to rise in 1972.

The figures are as follows:

Year				Number of council houses
1967	…	…	…	20
1968	…	…	…	7
1969	…	…	…	10
1970	…	…	…	11
1971	…	…	…	17

We shall be sending a circular shortly to local authorities on this topic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give direct financial assistance to the Inland Waterways Association for its efforts to restore canals; and if he will make a statement.

According to the derelict land surveys the acreages restored in the areas of these local authorities during the period 1967 to 1971 were:

The Government are always anxious to encourage voluntary efforts, but this is a matter in the first instance for the British Waterways Board, which is in close touch with the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given, as part of Her Majesty's Government's policy for the regions, to directing the British Railways Board to charge a single standard rate for all international containers to and from the French entrance to the proposed Channel Tunnel and to and from any freightliner depot in the United Kingdom.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet selected the six towns for a study of the total urban approach; and if he will make a statement.

The choice of towns is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet made formal representations to the Republic of Ireland Government about their declared intention to provide funds for political operations within the United Kingdom.

We have raised this with the Government of the Republic of Ireland, and we remain in touch with them. I understand that Mr. Colley, Minister for Finance, made it clear in the Dail on 27th April that no Exchequer assistance had been provided for any purpose in Northern Ireland during the preceding six months; so far as we are aware there has been no change in this position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies for school crossing supervisors now exist in the London Borough of Islington.

Nine.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether Patrick Collins of 311, Coxes Demesne, Dundalk, was detained by the security forces in Belfast on 26th April, 1972; what charges have been brought against him; and who authorised his arrest.

Patrick Collins was arrested in Magherafelt on 26th April under the powers conferred by the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland), 1922; no charges have been brought against him and he is at present detained under that Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what application he has made to have an extradition order served in the Dublin courts for the return of Michael Willis, an Irish Republican Army terrorist, who escaped recently from Her Majesty's Prison, Crumlin Road, Belfast, where he was serving a 10-year sentence, and who has now appeared in Dublin.

A warrant for the arrest of Michael Willis has been prepared by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and is being forwarded to the Commissioner of the Gardai Siochana.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of houses in Bel- fast which become unfit for human habitation in each year.

1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of houses in Northern Ireland which become unfit for human habitation in each year.

About 3,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in how many cases have those persons in Northern Ireland who are currently withholding payment of rent and rates to local authorities had their earnings attached; and how this figure compares with that on 24th March, 1972.

There have been to date, three cases in which the earnings of those withholding payments to local authorities have been attached under Section 3 of the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland), 1971. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any change in the position since 24th March, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the security procedure in relation to cars and passengers entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain and the Irish Republic in view of the fact that in two instances within a period of five days a journalist was able to carry unchallenged a replica of a sub-machine gun into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

All practical steps are taken to prevent the illegal entry of arms, explosives and ammunition into Northern Ireland, including selective examinations of persons and vehicles entering Northern Ireland by road, sea and air. The situation is kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were killed and injured in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity between 1st and 15th May, 1972; and what was the corresponding figure for 1st to 15th May, 1971.

Ten persons were killed as a result of terrorist activity between 1st and 15th May, 1972; two persons were killed during the corresponding period last year. Full statistics of injuries for the period are not yet available, but during the first 13 days of the month 275 persons were injured. For the same period last year the figure was 20.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were killed and injured in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity during April, 1972; and what was the corresponding figure for April, 1971.

In April, 1972, 17 persons were killed and 272 injured as a result of terrorist activity. During the corresponding period last year no one was killed but 64 persons were injured.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many high court judges there are in Northern Ireland and how many cases are awaiting trial; and how this compares with the position in England and Scotland.

The information is as follows:

	Northern Ireland(15thMay,1972)	England and Wales(1stMay,1972)
Number of High Court Judges	5	72
Cases awaiting trial:
Queen's Bench Division	931	3,505
Chancery Division	4	300
Matrimonial Causes (defended)	8	657

In Scotland on 31st December, 1971, there were 18 Court of Session judges with 6,377 cases pending before the Outer House—of which 4,413 were Consistorial cases—and 115 before the Inner House.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the estimated value of damage to property in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity during April, 1972; and what was the corresponding figure for April, 1971;(2) what was the estimated value of damage to property in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity between 1st to 15th May, 1972; and what was the corresponding figure for 1st to 15th May, 1971.

My right hon. Friend regrets that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of schools in Northern Ireland receiving assistance from public funds which discriminate on religious grounds in the appointment of staff; and if he will take action to end such discrimination.

The Ministry of Education in Northern Ireland does not maintain records of the religious denominations of staff in schools. As my hon. Friend will know it is true broadly that in Northern Ireland schools Roman Catholic children are taught by Roman Catholic teachers and Protestant children by Protestant teachers. On both sides there are exceptions to this general rule.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what directions he has given to firms in Northern Ireland requiring them to keep a record of the religious denominations of their employees.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what directions he has given to firms in Northern Ireland requiring them to discriminate in any way on religious grounds between persons offering themselves for employment.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many schools in Northern Ireland still lack indoor water closets and washhand basins; what plans he has to accelerate the provision of these; and how the current figures compare with those in 1967.

The last survey of these amenities in schools was carried out in 1968 and is to be repeated in the 1972–73 school year. In 1968, of 1,351 primary schools, 704 lacked indoor water closets and 167 were without washhand basins. The comparable figures in the previous survey which took place in 1963 were a total of 1,482 primary schools, of which 1,054 lacked indoor water closets. The number of schools which lacked washhand basins in that year is not known.The provision of these facilities is initially a matter for school authorities—local education authorities and voluntary school managers—and is encouraged by the Ministry as a part of its programme for the development and improvement of school accommodation.No secondary schools are without these amenities.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to give further assistance to the tourist industry in Northern Ireland.

Hotels and guest hotels are included in the special scheme recently announced for rates relief in Northern Ireland. I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 15th May.—[Vol. 837, c. 34.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what further contact his Department has now had with the Central Council for the Disabled concerning the implementation in Northern Ireland of all the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; and if he will make a statement;(2) in how many localities in Northern Ireland the requirements of Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, have been put into effect; and if he will make a statement;(3) in how many localities in Northern Ireland the services provided by Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, are now available; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has nothing as yet to add to the answer given to Questions by the hon. Members for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) and Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 4th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 572–3.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs and Excise personnel it was intended to install at 27 South Parade, Doncaster; and if the original proposal has been varied or cancelled.

It was proposed to house up to 15 VAT staff in 27 South Parade as a temporary measure pending completion of their permanent accommodation in Weston House, Cleveland Street, Doncaster. This will not now be necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to discuss with the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, the National Art Collections Fund and the Contemporary Art Society the implications of value added tax for potential future benefactions to public museums.

Customs and Excise will be glad to discuss the implications of VAT with interested bodies. A meeting with the Standing Commission is being arranged.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have applied for exemption certificates under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1971, relating to sub-contractors in the construction industry; how many have been granted; and how many have been refused.

The numbers are not yet known centrally, but should be available in a few weeks' time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the expected yield from the proposed value added tax and the car tax for the financial year 1973–74; and what percentage of such yield is expected to be raised in Wales.

The Financial Statement and Budget Report gave estimates of the full-year yields for value added tax, and car tax of £1,475 million and £125 million, respectively. No estimates for 1973–74 can yet be given.The percentage of the yields expected to be raised in Wales is not known.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many works of art have been taken into public ownership in part payment of estate duty since 1967; and how many of these are in the custody of the National Trust.

Since the beginning of 1967, seven pre-eminent works of art have been accepted in satisfaction or part satisfaction of estate duty under Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1956; none are in the custody of the National Trusts. 171 pictures have been so accepted under Section 30 of the Finance Act, 1953, as objects associated with a building in the ownership of the Trusts; the most important of these pictures have been lent, the remainder gifted outright.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for the long-term care of works of art taken into public ownership in part payment of estate and administered on behalf of Her Majesty's Government by the National Trust.

The National Trust is lent certain objects, including pictures which have been acquired for the public under Section 30 of the Finance Act, 1953, to preserve in association with one if its buildings. It must maintain the articles in good condition and carry out any desirable restoration or preservation. A director of an appropriate national institution is asked from time to time to inspect such items.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will consult with the British Broadcasting Corporation about replacing Radio Sheffield with Radio South Yorkshire so that local sound radio may be provided for those areas in South Yorkshire at present only able to receive Radio Humberside.

No.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when the four kilowatt very high frequency radio transmitter was installed at Holme Moss; and when he intends to grant the British Broadcasting Corporation's request for its use to provide wider local radio coverage.

The BBC has not sought my permission to use a 4 kilowatt transmitter at Holme Moss for improving the coverage attained by BBC Radio Sheffield. If one were used there it would seriously prejudice plans for an alternative service of radio broadcasting.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when Doncaster will have local British Broadcasting Corporation sound radio.

I have no proposals for increasing the number of BBC local radio stations. Therefore I cannot hold out any prospect for a Doncaster BBC station.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if, in his consideration of the re-allocation of local radio transmission powers and frequencies, he will have regard to the fact that Doncaster is without British Broadcasting Corporation local sound radio facilities.

It is too early to say which towns will be included in the plans being made for an alternative service of radio broadcasting with up to 60 stations. There are no plans to increase the number of BBC local radio stations.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will permit British Broadcasting Corporation Radio Sheffield to use more powerful transmissions so that their output can be received throughout the South Yorkshire metropolitan county.

I cannot see any prospect of doing as the hon. Member suggests without seriously prejudicing the development of the alternative service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many land purchase transactions have taken place in the last 10 years between his Department and Dr. Green in connection with land on the Island of Raasay; and if he will provide details of these sales and purchases.

The following sales to Dr. Green of property on the Island of Raasay have taken place:—

1. In 1961, following advertisement, Raasay House Hotel, and offices, furniture and plenishings, gardener's cottage and Borrodale House, together with 10·462 acres of land. Purchase price £6,000.

2. In 1962, by private treaty, 101·296 acres of land comprising Raasay Home Farm and some small areas of land in the vicinity and, following advertisement, Orchard Cottage and 1·645 acres of land. Purchase price £2,350.

3. In 1962, by private treaty, the Dry-harbour, pier and jetty and 0·182 acre of land. Purchase price £200.

4. In 1966, Glen Lodge and 1·123 acres of land. Purchase price £1,138 in addition to a feu duty of £5 per annum.

Region		1966–67	1967–68	1968–69	1969–70	1970–71	1971–72
		£	£	£	£	£	£
Northern	…	150	150	3,038	7,520	9,226	29,575
North-Eastern	…	—	400	497	24,157	20,405	39,149
Eastern	…	1,758	4,812	6,851	33,651	27,755	42,707
South-Eastern	…	—	5,159	3,733	48,073	61,217	26,282
Western	…	23,450	53,320	49,607	104,552	106,906	230,000
(estimated)

These figures do not include expenditure on fire prevention included in contracts for general schemes of new construction or structural alterations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated loss from fire damage in each regional hospital board area in the period 1965–71; and what is the estimated damage through fire in the first part of the current year to the nearest convenient date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the Education Authority Bursaries (Scotland) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

I have now considered the report of the working party which I set up in December, 1971, and I shall shortly be laying amending Regulations before Parliament which will implement its recommendations. The main effects will be to increase the rates and scales of bursaries granted by education authorities. In addition the authorities will be given discretion to relate the amount of bursaries to individual needs for students under age 18 who have to live away from home in order to attend full-time courses of further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the capital outlay by each of the five regional hospital boards on fire protection schemes in 1971; and how this compares with the previous five years.

Expenditure by the regional boards on fire protection works—including some equipment—in the six years 1966–67 to 1971–72, so far as this can be separately identified, was as follows:

The information as obtained from the regional boards' accounts for the financial years 1965–66 to 1970–71 is as follows (the figures for 1971–72 are not yet available):

Region				Fire damage written off 1965–71
				£
Northern	…	…	…	262
North-Eastern	…	…	…	48,036
Eastern	…	…	…	16,070
South-Eastern	…	…	…	5,511
Western	…	…	…	53,564

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the identifiable revenue expenditure by the five regional hospital boards in their fire prevention operations during 1971; and how this compares with the previous five years.

This information is not immediately available. I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage of owner-occupied dwellings, privately rented accommodation, and public-sector housing, respectively, shown in the 1971 Census for the County Borough of Derby; and what were the comparable percentages in the 1961 Census and the 1966 Sample Census.

Figures about dwellings from the 1971 Census of Population are not yet available for the County Borough of Derby.Figures for dwellings derived from the 1961 Census and the 1966 Sample Census are as follows:

Region				Fire damage written off 1965–71
				£
Northern	…	…	…	262
North-Eastern	…	…	…	48,036
Eastern	…	…	…	16,070
South-Eastern	…	…	…	5,511
Western	…	…	…	53,564

I will send the figures from the 1971 Census to the hon. Member when they become available about the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of families at present claiming free welfare milk and foods; what is estimated to be the total number of families currently eligible for this benefit; what is the average weekly value of the benefit of current claimants; and what are the present income ceilings for eligibility in the case of a married man with, respectively, one, two, three and four children in the relevant age category.

The number of claims made in Great Britain for free welfare milk and vitamins by families with a low income was, in the 17 week period ended 21st March, 1972, about 32,900 of which about 24,300 were successful. These figures do not include families with an expectant mother or young children receiving supplementary benefits or family income supplement who automatically qualify for free welfare food without making a separate claim. The current average weekly value of the benefit to successful claimants is approximately 58p.There is no fixed income ceiling for eligibility for free welfare milk and vitamins, since the qualifying income level depends on variable factors such as rent and other commitments. On the number of families eligible for this benefit I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of my reply to him on 9th December, 1971.—[Vol. 827, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the average time it takes to arrange a hearing before the Medical Services Committee of the Gloucester Executive Council in cases where such a hearing has been agreed upon and arises from complaints against general practitioners.

In the four years 1968 to 1971 the medical service committee of the Gloucester Executive Council held hearings in 16 cases. There were long delays in three cases owing to the inability of the complainants to reply readily to letters from the council. For the rest, the average time between the decision to hold a hearing and the hearing itself was under two months. The governing regulations require two weeks' notice of a hearing, and there is always the difficulty of getting a number of people together on the same date.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake scientific evaluations of the effectiveness of various brands of aspirins and other analgesics, and publish their results.

The Committee on Safety of Medicines established under the Medicines Act, 1968, gives the licensing authority advice with respect to safety, quality and efficacy of medicines; questions of comparative efficacy may not be taken into account except in the context of safety. We have no proposals for other evaluations of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek powers to require advertisers of pain-killing drugs to issue corrective advertisements, on the lines of recent United States legislation.

It is intended shortly to make an order bringing into operation the provisions in Section 93 of the Medicines Act that make it an offence to issue false or misleading advertisements, or advertisements including recommendations for uses other than those specified in the product licence. I see no advantage in seeking powers to introduce a system for requiring corrective advertisements to be issued.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will continue to supply post-aural hearing aids.

We have no plans to discontinue the present arrangements for the supply of these aids.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that for some deaf patients, particularly adolescents and young adults, a body-worn hearing aid is an embarrassment, he will take steps to ensure that finance is available to provide and maintain suitable head-worn aids.

The financial implications of supplying head-worn aids are included in the study to which my right hon. Friend referred in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Miss Joan Hall) on 8th May.—[Vol. 836 c. 280.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many deaf patients, and of what age group and from which centres, are taking part in the clinical trials and other studies on head-worn hearing aids; and when he expects to make his further statement on this matter.

A study in which approximately 10,000 school children over the age of 7 years in England and Wales participated has been completed and issues of aids are continuing. No other studies of head-worn hearing aids involving deaf patients are at present in hand. On the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the last paragraph of my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Miss Joan Hall) on 8th May. —[Vol. 836, c. 280.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will list the present membership of the National Health Service Executive Council for the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Following is the present membership:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now announce the names of the chairman and members of the committee of inquiry into the care of patients at South Ockendon Hospital, near Grays, Essex.

Yes. J. Hampden Inskip, Esq., Q.C., Recorder of Bournemouth, has agreed to act as Chairman. The other members will be:

M. McCree, Esq., S.R.N., R.M.P.A., Chief Nursing Officer, Coldeast and Tatchbury Mount Hospital, Southampton.

Alderman Mrs. Patience Sheard, B.A., J.P., Chairman of the Social Services Committee of Sheffield County Borough Council.

Dr. E. W. Shepherd, M.B., B.S., D.P.M., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Physician Superintendent, Leavesden Hospital, near Watford.

Sir John Wills, Bt., T.D., F.R.I.C.S., J.P., D.L., Alderman of Somerset County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total cost of the design and development of the RB211 to date; what additional cost is estimated to achieve 42,500 lbs. thrust at take-off certificated for airline operation; and what additional cost is estimated to be entailed in achieving an engine certificated at 45,000 lbs. take-off thrust.

The amount spent on launching of the RB211 aero-engine was about £100 million up to the collapse of Rolls-Royce Ltd., on 4th February, 1971. Launching costs from that date are estimated at £125 million to achieve RB21122B performance standard, i.e. 42,000 lb. thrust on a hot day; about one-half of this sum has already been spent. The Department is currently examining proposals recently received from Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. to develop a 45,000 lb. thrust version of the RB211 and I am not yet in a position to make an estimate of the likely cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which air traffic control system is now being used to control airliner flight paths over Southern England; and if he will make a statement on the effectiveness in use of the flight data processing system.

This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the abandoning of the British trawler "Ranger Ajax" off Greenland on Tuesday, 16th May.

The British motor stern trawler "Ranger Ajax" reported a fire on 17th May when off southern Greenland. The crew abandoned ship and were taken on board the West German vessel "Frithjof". "Ranger Ajax" subsequently sank. It is expected that the crew will be taken to Reykjavik and then repatriated. I have ordered a preliminary inquiry into the casualty.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what public funds are being devoted to design studies for second generation supersonic aeroengines with a view to promoting completion of design studies for second generation SST powerplants in 1972 for implementation from 1977 onwards.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ask the police to warn residents of North Down against salesmen for magazine subscriptions, which are not delivered, who pose as students taking part in a competition for a foreign holiday.

No. I believe that adverse publicity for such practices in the local Press, radio and television would he a more appropriate way of emphasising that it is advisable to order magazines or other publications from newsagents or booksellers, rather than from doorstep salesmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the total exports for the last 10 years of the British aerospace industry; and to what extent he estimates the development of Concorde will contribute to the maintenance of British aerospace exports.

:Recorded exports of aircraft, engines and parts, excluding secondhand aircraft, between 1962 and 1971 total £2,081 million. I am confident that Concorde sales will make a major contribution to future aerospace exports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of the total exports for the last 10 years of the British steel industry.

Following are the figures.

Exports of Iron and Steel (Division 67)
				£million (fob)
1962	…	…	…	200
1963	…	…	…	205
1964	…	…	…	218
1964	…	…	…	218
1965	…	…	…	235
1966	…	…	…	216
1967	…	…	…	230
1968	…	…	…	267
1969	…	…	…	287
1970	…	…	…	348
1971	…	…	…	402

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the effective perceived noise decibel rating of the RB211 and GE CF6 aero-engines at flyover, approach and sideline, respectively.

Published figures for the Douglas DC10, which uses three general electric CF6 engines, and for the Lockheed L1011 in which three Rolls-Royce

		Turkey	Israel	Greece	Malta	Spain	Tunisia	Morocco
1969—
Metric tons	…	154·8	722·3	263·9	692·3	2,762·9	—	2·1
£000's	…	66·8	618·1	159·4	629·3	1,680·7	—	4·9
1970—
Metric tons	…	158·3	394·2	252·8	856·7	2,580·1	1·1	3·3
£000's	…	74·7	460·6	178·1	985·4	1,755·7	1·1	4·6
1971—
Metric tons	…	23·7	254·6	324·3	696·9	2,254·2	2·9	2·0
£000's	…	22·1	362·9	236·6	822·1	1,817·2	3·6	3·5

We are in close touch with the textile industry on the effects on employment of the expected changes in the pattern of our textile imports after we join the EEC.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the RB211 are installed show that under the conditions specified by the United States federal aviation regulations the noise levels in EPNdB are as follows:

		Flyover	Sideline	Approach
DC10	…	98	96	106
L1011	…	98	95	103

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the expected consequence for British imports of textiles from Mediterranean associates of the European Economic Community—namely Turkey, Israel, Greece, Malta, Spain, Tunisia and Morocco—in the light of proposed British membership of the European Economic Community; what has been the annual value and volume of such imports in the last three years; and what current discussions are taking place with the textile industry to assess the employment consequences of such changing textile trade.

We are discussing with the EEC the terms of the mandates for negotiations with the Mediterranean associates on the adaptation of the present agreements to the enlarged Community. Restrictions on cotton textile imports into the United Kingdom from these countries are included in the matters under discussion, and I cannot yet say what the consequence of our accession to these agreements will be.Our imports of cotton textiles from these countries during the last three years have been as follows:cost to public funds of the Lockheed TriStar, and the A300 B Airbus, respectively.

The only element of either aircraft for which the British Government is providing funds is the RB211 engine for the Lockheed TriStar. The total estimated cost from 4th February, 1971 is about £190 million-£195 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are to be the links between the Industrial Director for Scotland and the Scottish Economic Council.

The Department is represented at meetings on the Scottish Economic Council by the Director for Scotland. No doubt my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will invite the Industrial Director to attend on appropriate occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to whom the new Industrial Director for Scotland will be responsible.

To my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State through senior officers and me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the relationship between the Industrial Director for Scotland and the Industrial Development Board.

The Scottish Industrial Development Board will advise the Department's Director for Scotland and Industrial Director for Scotland on applications for selective assistance and on more general matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are to be the links between the Industrial Director for Scotland and the Scottish Office.

He will be an officer of the Scottish Industrial Development Office which will continue to work closely with the Scottish Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the defined circumstances, referred to in the statement by the President of the Board of Trade on 4th February, 1964, in which the National Film Finance Corporation is able to give consent to the disposal by British Lion of its interest in Shepperton Studios Limited.

The relevant provision in the assurance given by the NFFC to British Lion is as follows:

"While any sale or disposal of British Lion's interest in Shepperton Studios Limited or of that Company's interest in any real property shall require the consent of the holder of the Special Preference Share of British Lion, our intention is that such consent will he given if:

(a) assurances are given which satisfy the holder of the Special Preference Share that there are satisfactory alternative studio facilities available to British Lion (to which similar restrictions would then subsequently apply); or

(b) it can be shown to the satisfaction of the holder of the Special Preference Share that the Shepperton Studios can only be operated at a critical loss and that there is no reasonable prospect of their being operated as studios for cinematograph film production on a profitable basis in the foreseeable future."

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, for each of the months November and December, 1971, and January, February, March and April, 1972, were the numbers of applications for the registration of companies engaged in the building and construction industry; and what were the comparable figures for one year earlier.

The information could not be obtained without undue expenditure of staff resources.