asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now issue a directive to the Forestry Commission to plant more oak, ash, chestnut, walnut and other hardwood trees.

The consultative document on forestry which my right hon. Friends issued on 28th June recognises the advantages of planting of this kind; and as recently as last January the commission announced that its policy will be to plant hardwoods where they are an essential feature of the landscape and where cultural conditions are suitable for them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether reafforestation of felled woodlands will in future qualify for planting grants.

In his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North (the Earl of Dalkeith) on 28th June, my right hon. Friend said that existing commitments under the dedication and other grant schemes would be honoured. These commitments will, of course, cover grants for the replanting of felled woodlands.My right hon. Friend also announced that there would be consultation on a new grant system. I cannot anticipate the result at this stage, but the replanting of felled woodlands will be one of the subjects to be reviewed.—[Vol. 839. c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the increase in average family food prices per week as a result of floating the £ sterling.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he makes of the effect on food prices of the downward float of sterling.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the rise in the cost of food for retirement pensioners, consequent upon the Government's decision to float the £ sterling.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the devalued £ sterling has had to date upon food prices.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave on 5th July to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Woof).—[Vol. 840, c. 159.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of food prices is attributable to wages cost in 1972; and how this compares with 10 years ago.

Wage costs affect food prices both directly and indirectly at the various stages of the production and marketing of food. But it is not possible to give precise figures of the kind the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the floating £ sterling, what action he is taking to protect pensioners and others in receipt of fixed incomes from the consequent rise in price of basic foods.

As I have already told the House, it is too early to judge the effect of the floating £ on food prices; but the Government have, of course, undertaken to review pensions annually.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next proposes to meet representatives of retired pensioners organisations to discuss food prices following the floating of the £ sterling.

I have no plans at present to meet any representatives of pensioners' organisations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price of a pound of rump steak at the latest available date and two years earlier.

In May this year the retail price of home-killed rump steak averaged 70·8p per lb. compared with 66·3p and 56·0p per lb. in May, 1971, and May, 1970, respectively. The comparable price of chilled imported rump steak is usually about 20 per cent. lower.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the devalued £ sterling has had to date upon the price of meat.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now restore grants for fishing vessels to the level prior to the Fishing Vessels) Acquisition and Improvements) (Grants) (Amendment) Scheme, 1971.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the aggregate net income of the fanning industry is now increasing.

Net income is estimated to have risen by £57 million, or over 9 per cent., between 1970–71 and 1971–72.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate the extent and speed of the rationalisation of farm structure now taking place in the United Kingdom, and what this means in terms of the number of full-time farmers and the size of farms.

It is estimated that between 1965 and 1971 the number of full-time farms declined by about 4,000 a year on average, and is now about 183,000. The average size of full-time farms increased in the same period by about six acres a year on average and is now 231 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the net product of the agricultural industry is now increasing; and what is its estimated likely rate of growth over the next five years.

Net product is estimated to have increased by about 4½ per cent. in 1971–72 compared with 1970–71. The strong expansionary trend of recent years can be expected to continue following entry into the EEC.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he has not sited the main office of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce in a development area, in view of the Government's policy to disperse Civil Service jobs to areas of high unemployment.

I would refer the hon. Member to the explanation my right hon. Friend gave in the course of the debate on Clause 6 of the European Communities Bill on 22nd June of the reasons which led us to site the board's main office in Reading.—[Vol. 839, c. 773.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to announce the minimum size of parcels of commodities which will be accepted by the Intervention Board when implementing its buying function.

As I said on 9th May in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison), the minimum quantity for wheat will be 200 tons and for barley 100 tons. For oil seed rape the minimum will be 50 tons; for sugar 300 tons. The arrangements for the other commodities concerned will be announced as soon as essential consultations are completed.—[Vol. 836, c. 321–4.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the functions of the proposed Intervention Board for Agriculture to be situated at Reading.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now explain the structure of the Intervention Board and the operation of its advisory committees; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement concerning the advisory committees of the proposed Intervention Board.

The Intervention Board will be responsible for the main executive tasks in carrying out the common agricultural policy. These are all closely interrelated. My right hon. Friend explained the main functions and composition of the board in the course of the debate on Clause 6 of the European Communities Bill on 22nd June.—[Vol. 839, c. 763–80.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the decision to establish the main office of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce at Reading.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the production in the United Kingdom of butter, cheese and beef is likely to increase in 1973.

British production of butter, cheese and beef is likely to increase significantly, assuming normal weather, but it is too soon to give precise figures for 1973. Entry to the Common Market will provide British producers with opportunities for further expansion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present value of exports of food and agricultural products to the European Economic Community; and what prospects he now sees for larger and more profitable exports to the enlarged Community and to third markets.

Our exports of food and agricultural products to the EEC totalled £99·7 million in 1971 and £48·9 million in the first five months of this year. As to the second half of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Hicks) on 20th June, and that which my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler) on 4th July.—[Vol. 839, c. 222–3;Vol. 840, c. 89.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the effects on Great Britain's agriculture industry of the European Economic Community Regulation 407/72 Sugar, Part 39 of the Secondary Legislation of 28th February, 1972, published on 8th July.

EEC Regulation 407/72 amends Regulation 142/69 by providing that the final settlement in respect of the production contribution for sugar produced in excess of basic quotas, but within maximum quotas, shall always be made by the end of a calendar month. This administrative simplification in the sugar production quota arrangements will have no direct effect on the British agriculture industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the effects on Great Britain's agriculture industry of the European Economic Community Regulation 434/72/Agricultural Finance, Part 14 of the Secondary Legislation of 29th February, 1972, published on 8th July.

This regulation enables expenditure on the cottonseed subsidy to be met from the guarantee section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Since cottonseed cannot be grown commercially in this country, the regulation will not affect our agriculture industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now invite to Great Britain the Ministers responsible for food in Australia, New Zealand and Canada to discuss with them the effects on Great Britain's imports of food from these countries on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

Useful discussions with these countries have already been held on particular problems which might arise in trade after enlargement of the Community. My right hon. Friend would, of course, be happy to meet his colleagues from Australia, New Zealand and Canada whenever they felt this would be helpful.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his discussions with M. Cointat, the French Minister of Agriculture, on commercial reciprocity, in the light of the regulations imposed by the French National Organisation for Genetic Improvement.

Although my right hon. Friend's discussions with M. Cointat had to be cancelled, the French authorities are aware of our views, and we shall be keeping in touch with them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as the law requiring the wearing of an identity disc by dogs has not been enforced for many years, whether he will now introduce a Bill to repeal the relevant legislation.

No. Without this provision, local authorities would be in no position to trace the owners of stray dogs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will appoint a working party to review the operation of the Balfour Assurances in the light of experience gained in recent months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the progress made in the closing of loopholes in the Balfour Assurances.

We have had useful discussions with the Belgian authorities about arrangements for closing this loophole, and a further statement will be made shortly.My right hon. Friend sees no need to appoint a working party to review the operation of the assurances. The loophole is in respect of a particular trade, and there are no indications that there are wider implications.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will now give an assurance that the Milk Marketing Board will continue to operate in its present form after Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

As I have already said, I expect the essential marketing functions of the Milk Marketing Board to continue.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding his future plans for the White Fish Authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on the future of the White Fish Authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement upon Government policy for the future administration of the fishing industry.

In considering the future of the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board my right hon. Friends and I have had to take into account not only the position in this country but also what form of organisation will best serve our fishing and fish-using industries within the enlarged European Community.The Community regulations foresee the establishment of a network of producers' organisations which, if fully achieved, would leave no separate regulatory rôle for independent national bodies like the board and the authority. On the other hand there are functions for which continuing provision may be needed.Changes must therefore be expected after experience inside the Community has shown what we shall need, but to rewrite constitutions and powers would require main legislation and it would not be right to ask the House now to settle what the best long-term arrangements should be. Instead we propose that the authority and the board should continue under existing law for a period provisionally set at five years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now introduce a licensing system for all intensive livestock premises.

No. My right hon. Friend does not consider licensing either desirable or practicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he expects an increase in the domestic sugar beet acreage during 1973.

The 1973 guaranteed price will apply to the whole of the sugar beet crop from the existing guaranteed acreage in the United Kingdom. In addition, under the EEC sugar régime, growers and processors are free to negotiate contracts for beet to produce sugar above the quota, but this sugar must be exported to the world market without guarantee or subsidy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet concluded the negotiation with the European Economic Community to determine the point of greatest deficiency for cereals when the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community in 1973;and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cereals intervention centres will be located in the United Kingdom under the common agricultural policy and where they will be located.

I would refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the statement I, made earlier today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the effect on agriculture of the proliferation of wild rabbits; and what replies he has sent.

The National Federation of Rabbit Clearance Societies and others which have made general representations of this kind have been reminded that rabbit control is essentially a matter for occupiers concerned. Particular complaints of local rabbit infestation reaching the Department are investigated as a matter of urgency and enforcement action is taken where appropriate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the practice of his Department regarding the answering of inquiries relating to the control of foxes.

This depends on the nature of the inquiry. In general, and under the objectives announced in last year's White Paper on Proposed Changes in the Work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Cmnd. 4564), pest control is a matter for the occupier rather than the Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will obtain from the Eggs Authority its estimate of the effect on the retail price of eggs of its decision to withdraw 18 million eggs from the home market.

The Eggs Authority expects that the fall in retail prices will level off but that prices will remain below last July's levels for the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agreements have been reached with the European Economic Community regarding the importation and export of eggs prior to entry into the Common Market; and what directives are currently in force in the European Economic Community with regard to the import, export and price of eggs.

The European Economic Community has a free market for eggs, supported by a system of sluice gate prices and import levies to prevent disruption by unduly low priced imports from third countries. This system, which is similar to the minimum import price arrangements in this country, will be adopted by the United Kingdom on 1st February, 1973. No special arrangements will apply to imports and exports prior to entry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present average price of top grade eggs per dozen on the retail market; and what was the comparable price in June, 1970.

The average retail price of first quality large eggs was estimated by the Eggs Authority to be 20·4p per dozen on 12th July this year, compared with 21·2p in June, 1970. The comparable prices for standard eggs are 17·2p per dozen now, and 18·3p per dozen in June, 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what current statutory powers exist for local authorities within greater London to control grey squirrels.

Grey squirrel control is essentially a matter for occupiers; but I am assured by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment that where local authorities consider that expenditure on their part would be appropriate it is open to them to use their general and discretionary powers under Section 6 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1963.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many individual river authorities have asked for special grant treatment since the modification of the Land Drainage Grant Scheme in April, 1970.

Five out of 29.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the names and locations of those estates which have taken advantage of the Basis I arrangements of the Forestry Commission's dedication scheme under the auspices of the Forestry Act, 1967, in order to obtain assistance towards the cost of building houses for forestry workers.

It is not the practice of the Forestry Commission to reveal details of payments made under the forestry grant schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many trees have been felled in the County of Cumberland suffering from the Dutch Elm disease; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware of any need to fell elms in Cumberland on account of the Dutch Elm disease, which does not appear to have affected the county.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the increased storage capacity needed for cereals after entry into the European Economic Community; and how this increased need is to be met.

Any such estimate must be somewhat speculative, as it will depend on such factors as the production stimulus likely to be given by higher prices under the common agricultural policy, and when this will take effect; how long existing storage facilities will last and how suitable they are, both on and off the farm; and to what extent supplementary storage might be needed, or is available for the purposes of intervention. This last point is at present being intensively studied both by the Home Grown Cereals Authority and by staff of my Department. As regards other storage, grants are available under the Farm Capital Grants Scheme for on-farm storage and from the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Cooperation for co-operatively owned stores.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with the Home Grown Cereals Authority about the effect on its activities of the entry into the Common Market.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison), Officials in my Department are in close consultation with the staff of the Home Grown Cereals Authority on all aspects of planning that relate to intervention arrangements for cereals.—[Vol. 836, c. 321–4.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations at present cover the use of mineral hydrocarbons in food.

The Mineral Hydrocarbons in Food Regulations, 1966.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now able to give the costs of grubbing-up orchards.

Estimated total cost of orchard grubbing operations eligable for grant, up to 31st March, 1972, is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will take steps to ensure that married or divorced women, who have been awarded maintenance by the courts, are not taxed upon the amounts of such awards until the cash has been received by them, thus avoiding the hardship which often arises when deductions are made under the Pay As You Earn system, even though the court awards have never in fact been paid, or are only paid intermittently.

Normally, when maintenance payments fall into arrear, PAYE codings are adjusted appropriately. I have written to my hon. Friend about a particular case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Government Departments involved in the Inter departmental Cost Benefit Study of Forestry in Great Britain; what were the costs in relation to this document; and what action will be taken on its findings.

The Departments principally involved in the study were the Treasury, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office, the Board of Inland Revenue and the Forestry Commission. The cost of printing and publishing the study was £1,323; the sale price has been set with the intention of recovering this cost. The staff time involved was only a part, and generally a small part, of the working time of the officials concerned. The study was a contribution to the Government's review of forestry policy, the conclusions of which were published last month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether fees payable to Government Departments, local authorities and other official bodies will be liable to value added tax.

Supplies by Government Departments, local authorities and official bodies in the course of a business will be liable to the tax in the same way as comparable supplies by traders in the private sector. Many of the charges levied by Government Departments, local authorities and official bodies do not relate to activities in the course of a business, and in those cases no tax would be chargeable, unless the Treasury makes a direction under Clause 19(2) of the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most up-to-date estimate of the total yield from purchase tax in the current financial year and of the loss to the revenue of the reduction.

£1,315 million; the reduction is estimated to cost £135 million in 1972–73 and £175 million in a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to reduce the United Kingdom maximum marginal income tax rates nearer to those of France and Germany, in view of the increase announced from 88·75 per cent. for 1972–73 to 90 per cent. for 1973–74 for top taxation rates in the United Kingdom.

Although the maximum combined rate of unified tax appears high, I would remind my hon. Friend that nobody will be worse off than at present except at some very large incomes. For example a single man with only investment income will not be worse off unless that income exceeds £150,000. In general direct taxation has been substantially reduced since 1970.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to reduce the effect of future speculative hot money flows and the hedging operations of of treasures of multinational corporations on the foreign exchange value of the £ sterling, he will now introduce a two-tier foreign exchange system on the French model.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion, but such a system involves many difficulties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the general rules concerning the granting of tax concessions and rights of exchange control on cash prizes awarded for sporting contests; whether a cash prize for the winner of a contest in a sporting event in a country outside Great Britain can be claimed as a deductible tax expense; and whether exchange control for transferring such prize money outside the sterling area is permissible.

A cash prize would not usually be deductible in computing profits for tax purposes, unless it was given wholly and exclusively for the purpose of a business. If it was proposed to contribute to a cash prize outside the British Isles, exchange control permission would depend on the nature of the payment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons were employed in the Office of the Government Actuary on 18th June, 1970; and how many were so employed on 18th June, 1972.

The numbers employed on these dates were 45 and 56, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on what now constitutes the sterling area; and if he will schedule how the regulations differ as between one country of the sterling area and another, as well as with the other nations of the world.

The sterling area may be regarded as comprising the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and all other countries of the overseas sterling areas as listed below.The following schedule lists the main differences between the exchange control rules applicable to transactions by United Kingdom residents with the overseas sterling area, except for the Republic of Ireland, and with the rest of the world. For all sterling area countries to which exchange control applies, the rules are identical.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to secure alternative employment for those workers who will be declared redundant consequent on the proposed closure of the Aldenham Works. Hertfordshire.

I have no information to suggest that there is any prospective redundancy either at The London Transport Board, Aldenham, Herts., or at AEC Ltd., British Leyland Group, Aldenham, Herts.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what number of the workers being made redundant at the Walsall works of Tube Investments will be able to take official retraining courses, and when.

All workers without an immediately useable skill will be eligible for training and special courses will be available for redundant craftsmen. Waiting lists vary by trade but early allocation to a centre will be possible in engineering and some other trades.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider publishing regional figures of Index of Retail Prices statistics.

My right hon. Friend is considering in consultation with the interests concerned a recommendation by the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee that indices should be introduced for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Greater London Council area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered disabled are unemployed in Swansea at the latest available date; and how this figure compares with the corresponding month's figure in 1970.

On 8th May, 250 registered disabled people in Swansea were registered as unemployed. The comparable figure on 11th May, 1970, was 242.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled persons were registered as unemployed in the Aberdeen travel-to-work area at the latest available date; and what were the comparable figures one year and five years ago.

On 8th May, 648 people registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, were unemployed in the Aberdeen travel-to-work area. The comparable figure in May, 1971, was 591, and in May, 1967, it was 532.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of places in Government training centres in the Northern Region on 30th June.

There were 1,576, representing a higher ratio of places to male employees than in any other region.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons were registered as unemployed and how many vacancies remained unfilled each month since January, 1972.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women, respectively, are unemployed and registered on the professional, technical register in North Staffordshire; and how many of these have technical qualifications.

On 17th July there were 122 men and eight women North Staffordshire residents registered as unemployed with our Professional and Executive service. Forty-two men and two women were qualified in technical and scientific subjects at the Higher National level or above.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have so far enrolled on the Professional Register; and how many have been placed in permanent employment.

During the 12 months to 8th March, 1972, the latest date to which final figures are available, the register dealt with 112,564 registrations for employment. During the same period, 12,839 placings in employment were made by the register, of which the overwhelming majority were in permanent employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information is available prior to analysis by computer of complaints of unfair dismissal under the Industrial Relations Act and their outcome; and where such information is to be obtained.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the statistics given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Sydney Chapman) on 4th July. I propose to publish similar statistics at quarterly intervals in my Department's Gazette. The July edition will cover the first four months' operation of the unfair dismissals provisions.—[Vol. 840, c. 59–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions to the respective executive councils that in all cases where dentists or medical practitioners are found guilty of failing to carry out their terms of contract and in consequence sanctions are imposed upon them, the names of such dentists or medical practitioners shall be disclosed to the Press.

Arrangements exist for publicising—without mentioning names—the outcome of investigations under the statutory procedure for considering whether practitioners are in breach of their terms of service. As damage disproportionate to a practitioner's fault could follow for him from disclosure of his name, I have no plans to alter the arrangements in the way the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has studied a report by Age Concern, a copy of which is in his possession, on the provision and display in local post offices of social security material to help old people; what arrangements are in force; and what steps have been taken to improve the situation.

My Department is asking the Post Office for its comments on this report. The Department pays the Post Office for distributing over 18 million leaflets in a year on a wide range of subjects including pensions, benefits, prescription charges, exemptions and refunds. We regularly discuss with it means of improving both display and availability of these leaflets, and shall do so again in the light of the observations on this report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will accept the financial responsibility at present borne by local authorities for providing hearing aids for children with a high frequency hearing impairment.

My right hon. Friend has no power under the National Health Service Acts to bear the cost of hearing aids provided by local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the num- ber of people, admitted to mental health institutions, who received electro-convulsive therapy in each of the years 1966 to 1971; and the percentage of people receiving electro-convulsive therapy who were voluntary patients and involuntary patients, respectively.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate how much the average daily income level of 33½ per day, above which unemployment benefit is not payable and which was fixed in 1955, would have to be in 1972 to maintain the same purchasing power.

About 67p. My right hon. Friend has announced that we propose to raise this limit, for the level of earnings allowed for a subsidiary occupation before title to unemployment benefit is affected, to 75p a day with effect from 2nd October, 1972.—[Vol. 833, c. 1501–18.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the estimated number of people receiving private treatment for mental health in National Health Service hospitals in each of the years 1966 to 1971;the estimated number of people receiving treatment for mental health through the National Health Service in the same years; and the percentage of the population that each of these figures represents.

The statistics available on treatment for mental disorder in National Health Service hospitals do not distinguish between private and National Health Service patients. The numbers of patients receiving private treatment are thought to be very small.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultations have taken place with interested parties, following the proposals to close hospitals in central Liverpool;(2) what representations he has received from the Liverpool Health Executive regarding the proposed reduction in hospital beds in the central area of Liverpool; and what reply he has sent;(3) what representations he has received from the Liverpool Trades Council and trade unions with members employed in the hospital service regarding the proposal to reduce hospital beds in central Liverpool: and if he will make a statement;(4) what representations he has received from the Liverpool Corporation regarding the proposed closure of hospital beds in central Liverpool; and what reply he has sent;(5) if he is satisfied with the proposals of the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board to reduce hospital beds in central Liverpool; and if he will make a statement:(6) if he will publish in the Official Report the list of objections to the proposed reduction of hospital beds in central Liverpool;(7) if he will meet a joint deputation consisting of members of the Liverpool City Council, trade unions with members employed in the National Health Service, the Liverpool Health Service Executive, and representatives of general practitioners regarding the proposals of the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board to reduce hospital beds in central Liverpool;(8) if he anticipates any redundancies following the proposed closure of several hospitals in central Liverpool;(9) if he is satisfied with the hospital cover given to the Liverpool docks, following the proposed closure of the David Lewis Northern Hospital and the Royal South end Hospital; and if he will make a statement;(10) what is the average waiting time for beds in hospitals which are due to be closed in central Liverpool;(11) what is the present waiting list in the respective hospitals which are due to be closed in central Liverpool.

The regional hospital board and the board of governors of the United Liverpool Hospitals are engaged in formal consultations with all appropriate local bodies on the boards' proposals for the reorganisation of hospital services in south and central Liverpool. Under established procedure the boards are required to forward to me formal proposals based on the results of these consultations and including any representations which have been received. Until I receive this submission from the boards I am unable to supply the information requested by the hon. Member regarding the effect of the proposals on specified hospitals and the nature of the representations received. I should be prepared to consider receiving a deputation representing local interests before making a final decision on the boards' proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the number of families receiving family income supplement at May, 1971 and at May, 1972; what proportion this represents of those estimated to be eligible; what is the average payment; and if he now proposes to make changes in the scheme.

Payments of family income supplements did not begin until August, 1971. As regards the take-up of this benefit in May, 1972, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 11th July. The average weekly payment in May, 1972. was £2·20. I have no changes to propose though I shall shortly be reviewing the scheme as undertaken by me when the Family Income Supplement Bill was before Parliament.—[Vol. 840, c. 273.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the increase in the cost of living caused by the floating of the £ sterling, why he will not take action to increase the 75p due to pensioners in the autumn and bring this payment forward to July.

It is too soon to say what effect the decision to float the £ will have on prices. The effect in the immediate future is likely to be small, and I remain confident that the October increase in pensions will be sufficient not only to cover any price rise before then but also to give some margin of real improvement as well.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications he has now received from the United States Government and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration regarding the limitations being imposed on European and United Kingdom participation in the post-Apollo programme; to what extent the United States Government have stated that the strategic military value of this programme rules out outside contracting; and to what extent unemployment problems in the United States aerospace industries is the prohibiting factor regarding European and United Kingdom participation.

None. A European Space Conference mission to Washington was told on 14th June that European participation in the programme was still desired by the United States but changes in the concept of the programme and uncertainty about the requirement for a space tug limited the possible arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is to be the future use of the mother ship "Miranda"; and whether he will order a new purpose-built vessel for the British deep sea fishing fleet in the North-East Atlantic on the lines of the West German vessel "Fridthof".

Its primary use is expected to continue to be the provision of support services for British fishing trawlers. As "Miranda" still has an expected serviceable life of several years, no decision has yet been taken on its replacement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) to what extent the production of the components of the Concorde aircraft in Great Britain in imperial units of measurement while the components produced in France have been in metric units of measurement has added to the costs of the project;(2) what difficulties have arisen in the Concorde project as a direct consequence of the components being designed and manufactured in both imperial and metric units of measurement; and if he will make a statement.

It is not possible to identify specific difficulties or costs which may be directly attributable to the use of different units of measurement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what benefits would accrue to the aircraft industry in Great Britain if it adopted the metric system of measurement for all its design and production work; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the industry of such a change in practice.

In the aircraft industry as elsewhere dual working in imperial and metric entails substantial extra costs and it is therefore to be hoped that the progress of metrication in the United States will enable the changeover to metric to be completed.For the reasons set out in the White Paper, Cmnd. 4880, it is not practicable to assess in monetary terms either the costs or the benefits of metrication, but it is evident that valuable economies will be achieved throughout manufacturing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the interest of safety in the mines, he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board on the use of better pit gas detectors which are now being manufactured commercially and were mentioned in the Safety in Mines Research Establishment Report.

Large numbers of instruments for the detection and estimation of gas are already in use in the board's mines. New instruments are evaluated for use in the mines as they become available. I have no reason to think that a general direction is necessary to secure the introduction of improved gas detectors once their value has been established, but I would have no hesitation in taking any initiative if I believed that by so doing I could further protect the health of miners.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a table showing the annual percentage economic growth of nationalised indus-

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement about the present position of the M45H aero engine project.

The negotiations on outstanding contractual points referred to in the reply given on 21st January are continuing.—[Vol. 829, c. 296.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the complaint by the British Independent Steel Producers' Association intended to ensure that fair treatment is accorded to the complainants about the supply by the British Steel Corporation, to private concerns, of billets for re-rolling has been sent to the British Steel Corporation for its attention under Section 30 of the Iron and Steel Act, 1967;what reply he has received; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

In accordance with the procedures laid down in Section

The figures readily available are as follows:30 of the Iron and Steel Act, 1967, my right hon. Friend has appointed Lord Hirshfield to report to him on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that building employees on large hotel construction sites are presently withholding their labour in order to delay the completion date of the hotels beyond the date for qualification for Tourist Board grants under the Development of Tourism Act, 1969;and if he will take steps to ensure that this action is forestalled by allowing the respective tourist boards to extend their qualifying completion date beyond 31st March, 1973, in these circumstances.

Section 15(2) of the Act will enable the tourist boards to give assistance to hotel developments completed after 31st March, 1973, if the boards are satisfied at the time that all the relevant work would have been completed by that date but for circumstances outside the applicant's control and that it had been completed with reasonable despatch thereafter. It would be for the appropriate tourist board to decide whether the withholding of labour to delay the completion of an hotel ought to be taken into account in exercising their discretion under this subsection.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Australian Government about future canned fruit exports to this country; and what assurances he has given.

I have been asked to reply.The future of Australian canned fruit exports to this country was among the topics discussed at official level at talks with Australian experts in April and June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the makes and models of motor cars which are currently stocked in Great Britain not having burst-proof door locks, thus making it illegal for them to be sold as new cars under a common European transport agreement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing conversions and improvement applications were approved for grants in the years 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971, both for private persons and council, in the Petersfield constituency; and how much

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses, private and public, respectively, are under construction in each of the 32 London boroughs.

The numbers of dwellings under construction at the end of March for private owners, the London boroughs and "other public sector" appear in Local Housing Statistics No. 22, a copy of which is in the Library. The distribution of the 14,947 dwellings being built for the GLC and for housing associations assisted by the GLC is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures will be in force to ensure that maximum advantage is taken of the excavations in New Palace Yard for increasing archaeological knowledge of the Palace of Westminster.