asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will appoint a permanent commission composed of independent persons to investigate all allegations of mistreatment of prisoners by military and police personnel in Northern Ireland.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has now received a report on the allegations of torture under the aegis of the Army in Northern Ireland in recent weeks; and whether there was substance in these reports.

All specific allegations which have reached my right hon. Friend are being investigated and reports will be made to him as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ire land what report has been given by the Royal Ulster Constabulary to the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland, on the allegations of assaults on prisoners sent to the General Officer Commanding by the Minister of State for Defence on 17th January.

My right hon. Friend has received an interim report from the Royal Ulster Constabulary on the investigations into the allegations referred to and has asked for final reports as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether he is satisfied with the composition and resources of the Community Relations Commission; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he will transfer some of the resources of the social needs programme to the Community Relations Commission.

The present Community Relations Commission was appointed very recently and my right hon. Friend has every confidence in the chairman and members. The commission's grant-in-aid for the year 1972–73 is £198,000, which is the full amount it sought. Any proposals from the commission for additional expenditure on projects in its field will be sympathetically considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated expenditure of the Ministry of Community Relations for 1972–73; and whether he will make a statement on major items proposed within such expenditure.

£895,000, of which £615,000 is for grants towards projects under the Social Need (Grants) Act (Northern Ireland), 1970, £198,000 for a grant-in-aid to the Northern Ireland Community Relations Commission, and £77,000 for salaries and expenses in the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many building trade workers are presently unemployed in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

The number of building trade workers unemployed in Northern Ireland on 8th May, 1972, was 10,135. It is expected that under the development programme capital investment in new building and construction in Northern Ireland during 1972–73 will amount to £195 million, and some 3,000 extra jobs will be created, most of them in the construction industry.Further measures to stimulate employment are being urgently considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in defining the new local authority areas in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

I have received the report of the Northern Ireland Boundaries Commissioner. I hope to make a further statement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reply he intends to give to the report of the Council of Europe sub-committee on Northern Ireland.

There is no report, but Her Majesty's Government have taken note of the main conclusions of the Sub-Committees on Northern Ireland which have been conveyed to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further steps are being taken to reinforce the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and if he will initiate a scheme for uniformed volunteers from the Police Forces of Great Britain to be seconded to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question on 4th May by the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Fowler). In addition, steps have been taken to engage a number of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve on a full-time basis. Statutory arrangements exist for mutual aid between police forces in Great Britain and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.—[Vol. 836, c. 577.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings his advisory commission has held since its formation; and what matters have been discussed.

The first meeting of the Northern Ireland Commission was held on Tuesday, 6th June. We had a most valuable discussion on the overall situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will state the number of publicly-owned houses within the boundary of the North Antrim division; how many of these have full amenities, electric light, hot and cold water, indoor toilets and bathrooms; how many of these have part amenities, and how many no amenities at all.

Out of a total of 9,475 publicly-owned houses in the North Antrim division, 7,797 have full amenities, 1,560 have part amenities, and 118 are without amenities.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the talks held with trade union representatives of the retail, distributive and service trades in Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to the problems of employment following the damage caused to Co-operative premises in Belfast recently.

My right hon. Friend's meeting on 15th May with trade union representatives in Northern Ireland was a general meeting with the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trades Unions, and was not confined to the retail, distributive and service trades.A figure of £1 million has been agreed with the Belfast Co-operative Society for the loss of its stock and a payment of £400,000 has already been made. A further payment on account will be made later this month. Government Departments in Northern Ireland will continue to keep in touch with the firm, which should be congratulated on its strenuous efforts to resume business.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the plebiscite on the border is to be held.

My right hon. Friend is not yet able to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 8th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 292.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider introducing martial law in Northern Ireland to take effect if further deterioration of the security position takes place.

Her Majesty's Forces will continue to operate in aid of the civil authorities in Northern Ireland for as long as is necessary, and I am satisfied that they have adequate powers for carrying out their duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to reorganise the public supply of electricity in Northern Ireland.

Work is proceeding, and my right hon. Friend hopes to present to Parliament shortly an Order in Council based on the Electricity (Supply) Bill which was before Stormont at the time of its prorogation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been released on bail under Regulation 11 subsection 4 of the Special Powers Act in the year before he took office; and how many have been released since he took office.

None in either period.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will take steps to bring the abortion law in Northern Ireland into line with that in other parts of the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest estimate he has made of the loss of revenue to public corporations in Northern Ireland as a result of the non-payment of bills for gas and electricity and the non-payment of rent.

Approximately £1¾ million is at present owing to the principal gas and electricity undertakings, including normal arrears, and just over £1 million for arrears of rent with rates to the public housing authorities including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will investigate the reasons for the detention of Mr. William McKee as a non-political prisoner at Crumlin Road Prison and the state of his health by reason of his continued hunger strike since 18th May approximately; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. William McKee is serving a five-year sentence for various firearms offences. He is being kept under close medical supervision.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his plans relating to the district council elections scheduled to be held in October in Northern Ireland.

I hope to make a further statement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make provision for proportional representation in future elections for any legislation on a parliamentary assembly or local government area in Northern Ireland.

I am considering this matter, and hope to make a further statement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to attract industry into the West Belfast area.

Practical steps now in hand include improved access to the Government factory estate at Adelaide, where a new advance factory is now ready; opening up a new factory estate as a local co-operative venture, with substantial Government backing, and a detailed review of what further land might be provided for factories. Every encouragement will be given to industry to make use of these facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further plans he has for economic expansion and full employment in Northern Ireland.

A review is being held to see what further measures can be taken to aid economic expansion in Northern Ireland and in particular to reduce the high level of unemployment. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make an announcement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will now introduce legislation to require the surrender of all privately-held licensed arms in Northern Ireland.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will transfer guard duties on police barracks and other vital points in Northern Ireland to Army units and release the maximum number of police for regular patrol and law enforcement duties throughout the province.

The Army is performing guard duties at a number of police stations and key points. The duties of both Army and Police are reviewed regularly to ensure that the most effective use is made of the manpower available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what statistics of murders by the Irish Republican Army are now in his possession; and how many of the victims were tortured or mutilated.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 24th May, 1972, but will, with permission, circulate updated information in the Official Report.As to the second part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his Question on 8th May, 1972—[Vol. 837, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to introduce legislation to reform town and country planning planning legislation for Northern Ireland.

Work is in hand on this measure, but I am not yet in a position to say when Orders will be laid before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated proportion of serving members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Ulster Constabulary who are Roman Catholic.

No records are kept of the religious denomination of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, but the Advisory Committee on Police in Northern Ireland reported in 1969 that Roman Catholics then constituted approximately 11 per cent. of the force. I am advised that the figure for the Ulster Defence Regiment is 5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement on which are now the No-go areas, and on the public facilities and social benefits received within them.

The only areas which might be so described are the Bogside and Creggan in Londonderry. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend for Ormskirk (Mr. Soref) on 4th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 171.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many No-go areas now exist in County Armagh.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is aware of the hardship caused to the people of the Sandy Row area of Belfast by terrorist bomb blasts; why adequate compensation has not been available to these victims for the repair of their homes; and if he will announce steps to remedy this matter.

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of, and deeply regrets the hardship which has been inflicted on all sections of the community in Northern Ireland by terrorist bombs. The Sandy Row area covers a number of streets. If the hon. Member can quote specific cases of delay in providing first-aid repairs or compensation, I should be pleased to look into them urgently.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to prevent the residents of the Tunnel area of Port down being intimidated and attacked.

There have been a number of recent incidents, most of them minor, and the security forces have taken the necessary action to restore law and order.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will seek to meet representatives of the trade union movement, Protestant workers' organisations, the Northern Ireland Labour Party and the Social Democratic Labour Party to discuss a common strategy for the reduction of tension and the creation of new employment prospects, particularly in the public sector in Northern Ireland.

It is our aim to do everything possible to reduce tension and enhance employment prospects. I shall be very glad to meet bodies representative of all shades of opinion in Northern Ireland which are prepared to work towards this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give assistance from public funds to schemes for providing holidays in Great Britain to parties of children of mixed denominations from Northern Ireland.

The Ministry of Community Relations in Northern Ireland is already empowered to give grants to organisations sponsoring holidays within the United Kingdom for groups of children from urban areas of special social need in Northern Ireland. Priority is given to groups of mixed denominations.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to meet the Londonderry Commission.

I met the Commission on 24th April, 1972, and hope to do so again as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public money was allocated to Fermanagh County Council in each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971 for public works and relief schemes; and how much of that money was spent by Fermanagh County Council in each year.

No specific annual allocation of funds is made to Fermanagh County Council, or any other local authority in Northern Ireland, in respect of capital expenditure for public works and relief schemes. Capital grant is, however, paid by the Ministry of Development on approved expenditure on water and sewerage schemes and major road reconstruction schemes carried out in accordance with a programme agreed by the Ministry.Capital expenditure on such schemes in County Fermanagh during the past three years is as follows:

	1968–69	1969–70	1970–71
	£	£	£
Trunk roads	70,000	100,000	81,000
Classified roads	128,000	120,000	130,000
Water and sewerage schemes	545,000	351,000	442,000

The finance allocated in the same year to Fermanagh County Council in respect of the maintenance of roads and for special schemes on roads for the relief of

unemployment and the actual expenditure was as follows:

	1968–69
	Allocation	Actual Expenditure
	£	£
Road maintenance	428,000	408,132
Unemployment relief schemes (roads)	140,000	103,767

	1969–70
	Allocation	Actual Expenditure
	£	£
Road maintenance	428,000	410,766
Unemployment relief schemes (roads)	160,000	99,224

	1970–71
	Allocation	Actual Expenditure
	£	£
Road maintenance	435,000	447,636
Unemployment relief schemes (roads)	210,000	204,580

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary from Portadown joined the two day Vanguard strike.

I have no knowledge of any member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Portadown taking part in the two-day Vanguard strike.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the effects of the present disturbances for those engaged in the distributive trades in Northern Ireland.

There has been disruption of the distributive industry in a number of ways including widespread direct physical damage to property. The position varies in different parts of Northern Ireland. The Government's aim is to restore conditions in Northern Ireland which will enable this and all other industries to operate without disruption. We are at present considering what further steps can be taken to encourage development throughout Northern Ireland's economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make arrangements whereby hon. Members can from time to time inspect the records and files of the housing departments of all local authorities, whether or not these departments have been taken over by the new Housing Authority.

No, but I am confident that the Housing Executive will be prepared to meet all reasonable requests from hon. Members for information.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who is permitted access to the personal records of internees.

Access to the records is strictly confined to a limited number of police officers and to those who need to see them for official purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider some form of compensation for all those released following internment without trial.

No. It is open to aggrieved persons to bring an action for compensation in the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has received a report consequent on the official investigation into certain allegations in the report of Amnesty International announced by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 23rd March.

Allegations were made in respect of 30 cases, and 11 of these are the subject of civil proceedings; investigations into these cases have been suspended pending the outcome of the relevant court actions. A further five cases were fully examined by Sir Edmund Compton last year. Investigations into the remaining cases are proceeding and my right hon. Friend has asked to be supplied with reports as soon as they are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will support further research projects in education priority areas.

The Report by Dr. A. H. Halsey and his colleagues on their research in educational priority areas is being carefully studied in the Department and by the Social Science Research Council. Decisions on possible further research will be taken when the study is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT those independent schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire which are now recognised as efficient and those which are not; and what action she is taking to raise the standards of teaching and facilities.

The information for schools in the administrative county of Nottinghamshire was given in my reply to a Question from the hon. Member on 14th December last. The independent schools in Nottingham County Borough are:

• Broadgate School.
• Greenholme School.
• Hollygirt School.
• Mount School.
• ^*Mountford House School.
• Nottingham Coaching Centre.
• ^*Nottingham High School.
• ^*PNEU School.
• ^*St. Joseph's School.

MILITARY CONSCRIPTION WITHIN MEMBER COUNTRIES OF E.E.C.
country					Age at which called up					Length of call-up in months
Belgium	…	…	…	…	In year of 19th birthday				…	12–15 months, depending on geographical area of service.
France	…	…	…	…	20	…	…	…	…	12 months
Netherlands		…	…	…	20	…	…	…	…	16–21 months, depending on Service and rank.
Italy	…	…	…	…	20(21 for Air Force)			…	…	15–24 months, depending on Service.
Federal Republic of Germany				…	In year of 20th birthday				…	18 months.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if the industrial property rights clauses on the multi-rôle

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the operational versatility of service hovercraft in the light of restrictions recently imposed on the operation of civilian hovercraft.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the regulations recently made under the Hovercraft (General) Order, 1972. These regulations do not affect the operational versatility of the hovercraft in use with the Services, since, as Article 34 explains, the Order does not in general apply to military hovercraft.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will give details of which countries within the Six have compulsory military ser vice; and what periods and age groups are affected.

All members of the Six except Luxembourg have conscription. The details are as follows:combat aircraft programme have been agreed with all United Kingdom firms who have been told of their selection as suppliers to the programme.

The conditions affecting industrial property rights in the main contracts for the aircraft and engine have been agreed, but some problems on sub-contracts have still to be resolved and discussions on these are proceeding.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will take steps to post armed military personnel at key points in international civil airports in the United Kingdom to protect civilian passengers, following the indiscriminate attack on civilians of various nationalities at Lod Airport.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury and Radcliffe (Mr. Fidler) on 6th June by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.—[Vol. 838, c. 71–2.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence how much has been paid out in compensation by his Department for assaults by soldiers on civilians in the last three years.

The information relating to Northern Ireland is as follows. In the last three years payments from defence funds to civilians in Northern Ireland which have included an element for assault have totalled £2,250.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many letters claiming damage his Department has received in the last nine months; and how many have been answered.

The information relating Northern Ireland is as follows. In the last nine months, 3,380 claims for damage have been received in Northern Ireland of which over 2,500 have related to traffic accidents and damage to vehicles caused by ramps. All have received attention.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many serving members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are known to his Department to have criminal records.

The general rules exclude the enrolment of men who are known to have been convicted of a serious criminal offence. The rules are applied by the military authorities concerned on the merits of any individual case in which there may be room for the exercise of judgment. There are no statistics of the manner in which this judgment is exercised.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total expenditure incurred by the Army authorities in providing and maintaining Army bands.

About £8½ million a year.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the death of Trooper M. J. Martin of the Special Air Services in the Sultanate of Oman, including the location of his death; and why men of the Special Air Services on a training mission in the Sultanate were close to the border with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.

Trooper Martin was a member of a training team attached to the Sultan of Oman's Forces in a camp east of the Omani fort near the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen/Oman border at Habarut. The Omani fort was attacked continuously for most of 5th May with mortar and machine gun fire from across the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen border. Early during this attack, the camp received a direct hit: mortar splinters hit Trooper Martin and he died almost immediately. The training teams direct the training of the firquats whose members are, in the main, deployed in their own areas in the Dhofar. Whilst the training teams are required to take all reasonable precautions to avoid direct contact with the rebel forces in the Sultanate, they cannot avoid being in these areas where attacks by the rebels or by hostile elements from across the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen border can take place.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of Royal Air Force support provision for Concorde on its current sales tour to the Far East and Australia; and under what heading in the White Paper on Public Expenditure to 1975–76, Command Paper 4829, this is accommodated.

Provisionally about £50,000. The cost will be borne by the Department of Trade and Industry as part of the assistance for Concorde set out in Table 2.7 on page 25 of the White Paper on Public Expenditure to 1975–76—Cmnd. 4829.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many flights by military aircraft at a height below 1,000 feet have taken place over the county of Cardigan in the first five months of 1972.

During this period 2,350 military training flights were undertaken at heights of less than 2,000 feet over South and Central Wales—a total of seven counties, including Cardigan. It is not possible without a wholly disproportionate amount of effort either to relate these flights to individual counties or to say how many were conducted wholly or in part at heights below 1,000 feet.

asked the Minister of State for Defence to what extent the agreements recently reached in Moscow between the Russian and United States Governments on the limitation of arms in general, and nuclear arms in particular, will enable a reduction in expenditure by Great Britain on armaments.

The size and composition of Britain's Armed Forces have not been subjects for negotiation in the bilateral discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union on strategic arms limitations.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will give extended leave and an ex-gratiapayment to all service personnel who have served in Northern Ireland with good conduct records in recognition of the additional strain and danger incurred.

The normal leave allowance is considered to be adequate and steps have been taken to ensure that servicemen in Northern Ireland are able to take the fullest possible advantage of it by, for example, the introduction of special travel concessions. The danger of active service, such as in Northern Ireland, is implicit in a service career and recognised in the level of the military salary.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what, at the latest convenient date, was the total sum expended by Her Majesty's Government since the inception of the Beira Patrol; and how many alleged blockade-runners have been intercepted.

The extra cost of operating the patrol up to April, 1972, has been about £2½ million. About 50 ships have been stopped and after inquiries allowed to proceed.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations between his Department and the Portsmouth City Council concerning the release of land and premises at the Milldam Barracks site for the essential building developments of Portsmouth Polytechnic.

It is not yet possible to dispose of any part of Milldam Barracks. However, to assist the Portsmouth Corporation in its plans for the Polytechnic, it was told on 5th June that the Ministry of Defence would be willing to grant the corporation an annual tenancy of one of the barrack blocks, two of the smaller buildings and a parking area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he is giving to seeking to amend the Hackney Carriage Acts, in view of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the London Taxicab Trade, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Maxwell Stamp, paragraph 10.21, Command Paper No. 4483, October 1970.

My right hon. Friend is considering the Committee's recommendations in consultation with a number of interested bodies. He cannot yet say when it would be possible to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will amend the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to conform to common law practice by providing that only half and not all of social security benefits arising out of injury or death will be deducted from a victim's claim.

No. This would be an unjustifiable departure from the general principle of the Scheme that there should be no duplication of payments from public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will grant powers to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to pursue claims for damages against wrongdoers either in its own name or on behalf of victims.

It would not be appropriate to introduce such a provision now into this experimental and non-statutory Scheme; but the point has been noted for consideration in the course of the review of the scheme which is to take place shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to make local authorities responsible for the regular and comprehensive inspection of fairground equipment; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to Questions by the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Leslie Huckfield) on 7th June. Local authorities already have powers to make and enforce bye-laws relating to the safety of fairground equipment.—[Vol. 838, c. 114–15.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the status of citizens of Gibraltar will be once Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.

Gibraltarians will remain citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. By virtue of Article 227(4) of the Treaty of Rome they will enjoy full rights of free movement throughout the enlarged European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the content of a magazine recently written and produced by inmates at the Feltham Borstal Institution, he will forbid the production of similar publications.

This magazine was produced illicitly. The circumstances are being investigated by the governor, who will take appropriate action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the lack of discipline at Feltham Borstal Institution and the difficulties and problems confronting the staff; and what action he proposes to take to tighten discipline and security at this institution.

The population of Feltham consists of difficult young men many of whom are disturbed and in need of psychiatric treatment; I am satisfied that the governor and staff are taking appropriate measures for their management and control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates during the past year meetings have taken place between officials of his Department and representatives of the Jockey Club to consider the future administration of racing.

16th November, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have been the scenes of non-violent protest at conditions similar to those occurring at Strange ways and Brixton this year; and whether he will set up a Home Office inquiry into the causes.

Since the beginning of this year there have been non-violent demonstrations at 15 prisons. Each occasion is carefully investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of staff shortages at Holloway Prison and representations concerning the treatment of female offenders, he will phase-out the use of this prison for its present purpose.

No. My right hon. Friend explained the purpose of the rebuilding programme at Holloway in his reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Bishop) on 26th May—[Vol. 837, c. 523.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with a deputation of five London police officers concerning a 13½ per cent. pay claim and on their claim for a special £200 a year pay rise for Metropolitan Police officers.

My right hon. Friend received a deputation from the Metropolitan Branch of the Police Federation on 24th May. They explained that while pay claims were a matter for the Police Council in the first instance they wished to draw to his attention, as police authority for the Metropolitan Police Branch, their concern that the Metropolitan Police was not increasing in strength at the same rate as provincial forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the communica- tion from the hon. Member for West Ham, North regarding the dangers caused by the sale of replicas of Beretta automatic revolvers which, with minor adjustments, can be made into lethal weapons; and, as these are freely available for sale without a gun licence, whether he will take action to prohibit the sale of them to the general public.

A replica of a pistol similar to those referred to by the hon. Member has been examined in the Metropolitan Police Laboratory. It could not readily be made capable of firing live ammunition. On the sale of replica firearms, I have nothing to add at present to the answer given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson) on 2nd December.—[Vol. 827, c. 628–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is now able to announce the appointment of the successor to the present Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board; and whether he will give an assurance that the person to be appointed will be required to give his full time to this appointment.

The answer to both parts of the hon. Member's question is, No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now able to announce the salary to be paid to the new Chairman of the Horserace Totalisator Board; how this salary compares with that paid to the previous incumbent; and why he has delayed making the announcement of the salary to be paid.

Lord Mancroft's salary as Chairman of the Horserace Totalisator Board has been fixed at £6,800 a year, for a four-day week. The previous Chairman's salary was £7,200 a year for a full-time appointment. The Horserace Totalisator Board determined this salary on 16th May and, after obtaining my right hon. Friend's approval, issued a statement to this effect on 26th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that notwithstanding the publicity given to the new regulation prohibiting the parking of vehicles within 15 yards of a road junction after dusk on built-up road areas, and requiring vehicles to be parked facing the correct flow of the traffic, such vehicles are being incorrectly parked; and whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis on the effectiveness of the new regulations.

The Regulations came into operation on 30th April. It is too early to assess their effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the new information made available by the police officer in charge of the Luton Post Office robbery and murder investigations which have come to light since the trial of Mr. McCarthy, which was not presented at the trial, he will cause an investigation to be made.

As far as I am aware, there was no Mr. McCarthy involved in the Luton Post Office murder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ask for a report from the Metropolitan Police concerning all actions taken during the past five years against the staff or sellers of publications; and whether he will publish a list of these in the Official Report naming the publications concerned.

No. My right hon. Friend is not persuaded that the cost of compiling this information would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the difficulties in recruiting staff for valuation panels; what representations he has received from the Society of Clerks of Valuation Panels and the National Association of Local Government Officers; and whether, in view of these, he will review the pay and career structure within the Service.

I am aware that there have been difficulties in recruiting staff. A pay claim submitted by the National Association of Local Government Officers in February is under consideration. I have received no direct representations on these matters from the Society of Clerks of Valuation Panels, though I am aware of the Society's concern in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision he has reached on the charging of commercial users of water by a method which would relate directly to the quantity consumed.

I do not expect any change in the basis for charging before reorganisation of the water services, but my right hon. Friend has proposed that thereafter the principles upon which tariffs are constructed should be similar throughout the country and that he will expect the National Water Council to formulate advice about this. That advice would no doubt cover the basis for charges to commercial users.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for taking into account the views of more than 85 local authorities, organisations and associations, including all those concerned with commercial and recreational use of inland waterways, who are opposed to the reorganisation of the inland waterways as set out in his Circular 92/71; and whether he will make a statement.

All views expressed are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on his policy towards the proposals sent to him on 10th May by the Inland Waterways Association for an alternative to the inclusion of the amenity and commercial uses of inland waterways in the proposed regional water authorities.

As my hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes) on 24th May, these proposals are receiving careful attention.—[Vol. 837, c. 382.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the reluctance of some local authorities to provide the required number of pitches under the Caravan Sites Act, 1968, he will take steps to provide a whole or partial subsidy for this purpose for a period limited to the next one or two years.

No. But applications will be considered by my right hon. Friend for special additional allocations within the arrangements for controlling locally determined capital expenditure from authorities intending to provide sites for gipsy caravans this year and unable to do so from within the normal allocation because of other commitments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, since local authority areas with below-average unemployment levels and a sizeable demand for unskilled labour can more easily absorb gipsy families, he will ensure that exemption from the responsibility to provide permanent sites should not be granted automatically to such authorities on the grounds that they have not been subject to any extensive gipsy residence in the past.

My right hon. Friend takes into account all matters relevant to the number of gipsies residing in or resorting to the area in exercising his discretion in accordance with Section 6(2)(b) of the Caravan Sites Act, 1968, to exempt a county borough council from the duty to provide accommodation for gipsy caravans.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the present arrangements governing training for freedom for prisoners in Scottish gaols; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the training for freedom scheme offers for selected prisoners a valuable step in transition from custody to complete freedom in the community and, for those being considered for early release on parole, a useful indication of their prospects in relation to parole. I am confident that the selection process, which involves psychiatric assessment where necessary, is conducted with full regard not only to the needs of the prisoner but also to the safety of the public. I should like to acknowledge the contribution made by the many employers who have co-operated in the scheme over the past 20 years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he follows about informing the public of the escape of a potentially dangerous criminal from prison; and if he will make a statement.

It is the normal practice for the principal newspapers and broadcasting organisations in Scotland to be informed as quickly as is practicable of all prison escapes and abscondings. I regret that, through a misinterpretation of standing instructions, this was not done in a recent case where a prisoner, on training for freedom, failed to return to Edinburgh Prison at the due time. There was, however, no delay in informing the police; normal procedures were implemented immediately. This person, who has not yet been traced, had been undertaking training for freedom. Only those who are not considered potentially dangerous are selected for such training.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report details showing the

Roads

£

Trunk roads

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

25,981,871

Principal roads

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

15,528,094

Non-Principal roads

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

809,136

Miscellaneous items

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

118,770

42,437,871

POLICE

£

Grants to local authorities

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

19,075,000

Miscellaneous Government expenditure

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

715,000

19,790,000

EDUCATION

£

Grants to secondary and special schools

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

2,230,000

Grants to Central Institutions and other Further Education Establishments

…

…

8,320,000

Grants to Colleges of Education

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

9,435,000

Awards to students at establishments of higher education (including Special Recruitment Scheme grants and fee payments to Institutions)

…

…

…

…

…

19,585,000

Grants to national and local youth and sports organisations, etc.

…

…

…

853,000

Grants to local authorities for school meals

…

…

…

…

…

…

196,000

Other grants and assistance to teachers on interchange and grants for educational research

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

349,000

40,968,000

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

£

Health Services other than by Local Health Authorities

…

…

…

…

…

219,694,000

Capital expenditure by Department of the Environment

…

…

…

…

…

200,000

Scottish Health Education Unit

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

59,000

Repayment of expenses of Port Health Authorities

…

…

…

…

…

9,600

Grant for administration of Imported Food (Scotland) Regulations

…

…

…

16,350

219,978,950

NOTE:

The rate support grants to local authorities are not included as they are not earmarked for particular services.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increases in development grant are to be given for the purpose of modernising St. Andrew's Dock, Hull, under his new schemes to aid fishing ports; and what requests have so far been made to him to improve the unsatisfactory facilities of the dock.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 5th June, 1972.—[Vol. 838, c. 26–7.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that Part 34, Pig Meat Regulation 224/72/EEC of 31st January, 1972, was published in English translation and made available to Members of Parliament on 27th May, 1972; and whether he will explain how and in what way this will affect those engaged in this industry and the British consumer.

Yes. The Regulation amends the markets which are used in the Federal Republic of Germany to arrive at the average market price. This adaptation will not significantly affect United Kingdom interests after accession, when our prices will also of course be taken into account in operating the pig-meat régime.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that Part 32, Milk and Milk Products Regulation 2864/71/EEC of 30th December, 1971, was published in English translation and made available to Members of Parliament on 27th May, 1972; and whether he will explain how and in what way this will affect those engaged in this industry and the British consumer.

Yes. This Regulation provides for levies on imports of liquid milk from third countries to be derived from the general levies on imports of butter and skimmed milk powder. Its effect is likely to be small, as hardly any such trade takes place.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost of the ballot prepared for rail- waymen during the recent dispute; and what preparations are being made by his Department for the possibility of ballots in other industries.

As regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Ted Fletcher) on 25th May. The answer to the second part of the question is "None".

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the rail dispute in the light of the recent ballot ordered by the National Industrial Relations Court.

Representatives of the British Railways Board and the three railway unions met again yesterday but were unable to reach agreement. I understand that the unions are today meeting jointly to consider their position.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the extent of redundancies and short-time working with the companies concerned in the ball bearing industry in the past two years.

During the two years 1st June, 1970 to 31st May, 1972, 1,200 redundancies are recorded as having been due to take effect in establishments wholly engaged in the manufacture of ball bearings. During the same period some 26,000 man days are recorded as having been lost in these firms through short time working.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in what areas of Great Britain it has been reported to him that difficulty has been encountered in recruiting labour to assist in the exploration of North Sea oil; and what are the numbers involved.

I am not aware of any current problems in recruiting such labour. However, if the hon. Member will let me know of any difficulties in particular areas my Department will do everything possible to help the employers concerned to overcome them.