Written Answers

Written Answers To Questions

Monday, 3rd July, 1972

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Middle East (Security Council Resolution)

2.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consultation he has had with the Government of the United States of America concerning the implementation of Security Council Resolution 242 in the Middle East.

We are in constant touch with the United States Government, as we are with the other Governments concerned, about the situation in the Middle East. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Mr. Luce) on 15th May, my right hon. Friend discussed this Question recently with Mr. Rogers. The nature of these and other discussions must of course remain confidential.—[Vol. 837, c. 9–10.]

Wankie Colliery (Relief Fund)

7.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will send further relief in addition to the £25,000 already authorised for the Wankie, Rhodesia, colliery disaster.

I have no reason to think that the Wankie colliery disaster relief fund has insufficient funds for the relief of distress among the families who suffered from this disaster.

Tanzania (British-Owned Farms)

10.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of farms of British subjects confiscated without compensation in Tanzania.

One such farm has been acquired without compensation. In this case we are continuing to press for adequate redress. We are still considering a recent Tanzanian Government request to help them resettle Africans on the remaining British-owned farms.

European Economic Community

13.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent his Department is undertaking studies of the implications for the United Kingdom of moves towards federalism in the Common Market.

Our approach to this question is entirely pragmatic. It is not the Government's intention to draw up a blue print for a federal Europe.

43.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available to hon. Members a list of European Economic Community draft instruments which have now been published.

Published draft Community instruments appear in the Official Journal. A copy of the Annual Index listing drafts published in the previous year is available in the Library.

46.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is now able to give details of the discussions he has had regarding the arranging of the time, date and place for the European Economic Communities summit meeting in October; to what extent agreement has been reached upon the matters to be discussed; and whether he will make a statement.

It is the aim that the conference shall be held in Paris on 19th and 20th October, possibly continuing on 21st October. There is general agreement that the conference should discuss the internal development of the Community, its external relations and responsibilities and institutional questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to seek to replace the powers of the House of Commons in respect of European Economic Community legislation which will not be exercisable under the Treaty of Accession by proposing increased powers for the European Parliament.

Whilst I do not accept the premise in the first part of the Question, Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of the importance of the development of the European Parliament. This is a matter for discussion with our future partners in the enlarged Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that it is now being decided that the European Parliament will operate in seven official languages, in the event of Great Britain and other countries joining the European Economic Community; and what estimate he has made of the cost this will involve for Great Britain in contributing to the expenses of the Parliament.

The Treaty of Accession provides that there will be seven official and working languages of the institutions of the enlarged Community.Budget estimates of Community institutions, including the cost of secretariat services, are prepared by the institutions themselves for consideration by a committee of representatives of member States. Estimates relating to 1973 are still in preparation.

China (Cultural Exchanges)

19.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions, on his recent visit to Peking, the Under-Secretary had on future events of a cultural nature which might ensue from that visit.

I discussed cultural relations between Britain and China with the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and with officials of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. We agreed that a number of specific ideas for exchanges in the cultural field should now be pursued by the embassies in the two capitals. These ideas cover visits to China by British theatrical and orchestral groups, visits to this country by comparable groups from China, exchanges in the field of art exhibitions and sport.

Argentine And Brazil (Whisky)

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that in Argentine and Brazil inferior local spirits are being passed off as genuine Scotch whisky, he will make diplomatic representations to the two Governments concerned to have this practice stopped.

At the present time we have not been requested by the Scotch Whisky Association to make diplomatic representation about such cases. Departments are in regular touch with the association and are prepared to consider any cases which are brought to our attention.

Sea Bed (Convention)

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Seabed.

41.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress made towards agreeing an international apportionment of the world's sea beds for their future development.

Progress has been slow. However, we hope a Law of the Sea Conference will be convened next year and will adopt, amongst other measures, a sea bed convention incorporating British ideas.

Population Institute

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it has yet been decided to place the Population Institute in Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

No decision has yet been taken. This is still being considered by a committee of the United Nations.

Atomic Secrets (European Countries)

42.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the position of Great Britain in the matter of special atomic secrets secured from the United States of America, after Great Britain's accession to the European Economic Community, the countries of which have no such secret arrangements with the United States of America.

As regards defence information covered by the agreements with the United States of 1958 and 1963, Britain's position will be unchanged.Exchanges of information in the civil nuclear field are governed by the 1955 and 1966 agreements. After the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community our relations in this field with the United States will in due course be covered by the agreement between the United States and Euratom, in force at the time.

Seychelles

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the constitutional future of the Seychelles.

As I said on 15th May the present constitution is a new one, and I have no present intention of introducing modifications to it.—[Vol. 837, c. 21.]

United Nations (Charter Revision)

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has now replied, and in what terms, to the invitation by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to submit proposals on Charter revision.

We replied on 30th June that we did not think any general review of the Charter at the present time would be in the best interests of the United Nations. The following is the full text of our reply:

Review Of The United Nations Charter

Text Of Note Delivered To The United Nations Secretary-General On 30 June

The Acting Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and has the honour to refer to the Secretary-General's Note of 20 January, 1972, on the subject of the review of the Charter of the United Nations. In the light of the comments already made on this subject the United Kingdom Government believe that any general review at the present time of the Charter is not in the best interests of the United Nations. There is no substantial measure of agreement and the initiation of a process of review is likely to lead to the weakening rather than the strengthening of the United Nations. The Government of the United Kingdom are, however, willing to consider any specific amendments which are sound and have wide support among all sections of the membership of the United Nations.

Passport Applications

48.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs whether, consequent upon legislation to give both parents equal rights of guardianship, he proposes to introduce any change in the present practice of his Department where by in the absence of a court order only the signature of a male parent is required in pass port applications relating to minors.

The practice relating to the issue of passports to minors will be reviewed when the final form of the proposed legislation is known. Standard passports are already issued on the consent of either parent except where a caveat has been lodged. Only applications for British visitor's passports need the father's consent in the absence of a court order.

Gibraltar

49.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs if he will hold official discussions with the new Government of Gibraltar before his scheduled meeting in London with the Spanish Foreign Minister.

We have been keeping in close touch with Gibraltar political leaders through the Governor about our contacts with the Spanish Government and will continue to do so.

Spain (Discussions)

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs what subjects are likely to be on the agenda in connection with his forthcoming talks in London with the Spanish Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement after they have been concluded.

The discussions will, of course, be confidential. But we expect that they will cover a range of matters of mutual interest to Britain and Spain.

Council Of European Municipalities

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will advise all local authorities of the terms and desirability of joining the Council of European Municipalities.

Her Majesty's Government wish to encourage local government to play a more active part in European affairs, and the Department of the Environment will bear this suggestion in mind in its discussions with the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the total numbers of municipalities in each member country of the European Economic Community which are members of the Council of European Municipalities.

It is impossible to give precise figures as in many cases municipalities are linked with the Council of European Municipalities through local authority associations or provinces. The Council of European Municipalities estimates, however, that the relevant numbers are as follows:

Belgium	…	…	900
France	…	…	28,000
Germany	…	…	25,000
Italy	…	…	9,500
Luxembourg	…	…	126
Netherlands	…	…	900

Spitsbergen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British mineral interests in the archipelago of Spitsbergen extend to Bear Island.

The status of Bear Island was regulated by the Treaty Regulating the Status of Spitsbergen, to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question of 27th June, and is the same as the rest of the archipelago.—[Vol. 839, c. 311–12.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British rights to mineral resources in the archipelago of Spitsbergen extend to the Continental Shelf.

The Treaty Regulating the Status of Spitsbergen of 1920 does not contain any express provisions concerning the Continental Shelf.

Rhodesia

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for seeking a further meeting with Mr Ian Smith discuss Rhodesia.

My right hon. Friend has no present plans for a meeting with Mr. Smith.

France (Partial Test Ban Treaty)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in his next discussions with the French Government, he will raise with them their agreeing to accede to the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

As I said in reply to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Buckinghamshire, South (Mr. Ronald Bell), on 15th May, Her Majesty's Government hope that the French Government will accede to the Partial Test Ban Treaty. The French Government are aware of our views on this matter.—[Vol. 837, c. 1.]

Departmental Staff (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now take whatever action may be necessary to ensure an increase in the wages and salaries of all staff and employees coming within his ministerial control, retrospective to 1st January, 1972.

I have been asked to reply.Agreed procedures already exist for the regular review of Civil Service wages and salaries.

Trade And Industry

Contracts (Discrimination Against Women)

51.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to prevent discrimination against women in the signing of contracts, with particular reference to the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton, which indicated that television companies refuse to allow married women to sign contracts for television sets.

Although I deplore any discrimination against women, its disappearance in this field must come from the pressure of public opinion rather than legislative control.

South Africa (Investment In Bantustan Areas)

52.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice is given by his Department to British companies about investment in the Transkei, Zululand and other Ban tustan areas of South Africa.

The Department supplies on request information regarding taxation and exchange control and so on, and suggests where further information may be obtained.

Mersey (Assistance For Tankers)

53.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the low rate of use of the Communication Assistant facility offered to large tankers in the River Mersey during the recent experimental period; and if he will now consider making this service a compulsory requirement for all ships of over 80,000 tons draught weight and/or 45-foot draught, in view of the density of shipping in that area.

The Pilotage Authority has reported the results of the first year's working of this voluntary arrangement and we propose to hold a meeting of interested parties to review the situation. I have no powers under the Pilotage Act to make the service compulsory.

Coal (Imports)

54.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much coal has been imported to date this year by the British Steel Corporation and the Central Electricity Generating Board; and if he will make a statement.

Information concerning imports by individual named organisations, whether in the public or private sector, is confidential and not available for publication. Information concerning coal imports is published in the Overseas Trade Statistics and this shows that the rate of imports has slowed considerably since the immediate post-miners' strike period.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the tonnage of coal imported into the United Kingdom in the first six months of 1972.

Information for January to May, 1972, the latest period available, is given in table III of the May 1972 issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics.

Fuel Policy

55.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the place of coal in his fuel policy.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on 5th June.—[Vol. 838, c. 21–2.]

Whisky (Advertising In France)

56.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the fact that in France laws controlling advertising militate against the sale of Scotch whisky by differentiating between spirits distilled from grain and grape, if he will make representations to the appropriate authorities about this practice in the interests of British exports.

We have long been aware of this problem, and representations have been made to the French authorities.

Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of the directors of Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd., are full-time executive directors of the company.

Lord Cole, Chairman, and Mr. I. T. Morrow, Managing Director, are working virtually full-time, though they have other interests. Dr. Stanley Hooker has a full-time appointment as Technical Director.

Shipbuilding

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is his estimate of the investment in fixed assets by the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry in the past five years;(2) what is his estimate of the investment in fixed assets by the United Kingdom shipyards specialising in naval construction in the past five years.

Following are the figures of fixed capital expenditure by the shipbuilding and marine engineering industries from 1966 to 1970, the latest year for which the information is at present available. Separate figures are not available for shipyards specialising in naval construction.

£ million
1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
8	4	14	15	19

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the fact that British shipyards were unable to tender for recent contracts worth £50 million for six semi-submersible drilling rigs for North Sea oil field development work, whether he will undertake an investigation of the shipbuilding industry as a matter of urgency.

My Department is already carrying out a comprehensive study of the industry.

European Economic Community

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the goods imported from the United States of America by the United Kingdom upon which United Kingdom tariffs would be increased if the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community; and the goods imported from the United States of America upon which United Kingdom tariffs would be decreased if the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community.

The compilation and publication of the information requested would involve disproportionate expenditure. However, nearly 70 per cent., of our total imports from the USA in 1970 consisted of goods on which the average level of the EEC's external tariff is somewhat lower than that of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that industry as well as agriculture benefits from the subsidies now being granted by the European Economic Community.

We are keeping our future partners fully informed of our view that the development of regional policy in the enlarged Community must take full account of regional industrial problems.

Two Segment Aircraft Approach

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether, in view of the results of recent trials in the United States of America of two segment aircraft approach, he will now carry out further tests;(2) whether he will publish the results of tests of the two segement aircraft approach technique.

We are keeping the matter under constant review taking account of work being done in the United States in addition to our own tests. A decision will be taken in due course on whether other tests in this country will be required. Meanwhile it would be misleading to publish the results of trials in isolation and I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Waltham stow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson) on 9th June.—[Vol. 838, c. 183–4.]

Discharged Prisoners (Employment)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue general directions to nationalised industries for which he is responsible regarding the need to employ discharged prisoners and other ex-offenders.

No. The employment practices of nationalised boards are not a matter for the issue of general directions.

Fuel Conservation

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present position with regard to the development of a comprehensive fuel conservation policy for the United Kingdom.

Economies in fuel use and the balance between use of indigenous and imported fuels are naturally important considerations in the Government's regular reviews of energy prospects. Perhaps my hon. Friend will write to me if he has any particular aspects in mind.

Channel Ferries (Fares)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received requesting him to refer to the Monopolies Commission the level of fares on cross-Channel ferries; and what action he has taken.

I have received representations from a number of interested parties. I have to consider all the factors, including the overseas implications, but I hope to announce a decision shortly.

Imports (Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of the imports which it is expected will rise in price as a result of the floating of the £sterling; to what extent he estimates these costs will increase prices to the British consumer; and whether he will make a statement.

No. It is too early to say what the effect is likely to be.

Exhibition Centre

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on his communication to the Birmingham City Council that the Government are now considering switching the industrial exhibition site from Birmingham to London.

I informed representatives of the Birmingham City Council on 29th June that the Government, having regard to the country's pressing need for a modern international exhibition centre, had decided that the project should go rapidly ahead and had agreed in principle that the Birmingham Corporation should be authorised to provide such loan finance as could not be raised from the private sector. The Birmingham Corporation would accordingly be given the authority which it would need to increase its borrowing for this purpose. The immediate availability of a further £145,000 of the Government grant which had already been announced would ensure that progress on the project was fully maintained.

Electronics Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies he has made of the likely effect of Japanese investment in the Republic of Ireland in the electronics industry on manufacturers in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Our examination of problems concerning Anglo-Japanese trade will take into account the question of Japanese investment in the United Kingdom, together with the implications for United Kingdom industry of Japanese investment in other members of the enlarged Community.

Departmental Staff (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now take whatever action may be necessary to ensure an increase in the wages and salaries of all staff and employees coming within his ministerial control, retrospective to 1st January, 1972.

I have been asked to reply.Agreed procedures already exist for the regular review of Civil Service wages and salaries.

Home Department

Political Parties (Reorganisation)

57.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications he has received from foreign Governments for permission to send their officials to Great Britain in order to advise and reorganise British political parties.

None.

Remands (Standard List Offences)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report, divided into police force regions, figures for persons proceeded against in 1969 and 1970 in England and Wales for standard list offences, showing those remanded on bail, in custody or not remanded.

The figures are as follows:

PERSONS PROCEEDED AGAINST IN 1969 AND 1970 IN ENGLAND AND WALES SHOWING, FOR STANDARD LIST OFFENCES, THOSE REMANDED ON BAIL, IN CUSTODY OR NOT REMANDED
	Persons committed for trial or discharged (section 7 Magistrates Courts Act 1952)
Police force region				Year	On bail	Per cent.	In custody	Per cent.	Not remanded	Per cent.	Total recorded	Per cent.	Not recorded†‡
1				2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Metropolitan Police District				1969	7,144	69·5	2,936	28·5	202	2·0	10,282	100·0	191
				1970	9,053	71·8	3,318	26·3	239	1·9	12,610	100·0	310
North West	…	…	…	1969	4,022	58·7	1,753	25·6	1,075	15·7	6,850	100·0	89
				1970	4,751	62·9	2,028	26·9	770	10·2	7,549	100·0	115
North East	…	…	…	1969	2,961	46·6	2,036	32·1	1,352	21·3	6,349	100·0	64
				1970	3,746	50·5	2,135	28·8	1,539	20·7	7,420	100·0	96
Midland	…	…	…	1969	2,556	50·7	1,471	29·2	1,017	20·1	5,044	100·0	63
				1970	2,791	50·4	1,624	29·3	1,127	20·3	5,542	100·0	91
East	…	…	…	1969	1,771	46·9	1,085	28·8	915	24·3	3,771	100·0	76
				1970	2,079	48·1	1,252	29·0	990	22·9	4,321	100·0	101
South East	…	…	…	1969	2,596	43·2	1,682	28·0	1,736	28·8	6,014	100·0	181
				1970	3,071	44·0	1,936	27·7	1,980	28·3	6,987	100·0	189
South West	…	…	…	1969	832	33·7	898	36·4	736	29·9	2,466	100·0	87
				1970	1,165	38·4	973	32·1	896	29·5	3,034	100·0	73
Welsh	…	…	…	1969	730	30·3	435	18·0	1,248	51·7	2,413	100·0	43
				1970	813	29·9	406	15·0	1,497	55·1	2,716	100·0	48
Total	…	…	…	1969	22,612	52·3	12,296	28·5	8,281	19·2	43,189	100·0	794
Total	…	…	…	1970	27,469	54·7	13,672	27·3	9,038	18·0	50,179	100·0	1,023

Persons dealt with summarily
Police force region			Year	On bail	Per cent.	In custody	Per cent.	Not remanded	Per cent.	Total recorded	Per cent	Not recorded†
1			2	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
Metropolitan Police District			1969	34,109	42·1	10,817	13·4	36,004	44·5	80,930	100·0	251,080
			1970	33,290	39·3	11,813	13·9	39,735	46·8	84,838	100·0	243,033
North West	…	…	1969	16,594	24·3	6,327	9·3	45,308	66·4	68,229	100·0	190,906
			1970	18,401	25·0	6,518	8·9	48,517	66·1	73,436	100·0	205,445
North East	…	…	1969	18,093	26·3	5,258	7·6	45,557	66·1	68,908	100·0	146,565
			1970	20,613	27·6	5,404	7·2	48,820	65·2	74,837	100·0	151,862
Midland	…	…	1969	10,072	26·9	4,107	10·9	23,306	62·2	37,485	100·0	108,675
			1970	7,890	20·2	3,815	9·8	27,327	70·0	39,032	100·0	114,994
East	…	…	1969	9,144	24·6	3,593	9·6	24,492	65·8	37,229	100·0	114,165
			1970	10,819	27·0	3,264	8·1	26,045	64·9	40,128	100·0	114,064
South East	…	…	1969	15,580	28·5	6,092	11·1	33,020	60·4	54,692	100·0	250,674
			1970	16,563	29·1	6,152	10·8	34,284	60·1	56,999	100·0	261,415
South West	…	…	1969	5,122	20·3	3,572	14·2	16,501	65·5	25,195	100·0	93,403
			1970	4,865	17·8	3,444	12·6	18,981	69·6	27,290	100·0	98,341
Welsh	…	…	1969	2,787	11·3	1,029	4·2	20,767	84·5	24,583	100·0	83,160
			1970	3,274	13·1	869	3·5	20,898	83·4	25,041	100·0	90,618
Total	…	…	1969	111,501	28·1	40,795	10·3	244,955	61·6	397,251	100·0	1,238,628
Total	…	…	1970	115,715	27·4	41,279	9·8	264,607	62·8	421,601	100·0	1,279,772

	Persons, proceedings against whom were not completed ^*
Police force region				Year	On bail	Per cent.	In custody	Per cent.	Not remanded	Per cent.	Total recorded	Per cent.	Not recorded†
1				2	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29
Metropolitan Police District				1969	1,200	59·3	171	8·5	651	32·2	2,022	100·0	6,106
				1970	1,435	57·5	251	10·1	807	32·4	2,493	100·0	5,426
North West	…	…	…	1969	542	38·6	96	6·8	768	54·6	1,406	100·0	2,479
				1970	1,074	54·9	110	5·6	773	39·5	1,957	100·0	3,099
North East	…	…	…	1969	260	30·0	85	9·8	523	60·2	868	100·0	804
				1970	255	32·8	117	15·1	404	52·1	776	100·0	806
Midland	…	…	…	1969	282	29·4	105	11·0	572	59·6	959	100·0	3,109
				1970	353	34·5	123	12·0	548	53·5	1,024	100·0	3,466
East …	…	…	…	1969	79	21·8	40	11·1	243	67·1	362	100·0	670
				1970	87	24·1	54	15·0	220	60·9	361	100·0	708
South East	…	…	…	1969	174	27·4	71	11·2	390	61·4	635	100·0	2,101
				1970	204	31·4	68	10·5	378	58·1	650	100·0	2,489
South West	…	…	…	1969	21	16·4	31	24·2	76	59·4	128	100·0	309
				1970	30	22·6	45	33·8	58	43·6	133	100·0	267
Welsh	…	…	…	1969	12	6·9	12	6·9	151	86·2	175	100·0	293
				1970	11	10·6	3	2·9	90	86·5	104	100·0	404
Total	…	…	…	1969	2,370	39·2	611	9·3	3,374	51·5	6,555	100·0	15,871
Total	…	…	…	1970	3,449	46·0	771	10·3	3,278	43·7	7,498	100·0	16,665

Police force region				Year	On bail	Per cent.	In custody	Per cent.	Total Not remanded	Per cent.	Total recorded	Per cent.	Not recorded†
1				2	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38
Metropolitan Police District				1969	42,453	45·6	13,924	14·9	36,857	39·5	93,234	100·0	257,377
				1970	43,778	43·8	15,382	15·4	40,781	40·8	99,941	100·0	248,769
North West	…	…	…	1969	21,158	27·7	8,176	10·7	47,151	61·6	76,485	100·0	193,474
				1970	24,226	29·2	8,656	10·4	50,060	60·4	82,942	100·0	208,659
North East	…	…	…	1969	21,314	28·0	7,379	9·7	47,432	62·3	76,125	100·0	147,433
				1970	24,614	29·7	7,656	9·2	50,763	61·1	83,033	100·0	152,764
Midland	…	…	…	1969	12,910	29·7	5,683	13·1	24,895	57·2	43,488	100·0	111,847
				1970	11,034	24·2	5,562	12·2	29,002	63·6	45,598	100·0	118,551
East …	…	…	…	1969	10,994	26·6	4,718	11·4	25,650	62·0	41,362	100·0	114,911
				1970	12,985	29·0	4,570	10·2	27,255	60·8	44,810	100·0	114,873
South East	…	…	…	1969	18,350	29·9	7,845	12·8	35,146	57·3	61,341	100·0	252,956
				1970	19,838	30·7	8,156	12·6	36,642	56·7	64,636	100·0	264,093
South West	…	…	…	1969	5,975	21·5	4,501	16·2	17,313	62·3	27,789	100·0	93,799
				1970	6,060	19·9	4,462	14·6	19,935	65·5	30,457	100·0	98,681
Welsh	…	…	…	1969	3,629	13·0	1,476	5·4	22,166	81·6	27,171	100·0	83,496
				1970	4,098	14·7	1,278	4·6	22,485	80·7	27,861	100·0	91,070
Total	…	…	…	1969	136,683	30·6	53,702	12·0	256,610	57·4	446,993	100·0	1,255,293
Total	…	…	…	1970	146,633	30·6	55,722	11·6	276,923	57·8	479,278	100·0	1,297,460
^* Comprising persons who absconded, died, were handed over to be dealt with by the Naval, Military or Air Force authorities and those against whom proceedings were adjourned sine die.
† Information about persons remanded is not recorded in respect of Non-Standard List offences.
‡ The figures in this column relate mainly to persons exercising a right to trial by jury.
Notes:
1. These figures relate only to Standard List offences (i.e. all indictable offences and the more serious summary ones).
2. The figures do not include remands by the higher courts. They relate to the defendant's remand situation immediately before his final appearance in a magistrates' court.

Holloway Prison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will give a detailed analysis of the offences for which women have been committed to Holloway prison in the years 1960, 1970 and 1971.

I regret that this information is not available for 1960. I am obtaining the figures for 1970 and 1971 and shall write to my hon. Friend.

Battered Babies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many babies have been reported battered in 1969, 1970 and 1971; by whom they were battered; and how many persons were convicted by the courts.

I regret that the information is not available. The statistics of convictions of offences against the person do not include the age of the victim.

Prisoners (Food Allowance)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly food allowance per prisoner is the weekly food allowance per prisoner; and when this allowance was last reviewed.

I am sending details of the dietary scale to the hon. Member. It is kept under review. The most recent adjustment was made in April.

Police Records

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department

Number of Unemployed School Leavers and Unfilled Vacancies in Swansea in June of each of the years 1970 and 1972
					Unemployed school leavers			Unfilled vacancies
Period					Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total
June, 1970	…	…	…	…	5	3	8	133	103	236
June,1972	…	…	…	…	28	39	67	66	133	179

Disabled Workers

59.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how the figure of unemployed registered disabled workers in June, 1972, compares with the figure in June, 1970.

I regret that the June figures are not yet available. On 8th May, 1972, 88,939 registered disabled

(1) if he will call for reports from chief constables as to how long police records are maintained in respect of persons with convictions;

(2) if he will call for reports from chief constables as to what checks are made by the police to ascertain if persons with police records are still living;

(3) if he will call for reports from chief constables as to what procedure is adopted by the police in respect of their files relating to deceased persons;

(4) if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable on the circumstances in which police officers called at an address at Quaking Houses, Stanley, County Durham, seeking Albert Joseph Conroy, who died on 4th December, 1967.

The Chief Constable of Durham has been asked for a report and other inquiries are in hand. I shall write to the hon. Member when I have more information.

Employment

School Leavers (Swansea)

58.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how the total number of unemployed school-leavers in Swansea compares with the figure in June, 1970; what are the similar figures for vacancies; and how the changes in unemployed school-leavers and in vacancies have varied over the same period for boys and for girls, respectively.

Following is the information:people, or 14·6 per cent. of those who had chosen to register under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, were unemployed. This compares with 71,847 or 11·2 per cent. on 11th May, 1970.

Redundancies (Scotland)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total number of redundancies notified to him in the last two years, in Scotland, by nationalised industries, by the public sector taken as a whole and by the private sector.

Redundancies involving 78,700 workpeople in Scotland were notified to my Department in the period 9th June, 1970, to 12th June,1972. A breakdown of these figures by nationalised industries, the public sector taken as a whole and by the private sector is not available and can be obtained only by a disproportionate charge on public funds.

Eagley Mills, Bolton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the 600 people who lost their jobs at Eagley Mills in Bolton have found new employment due to the efforts of his Department; and how many of these are women.

Seven, including four women.234 of the 480 workers so far made redundant had registered for employment up to 20th June, but many of these were unwilling to consider taking up work at a time when their notices still had a period to run, and immediately preceding the local holidays.

Earnings

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the gross and net rise in average wages in the City of Birmingham over the periods January, 1969— January, 1970, January, 1970— January, 1971, and January, 1971— January, 1972; and what was the rise in the cost of living over the same periods;(2) what was the average wage in Birmingham in the periods January, 1969— January, 1970, January, 1970— January, 1971 and January, 1971— January, 1972.

I regret that analyses of earnings are not available for areas smaller than the standard subdivision of regions of Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, taking the three wage groups £1,000—£2,000, £1,500—£2,500 and £2,000—£3,000, what was the percentage rise of gross and net income for each, during the periods January, 1970, to January, 1971 and January, 1971 to Janu- ary, 1972; and what was the rise in the cost of living over each period.

I regret that information on income in this form is not available.

Masson Scott Thrissel, Summerstown

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the estimated number of jobs that will be available in the London Borough of Wands worth for workers made redundant by the closure of Masson Scott Thrissell, Summerstown, London, S.W.I7;(2) when his Department was informed of the proposed closure of Masson Scott Thrissell, Summerstown, London, S.W.I7; and if he will make a statement.

My Department was informed of the proposed closure of Masson Scott Thrissell on 6th June. As the workpeople involved are expected to become redundant over a period from 2nd September to 30th November, 1972, it is difficult at this stage to estimate the number of jobs which will then be available to them. However, during the period 4th May to 7th June the numbers of vacancies notified in the Battersea, Tooting and Fulham exchange areas, each of which is partially within the Borough of Wandsworth, were 616, 910 and 917, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated number of workers to be made redundant by the closure of Masson Scott Thrissell, Summerstown, London, S.W.17, and the number who will qualify for redundancy payments.

It is understood that up to 424 workpeople may be made redundant by the closure of the Masson Scott Thrissel Engineering Co. Ltd. The firm estimtaes that 362 will qualify for statutory redundancy payments.

"Training For The Future"

asked the Secretary of State for Employment upon what evidence is based the conclusion in paragraph 43, section 1, of the Green Paper "Training for the Future" that the general levy/grant scheme provided an essential shock treatment which has led to a major change in the attitude of large sections of British industry to systematic training.

The achievements of the industrial training boards which are summarised in Annex 1 of "Training for the Future" are the main evidence. Whether the shift in attitude which has taken place because of the levy/grant system is sufficient or permanent is a matter of judgment. My right hon. Friend is considering carefully all the representations received during the consultative period on this point before reaching any decisions.

Unemployed Persons (Northern Region)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of men, women and school-leavers unemployed in the Northern Region at the end of June, 1972.

At 12th June, the latest date for which information is available, 60,974 men, 9,486 women, 3,523 boys and 2,149 girls were registered as unemployed in the Northern Region. Of these, 1,058 boys and 361 girls were school leavers registering for first employment since ending their full-time education.

Coal Industry (Staffordshire)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men were employed in the coal industry in North Staffordshire for each of the last 10 years.

Following is the information:

Estimated numbers of male employees in in employment in the coal mining industry in the North Staffordshire sub-division of the West Midlands region
			Thousands
June, 1961	…	…	19·0
June, 1962	…	…	18·3
June, 1963	…	…	17·3
June, 1964	…	…	16·9
June, 1965	…	…	15·7
June, 1966	…	…	14·6
June, 1967	…	…	14·4
June, 1968	…	…	12·9
June, 1969	…	…	11·4
June, 1970	…	…	10·7
(Figures for 1971 are not yet available).

Birkenhead

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women, respectively, had been unem- ployed for a period of eight weeks or more at the latest available date in Birkenhead; and how that compares with the position one year ago and two years ago.

Following is the information:

Numbers registered as wholly unemployed at the Birkenhead Employment Exchange and Careers Office who had been registered for more than eight weeks
		Males	Females
June, 1972	…	2,948	525
June, 1971	…	1,724	362
June, 1970	…	1,087	139

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies employing 25 or more people have closed in Birkenhead during the last two years, according to reports made to his Department; and what was the number of jobs lost as a result of these closures.

According to records held in my Department, during the period 29th June, 1970, to 28th June, 1972, inclusive, eight establishments employing 25 or more people have closed in the Birkenhead employment exchange area, with a resultant loss of 786 jobs.

Weekly Wage

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the average weekly wage in Wales; and what is the comparable figure for England.

The average weekly earnings of men manual workers, aged 21 years and over, in October, 1971, in Wales and England were £31·10 and £31·12, respectively.

National Hospital, Queen Square (Lump Labour)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South, can expect a reply to her letter of 25th May about the employment of lump labour at the National Hospital, Queen Square.

I wrote to the hon. Member on 28th June, 1972.

Environment

Dover (Road System)

60.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from the Governments of the member countries of the European Economic Community concerning the failure of Her Majesty's Government to take the necessary steps to produce a modern road system to the port of Dover in time to meet the increase in freight traffic which will arise with Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

The Government have not received representations from the Government of any country about road communications with Dover.

Housing Construction

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest monthly figure now available for the number of dwellings under construction in England and Wales.

358,300 at the end of May.

Council Houses (Sale)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now allow all local authorities as of right to sell council houses at a 30 per cent. discount in compensation for a five-year pre-emption clause.

All local authorities are at present empowered to sell at up to 20 per cent. below unrestricted market value where conditions including a five-year pre-emption clause are imposed on the sale. In special circumstances the Secretary of State is prepared to consider applications from local authorities for consent to sell at reductions of up to 30 per cent. on unrestricted market value. These arrangements are considered adequate for present circumstances.

Housing Demolition (London)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated number of houses which will be demolished in the Greater London Council area under the road improvement proposals, now under consideration by the Greater London Council and his Department.

A detailed estimate is not possible because many of the schemes under consideration are not yet in a sufficiently detailed state of design. The Greater London Council however, in co-operation with the Department, has estimated broadly that the number of dwellings expected to be demolished up to 1981 in consequence of Greater London Council and Department of the Environment road proposals is unlikely to exceed 1,000 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated number of houses which have been demolished in the Greater London Council area during the last five years as a result of motorway developments

Three hundred and forty-one, including flats.

"Until The Traffic Grinds To A Halt"

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received the booklet entitled "Until the Traffic Grinds to a Halt", sent to him by the hon. Member for Huddersfield, West; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards these matters contained in the booklet which fall within his responsibilities.

Yes. Local authorities are mainly responsible for providing facilities for cyclists. Advice on the provision of cycle tracks and cycle ways is contained in the Department's publication "Roads in Urban Areas".

Lorries (Eec Proposals)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to consult the European Economic Community on their proposals concerning weight and length of lorries.

No date has yet been arranged.

Improvement Grants

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will appoint a committee to review the operation and effects of improvement grants in areas, such as Islington, where owner-occupiers are moving into areas and displacing the traditional population of tenants.

No. A working party composed of representatives from the Greater London Council, the Inner London boroughs and the Department is already looking at the entire question of the relationship between improvements policy and London's housing stress.

Pedestrian Crossings

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will vary the rules for the provision of a zebra-crossing to permit a crossing in cases where a school's playing field is separated from the school by a busy road which does not necessarily meet the normal traffic-flow criterion.

No. Zebra crossings used only intermittently can be a hazard particularly for younger children.

Tachographs

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give official aproval to tachographs currently marketed in the United Kingdom so as to enable British road transport operators to use existing instruments until 1980.

Yes. I shall seek the necessary powers at a convenient legislative opportunity. I expect that it will be possible to approve all those instruments currently marketed in the United Kingdom which record a vehicle's movement, speed and distance travelled, in relation to the time of day. Existing powers in the Transport Act, 1968, could not be used without simultaneously making fitment compulsory, which is not my intention. As a result of the Government's obtaining a one-year deferment, the first date for compulsory fitment for EEC purposes will be 1st January, 1976, when instruments will have to be fitted to all new vehicles of appropriate classes, and to those carrying dangerous goods.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

European Economic Community

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the present United Kingdom restrictions on the distances to be travelled by cattle for slaughter from port of entry in Western Europe will continue to apply if the United Kingdom becomes a full member of the European Economic Community.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 12th March, 1971.—[Vol. 813, c. 177.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in his consultations with the European Economic Community, he will seek to ensure that proposed regulations on the use of hops in the manufacture of beer do not adversely affect the price and production of beer in the United Kingdom.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps designed to ensure that the control of the production and sale of Scotch whisky does not come under the authority of the proposed Alcohol Regime in the Common Market should Great Britain join; and if he will make a statement.

These proposals are designed to meet the requirements of the present Community of six countries, and not those of an enlarged Community. We shall be consulted fully about the changes needed to create a system which satisfies the ten countries. The protection of the essential interests of Scotch whisky will be one of our objectives in negotiations on this issue.

Government Offices (Dispersal)

asked the Prime Minister what decisions as to dispersal of central Government units from the London area to development areas have now been taken since 19th June, 1970; how many of these apply to Wales; and what is the total number of jobs anticipated in consequence of such dispersals in the United Kingdom generally and in Wales in particular.

As a result of decisions taken between June, 1970, and April, 1972, 1,020 posts will be located in development areas, including 195 in Wales. Under the continuing dispersal programme initiated by the Conservative Government in 1963 and policy towards the location of new offices initiated by the Labour Government in 1965, some 16,600 posts are to be located in assisted areas, including 6,500 for Wales, and some 2,300 will be located in other areas. For further details of dispersal achievement, and also of the current location review, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis) on 7th June and to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 20th June.—[Vol. 838, c. 102–4; Vol. 839, c. 229–31.]

Lord President's Department (Pay)

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give the number of staff in his Department who will be affected by the Boyle proposals to increase salaries by 20 per cent. to 25 per cent.; what salaries they now receive; and to what extent these will be raised on the implementation of the Boyle Report.

I would refer the hon. Member to the report on the Top Salaries Review Body (Grind. 5001) which was published on 23rd June and to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's written reply of 23rd June to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. William

COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Date of meeting	Venue	Name of committee	Names of members attending
16th March, 1972	Paris	Regional Planning and Local Authorities.	A. Jones,
			W. Molloy.
16th March, 1972	Paris	Economic Affairs and Development.	Rt. Hon. George Darling,
			D. Marquand,
			Sir Brandon Rhys-Williams.
17th March, 1972	Paris	Culture and Education	J. Boyden,
			J.E.B. Hill
20th to 21st March, 1972	Paris	Political Affairs	S. Wingfield Digby
			Sir John Rodgers,
			A. D. Dodds-Parker.
			F. Judd.
21st March, 1972	Paris	Bureau	Rt. Hon. George Darling.
21st March, 1972	Paris	Standing Committee	Rt. Hon. George Darling,
			J. Boyden.

Clark). There is one member of staff in my Department who will be affected by the report of the Top Salaries Review Body.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will now take whatever action maybe necessary to ensure an increase in the wages and salaries of all staff and employees coming within his ministerial control, retrospective to 1st January, 1972.

I have been asked to reply.Agreed procedures already exist for the regular review of Civil Service wages and salaries.

House Of Commons

Council Of Europe

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the number and dates of the various committees of the Council of Europe, where they were held, who attended, and the hotel and travel expenses claimed and paid in each instance.

Details of meetings of Committees of the Council of Europe from 1st April, 1971, to 29th February, 1972, were set out in my predecessor's replies of 8th and 16th July, 1971, and 20th March, 1972, to the hon. Member. The following schedule gives details of meetings between 1st March and 31st May, 1972.It has not been the practice of this House, nor would it be desirable, to divulge the details of claims made by individual Members.

Date of meeting	Venue	Name of committee	Names of members attending
21st March, 1972	Paris	Leaders or Spokesmen of National Delegations and Chairmen of Political Groups	Rt. Hon. Duncan Sandys.
22nd March, 1972	Paris	Political Affairs—Sub-Committee on Northern Ireland.	W. P. Grieve.
22nd March, 1972	Paris	Parliamentary and Public Relations.	Rt. Hon. Ernest Fernyhough.
			D. Coleman,
			J. Scott-Hopkins.
5th April, 1972	Paris	Agriculture	J. Scott-Hopkins.
6th April, 1972	Paris	Sub-Committee on Fisheries	J. Scott-Hopkins.
10th April, 1972	Paris	Legal Affairs	P. Grieve,
			R. Maclennan,
			N. St. John-Stevas.
11th to 14th April 1972	Lausanne	Science and Technology	I. Lloyd,
			Dr. M. Miller,
			J. Scott-Hopkins
			J. Boyden.
17th April, 1972	Paris	European Non-Member Countries.	F. Judd,
			N. St. John-Stevas.
			Dr. J. D. Mabon.
17th April, 1972	Paris	Population and Refugees	D. Dodds-Parker
			J.Boyden
18th April, 1972	Paris	Social and Health Questions	Mrs. L. Jegar
19th April, 1972	Paris	Social and Health Questions Sub-Committees on the European Code of Social Security and on the Fifth Seminar on International Voluntary Service.	W. Molloy.
21st to 25th April 1972	Istanbul	Political Affairs	Sir John Rodgers,
			F. Judd,
			D. Dodds-Parker.
26th April, 1972	Paris	Regional Planning and Local Authorities.	Rt. Hon. Ernest Fernyhough,
28th April, 1972	Paris	Economic Affairs and Development.	Rt. Hon. George Darling,
			D. Marquand,
			Sir Brandon Rhys-Williams.
28th April, 1972	Paris	Culture and Education	J. Boyden.
5th to 7th May, 1972	Malta	Parliamentary and Public Relations.	Rt. Hon. Ernest Fernyhough,
			H. Rossi,
			D. Coleman.
15th to 19th May, 1972	Strasbourg	First Part—Session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.	Rt. Hon. Duncan Sandys,
			J. Boyden,
			D. Coleman,
			Rt. Hon. George Darling,
			S. W. Digby,
			W. P. Grieve,
			F. Judd,
			I. Lloyd,
			W. Molloy.
			J. Peel,
			Sir John Rodgers,
			H. Rossi,
			Rt. Hon. M. Stewart,
			D. Walters,
			A. Davidson,
			Rt. Hon. Ernest Fernyhough,
			Dame J. Vickers.
			J. Critchley,
			A. D. Dodds-Parker,
			Mrs. D. Fisher,
			J. E. B. Hill,
			A. Jones,
			S. B. Jones,
			D. Marquand,
			Sir Brandon Rhys-Williams,
			J. Scott-Hopkins,
			W. W. Small,
			D. Steel,
			F. Tomney,
			A. D. Walder,
			Rt. Hon. P. C. Gordon Walker.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give details of who will be attending the Council of Europe Committee on Culture and Education to be held in Vienna from 29th June to 5th July; what hotel and travel expenses have been claimed and by whom; and whether members are allowed to claim for double rooms at hotels and have the expenses for their wives or others who may accompany them to be met from public funds.

Four Members—the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Boyden), the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. John E. B. Hill), the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Barry Jones) and the hon. Member for Hammersmith, North (Mr. Tomney)—are attending the meeting of the committee of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on Culture and Education being held in Vienna from 29th June to 5th July. The hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. R. C. Mitchell), who is not a member of the Committee on Culture and Education, has been invited to attend the conference which is being organised by the committee but will not be attending the Committee meeting itself.Since no claims have yet been made, it is impossible to give figures for travel and hotel expenses paid. Members are paid a

per diem allowance of 200 French francs and a miscellaneous expenses allowance of 50 French francs per day spent at Council of Europe meetings irrespective of what private arrangements they make. No additional claims may be made on behalf of Members' spouses or on behalf of anyone accompanying a Member.

asked the Lord President of the Council to what extent delegates attending committee meetings of the Council of Europe are entitled to stay on after the conclusion of the meetings and still claim hotel and other expenses for themselves and their wives for dates after the ending of the committee meetings.

Members are entitled to receive a per diem allowance of 200 French francs and a miscellaneous daily expenses allowance of 50 French francs for attendance at committee meetings of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, irrespective of any private arrangements they may make. This entitlement commences on the arrival at the place of meeting of the latest appropriate flight or train and ends at the time of the earliest appropriate departing train or flight after the meeting. No additional allowance can be claimed for the attendance of Members' wives.

Select Committee On Procedure

asked the Lord President of the Council if he is now able to give an indication of the Government's views on the outstanding reports from the Select Committee on Procedure this Session.

Yes. As regards the Committee's first report this Session—dealing with our procedures for the election of a Speaker—the Government propose to recommend to the House that the Committee's proposals should be accepted.On its second report—concerning the arrangements for Consolidated Fund Bill debates and for ministerial statements—the Government regard the arrangements for Consolidated Fund Bill debates as very much a matter to be settled on the basis of the general convenience of hon. Members. They believe, however, that the Committee's proposed changes will generally commend themselves to hon. Members as providing a more orderly framework of debate. It is, therefore, proposed to recommend them to the House. The Government cannot, however, give any undertaking to provide any time on Government Fridays for such debates, as proposed by the Committee. Nor, in view of the inevitable occasional need to alter business, could the Government undertake a commitment regarding the Committee's recommendation that the week in which such debates are to take place should be announced a week earlier than at present.The Government also agree with the Committee's proposals in its second report for a new system of ministerial written statements. They feel, however, unable to recommend acceptance of the proposals—recommendations 13 to 15—that provision should be made in Standing Orders whereby Mr. Speaker should be enabled to interrupt business, either at 7 p.m. or at the conclusion of public business, for emergency ministerial statements.

The issue of the rights of attendance of hon. Members at meetings of Select Committees of which they are not members, with which the Committee's third report is concerned, is regarded by the Government as essentially a House of Commons rather than a Government, matter. Nevertheless, the Government believe that the House will welcome the Committee's recommendations as a desirable clarification of the present uncertain position.

The necessary motions and amendments to Standing Orders will be tabled as soon as possible.

Civil Service

Staff Salaries (Boyle Report Proposals)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated time, the number of chairmen of nationalised boards and others, as affected by the Boyle Committee Report, who have resigned their appointments on the grounds of inadequacy of the salaries they received.

Resignations are handled by the responsible Department. There is no obligation on an individual to give a reason nor can the accuracy of any reason given always be checked. I am not aware of pay being given as the effective reason for any resignation.

		1st January, 1971	1st April, 1971	1st July, 1971	1st October, 1971	1st January, 1972	1st April, 1972
		1971	1971	1971	1971	1972	1972
Agriculture	…	1,059	1,044	1,061	1,091	1,070	1,163
Defence	…	154,193^*	153,083^*	151,707	150,845	149,731	147,385
Employment	…	1,184	1,207	1,260	1,257	1,251	1,258
Environment	…	32,887	32,568	32,238	31,890	31,576	31,156
Home Office	…	4,206	4,229	4,283	4,311	4,332	4,367
Royal Mint	…	1,099	1,047	1,032	1,023	996	1,008
Stationery Office	…	4,198	4,209	4,210	4,258	4,230	4,238
Trade and Industry		1,793	1,679	1,639	1,639	1,642	982
Scottish Office	…	984	1,003	1,114	1,112	1,042	869
^* Includes Aviation Supply.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the latest estimate of the number of non-industrial civil servants.

There were 496,370 in post on 1st April, 1972.

Departmental Staff (Pay)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will now take whatever action may be necessary to ensure an increase in the wages and salaries of all staff and employees coming within his Ministerial control, retrospective to 1st January, 1972.

Agreed procedures already exist for the regular review of Civil Service wages and salaries.

European Economic Community

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the estimated total amount of money to be paid in salaries for British staff supplied to the European Economic Community institutions.

Staff of Community institutions, irrespective of nationality, are paid from the budgets of those institutions.

Civil Servants

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the latest estimate of the number of industrial civil servants in each of the principal areas of employment, with corresponding figures for each quarter since 1970.

Following are the figures:

Defence

Royal Air Force (Land)

asked the Minister of State for Defence how much land is retained by the Royal Air Force for airfields and other establishments; and by how much the acreage has been reduced since 1945.

Ministry of Defence land used by the Royal Air Force for airfields and other establishments currently amounts to some 120,000 acres. In 1945 land retained for the same purposes amounted to some 392,000 acres, a reduction over the period of some 272,000 acres.

Northolt Airport

asked the Minister of State for Defence to what extent there is to be any change in the purpose for which Northolt airport is to be used in the future; and if he will make a statement about the new type of jet aircraft which has been using this airport in recent weeks.

There is a long-term defence requirement for Royal Air Force, Northolt and no change in its present use is envisaged. No new type of jet aircraft has been using the airfield in recent weeks. It is possible that my hon. Friend has in mind the four Royal Air Force HS125s, which form part of No. 32 Squadron and which have been based at Northolt during the past year.

Northern Ireland

asked the Minister of State for Defence what were the Army casualties in Londonderry in the 70 days before 24th March, 1972, and the 70 days after that date, respectively.

I regret that it is not possible without disproportionate effort to provide statistics relating to Londonderry alone. In the Army brigade area which covers County Londonderry, part of County Antrim and part of County Tyrone, the following Army casualties were caused by terrorist and other hostile actions: —

	14th January–24th March	24th March–2nd June
Regular Army killed	2^*	5
Regular Army wounded.	36	32
U.D.R. killed	1	—
U.D.R. wounded	—	1
^* This figure includes one death which resulted from wounds caused prior to 14th January.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement on the provision of compensation for the relatives of the men killed in Londonderry on 30th January, 1972.

Before 22nd June counsel for the Crown had two meetings with counsel for the claimants, who—it is understood—had full instructions on behalf of their clients. Since then a further meeting has been held between counsel.Writs have been issued in four cases and appearance has been entered by the Department. The entry of appearance to a writ is a formal step and does not indicate that negotiations have broken down or are non-existent.

Royal Engineers (Discharge Option)

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the percentage of persons purchasing their discharge or opting for discharge at the age of 18 years in the Royal Engineers; and how this compares with the average percentage of such categories for the whole of the Army.

Under the terms of the Donaldson Committee recommendations, junior entrants and young soldiers who are enlisted under the age of 17½ can leave the Army without charge within the first six months of service. Between 1st April and 1st September, 1971, 24·3 per cent. of entrants to the Royal Engineers opted for such discharge, compared with 23·9 per cent. for the whole Army. I regret that I am unable readily to say how many of these left actually on reaching 18.There are also adult recruits who join below the age of 18 and who may opt for discharge within six months or before reaching 18¼ on payment of £20. The figures for these are not immediately available, but I will write to the hon. Member.

Army Uniforms (Charges)

asked the Minister of State for Defence what charges are made to persons newly recruited into the Army for uniforms; and what weekly sums are deducted for this purpose.

Recruits are not charged for any of the items in the clothing scale. In some regiments and corps, however, it is customary to buy certain items particular to them.

Northern Ireland

"The Terror And The Tears"

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many copies of "The Terror and the Tears", were in stock on 9th June, 1972;and how many copies of the publication now remain.

On 9th June, 1972, about 80,000 copies of "The Terror and the Tears" were in stock; about 65,000 of these are still in stock.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the remaining copies of "The Terror and the Tears" were returned to the Information Service, Stormont Castle; and what number was returned.

Most of the remaining copies are being stored in London but supplies are sent to Stormont Castle from time to time as the need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why, on 12th April 1972, a letter was sent from the Information Office at Stormont Castle about the publication "The Terror and the Tears" in which regret was expressed that it was now out of print and the Information Service was consequently unable to meet a request for copies; and if he will make a statement.

By that date stocks for sale to the public were exhausted, all remaining copies being held for official purposes. Since no further official distribution is to take place, these copies are now being made available to the public on request.

Royal Ulster Constabulary

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present establishment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Fowler) on 4th May, 1972.—[Vol. 836, c. 577.]

Special Powers Act

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are his intentions regarding repeal of certain parts of the Special Powers Act; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add at present to the answer given to Questions by the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. Stallard) on 29th June.—[Vol. 839, c. 421.]

Education And Science

Museums And Galleries

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what additional proposals are being made by the governing body, with the introduction of museum charges, for the physical admission of disabled persons to the National Gallery; and what action she is taking thereon; (2) what additional proposals are being made by the governing body, with the introduction of museum charges, for the physical admission of disabled persons to the National Portrait Gallery; and what action she is taking thereon.;(3) what additional proposals are being made by the governing body, with the introduction of museum charges, for the physical admission of disabled persons to the Tate Gallery; and what action she is taking thereon;(4) whether she is satisfied that, with the introduction of turnstiles for museum charges, disabled persons will have ease of access for admission to the national collections; and if she will make a statement.

The arrangements for collecting admission charges will not involve the erection of turnstiles or any other obstacle for disabled persons. The present physical arrangements for admitting disabled persons will not be affected by the introduction of admission charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will publish in the Official Report the circular letter of 29th October, 1970, sent by her Department to the directors of the national museums and galleries, informing them for the first time of the project to introduce admission charges and requestiong their views on a number of questions relating to this project.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it remains her policy not to seek to remove the power of the Trustees of the National Gallery to determine at their discretion the amounts and incidence of admission charges at that institution.

The position remains as stated in the reply to the hon. Member's question on 22nd December, 1971.—[Vol. 828, c. 377–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reply has been sent by the Paymaster-General to the letter which he recently received from the Chairman of the National Gallery Trustees in connection with a free day at that institution; and whether the text can be published in the Official Report.

The suggestion of a free day is to be discussed by my noble Friend with the chairman of the Trustees.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will publish in the Official Report the letter recently sent to the Paymaster-General from the Chairman of the National Gallery Trustees in connection with a free day at that institution.

No.

Annual Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the annual amount of public funds spent on education in Wales in 1965, 1970 and 1971; and what this was per head of population in each case, with the corresponding figure for England.

The following table gives the information:

Financial Year	1964–65	1969–70	1970–71
Educational Expenditure in Wales
Total (£ million)	82·4	119·0	132·7
Per head of population (£)	30·8	43·7	48·5
(corresponding figure for England in brackets)	(26·4)	(40·4)	(46·1)

Staying On At School

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of children staying on at school beyond 15, 16, 17 and 18 years of age respectively, in the County Borough of Carlisle and the County of Cumberland.

In maintained schools in Carlisle, 47·6, 36·6, 18·5 and 5·2 per cent., respectively, and in Cumberland, 54·8, 33·2, 19·8 and 6·8 per cent. In areas smaller than a standard region various factors, which cannot always be taken into account in the calculations, may distort the proportions from year to year.

School Building Costs (East Midlands)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will state the latest estimates of percentage increased costs since 1st July, 1970, for school building in the East Midlands and in the Corby and Kettering areas of Northamptonshire particularly.

Variations of school building costs in the East Midlands area have generally followed the national pattern, and have been reflected in cost limit increases of 13 per cent. in April, 1971 and 15 per cent in April, 1972.

Secondary School Places (East Midlands)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what requests have been made to her, and what action she is taking thereon, to avoid overcrowding in the next few years in secondary schools in the East Midlands generally and in the Kettering and Corby areas of the Northamptonshire Local Education Authority in particular.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to his Question on 29th June.—[Vol. 839. c. 391.]

National Finance

Value Added Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether value added tax will be levied on subscriptions to the National Trust.

Name of Company	Number of shares held
Beagle Aircraft Ltd. (in liquidation	1,000,000 £1 Ordinary shares
British Nuclear Design & Construction Limited	26,000 £1 Ordinary shares (a)
British Petroleum Co. Limited	174,461,538 £1 Ordinary Stock
	1,000 £18% Cumulative First Preference Stock
British Sugar Corporation	1,125,000 £1 Ordinary shares (b)
Brown Bayley Limited	2,400,000 £1 Ordinary shares (a)
Cable and Wireless	30,000,000 £1 shares
Cammell Laird (Shipbuilding & Engineering) Limited	1,500,000 £1 Ordinary shares (c)
George Kent Limited	3,017,577 Ordinary shares of 50p (a)
	1,244,180 Deferred Ordinary shares of 50p (a)
Herbert Ingersoll Limited	38,250 "A" £1 Ordinary shares (a)
	36,750 "B" £1 Ordinary shares (a)
International Computers (Holdings) Limited	3,500,000 £1 "C" Ordinary shares (d)
Itabira Iron Ore Co. Limited (in liquidation)	61,220 £1 First Preference shares
	380,000 £1 Second Preference shares
	493,982 £1 Ordinary shares
Kearney and Trecker Limited	300,000 Redeemable Convertible £1 Third Preference shares (a)
Nuclear Enterprises Limited	7,353 £1 "B" Ordinary shares (a)
Power Jets (R & D) Limited (in liquidation	200,000 £1 Ordinary shares
Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited	30,000 000 £1 shares
SB (Realisations) Limited (e)	42,050 5% Redeemable Cumulative £1 Preference
	shares 581,302 25p Ordinary shares
	250,000 25p "A" Ordinary shares
Suez Finance Company	645,591 FF 100 Capital shares
Toplis and Harding (Middle East) Limited	998 50p shares
Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited (in liquidation)	875,000 £1 Ordinary shares,
	12,000,000 25p shares (f)
Welsh Highland Light Railway (in liquidation)	5% Debenture Stock (£35,774)
Notes
(a) Equity and preference shares previously held by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation but transferred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 1st May, 1971.
(b) The Sugar Board holds an additional 2,500,000 £1 Ordinary shares.
(c) The Public Trustee holds these shares on behalf of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
(d) The Government have so far paid only l0p for each share. The balance of 90p per share is due on 28th September, 1972.
(e) SB (Realisations) Ltd. is the holding company for the Government's 69·50 per cent, shareholding in Short Brothers and Harland.
(f) These 25p shares were previously held by the Shipbuilding Industry Board, but were transferred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 1st January, 1972.
N.B. This table covers all the shareholdings held by Government Departments except for a number of small groups of shares held mainly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in mixed agricultural enterprises such as agriculturalco-operatives. These shares were listed in a reply to the hon. member for Leeds South (Mr. Merlyn Rees) on 25th January, 1972[Vol. 829 c. 381–382]: their total nominal value is very small. Unsecured and secured loans made by the former Industrial Reorganisation Corporation, and which have been transferred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, have been excluded.

The provision by an association of facilities to its members will in general be subject to value added tax under Clause 45 of the Finance Bill; whether subscriptions to any particular association will be taxable will depend upon the facts of the case.

Government Industrial Shareholdings

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report Government shareholdings in industry.

Following is the information:

Income Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have incomes which are below the rate which attracts income tax.

About 6 million single adults and 2 million married couples will not be liable to tax for 1972–73.

£ Sterling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increase in the cost to Great Britain of joining the European Economic Community as a result of floating the exchange rate of the £ sterling.

There is no reason at present to depart from the estimates in Cmnd. 4715, "The United Kingdom and the European Communities."

asked the Chancellor the Exchequer what effects the floating of the £sterling will have on the holding of the European Summit Conference and the establishment of a common European currency.

There is no reason why the decision that, as a temporary measure, sterling will be allowed to float should affect either the holding of the summit or future moves towards a common European currency, which has always been a matter for the long term.

Algerian Currency Restrictions

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts of Algerian currency United Kingdom visitors are allowed to take with them into that country; and if he has been informed that such amounts have been agreed by the Algerian authorities.

United Kingdom rules do not limit the type of foreign currency that may be obtained for genuine travel purposes.I would not expect to be informed directly about Algerian currency restrictions but, according to information supplied to, and circulated by, the International Monetary Fund, the Algerian authorities do not permit non-resident travellers to take in with them any Algerian banknotes.

Reserves

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ounces of gold were held in the official reserves of the United Kingdom at the end of each financial year from 1945 to 1971, respectively.

Following is the information:

Date			Number of ounces (millions)
End March, 1945	…	…	51·373
End March, 1946	…	…	57·930
End March, 1947	…	…	64·673
End March, 1948	…	…	60·254
End March, 1949	…	…	47·669
End March, 1950	…	…	42·219
End March, 1951	…	…	95·056
End March, 1952	…	…	42·647
End March, 1953	…	…	52·662
End March, 1954	…	…	67·455
End March 1955	…	…	70·659
End March, 1956	…	…	57·211
End March, 1957	…	…	53·737
End March 1958	…	…	61·529
End March, 1959	…	…	78·877
End March, 1960	…	…	70·063
End March, 1961	…	…	74·952
End March, 1962	…	…	68·733
End March, 1963	…	…	69·925
End March, 1964	…	…	70·238
End March, 1965	…	…	60·317
End March, 1966	…	…	58·190
End March, 1967	…	…	47·915
End March, 1968	…	…	42·660
End March, 1969	…	…	42·163
End March, 1970	…	…	41·957
End March, 1971	…	…	32·114
All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand ounces.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the convertible currency reserves of the United Kingdom for each quarter of 1971 and the first quarter of 1972 was held in United States dollars, Deutschemarks and other currencies, respectively.

It is not the practice to publish details of individual currencies in the Exchange Equalisation Account.

European Economic Community

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will appoint a working party to consider the international implications for the United Kingdom of European Economic Community economic and monetary union.

No, my right hon. Friend is satisfied with the existing arrangements for consultation as necessary among interested Departments and with other bodies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his discussions with European Economic Community Finance Ministers on 26th June.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's speech in the House on 29th June.—[Vol. 839, c. 1707.]

Posts And Telecommunications

Business Conferences (Television Linkage)

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will list the number of Centres which can be linked for business conference purposes by means of television links provided by the Post Office and the cost per hour of such facilities.

These are management matters for the Post Office, and I suggest that the hon. Member writes to the Chairman.

Scotland

Pentland Road, Isle Of Lewis (Surfacing)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him for the surfacing of the Pentland Road, Isle of Lewis; and what replies he has sent.

In the past 12 months I have received three written representations about this road and during my recent visit to the Western Isles I also heard the views of representatives of Stornoway Town Council and Lewis and Harris District Councils on it.I have replied that responsibility for the Pent land road rests solely with Ross and Cromarty County Council as highway authority.

Lands And Heritages (Valuation Forms)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why county assessors requiring householders to make returns for valuation of lands and heritages do not send out prepaid return forms.

This is a matter for the local valuation authority, which is neither required to prepay the postage nor precluded from doing so.

Vatersay, Barra (Pier)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Inverness County Council for assistance to build a pier at Vatersay, Barra; and what reply he has sent.

None. I understand the county council is still considering the form of service to be provided.

Abortion

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many married women resident in Scotland had National Health Service abortions in 1971; and of these, how many were also sterilised.

Notifications have been received in respect of 3,235 married women of whom 1,644 were also sterilised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women resident in Scotland in 1971 had abortions with sterilisation, and how many without sterilisation; and of these, how many deaths were attributed to the operation and how many to other causes.

The numbers of abortions notified are:

With sterilisation	1,791
Without sterilisation	4,541

Three deaths were associated with therapeutic abortion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many abortions in 1971 in Scotland without sterilisation were performed by vacuum aspiration or by dilatation and curettage before 13 weeks' gestation; and of these, how many deaths were attributed to the operation and how many to other causes.

The numbers notified are:

By vacuum aspiration	2,336
By dilatation and curettage	1,031

None of these women died.

Lord Advocate's Department (Pay)

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will now take whatever action may be necessary to ensure an increase in the wages and salaries of all staff and employees coming within his ministerial control, retrospective to 1st January, 1972.

		1968^*	1969	1970	1971 (provisional)
ABORTIONS WITH STERILISATION BY:—
ABDOMINAL HYSTEROTOMY—
cases	…	†	†	9,472	8,247
deaths attributed to operation	…	1	5	2	3
deaths attributed to other causes	…	—	4	1	1
HYSTERECTOMY—
cases	…	†	†	1,020	1,008
deaths attributed to operation	…	—	1	2	—
deaths attributed to other causes	…	—	—	1	—
VACUUM ASPIRATION—
cases	…	†	†	2,335	3,813
deaths attributed to operation	…	—	—	1	—
deaths attributed to other causes	…	—	2	—	1
DILATATION AND CURETTAGE—
cases	…	†	†	942	1,238
deaths attributed to operation	…	—	—	—	—
deaths attributed to other causes	…	—		1	—
OTHER TYPES OF OPERATION—
cases	…	†	†	253	291
deaths attributed to operation	…	—	—	—	—
deaths attributed to other causes	…	—	—	—	—
^* 27th April to 31st December 1968 only
† Not available.
Note: Abortions involving more than one method of termination may be recorded more than once in this table

Wales

Highlands And Islands Development Board

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide facilities for Members of Parliament from Wales to study the working of the Highlands and Islands Development Board

No.

I have been asked to reply.Agreed procedures already exist for the regular review of Civil Service wages and salaries.

Social Services

Abortion

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, for each of the years 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 in England and Wales, how many abortions with sterilisation were performed by abdominal hysterectomy, hysterectomy, vacuum aspiration, dilatation and cuvettage and by other types of operation; and of these, how many deaths were attributed to the operation and how many to other causes

The available information is as follows:

Roads

asked the Secretary of Slate for Wales what was the annual amount spent by central Government on roads in Wales, in 1965, 1970 and 1971; and what amount per head of population this was, in each year, with the corresponding figures for England.

The information for the three financial years is as follows:

	Wales		England
Year	Total expenditure	Per capita expenditure	Total expenditure	Per capita expenditure
	£ million	£	£ million	£
1965–66	16·8	6·24	168·9	3·75
1970–71	21·5	7·86	350·2	7·57
1971–72(provisional)	29·6	10·86	325·8	7·07

Welsh Office

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the responsibilities of the Welsh Office, direct and indirect; and what alterations have been made since November, 1964.

With the exception of responsibilities relating to agriculture and ancient monuments the Welsh Office undertakes those functions which have been progressively placed on the Secretary of State for Wales. The responsibilities of the Secretary of State, as at 1st April, 1969, are described in Part III of the written evidence of the Welsh Office to the Commission on the Constitution. A copy of the publication containing this evidence is available in the Library and I am also sending a copy to the right hon. Member. Responsibility in Wales for primary and secondary education has been devolved to the Secretary of State since November, 1970, and for child care services since January, 1971.

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants of the full rank of Permanent Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary there were in the Welsh Office in each year since 1965.

On 1st April in each year there were:

		Permanent Secretary	Deputy Secretary	Under Secretary	Assistant Secretary
1965	…	—	1	1	4
1966	…	—	1	1	6
1967	…	—	1	2	7
1968	…	—	1	3	7
1969	…	—	1	4	8
1970	…	—	1	4	9
1971	…	—	1	5	14
1972	…	—	1	7	14

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now take whatever action may be necessary to ensure an increase in the wages and salaries of all staff and employees coming within his ministerial control, retrospective to 1st January, 1972.

I have been asked to reply.Agreed procedures already exist for the regular review of Civil Service wages and salaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will give details of the eight members of his staff who will receive increases of 18 per cent. in salaries as a result of the Boyle Committee; what their salaries were prior to the Boyle Report; and what they will be thereafter.

One Deputy Secretary who will have his salary increased from £9,000 to £10,500 and seven Under Secretaries who will have their salaries increased from £6,750 to £8,250.

Lower Swansea Valley (Metal Deposition)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish the report of the working party studying the extent and effects of metal deposition in the Lower Swansea Valley area.

In the course of 1973. I cannot be more precise at this stage.

Handicapped Children (Education)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of mentally and physically handicapped children in Monmouthshire, Breconshire, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport and Radnorshire who would benefit from boarding education similar to that provided at Erwar Delyn School, Penarth.

The assessment of the educational provision necessary for the mentally and physically handicapped children in an area is the responsibility of the local education authority concerned. A school providing facilities similar to those available at Erwar Delyn is being built at Cardiff to serve the needs of Monmouthshire, Breconshire, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport and Radnorshire.

Mobile Homes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the number of sites in Wales allocated or devoted to mobile homes;

(2) what is the number of mobile homes at present occupied in Wales.

I am informed that in 1971 there were about 4,200 pitches in Wales for residential caravans. Information on how many of these were occupied is not readily available.

Volume 840: debated on Monday 3 July 1972

Written Answers To Questions

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Middle East (Security Council Resolution)

Wankie Colliery (Relief Fund)

Tanzania (British-Owned Farms)

European Economic Community

China (Cultural Exchanges)

Argentine And Brazil (Whisky)

Sea Bed (Convention)

Population Institute

Atomic Secrets (European Countries)

Seychelles

United Nations (Charter Revision)

Review Of The United Nations Charter

Text Of Note Delivered To The United Nations Secretary-General On 30 June

Passport Applications

Gibraltar

Spain (Discussions)

Council Of European Municipalities

Spitsbergen

Rhodesia

France (Partial Test Ban Treaty)

Departmental Staff (Pay)

Trade And Industry

Contracts (Discrimination Against Women)

South Africa (Investment In Bantustan Areas)

Mersey (Assistance For Tankers)

Coal (Imports)

Fuel Policy

Whisky (Advertising In France)

Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd

Shipbuilding

European Economic Community

Two Segment Aircraft Approach

Discharged Prisoners (Employment)

Fuel Conservation

Channel Ferries (Fares)

Imports (Costs)

Exhibition Centre

Electronics Industry

Departmental Staff (Pay)

Home Department

Political Parties (Reorganisation)

Remands (Standard List Offences)

Holloway Prison

Battered Babies

Prisoners (Food Allowance)

Police Records

Disabled Workers

Employment

School Leavers (Swansea)

Redundancies (Scotland)

Eagley Mills, Bolton

Earnings

Masson Scott Thrissel, Summerstown

"Training For The Future"

Unemployed Persons (Northern Region)

Coal Industry (Staffordshire)

Birkenhead

Weekly Wage

National Hospital, Queen Square (Lump Labour)

Environment

Dover (Road System)

Housing Construction

Council Houses (Sale)

Housing Demolition (London)

"Until The Traffic Grinds To A Halt"

Lorries (Eec Proposals)

Improvement Grants

Pedestrian Crossings

Tachographs

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

European Economic Community

Government Offices (Dispersal)

Lord President's Department (Pay)

House Of Commons

Council Of Europe

Select Committee On Procedure