asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many refusals of benefit by insurance officers were allowed on appeal in relation, respectively, to unemployment benefit, and supplementary benefit, in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available.

Decisions for first instance on unemployment benefit claims are given by insurance officers; for supplementary benefit they are given by the Supplementary Benefits Commission. In the year ended 31st December, 1971, 3,266 unemployment benefit appeals were decided in the claimant's favour and in 4,135 cases the grant of supplementary benefit was increased on appeal. These represent, generally speaking, 19 per cent. and 24 per cent. of the appeals received.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects planning of the new hospital of St. Cross, Rugby, to be complete.

During 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many boys and girls aged between 12 and 20 years of age were treated in hospitals for poisoning by pills or drugs in 1961 and how many in 1971; how many in each year died; and how many in each year were treated as cases of suicide or attempted suicide.

Information is not available in precisely the form requested. Four thousand four-hundred and eighty hospital in-patient cases aged 10–24 were classified as due to medicinal poisoning in 1961, and 22,330 in 1970, the latest available figure. The corresponding deaths were 52 in 1961 and 221 in 1971. Deaths classified as suicides were 35 in 1961 and 113 in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children under the age of five years have been treated in hospitals for poisoning by pills or drugs during 1961 and 1971, inclusive; and how many of such children died as a result of that poisoning.

3,050 hospital in-patient cases were classified as due to medicinal poisoning in 1961, and 15,790 in 1970, the latest available figure. The figures of deaths were 12, 19 and 20 in 1961, 1970 and 1971, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many boys and girls aged between 8 and 11 years of age were treated in hospital for poisoning by pills or drugs in each of the years from 1961 onwards; and how many in each year were treated as cases of suicide or attempted suicide.

Information is not available in precisely the form requested.The estimated number of hospital inpatient cases classified as due to medicinal poisoning in England and Wales is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to initiate discussions with members and prospective members of the European Economic Community concerning all aspects of social security, with particular reference to the practical implications of Chapter IV of the Treaty of Rome.

During the course of the year I shall be meeting Ministers responsible for social affairs in the Community countries and I shall have the opportunity of discussing those aspects of entry into the European Economic Community which relate to matters for which I am responsible. I have no reason to think that those provisions of the Treaty of Rome to which the hon. Member refers, which relate to capital movements, have any bearing on social security finance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost to the Supplementary Benefits Commission of payments made to those involved in industrial disputes and their dependants during the first five months of 1972; what sums have been recovered from strikers in respect of payments made after return to work since the entry into force of the relevant section of the Social Security Act, 1971; and if he will make a statement on the progress of his review of the system of supplementary benefits during industrial disputes.

The following is the information:Payments of supplementary benefit in industrial disputes made during the period January to May, 1972:Single claimants—£160,531.Claimants' dependants—£5,824,561.Amounts recovered from claimants following return to work during the period 3rd April to 31st May, 1972:£7,418.The review is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the aggregate sum paid to men on strike, and their dependants, in respect of social welfare benefits, including unemployment relief, in the year ended 31st March, 1972, or the latest convenient date.

Employees involved in trade disputes are disqualified for unemployment benefit. Payments of supplementary benefit totalling approximately £6·4 million were made to strikers and their dependants in the year ending 31st March, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what rules he is now applying as to the duration of social welfare benefits, including unemployment relief, paid to strikers and their dependants; and what changes in the rules he has under consideration.

Strikers themselves are disqualified for unemployment benefit and receive supplementary benefit only when it is urgently needed in the judgment of the Supplementary Benefits Commission to prevent hardship. Benefits payable to dependants are determined by the commission in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Ministry of Social Security Act, 1966. A review of existing arrangements is in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the discovery of the disease of rickets amongst Birmingham schoolchildren.

I am aware that evidence of rickets is reported to have been found in a sample survey of Birmingham schoolchildren. This evidence is currently being considered by the local health authority, school medical service and officers of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local authorities are now operating Section 2(1)(h) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; and how many people have now been given telephones under the provisions of this Act.

This information is not available, but we have asked authorities to submit returns next spring which will provide this information in respect of the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a list of hospital management committees which have appointed ethical committees, indicating which ethical committees have lay members.

Except for a few cases where no clinical research is undertaken, all hospital management committees have now established ethical committees. About one-fifth include lay members.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in his studies of the number of people working who, after tax and other deductions, receive less than they would receive from allowances and other benefits were they not working and of ways of minimising this.

We keep a constant watch on the relationship between benefit rates and the income available to men in low-paid full-time work, particularly where there are dependent children, and we have in hand a number of studies that are intended to help us to find and maintain the optimum balance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to adjust social security benefits so that the standard of living of the least privileged keeps pace with the change in average standards.

I announced last December that supplementary benefits and other social security benefits will be reviewed annually and increased so as at least to maintain their purchasing power. This year's uprating should provide a real improvement in benefits.—[Vol. 828, c. 852–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations have been made to him on the workings of the Salmon Report; and if he will make a statement.

We have received a number of representations but none from the nursing organisations. The radical changes involved make some difficulties inevitable during the period of transition. We hope to issue shortly a report on experience in implementing the new structure in the pilot schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of certificates of prepayment of charges issued in 1969, 1970, 1971 and to date this year.

There has been a considerable increase, particularly in the last year. The following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now exempt from prescription charges immuno-suppressive drugs taken by patients who have had an organ transplant.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks) on 9th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 301.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply he has sent to the British Medical Association to its request that he should set up an inquiry into the use and abuse of barbiturates and other sedative drugs.

I am still considering the association's suggestions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will establish a working party to inquire into the misuse of barbiturate sleeping pills and to recommend action to deal with this problem.

No. Discussions with the profession have already taken place and I am considering what further measures are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that all manufacturers of barbiturate preparations include in all their literature and advertisements warnings in large and distinctive type about porphyria.

Barbiturate preparations may only besold on prescription and are not advertised to the public. The risks of these preparations, including the precipitation of an attack of porphyria in susceptible individuals, are well known to the medical profession. I see no reason to take special steps of the kind suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the future of Ongar War Memorial Hospital.

My right hon. Friend has not yet reached a decision on the future of this hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many renal patients are at present undergoing treatment on kidney machines; how many are on the waiting list for such treatment; and what plans he has for creating extra facilities for such patients.

At 31st December, 1971, 706 patients in England and Wales were maintained on dialysis at home and a further 476 in hospital. Information about the total number of patients for whom dialysis is judged to be appropriate is not available centrally. Services for chronic renal failure continue to develop within available resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that the casualty department at the Mexborough Montagu Hospital has again been closed down due to there being no casualty officer available; and if, in view of the fact that this hospital caters for an industrial area, including several large collieries, he will take action to ensure that this casualty department is reopened as quickly as is possible.

I am aware that the department has recently been closed. It was reopened on 7th June to provide a daytime service on five days a week.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the fact that the earnings limit for chronically handicapped persons was established at £2 per week in 1966, he will consider reviewing the earnings limit for handicapped persons.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's statement on 22nd March in which he announced that this limit, and related national insurance limits, would be raised to £4.50 a week. This change will be effective from 2nd October.—[Vol. 833, c. 1501–18.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to improve their local community services so as to relieve the present pressure on hospital beds and consequent expense to the National Health Service.

The Government's aim is to ensure the development of adequate hospital and community services so that appropriate care and treatment is given in every case. To this end the Government have increased substantially the allocation of capital over the next few years for hospitals and for community health and personal social services and, through the rate support grant arrangements and in other ways, are encouraging continuing expansion and improvement of home care services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage shortage of physiotherapists in the hospitals covered by the Mansfield Hospital Management Committee; and how this compares with the position nationally.

The committee employs the equivalent of 16½full-time physiotherapists and would like to employ about 14 more. The total number employed in hospitals in England has now reached 4,424; more are required but in the absence of general agreement on staffing standards it is not possible to quantify the need in percentage terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to overcome the shortage of physiotherapists in the Birmingham area.

Assessment of need and recruitment in a particular locality is a matter for the health authorities concerned. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Rhondda, West (Mr. Alec Jones) on 9th May, numbers of physiotherapists in the National Health Service continue to increase, but besides increasing numbers we are interested in making the best possible use of the therapists we have, and my right hon. Friend hopes to discuss this at a conference with the remedial professions which has now been rearranged for 18th July.—[Vol. 836, c. 310–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will investigate the Dutch system, details of which are in his possession, of attaching to their blocks of flats for single persons a small fully-staffed hospital unit in which occupiers of flats who fall ill can be nursed and, on recovery, transferred back to their living accommodation.

I am always prepared to examine any relevant proposals for development of health and social services, but if my hon. Friend has the Buitenhof type of scheme in mind, I do not favour the creation of hospitals exclusively for the elderly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give details of the latest information about the causes and treatment of cancer; whether this disease is notifiable; to what extent it and its causes are discussed by the World Health Organisation; and what is the rate of progress made in the United Kingdom against this disease.

Cancer is a group of diseases which have certain characteristics in common but each of which has its own singular features. The causes of cancer are imperfectly understood though the factors involved in the case of certain forms have been identified. The treatment of cancer varies with the type and extent of the disease in the individual patient. The accepted methods are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, or combinations of these forms of treatment. Cancer is not statutorily notifiable but detailed statistics obtained through a voluntary system of registration are compiled by cancer registries, which function in every hospital region. These statistics are collated nationally and published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.Research into both causation and treatment is being pursued intensively both here and in other countries. Collaborative international research is promoted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer established in 1965 under the aegis of the World Health Organisation. This country is one of the 10 member States of the agency. The United Kingdom Cancer Co-ordinating Committee also keeps in close touch with international developments and in particular those relating to the increased cancer effort in the United States.The statistical evidence available has shown that if cancer of the lung is excluded and the incidence of the disease at all other sites is taken together, the chance of an individual dying of cancer has been declining for many years. While the statistics can do no more than reflect the broad effect of changing conditions they demonstrate the marked increase in success in the treatment of patients with many forms of cancer achieved over the last 10 to 15 years. However, intractable problems still remain and gradual progress, rather than any single dramatic solution, is likely to be the pattern for future developments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for each local authority the number of children for whom playgroup provision is available and the figures of annual expenditure on playgroup provision, respectively.

Figures of annual expenditure on playgroup provision for each local authority are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he intends to do concerning the case of Patrick Maloney in view of the distress and danger his being outside a mental institution causes to his family and his immediate neighbours.

I have requested reports from the hospital and local authority on his needs and how they can best be met. I will then write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the dates on which he has met representatives of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on the industry's profitability under the arrangements to review the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme; when this present round of negotiations will be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

I met representatives of the association on 29th June and 21st December, 1971, and 1st and 13th March, 1972. There have since been meetings at official level but I cannot yet say when the discussions will be concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the number of full-time staff employed as organisers of Voluntary Service in hospitals throughout the country; and what proposals he has to extend this Service.

There are about 100 in England and Wales and the number is increasing steadily. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a memorandum of guidance on this subject which went to hospital authorities in January last.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that it can take up to two years for a Wareham resident suffering from arthritis to undergo an operation recommended by her surgeon, whether he will take steps to reduce such delays; and if he will make a statement on the particular case.

Waiting periods vary according to medical priority, but I am well aware that waiting times in orthopædics and some other specialties are sometimes long. As we have indicated previously, the medical profession is cooperating with my Department in a study of waiting lists which aims to secure general improvement. The priority given to a particular patient is a matter for clinical judgment in which we would not wish to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met representatives of retired pensioners' organisations.

I met representatives of the National Associations of Old Aged Associations cm 23rd February, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total expenditure by the Supplementary Benefits Commission on special heating allowances during 1971.

I regret that this information is not available. Special additions for heating are part of exceptional circumstances additions taken into account by the commission in assessing a person's requirements for supplementary benefit purposes, and it is not practicable to identify that part of expenditure on exceptional circumstances additions which is attributable to extra heating.At November, 1971, 194,000 recipients of supplementary benefits had exceptional circumstances additions which included provision for extra heating, of whom 159,000 were supplementary pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has seen the memorandum by the General Nursing Council for England and Wales on the implications of the entry of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community with regard to the responsibilities of the General Nursing Council; and whether he will take steps to safeguard conditions for nurse training standards for entry to the Register and Roll and the exercise of disciplinary jurisdiction over nurses in training or after qualifying.

Yes. We are in close touch with the General Nursing Council and the Royal College of Nursing about the draft European Economic Community directives on the freedom of establishment of nurses within the Community. We shall take their views into account when we discuss these draft directives with the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much progress has been made towards attaining the minimum standards referred to in paragraph 226 of "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped", by those mental institutions serving the Gloucester area.

The minimum standards for medical, dental and kitchen staff have already been met. Substantial progress is being made on the others.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the jury's recommendation at the close of the inquest into the death of Mrs. Greene of Watford, at Naps-bury Mental Hospital, he will institute an immediate full-scale inquiry into conditions at that hospital; and if he will make a statement.

I am considering what action is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much was spent on local publicity in the London Borough of Newham to advertise the family income supplement scheme; how much of this was spent on advertisements in the local Press; and whether he will arrange to take advertising space in the local newspapers;(2) whether he is aware that many persons living in the London Borough of Newham, entitled to claim family income supplement, are failing to do so due to their lack of knowledge of the operation of this scheme; and whether he will increase the publicity and information to the public generally on this scheme and in the London Borough of Newham in particular.

Publicity has not been directed at any specific local authority area, but posters have been distributed to all post offices, claim forms have been distributed to everyone cashing family allowances and 1,000 claim forms and 50 posters have been specifically sent to Newham, which also shared full coverage of publicity in national newspapers and on television. We are not contemplating a further advertising campaign at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on the basis of what principle he decides whether payment of a social benefit to particular sections of the community should be means-tested or not.

That basis of payment is proposed which is most appropriate in all the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to complete his studies into the disincentive effect of loss of means-tested benefits on workers with children who receive wage increases; and if he will make a statement.

We have a number of studies in hand which are designed to extend our knowledge of the effects of the interaction of existing benefits and to help us to find improved methods of safeguarding the incentive to maximise earnings while providing adequate help for low income families with children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a penalty for doctors who pre-sign blank prescription forms.

This is among the matters which have been discussed with the General Medical Services Committee of the British Medical Association during the preparation of a draft of revised terms of service for family doctors.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much supplementary benefit rates have risen in real terms since 1960.

Between April, 1960, and April, 1972, the value of the basic supplementary benefit scale rate for a single householder increased in real terms by 37·4 per cent. This represents an increase in purchasing power, at April, 1972, prices, of £1·58 a week.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions the Supplementary Benefits Commission has applied to the High Court for a prerogative order to overrule the determination of a supplementary benefits appeal tribunal on the grounds that the tribunal has made its determination in ignorance of or as the result of a mistake regarding some material fact.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of drugs which have been approved by the secretariat of the Medicines Commissions without undergoing any clinical trial in Great Britain.

The question of approval is not for the Medicines Commission but for the licensing authority advised by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. Material furnished in an application for a product licence is treated as confidential and it would therefore be inappropriate to give information about trials undertaken in respect of any particular product.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce amending legislation to the Medicines Act, 1968, to prevent the licensing and marketing of any new drug which although relatively non-toxic, is also non-efficacious.

No. The Medicines Act, 1968, already provides that the licensing authority may refuse to grant a product licence for a product on the ground that it is not efficacious.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to ensure that all new medicines of foreign origin, which may have been sanctioned for use in a country where differences of race, traditions of treatment, diet and the environment may lead to a reaction very different from that of patients in the United Kingdom, are adequately clinically tested before being made available to the medical profession or the public.

A product licence is required for the marketing of any new medicinal product in the United Kingdom. The licensing authority is advised by the Committee on Safety of Medicines on questions of the safety, efficacy and quality of medicines. Irrespective of country of origin or usage abroad, the committee takes into account all the relative circumstances in considering whether the clinical and other data available is adequate in relation to safety and efficacy for any proposed use.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will take steps to ensure that the treatment of gastro-enterology does not include the use of deglycyrrhizinized liquorice preparations until an inquiry has been held into its efficacy as a treatment for peptic ulcers;(2) if the claim for a medicine to be curative, as instanced in the example sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West, is a breach of his agreement with the pharmaceutical industry; and if he will take action in this matter.

A number of published clinical studies have demonstrated the value of deglycyrrhizinized liquorice preparations in the management of peptic ulcer. In some other studies the therapeutic value of these preparations in certain types of peptic ulceration was not demonstrated. I do not consider that such negative findings provide sufficient grounds to justify any action on my part in respect of such preparations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to ensure that taxpayers' money is not wasted by the National Health Service by the purchase of medicine where no advantage over placebo has been discovered as instanced in the two examples sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West.

A number of published clinical trials have also suggested that deglycyrrhizinized liquorice is of value so I feel it must be left to the doctor to decide whether this treatment is appropriate for his patient.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will direct the Supplementary Benefits Commission to review and clarify the provisions whereby travelling expenses to hospitals are payable to persons eligible to receive supplementary benefit; and if he will make a statement.

People eligible for supplementary benefit and their dependants who attend National Health Service hospitals as patients are always entitled to help with the cost of fares. Where they attend as visitors such costs are considered by the commission in calculating the amount of benefit payable. If the hon. Member has a particular case of difficulty in mind the commission will gladly look into it, but we do not think that any general review of the provisions is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation compelling assistants in food shops to use tongs and/or paper in selecting cooked foods in all establishments, and ensuring that all assistants should be provided with caps or head coverings in in the interest of hygiene.

Among other things, the Food Hygiene Regulations require food handlers to take all such steps as may be reasonably necessary to protect food from risk of contamination and to keep themselves clean. They also require implements to be kept clean. My Department advocates the use of tongs and other suitable implements where appropriate and wearing of suitable head covering, but the regulations already provide an effective legal safeguard against the risk of contamination of food.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now take steps to prescribe industrial deafness as an industrial disease under the Industrial Injuries Acts.

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council has not yet completed its study of the many complex problems that arise in connection with industrial deafness. The question of prescription will be considered in the light of the council's report when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are receiving disability pensions in respect of poliomyelitis attributable to military service in countries where such a disease is endemic; and when the first successful application for such a pension was made.

War disability pensions for poliomyelitis are known to be in payment to 1,425 persons. Information about the specific countries in which the disease was contracted and the date of the first successful application for a warpension for this disability could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of staff resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to announce the starting date for the building of the new hospital in Skelmersdale.

The planning work is proceeding but I cannot add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 28lh October, 1971.—[Vol. 823, c. 464.]Nurses' Meals

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from organisations or individuals concerning the effect on the last nurses' pay award of increases in the prices of hospital meals; and what reply he has made.

We have received two letters the replies to which explained that charges for meals for hospital staff are revised by Whitley agreement from 1st April each year in accordance with a formula which takes account of alterations in the cost of food.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision is made in National Health Service regulations for ensuring that consultants on maximum part-time contracts observe the quota of National Health Service work in their contracts.

Consultants' contracts are with their hospital authorities. The administration of individual contracts is a matter for the employing authority and the doctor concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for a meeting with the Church of Scientology to discuss the Report on Scientology by the hon. and learned Member for Northwich (Sir J. Foster).

None. I am considering the comments and advice I have received on the report from individuals and organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the regulations governing the payment of unemployment benefit to seasonal workers for a temporary period, in the light of the overall employment situation.

No. My right hon. Friend does not consider that changes in the Seasonal Workers Regulations are required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of concern at the failure of the International Whaling Commission to produce a working inspection system or to enforce its rules, whether he will now propose that the annual meeting of the Commission to be held on 16th June in London shall be held in public.

An Internation Observer Scheme is now in operation, providing an independent check on national inspection and enforcement. I do not think it would help to make the commission's proceedings public: observers from international organisations concerned with conservation will be present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the financial losses suffered by many pig breeders from transmissible gastroenteritis in their herds, he is satisfied that adequate funds have been made available to find a suitable remedy for this disease; and if he will make a statement.

Considerable research is being undertaken into this disease but competing claims on available resources also have to be met. My right hon. Friend has however recently asked the Agricultural Research Council if it will consider expanding its work on transmissible gastroenteritis.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider seeking to increase the penalties inflicted upon persons convicted of contravening the quarantine regulations.

No. Legislation provides for fines up to a maximum of £400 which ought to be a sufficient deterrent, but the level of penalties actually imposed must be left to the discretion of the courts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has received from the European Economic Community authorities about the acceptability of new marketing boards in the United Kingdom and their compatibility with the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

Neither my right hon. Friend and I nor the Commission of the European Communities could properly form a view on any new marketing

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the export of animals for slaughter; and what replies he has given.

My right hon. Friend has recently received a number of representations about the welfare of animals exported for slaughter. In the replies which I have given on his behalf I have said that the questions of non-compliance with the Balfour assurances are referred to the countries concerned and that our policy regarding the assurances remains unaltered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest figures for exports of cattle, calves, sheep, fat pigs and weaner pigs for slaughter; and what were the comparable figures one year ago.

The latest export figures are as follows. The figures do not distinguish between store animals and animals for immediate slaughter. The figures for calves and pigs also include some breeding animals. Separate statistics for fat and weaner pigs are not available.scheme without knowing the specific powers and functions proposed. The Commission has not communicated with me on this hypothetical matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation his Department has had with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association on matters arising from the draft European Economic Community veterinary directives on which the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association would wish representations to be made at official level during negotiations on the directives; if he will list the matters raised by the profession; what action he has taken or is taking; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is in regular consultation with these bodies on this important subject. The officials last met a Joint Committee of RCVS and BVA on 27th April when it was agreed that the joint committee would provide a paper setting out the points of current concern to the profession. This document was received yesterday. Further consultation will follow when it has been considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent Great Britain will be affected by Regulation No. 2728/71/EEC Part 21 Cereals of 20th December, 1971.

This regulation makes minor changes in the Community's arrangements for import levies and export refunds. My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that it will have any significant effect for Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent Great Britain will be affected by Part 17 Agriculture Consultative Committees and general matters of Regulation No. 2727/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971.

Regulation 2727/71 modifies earlier market regulations to take account of changes in tariff nomenclature. It raises no points of difficulty for Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent Great Britain will be affected by Regulation No. 72/84/EEC Part 34 Pigmeat, of 13th January, 1972.

The decision does not directly affect us. It authorises five of the present member States to include all pig carcases heavier than 90 kg. (199 lb.) in a single weight category under the Community's classification system.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent Great Britain will be affected by Part 34 Pigmeat of Regulation No. 2/72/EEC, of 30th December, 1971.

Regulation 2/72 applies a minor alteration to existing regulations in the pigmeat sector, which is designed to bring up to date the definitions of unrendered pig fat and lard in the common customs tariff. This follows a recommendation by the Customs Co-operation Council which has also been implemented by the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in his consultations with farmers, he is making references to the demand for marketing boards for meat and cereals; and what is his policy in such consultations.

The objective of my right hon. Friend in these consultations with farmers is to strengthen our marketing arrangements for food and agricultural products and increase our competitive ability as future members of the enlarged Community. He will be considering all aspects of the problems and the various methods and organisations through which this objective can best be pursued.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total consumption of trout in Great Britain for each of the years 1965–70.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the effects of the reduction of the tax burden on the food industry as from 1st April, 1973, are reflected in consumer prices.

I am satisfied that the competitive conditions in the food industry will ensure that the tax savings are fully reflected in consumer prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now hopes to complete consideration of penalties for those found guilty of emitting toxic substances into the North Sea.

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 29th February, legislation to regulate dumping into the sea will be introduced when parliamentary time permits. Penalties for infringements will form part of such a Bill. I do not think that it would be appropriate to announce details of the levels of fines which would be proposed in advance of other provisions, but I can repeat that it is the Government's intention that the legislation would provide for penalties in line with those for dumping offences on land.—[Vol. 832, c. 65–6.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the beef which is exported comes from animals which have received a subsidy under the various Agricultural Acts; and what is his estimate of the average subsidy.

Some beef exports come from animals on which no subsidies haven been paid, but no records exist which would enable an estimate to be given, either of the proportion of exports on which subsidies have been paid or of the total amount received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make arrangements for the testing of the London flood warning sirens.

Yes. The sirens will be sounded at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 21st June. The purpose of the exercise will be to check that the sirens are functioning properly, to ensure that they are audible throughout the danger area and to familiarise the public with their sound and significance. An extensive publicity exercise is being mounted in co-operation with the Press, radio and television. Copies of a broadsheet explaining the London tidal flood warning system have been placed in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions between representatives of his Department and the finance directors of the nationalised industries regarding the implications of an extension of the Confederation of British Industry price restraint scheme for the financing of those industries which took place on 8th June.

No. The meeting to which my hon. Friend refers discussed the memorandum on nationalised industry borrowing, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House on 3rd May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a substantial ex-gratia payment to all civil servants involved in making and administering the new value added tax regulations in view of the additional work load and frustration these are creating in the service.

No. The Customs are taking on additional staff to deal with VAT and will use the usual methods of payment for extra attendance where this is necessary.

asked the Chancellor or the Exchequer whether value added tax will be levied on the subscriptions of any or all of the following artistic charities, namely the National Art-Collections Fund, the Contemporary Art Society, the British Museum Society, the Friends of the Tate Gallery, the Friends of the Ashmolean (Oxford), the Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge), and the Friends of the Courtauld Institute.

The provision by an association of facilities to its members would in general be subject to VAT, but whether the associations referred to by the hon. Gentleman are taxable will depend upon the facts in each particular case.