asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will examine what further steps can be taken to increase the incidence and organisation of a normal everyday work routine in Her Majesty's prisons.

This is a matter to which great attention will continue to be paid. Although the difficulties in the way of rapid progress are considerable, a good deal has already been achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he had before publication of the Code of Fire Precautions for Hotels and Boarding Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he had before publishing the Code of Fire Precautions Practice for Hotels and Boarding Houses.

With national representatives, among others, of the hotel and boarding-house industry, the fire authorities and fire service organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the application of the Fire Precautions Act, 1971, to hotels and boarding houses; and how many such establishments will be affected by this Act in Scarborough and Whitby.

Fears have been expressed that some establishments may not feel able to meet the cost.I regret that the information sought in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to designate further categories of premises under the Fire Precautions Act, 1971.

Not until my right hon. Friend has considered the recommendations of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council as to the order in which the different classes of premises should be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have died as a result of fires in hotels and boarding houses in the five year period up to and including 1971.

There were 68 deaths as a result of fires in hotels in England and Wales in the years 1967–71. Fires in boarding houses are recorded together with those in clubs, restaurants and public houses. Deaths in this group totalled 48 in the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assist small hoteliers to imprement the new Fire Regulations; and what form this assistance will take.

My right hon. Friend has no power to make grants or loans from public funds for this purpose, but small hoteliers should benefit from tax concessions in respect of installing equipment such as alarms and fire-fighting systems. Fire authorities are being encouraged to hold local conferences with hotel and boarding-house keepers about the application of the Fire Precautions Act. 1971 to their premises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a further statement of Government policy on the parole system.

Provision is made in the Criminal Justice Bill for some detailed changes in the machinery of the parole system; but I believe that the system as a whole has amply justified itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many maintenance orders in favour of wives, former wives, and children, respectively, are currently registered at magistrates' courts; and what is the number of defaults.

I regret that these particulars are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers have resigned from the Metropolitan Police since the appointment of the new Commissioner.

There were 27 during the period 17th April to 18th May. This is rather less than the monthly average over the preceding two years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which senior posts within his Department are still not open to women purely on grounds of their sex.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet had an opportunity of seeing the BBC-2 film "To Encourage the Others", produced by David Yallop; and whether, in view of the documented evidence it contains, he is now prepared to recommend a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the trial and execution of 19-year-old Derek Bentley.

Derek Bentley was sentenced to death in consequence of the verdict of a jury convicting him of the murder of Police Constable Miles. An appeal against that conviction was considered by the Court of Criminal Appeal but dismissed. It is not for me to review the evidence and arguments which have already been considered by the courts or to comment on the application of the legal doctrine of constructive murder. These were matters for the courts, and I cannot presume to re-try the case. I am concerned only to consider whether any material fresh evidence has come to light which was not before the courts and which might have affected the verdict, and it is on this basis that I have approached the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the law relating to the sale of animals as pets, especially in regard to prevention of cruelty and neglect; and if he will make a statement.

The Pet Animals Act, 1951, requires pet shops to be licensed by local authorities. I have no information to suggest that this control is inadequate to prevent maltreatment of animals sold through the pet trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him concerning the growth of private security firms; whether he will consider the desirability of bringing them under some system of public control; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received a few suggestions that the activities of private security organisations have increased and should be brought under some form of control. He has at present no proposals for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the practice of the Metropolitan Police with regard to prosecuting the owners of cars with CD plates for parking offences.

Unless it is known that a person parking a car bearing CD plates is entitled to diplomatic immunity, an infringement of the parking regulations is normally dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice, as for any other vehicle. The notice would be cancelled if on inquiry it proved that a driver who failed to pay the penalty enjoyed immunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what authority police cars were used to transport railway workers to their place of work, particularly in the Ilford area.

Police cars were not used for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on police investigations into the Quaye case, which have been reported to him by the Metropolitan Police.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the Quayes' solicitors have advised them not to make statements about their complaints against the police. On the information available to the commissioner, he is unable to find that his officers acted in any way improperly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he now has for making an official visit to Holloway prison.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member on 27th January.—[Vol. 829, c. 491.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Russian citizens were admitted to the United Kingdom in the latest 12-month period for which information is complete; and for what purposes.

There were 4,870 in the year ended 30th April, 1972. Tourists made up roughly half the total.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable as to what river, estuary and coastal patrol boats are permanently in use by the Suffolk Police.

None at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of traffic wardens in the United Kingdom; if he will give similar figures for the City of Kingston upon Hull and the London Borough of Merton, respectively: and whether these are under strength.

On 31st March there were 5,719 in post in England and Wales and 797 vacancies; 54 in post and 17 vacancies in Kingston-upon-Hull; and 32 in post and no vacancies in Merton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many robberies there were in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police District, involving the use of firearms, during 1971; and how this figure compares with 1970.

The figure for 1971 is not yet available. In 1970, 475 offences of robbery, or assault with intent to rob, involving the use of firearms were known to the police in England and Wales. The corresponding figure for 1969 was 463.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to postpone the elections for the new metropolitan district councils so that they will take place on the same date as the elections for the new non-metropolitan district councils.

No. This would unnecessarily curtail the period of shadow office for the new metropolitan district councillors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are now serving life sentences; how many of these have now been detained over 10 years; and what is the longest period that has been served by a woman under these conditions.

There are 14 women now serving sentences of life imprisonment in England and Wales. The only woman who has served longer than 10 years has been released on licence twice, and has had to be recalled. She served 7½ years before her first release, and has served a further 11½ years in the two periods of recall.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths from drowning took place in the United Kingdom during 1971.

In Great Britain, 1,151, other than suicides and assaults.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable citizens to inspect certain sections of their own records filed in the national police computer.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask the Younger Committee to make an interim report on the extent to which the privacy of the individual or organisation is invaded by Government officials, and the extent to which such pratices have increased in recent years.

No. This is outside the committee's terms of reference, and anyway the committee hopes to submit its final report very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange to have the papers and documents sent to the former Commissioner of Police by Michael Cudlipp of The Times in connection with the recent prosecution of certain policemen to be returned to him and the letters from Mr. F. McAllen, of Raynesfield Avenue, also to be returned.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he is returning the correspondence from Mr. McAllen to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT all the appointments, made by the Government, held by the Chairman of the Horserace Totalisator Board on the date of his appointment to the Chairmanship of this Board.

Lord Mancroft, as well as being Chairman of the Horserace Totalisator Board, is the chairman of a committee set up by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to consider how to celebrate British entry into the European Economic Community. This is an unpaid appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the security forces are forbidden to administer drugs prior to interrogation.

The use of drugs for this purpose would be entirely improper. My right hon. Friend is aware of recent allegations which are being urgently investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will remove the oath of allegiance as a condition of employment in the public service.

My right hon. Friend is reviewing this matter in connection with all new legislation and will consider in due course existing legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details, from the date of direct rule to the present, of the number of bombings, shootings and bank raids, the number of bullets fired by the terrorists, the amount of explosives they have used, the amount of damage which they have caused and the amount of money stolen.

The following is the information at 22nd May so far as it can be ascertained:

• ^*Explosions—178.
• ^*Amount of explosives used—4,800 lbs
• Shooting incidents—1,566.
• Bank raids—16.
• Amount stolen—£31,804 (plus 3 undisclosed sums).
• ^*This information is given from 27th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tenants of houses administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive were more than one month in arrears with rent payments at the latest convenient date.

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State said in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 9th May, this information cannot be obtained without disproportionate effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps he is taking to reduce the debt owing to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive due to the rent strike;(2) what action he proposes to take against those who owe more than six months rent and rates for public authority dwellings.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Pounder) on 18th May, and the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 11th May.—[Vol. 837, c. 196; Vol. 836, c. 429.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of rates for the financial year ended April, 1972, is still unpaid; and what was the corresponding amount in May, 1971, for the year ended April, 1971.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 9th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 351.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the 22,000 tenants of public dwellings withholding rent and rates are not subject to any redirection of social security benefits and are therefore in debt to the Exchequer for the total amounts so far withheld.

As at 3rd May, 1972, about 3,400 tenants of public authority dwellings were withholding rent and rates but not currently claiming social security benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the membership and activities of his proposed Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is now in a position to announce the names of the Northern Ireland Commission.

I have appointed the following to serve on the Commission:

• T. Conaty, Esq.
• A. E. Gibson, Esq.
• Professor N. J. Gibson.
• Norman Kennedy, Esq.
• Sir Robin Kinahan.
• Mrs. A. Malone.
• Miss S. Murnaghan.
• John Nicholl, Esq.
• James O'Hara, Esq.
• R. B. Price, Esq.
• R. D Rolston, Esq.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will appoint a committee to examine and report upon the teachers' superannuation scheme.

A broadly representative working party under departmental chairmanship is already engaged on a wide ranging review of the teachers' superannuation schemes for England and Wales and for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will now introduce legislation to give effect to recommendations for authors to receive rewards for their individual works borrowed from public libraries; and whether she will make a statement as to future policy in this respect.

The Government will consider their future action in the light of the comments which have been invited from interested organisations on the report, published last week, of a working party set up by my noble Friend, the Paymaster-General, and a statement will then be made. This report contains no recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will issue a circular calling for the nomenclature of new schools to be discreet and appropriate.

The advice was given by my Department in 1948 to local education authorities, managers and governors about the aim in naming a school. I see no reason for a further circular.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action she intends to take to improve the standard of school meals.

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the general standard of school meals is high. The local education authorities are constantly striving to improve school catering standards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what representations she has received asking her to move for a Select Committee to inquire into her plan to increase teachers' superannuation contributions; and what reply she has sent;(2) what representations have been made to her by the National Association of Schoolmasters regarding the proposal by Her Majesty's Government to increase teachers' superannuation contributions; and what reply she has sent.

No direct representations have been made to my right hon. Friend, but in the working party under departmental chairmanship which is at present reviewing the teachers' superannuation schemes the representatives of the National Association of Schoolmasters have dissented from the proposal to increase teachers' contributions and have suggested that a Select Committee would be a suitable body to inquire into the future of the schemes.In addition, right hon. and hon. Members have referred to my right hon. Friend similar representations which they have received from local branches of the association. In her replies she is making some or all of the following points:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration she has given to the resolution approved by the Co-operative Movement's Education Department Annual Conference on comprehensive and nursery education, a copy of which has been sent to her; and if she will make a statement of her policy towards the action called for.

The Government's policy on the organisation of secondary education is set out in Circular 10/70. I shall continue to consider on their merits any proposals which may be submitted to me under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944 (as amended) to give effect to reorganisation schemes. On nursery education, I have nothing to add at present to what I said in the debate on 12th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 1756–69.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many youth clubs in the Inner London area are granted aid; and how much money each receives.

My Department does not make grants towards recurrent expenditure by youth clubs, and detailed information is not available about the grants made by the Inner London Education Authority.Since the matter falls within his area of responsibility, my noble Friend, Lord Belstead, will be replying to the right hon. Member's letter of 19th May addressed to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to obtain information about the number of schools without indoor lavatories and washhouse basins.

No. It would require a very extensive survey to obtain this information.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the outcome of Government considerations of making provision for compensation for the relatives of men who were killed in Londonderry on 30th January last who were found innocent by the Widgery Report.

No decisions have yet been reached on the 17 claims received.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the shooting of 16-year-old Manus Deery on the night of Friday, 19th May by a member of the Army.

At about 8.30 p.m. two soldiers in an observation post saw a person holding a rifle in Meenan Square. One of the soldiers fired an aimed shot at him. A crowd quickly gathered at the scene, and the soldiers were not able to see what happened to the gunman. Later that evening, Manus Deery died shortly after admission to Altnagelvin Hospital.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the extent and purpose of sniping by the Army into the Bogside area of Londonderry.

Troops may fire from cover if the circumstances justify opening fire, in Londonderry or elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his attendance at the meeting of the Eurogroup within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Brussels on 23rd May, 1972; if joint arms procurement was discussed at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the matters under discussion in this group.

My right hon. and noble Friend attended the meeting of the Eurogroup Defence Ministers on 23rd May. I am arranging for the Communiqué to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Her Majesty's Government warmly support the activities of the Eurogroup. In particular, we regard collaboration over arms procurement as an important measure for securing effective use of the resources available for defence. The following is the Communiqué:

asked the Minister of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's total expenditure takes place in Wales.

About 3 per cent.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will impose a limit upon the number of flights of military aircraft which take place over the United Kingdom at below 2,000 feet.

No. As I have explained in correspondence, we do not permit any more low-level military flying than is strictly necessary for maintaining a satisfactory level of operational efficiency.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many men and women were serving in the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy at the last date for which figures are available; and what were the figures five years ago.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the Government's policy towards Rhodesia in the light of the Pearce Corn-mission Report.

I have nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made to the House on the 23rd May.—[Vol. 837, c. 1224–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will cause an investigation to ascertain how and why the Daily Telegraph was able to publish on the front page of that paper on 19th May full details of the Pearce Commission's Report on Rhodesia before the report was presented to Parliament.

As the hon. Member will now have seen from the Pearce Commission's Report, this Daily Telegraph article was inaccurate in its main forecast. I do not think that an inquiry by me is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the average time before a regulation or directive made in the European Economic Community at or about 25th December, 1971, is translated, published and made available to Members of Parliament.

The time taken for the selection, translation and publication of individual Community instruments varies with their length and complexity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when the English translation of Part 33, Oils and Fats Regulation No. 2718/71/EEC of 21st December, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(2) when the English translation of Part 39, Sugar Regulation No. 2417/71/EEC of 10th November, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(3) when the English translation of Part 39, Sugar Regulation No. 2719/71/EEC of 21st December. 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(4) when the English translation of Part 39, Sugar Regulation No. 2723/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(5) when the English translation of Part 40, Tobacco Regulation No. 2602/71/EEC of 6th December, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(6) when the English translation of Part 40, Tobacco Regulation No. 2603/71/EEC of 6th December, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament:(7) when the English translation of Part 18, Animal Feeding Stuffs Directive 71/393/EEC of 18th November, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(8) when the English translation of Part 24, Fisheries Regulation No. 2808/71/EEC of 23rd December, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(9) when the English translation of Part 32, Milk and Milk Products Regulation No. 2469/71/EEC of 17th November, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;(10) when the English translation of Part 32, Milk and Milk Products Regulation No. 2732/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament;

English texts of the instruments were published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office on 12th May and became available to hon. Members through the Vote Office on that day

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Community that regulations emanating from the Community are directly applicable and create rights for individuals which the national judiciary is under obligation to uphold.

The judgment which my hon. Friend appears to have in mind is in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's understanding of the effect of the European Economic Community Treaty. This understanding is reflected in the provisions of the European Communities Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that no part of the cost of entry into the European Economic Community of the Republic of Ireland will be borne by the United Kingdom, either directly or indirectly.

In the enlarged Community as in the present Community there will be an interaction of costs and advantages between member states. So far as the United Kingdom is concerned Her Majesty's Government believe that the advantages of membership outweigh the costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list the subject matter of the approximately 15 Instruments which the Government intends to lay in 1972 under existing legislation to meet its obligations if the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Communities.

It is expected that in 1972 instruments under existing legislation will be needed to deal with the following subjects:Concessionary allowances on customs duties payable by travellers.Free movement and employment of persons.Taking of evidence for proceedings before the European Court.Rules of procedure for references to the European Court and far enforcement of the Court's orders.Operation of the National Coal Board overseas.Film levy and film registration modifications.Status of the European Investment Bank under the Trustee Investments Act 1961.Access to our coastal waters by fishing vessels.Extension of disabled persons' rights to cover community nationals.Extension of the powers of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration to cover the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce.Disqualification of members of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce from sitting as Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his intention, when compiling the register of European electors for the purposes of Article 138 of the Treaty of Rome, to include potential voters who may also be entitled to vote in the Republic of Eire.

This is a matter which it would only be appropriate to consider when agreement has been reached on a timetable for the institution of direct elections to the European Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take steps to ensure that any elections held in the United Kingdom under Article 138(3) of the Treaty of Rome will not take place on a Sunday.

Under Article 138(3) of the European Economic Community Treaty we shall have full opportunity for expressing our views both in the Assembly and in the Council of Ministers on the procedure for elections.The Article requires that the Council shall act unanimously and that its recommendation to Member States shall be for adoption in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application by the Republic of Ireland Government to the European Commission on Human Rights in relation to 13 cases from Northern Ireland; and if he will indicate why these have been struck out from the record.

The Government of the Irish Republic made an application to the European Commission on 15th December, 1971, alleging certain breaches by Her Majesty's Government of the European Convention. Subsequently on 23rd February, 1972, the Government of the Irish Republic made an additional application, part of which has been added to the first, while the remainder is to be treated as a separate application. The matter is at present sub judice before the Commission which has not yet reached a decision on the admissibility of either application.No part of either application has been withdrawn or dismissed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to conserve salmon whose home rivers are in Scotland.

As a result of the efforts of the governments of the United Kingdom and of the other countries which carefully conserve their home water stocks, the present restrictions on high seas fishing in the North-West and North-East Atlantic were agreed. We shall continue to press for further control.My proposals for conservation in Scottish waters were set out in the White Paper which I presented to Parliament last November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions he has reached regarding Church representation in education committees under the proposed regional reorganisation.

I am aware of the strength of opinion about this question and I intend to provide for the continued representation of the churches. I am now considering how this can best be done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many health centres in Scotland have dispensary facilities incorporated within the health centre buildings; and where they are located.

Two; at Sighthill Health Centre, Edinburgh, and Dundonald, Ayrshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, from information available from international sources, what has been the percentage increase in the number undergoing full- and part-time education in Belgium since 1958–59; and how this compares with the percentage increase during the same period in Scotland.

Between 1958–59 and 1967–68, the latest year for which information is available, the number of children attending schools, excluding special schools, in Belgium appears to have increased by 16·1 per cent. compared with an increase of 6·4 per cent. in Scotland. This comparison is not wholly reliable since the statistics for the two countries are compiled on different bases. Moreover, variations in actual numbers depend on demographic as well as educational considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the average net expenditure per person registered as physically handicapped, General Classes, on services provided under Section 29 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, for the years 1965–66 to 1969–70 in the counties and large burghs of Scotland, listing each one individually.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the membership of the committee which is to advise him on the electoral areas to be used for the first elections to the proposed new local authorities in Scotland.

The committee is to consist of three members. The following have accepted invitations to serve:

• Mr. C. K. Davidson, Q.C. (Chairman).
• Mr. Peter McKechnie, F.R.I.C., formerly Electoral Registration Officer, Fife.
• Mr. Robert F. Pollock, O.B.E., formerly Town Clerk, Rutherglen.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to initiate and chair joint talks between the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry for the purpose of examining the problem of low pay in industry.

The subject is one which has been raised in the context of talks which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is having with the TUC and CBI.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, at each of those areas or locations where containers are stuffed and stripped, whether by industry and commerce at container bases or ports, he will indicate, from information available to him, the average weekly pay of those manufacturing the goods so handled, those packing them in manufacturing industry or at container bases, those transporting them to the ports, those so handling or packing them in the port areas and those transporting them at sea.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the percentage of clerical and other office workers unemployed at the last available date for each of the regional planning areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the total cost of implementing the decision of the Industrial Relations Court to ballot railway employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated cost to public funds, including payment to the company, Mail Marketing, of carrying out the decision of the National Industrial Relations Court directing that a ballot be taken of trade union members involved in the pay dispute with British Railways.

I understand that the commission expects the cost to be about £150,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total numbers employed in Scotland and in Great Britain, respectively, in each of the Standard Industrial Classifications 860 to 879 at the latest date for which figures are available, and the percentage which the Scottish figure represents in each case of the Great Britain total.

Following is the information:

The following table shows a regional analysis of the number of wholly unemployed men and women registered for employment in clerical and other office occupations. Rates of unemployment cannot be calculated in the absence of comparable estimates of the numbers employed in these occupations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the figure of 1,800 employees of Westland's recently made redundant by the closure of that company's works at Hayes, showing how many have been placed in new employment by local employment officers, how many of these have obtained employment in Hayes and Harlington; and how many remain registered as unemployed.

According to latest information, 318 employees of Westland's have been placed in other jobs by my Department, 114 of which were in the Hayes area. There are 461 workpeople still registered as unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will ascertain from the Commission on Industrial Relations who will pay the £2,000 costs involved in making a 30-second

I understand from the commission that it is a general purpose information film on balloting which, with suitable adapation to the sound track, could be used whenever the commission is conducting a postal ballot. It had been the commission's intention to show the film on television in connection with the railway ballot, but this proved impossible. The cost is being met from the commission's funds

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many days have been lost through strikes in the mining industry since June, 1970, and between October, 1964, and June, 1970, respectively;(2) how many days have been lost through strikes in the Post Office since June, 1970, and between October, 1964, and June, 1970, respectively;(3) how many days have been lost through strikes in the transport and ports industry since June, 1970, and between October, 1964, and June, 1970, respectively;(4) how many days have been lost through strikes in the field of local government employment since June, 1970, and between October, 1964, and June, 1970, respectively;(5) how many days have been lost through strikes in manufacturing industries since June, 1970, and between October, 1964, and June, 1970, respectively.

Following is the information available:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement about the future of the Engineering Training Board.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 16th may.—[Vol. 837, c. 60–1.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will invite Mr. Reg Bottini, general secretary of the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers, to act as his personal adviser on all matters concerning British agriculture.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated butter and cheese surplus in the Common Market at the end of the year; what is the reason for the surplus; what estimate he has made of the effect of entry of Great Britain and Denmark upon the surplus; what proposals are being discussed by the European Economic Community to deal with it; and if he will make a statement.

Although the Community's stocks of butter have been rising recently, mainly because of the increase in Community milk production in exceptionally favourable weather conditions, it is much too early to give an estimate of the likely level of these stocks at the end of this year, bearing in mind the many variable factors, including the weather, that can affect this. The United Kingdom is a large net importer of butter and cheese and, after allowing for imports from New Zealand under the special arrangement, should provide increased market opportunities for supplies from other members of the enlarged Community, including continued imports from Denmark.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Regulation 2829/71/EEC of 24th December, 1971, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 748/68 on general rules for the carry-forward of part of the sugar production to the following marketing year will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

Regulation 748/68 previously provided that, when a sugar manufacturer carried forward part of his production from one sugar season to the next under the provisions of Article 32 of Regulation 1009/67, the minimum price payable by the manufacturer for the corresponding sugar beet should be the minimum price applicable during the season in which the beet was processed, minus part of the cost of storing the sugar. Regulation 2879/71 alters this provision so that, except where the Community imposes a levy on the sugar in question, the minimum price payable for the beet is that applicable during the succeeding season. It therefore improves the position of beet growers in the case of an increase in the minimum price for beet between two sugar seasons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Regulation No. 2863/71 of 30th December, 1971 amending EEC No. 2049/69 laying down general rules for the denaturing of sugar for animal feeding will affect British industry engaged in these activities.

Regulation 2863/71, which repealed Article 6 of Regulation 2049/69, will not in itself have any effect on denaturers of sugar in the United Kingdom, because the substance of that Article has now been included in Regulation 100/72 of 14th January, 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 24, Fisheries Regulation No. 2808/71/EEC of 23rd December, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

This Regulation (2808/71) supplements in respect of herring an earlier Regulation (1109/71) which laid down for other species of fish the procedure for establishing the entry price applicable to imports of fish from third countries. When the level of the entry price falls below the level of the reference price (established in other Community Regulations) the importing country is entitled to take protective measures (prescribed in the Community's main marketing regulation) so as to prevent disruption of its market. Therefore, the effect of this Regulation (and of the Regulation which it supplements) on the United Kingdom following our entry into the EEC would be to enable us to take action to prevent excessive supplies of fish from third countries from weakening our market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 33, Oils and Fats Regulation No. 2495/71/EEC, of 19th November, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

This regulation gives effect to provisions in the Association Agreement between Tunisia and the EEC for imports of olive oil into the Community. It provides a preference for Tunisia in a way which does not affect the import price. It would not therefore affect British industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 33, Oils and Fats Regulation No. 2501/71/EEC, of 22nd November, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

This Regulation alters the premiums and minimum quantities for olive oil purchased by intervention agencies in olive-producing countries of the EEC. Since olive oil is not produced in the United Kingdom, it will not affect British industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 33, Oils and Fats Regulation No. 2503/71/EEC, of 2nd November, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

This Regulation alters the control arrangements for the payment of a Community production refund on olive oil used in manufacturing some preserved fish and vegetable products. There is one British firm using olive oil in the canning of fish which should be eligible for the refund when we join the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 33, Oils and Fats Regulation No. 2718/71/ EEC of 21st December, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

This Regulation makes a small change in the method of calculating the weight of oilseeds for the purposes of the Community subsidy. The subsidy will become payable on oilseed rape grown and processed in this country and will be phased in following our entry into the EEC.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 39, Sugar Regulation No. 2417/71/EEC of 10th November, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

This Regulation makes minor changes in the terms on which the national Intervention Agencies in the Community may purchase sugar offered to them by manufacturers. The main effects of the amendments are to prevent sugar being sold to intervention more than once; to increase the rental payable by the agency when a manufacturer stores the sugar on its behalf; to increase the premiums payable by the agency for sugar in certain types of packing; and to provide for these premiums to be determined and paid only when the sugar is removed from the manufacturer's store. The amendments are not such as to create difficulty for the United Kingdom sugar trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 39, Sugar Regulation 2723/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

This Regulation extends until 30th June, 1975 the payment of subsidies on sugar used in the manufacture of certain chemical products, which would otherwise have expired on 31st January, 1972. It therefore benefits United Kingdom manufacturers of these products.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 41, Wine Regulation No. 2436/71/EEC of 11th November, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

Under the terms of this regulation Israel and Chile will observe the EEC reference prices when exporting wines to the Community. The regulation will apply in the United Kingdom as from 1st February, 1973. Any effect will depend on the level of reference prices then operating but in view of the normal price levels for Israeli and Chilean wines imported into the United Kingdom the effect for importers is likely to be negligible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 41, Wine Regulaion No. 91/72/EEC of 13th January, 1972, will affect British industry engaged in these activities: and whether he will make a statement.

The effect of this regulation is to remove time limits associated with storage aid for wine under the wine market regime. Storage aid is related to excess production of wine of fresh grapes, which is not a situation expected to arise for English wine producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how and in what way the adoption of Part 18, Animal and Feeding Stuffs Directive 71/393/EEC of 18th November, 1971, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.

Directive 71/393 sets out methods of analysis for the official verification of the level of certain constituents of animal feedingstuffs. My Department is consulting trade, farming and enforcement interests on the applica- tion of these methods in the United Kingdom, and any difficulties will be discussed with the Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what administrative arrangements exist to ensure that food sold to the consumer is monitored to see that it does not involve any hazard to health.

In October, 1971, I appointed, in consultation with my colleagues concerned, a standing committee (The Steering Group on Food Surveillance) under the Chairmanship of my Chief Scientific Adviser (Food) consisting of experts from my Department, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Department of Trade and Industry including the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the Scottish Home and Health Department, the Welsh Office, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland) and the Tropical Products Institute.The Steering Group co-ordinates all work on monitoring foodstuffs, and ensures that immediate action is taken when an urgent situation demands. It keeps under review and where appropriate makes arrangements for analytical surveys of food with special reference to additives, chemical contaminants and nutrients. The Group delegates specific programmes of work to working parties such as the Working Party on the Monitoring of Foodstuffs for Heavy Metals.The Steering Group is currently considering the needs and priorities for future monitoring programmes and the Working Party continues to monitor foodstuffs for mercury, lead and cadmium. Monitoring for any one particular food contaminant will only cease when it is considered that sufficient information has been obtained to indicate that there is not, nor will be. any risk to consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was spent, in million units of account, on Guarantee Section of FEOGA in each year since 1968–69; and whether he will list, separately, expenditure on each of the main commodities, showing the amounts involved for market intervention and for export subsidies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the mid-April results of the Food Index.

:The table below sets out the Budget estimates for expenditure from the Guarantee Section for each accounting period since 1968–69. The final figures for actual expenditure are not available as the accounts for the years in question are still open.

Between mid-March and mid-April, 1972, the Food Index fell by 0·8 per cent. While this fall was partly the result of lower prices for seasonal foods such as eggs, tomatoes and fresh vegetables, the main factor was the special action I announced on 8th March to help keep food prices down. The general improvement in the situation is demontrated by the index of non-seasonal foods which showed an increase between October, 1971, and April, 1972, of only 2·7 per cent., compared to 5·5 per cent. in the preceding six months.—[Vol. 832, c. 359–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the discussions held by the Minister of Transport Industries with the European Economic Community on axle weights and lorry sizes.

I have made the Government's views known to the Transport Ministers of the EEC Member States individually, and to the Commissioner concerned with transport. Formal consultations with the Community have yet to take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the cost of strengthening roads and bridges in Great Britain if axle weights were raised to 11 tons.

Over a 10–15 year period accelerated wear due to 11-ton axles would probably involve additional expenditure of some £200 million. Increased cost of new road construction would be about £5 million-£8 million per year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what the estimated gross and net saving will be to the Government in the first full year following the implementation of the Housing Finance Bill.