asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom proposals for the contemplated Sea Bed Convention for consideration by the International Conference on the Law of the Sea.

We continue to advocate a régime under which all States would be entitled on an equitable basis to receive licences from an International Sea Bed Resource Authority enabling them to participate directly in the exploration and exploitation of the mineral resources of the international area of the sea bed. We also believe that there should be an equitable distribution of any surplus revenues of such an Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has recently received from the British mission in North Vietnam, regarding the bombing of civilian targets in that country, in view of his rôle as co-chairman of the Geneva Conference.

I have nothing to add to what I told the House in answer to Questions on 12th June and 3rd July.—[Vol. 838, c. 981–6; Vol. 840, c. 25–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Her Majesty's Government made a grant of £10,000 for relief of victims of the war in Vietnam; to whom this was paid; and whether it was used for relief in both North and South Vienam.

Relief supplies to the value of £10,000 were handed over to the South Vietnamese in April, 1972, for the relief of victims of North Vietnamese aggression in South Vietnam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Com- monwealth Affairs what plans he has for further meetings with representatives of the Australian Government.

We are in continuing consultation with the Australian Government on matters of common interest. My right hon. Friend has just paid a visit to Australia and the Australian Deputy Prime Minister has just visited London.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a detailed statement on his recent discussions with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friends the Members for Bolton, West (Mr. Redmond) and for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) on 13th July.—[Vol. 840, c. 420–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reach an agreement with the French Government about boundaries in the seabed of the English Channel for the purposes of exploration for oil and natural gas.

British and French officials have held a number of meetings to discuss the delimitation of the continental shelf between the United Kingdom and France in the English Channel and Western Approaches. Some progress has been made in these discussions, but some problems remain and it is not yet possible to say when agreement will be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present level of overseas aid given annually by Great Britain in official and unofficial aid, respectively.

Net flows of official aid in the calendar year 1971 were £235·4 million. Net flows of private investment and export credits in 1971 are provisionally estimated at about £415 million. The Government last November published. in Cmnd. 4829, their plans for increasing the official aid programme up to 1975–76.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his official talks held in Dacca during the course of his recent South-East Asian tour.

I visited Bangladesh on 23rd–24th June at the invitation of the Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdus Samad. In Dacca I had discussions with President Chowdhury, the Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and my host the Foreign Minister on a variety of topics of mutual interest, including the situation in the subcontinent and the rehabilitation of the Bangladesh economy. I also announced a further £3 million worth of British relief aid. The visit was a useful one and served to mark the cordial relations which now exist between this country and Bangladesh.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, having studied the letters sent to him by the hon. Member for Norwich, South, he is satisfied with the standard of the consular service in Venice, as it was extended to two Norwich citizens; and if he will make a statement on the complaints made by them.

I am satisfied that the consulate in Venice met the consular needs of the two Norwich citizens fully and expeditiously. No complaint was made at the time and I can see no justification for the one made now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British relations with Iceland in respect of the proposed extension of fisheries limits.

It unfortunately proved impossible to achieve agreement during the recent discussions in Reykjavik. We have, however, made clear that we remain willing to consider any proposals which the Icelandic Government may wish to put forward. In the meantime we have felt it necessary to apply to the International Court of Justice for an interim ruling.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has with the United States authorities for the mutual monitoring of diplomatic communications.

It is standard practice to refuse to comment on matters which bear on national security and the hon. Gentleman will understand if I propose to follow it on this occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs what plans have been made for the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to have official discussions with the Spanish Foreign Minister; what matters will be discussed; and if he will make a statement.

I met Sr. LopezBravo on 21st July. We discussed Britain's forthcoming entry into the European Communities and matters connected with Anglo-Spanish trade in the context of the enlargement of the Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to accept the invitation to pay an official visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I am ready to go to the Soviet Union at an appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reply to the invitation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Organisation to offer views and suggestions relating to a world disarmament conference.

General Assembly Resolution 2833 (XXVI) asks for views and suggestions by 31st August. Our reply will be submitted by that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now protest to the Russian Government concerning the jamming of British Broadcasting Corporation's broadcasts to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Soviet authorities are well aware that we regard the jamming of British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts as inconsistent with their professed desire for improved security and co-operation in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs what new initiatives are proposed by the Government to deal with the situation in the Middle East.

We welcome the news that Dr. Jarring will soon be returning to New York in an attempt to pursue his mission and we have repeated our willingness to help in any way open to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grant he intends to allocate to the European Movement following Great Britain's entry to the European Economic Community.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster informed the House on 6th March, the European Movement will receive in 1972–73 a grant-in-aid of £20,000 for the purpose of visits, exchanges and conferences with Western European countries. No decision has been taken about a grant for 1973–74.—[Vol. 832, c. 222–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communications he has had with the Soviet authorities about the European Security Conference.

I had a brief meeting with Mr. Gromyko in Berlin on 3rd June. Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow also called on him on 29th June for a wide-ranging discussion. They had a useful exchange of views on a number of subjects of mutual interest including the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. The details of these exchanges are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many constituents of the hon. Member for St. Helens are at present being held in Spanish prisons; how long they have been so held before being for mally charged; and what official representations have been made—to the Spanish Government about these cases.

Detainees are not categorised according to British parliamentary constituencies, but as far as can be established there are four of the hon. Member's constituents in prison in Spain. One was arrested on 14th October, 1971 and three on 14th July, 1972. The first was first charged four months later. A further criminal charge is being formulated. The other three have not yet been formally charged, since under Spanish legal procedure this is not done until the investigating magistrate has completed his inquiries. Meanwhile, they remain in custody. No representations have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give details of the approaches made by the Federal Republic of West Germany to Her Majesty's Government concerning the presence of the multi-racial Rhodesian team at the forthcoming Olympic Games.

Last autumn the Government of the Federal German Republic sought our views on Rhodesian participation in the Olympic Games. In response to that and to their other subsequent inquiries we have drawn their attention to the possible applicability of Security Council Resolutions, in particular Resolution 253, to this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will initiate proposals for an international ban on the use of weapons containing phosphorus.

The study of incendiary weapons which is being prepared by the United Nations Secretary-General will no doubt include discussion of these weapons. This report, when completed, may indicate whether anything practical could be achieved by negotiations in an arms control forum.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will initiate proposals for an international ban on the use of fragmentation bombs.

Proposals for banning particular armaments are matters for the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, but I do not see any prospect of progress on a ban on the use of these weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent official discussions in London with the Foreign Minister of Chile.

My colleagues and I had a useful and cordial exchange of views with the Foreign Minister of Chile on matters of mutual interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the representative of Her Majesty's Government on the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee has had with his colleagues regarding the 115 per cent. increase in Australian shipments of wheat to Rhodesia since the unilateral declaration of independence; and with what result.

Discussions in the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received with regard to the revocation of work permits granted to United Kingdom citizens by countries of the Commonwealth.

I am informed from time to time of individual cases, but I do not have complete statistics, because work permits are exclusively within the authority of the Government concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he now has regarding the mining of the British freighter "London Statesman" off Nha Trang, Vietnam, on 9th July, 1972; and if he will make a statement.

Further inquiries indicate that the explosions in this vessel were caused by devices externally applied to the hull of the ship, not by floating mines.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what limitations the Government are intending to impose on supersonic civil flights across the United Kingdom on routes from the continent of Europe to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

The Government will announce its decision on the regulation of commercial supersonic flying over this country in good time before supersonic aircraft enter airline service.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reply he has sent the Trades Union Congress as a result of his meeting with its Steel Committee where it was proposed that a special working party with representation from the Government, the British Steel Corporation and the unions should be set up to make recommendations for a solution to the problems of the steel industry.

At the meeting the Steel Committee suggested that it would be helpful to examine the problems of manpower contraction in the steel industry on a tripartite basis, and I welcomed this as a constructive approach. I am now considering, on the basis of a letter I have had from the General Secretary of the TUC, how best to proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest subsidy per ton of coal projected to be paid in the Common Market countries of West Germany, Belgium, France and Holland; and what proportion of it is allocated for stockpiling.

I understand the figures for 1972 are about £0·9 a ton for West Germany, £2·4 a ton for Belgium, £2·3 a ton for France and £2·1 a ton for Holland. The figures do not include social security aids, and no subsidies are at present paid for stockpiling.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he activated paragraph 65 of the Industrial Relations Draft Code of Practice laid before Parliament under the Industrial Relations Act, 1971, Section3(1), when considering changes in the relationship of the British Overseas Airways Corporation to British European Airways and other State-owned airline enterprises.

The purpose of the Code of Practice is to give guidance for the promotion of good industrial relations and does not fall to be activated by me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the dates on which the trade union side of the Joint Council for the Airline Industry were invited to discuss proposed changes in the State-owned airlines in accordance with paragraph 68, subsections (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), of the Draft Code of Practice laid before Parliament under the Industrial Relations Act, 1971, Section 3(1), published on Wednesday, 19th January, 1972.

No. The question of consultative arrangements with trade unions is one for decision by the British Airways Group.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of paragraph 52 of the Industrial Relations Draft Code of Practice which enunciates the principles that communications and consultations are particularly important in times of change, and that the achievement of change is a joint concern of management and employees, he is satisfied that this principle has been acted upon in the proposals announced for major changes in the state-owned airlines.

The need for effective consultation on major decisions that could lead to changes in employees' working arrangements is fully recognised by the Chairman of the British Airways Board who has publicly announced that when the recommendations of various task forces have been received by the Board, there will be consultation with the trade unions before any changes that would affect the Board's employees are put into effect.

the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider taking steps to prevent the import of footwear which is unsafe.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind protective industrial footwear. As I said in my reply to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Bray) on 8th May last, it would not be appropriate to use import controls to ensure the use of safe footwear.—[Vol. 836, c. 264.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list figures showing the value and pairage of footwear imported from eastern European countries in the first quarter of 1962, 1967 and 1972.

Following is the information:

Imports from Eastern Europe (including USSR):
	Million pairs*	£ million cif
1st quarter 1962	0·4	0·2
1st quarter 1967	1·0	0·7
1st quarter 1972	2·0	1·7
* Footwear with outer soles of rubber, artificial plastic materials, leather or composition leather (SITC(R) 851·01 and 851·02).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries his Department is currently handling from firms considering the possibility of locating new productive capacity in Scotland; and of the inquiries how many come from firms presently within Scotland, and how many from firms out with Scotland.

159 inquiries have been received since 22nd March, 1972. 96 of these were non-Scottish in origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the statement made recently by Mr. Denis Kirby, that a number of major companies have made inquiries about locating factories in Scotland, was made with his authority; if he will indicate how firm these inquiries have been; and when he is likely to be able to make a full statement on the outcome of any negotiations which are taking place.

:The Press Report was an informal discussion with the Industrial Director for Scotland. The Department has at any one time a number of inquiries from major companies about locations in Scotland. It is not the practice to reveal details of confidential discussions with individual firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the recent statement made by Mr. Denis Kirby, that trade unions in Scotland should become more involved in promotional activities designed to lead to the attraction of new industries, was made with his authority; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy to achieve this objective.

The trade unions in Scotland have on past occasions played a valuable part in encouraging new pro- jects to Scotland. I would hope that they would continue to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, details of contracts or moneys supplied by his Department to any of the firms controlled by, or in which there was an interest held directly or indirectly by, Mr. Dan Smith and Mr. George Pottinger whilst in receipt of state funds.

No contracts have been given or moneys supplied by my Department to any companies which are known to my Department to be controlled by Mr. Dan Smith. I have no means of identifying all the companies in which either Mr. Smith or Mr. Pottinger may have an interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he will not publish the report of the investigation of the collapse of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company.

As I have previously stated, the report has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and police inquiries are being made; it is not the normal practice to publish such reports if it appears that to do so might prejudice possible future prosecutions.—[Vol.841, c. 132–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is in a position to announce the membership of the departmental committee he has decided to set up to consider British trade mark law and practice.

As announced on 29th February, 1972, Mr. H. R. Mathys has agreed to act as Chairman. The other members who have agreed to serve are:Mr. P. L. Bowtell.Mr. Douglas Falconer, M.B.E., Q.C.Lady Hamilton, O.B.E.Mr. John Hooper.Brigadier M. S. K. Maunsell, C.B.E., D.S.O.Mr. Douglas Parker.The Comptroller-General of the Patent Office will be available to assist the Committee.—[Vol. 832, c. 87.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, is the purchasing power of the £ sterling now, taking it as 100p on 18th June, 1970.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling as 100p in mid-June, 1970, its value in mid-June, 1972, the latest date available, is estimated at 85½p on the basis of the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue accrued last year from national insurance contributions; how much would be raised if the present national insurance contributions were replaced by a 6¾ per cent. social security levy on all earned income between £18 to £48 per week; and how much would be raised if the present contribution system were replaced by a levy of 7 per cent. on all earned income up to £2,000 a year, plus 12 per cent. on earned income of £2,000 to £5,000 a year and 20 per cent. on all earned income above £5,000.

In 1971–72 employers' and employees' national insurance contributions amounted to £2,537 million. A levy of 6¾ per cent. on all earned income between £18 and £48 a week would yield about £1,100 million. The levies in the last part of the Question would yield about £3,000 million a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider when formulating a tax credit scheme that some arrangement should be made to pay a sum, equivalent to the present family allowance, direct to the mother.

I have carefully noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply he has sent to the memorandum submitted by the Trades Union Congress on the legislative proposals for a value added tax.

In reply my right hon. Friend said he was grateful for the clear and helpful note of the TUC views, and that most of the points raised had been fully debated in the course of the Finance Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the facts of a case reported to him by one of Her Majesty's coroners, he will take steps to ensure that imported cots do not represent a hazard to the life of children, and are of equal safety to those approved in the United Kingdom.

We are urgently studying this case with a view to taking appropriate action in respect of imported cots. The type of cot involved is not covered by existing British Standards, and the Home Office will also ask for a suitable Standard to be prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representation he has received asking him to seek to amend the Shops Act, 1950.

During the past two years the Home Office has received about 30 representations in favour of relaxing restrictions on Sunday trading; and about 25 urging changes relating to evening opening hours, early closing day, Good Friday opening, mobile traders, and Moslem traders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what authority from him is required by the Metropolitan Police to purchase foreign cars; what authority has been given; how many foreign cars are at present in their possession; and how this compares with other forces.

My right hon. Friend's authority is required for all purchases of vehicles for use by the Metropolitan Police. Authority has been given for the purchase of a few foreign cars for use on special duties outside the ordinary range of police operational work. Three such cars are at present held by the force. Some other police forces in England and Wales have more and some have none.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the costs of the Metropolitan policemen detailed to attend King Hussein's two sons in Great Britain are met out of British funds; and at what annual cost.

The cost of any such protection would fall on police funds, but it could jeopardise the effectiveness of the arrangements to give details of the protection afforded in any particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of graduates with further degrees at present unemployed and in temporary employment analysed by subject, university, and master's or doctor's degrees, over the past five years.

Figures are available only for university graduates and only in respect of those graduated in 1971, since this was the first year in which the statistics were analysed to show those unemployed and those in temporary employment.Following are the details:HIGHER DEGREE GRADUATES IN ACADEMIC YEAR 1970–71 UNEMPLOYED OR IN TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENTGREAT BRITAINBY SUBJECT, UNIVERSITY AND LEVEL OF DEGREE

University or College	Believed to be unemployed at 31st December, 1971	In temporary employment at 31st December, 1971
ENGLAND
Aston	1	1
Bath	—	—
Birmingham	3	1
Bradford	2	—
Bristol	1	3

	Believed to be unemployed at 31st December, 1971	In temporary employment at 31st December 1971
Brunel	1	—
Cambridge	—	7
City	—	1
Durham	1	3
East Anglia	—	1
Essex	4	1
Exeter	—	—
Hull	—	—
Keele	—	1
Kent	—	—
Lancaster	—	—
Leeds	7	5
Leicester	5	1
Liverpool	2	—
London Graduate School of Business Studies	—	—
London University	25	36
Loughborough	—	4
Manchester School of Business Studies	—	—
Manchester	6	4
University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology	8	—
Newcastle	3	1
Nottingham	4	1
Oxford	1	13
Reading	2	—
Salford	—	—
Sheffield	—	—
Southampton	4	8
Surrey	1	2
Sussex	2	6
Warwick	1	—
York	1	3
WALES
Aberystwyth University College	—	—
Bangor	1	1
Cardiff University College	3	—
St. David's, Lampeter	—	—
Swansea University College	1	—
Welsh National School of Medicine	—	—
University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology	—	—
Scotland
Aberdeen	1	l
Dundee	—	1
Edinburgh	5	1
Glasgow	—	—
Heriot-Watt	2	—
St. Andrews	—	—
Stirling	1	1
Strathclyde	—	—
Total	99	108
Subject Group
Education	1	3
Studies allied to Medicine and Health	3	2
Engineering and Technology	21	10

	Believed to be unemployed at 31st December, 1971	In temporary employment at 31st December, 1971
Agriculture and Forestry	3	3
Science	49	45
Social, Administrative and Business Studies	16	12
Architecture and Town Planning	1	3
Language, Literature and Area Studies	6	12
Arts other than Languages	9	18
Total	99	108
Type of Degree
Doctorates	30	39
Others	69	69
Total	99	108
Source: University Grants Committee Statistics on First Employment of University Graduates. 1970–71

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many new vacancies to be provided in the greater Manchester area have been notified to him by industry in the area.

Future expansions in employment which have been notified to my Department in the Manchester travel-to-work area would pro-

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES IN THE HUDDERSFIELD EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREA AT JUNE, 1970 AND THE NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT JUNE, 1970 AND JUNE, 1972 WHO LAST WORKED IN THESE INDUSTRIES
							Employees in employment	Numbers registered as unemployed
							June, 1970 (000's)	June, 1970	June, 1972
Mechanical instrument and electrical engineering (Orders VII, VIII and IX of the Standard Industrial Classification	…	…	…	…	…	…	13·0	78	136
Textiles (Order XIII)		…	…	…	…	…	25·3	253	475
Chemicals and allied industries (Orders IV and V)						…	5·2	54	102

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what relation the number of strikes in the motor industry in the first five months of 1972 and the number of days lost to production as a result of those strikes, bears to the same period the previous year.

The latest provisional totals for motor vehicle manu- vide some 4,200 jobs. There were also 3,901 notified vacancies remaining unfilled on 5th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he will make a statement about his time scale for further action concerning industrial training legislation;(2) when he now expects to produce the White Paper following consultations on his document, "Training for the Future."

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his conclusions on the main issues before the House rises for the Summer Recess, with a view to introducing such legislation as may be necessary in the next session.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a breakdown of those employed, and unemployed, in Huddersfield in engineering, textiles and chemical works at the latest available date.

The latest employment estimates at present available for Huddersfield are for June, 1970. The following table shows the numbers employed and unemployed at that date, and the numbers unemployed at June, 1972:facturing in the first five months of this year are 95 stoppages and 678,000 working days lost. These figures represent decreases of 10 per cent. and 70 per cent, respectively, compared with the corresponding period in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what he estimates to be the number of new jobs for men required in Scotland each year in order to reduce Scottish male unemployment to the present Great Britain percentage by 1975.

This will depend on how far employment in some Scottish firms and industries declines during this period, on the amount of migration into and out of Scotland and on changes in activity rates. Since these movements cannot be foreseen with any precision, the estimate the hon. Member is asking for would have very little value.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has been officially informed of the agreement of the directors of Newton Chambers Limited to the request of employees of its subsidiary, Ransomes and Rapier Limited of Ipswich, to reconsider the proposed closure of the latter's works; and what steps his Department has taken to ensure that both the spirit and text of Industrial Relations Code of Practice will now be observed by management with particular reference to prior consultation with employees before taking the final decision.

The Group Chairman and Group Managing Director of Newton Chambers Limited came to see me at their request on 20th July. The relevant provisions of the Code of Industrial Relations Practice were discussed and I am satisfied that the Board of Directors is fully aware of its obligations under the Code.I understand that at a further joint meeting on 21st July the management side undertook to consider any practical submissions which the trade unions might wish to put forward about the proposed closure and to have continuing consultations with them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will appoint official unpaid representatives of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the University Federation for Animal Welfare to his Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.

No. Members of the Committee are not appointed as representatives of interested bodies but serve in a personal capacity. I understand that in fact two members of the Committee belong to the RSPCA.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the incidence, by type of meat, of total and partial condemnation of meat respectively; and how the figures compare with those for 10 years previously.

I have no complete statistics but the information available in my Department, which relates to England and Wales, is being collated and I shall then write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the qualifications necessary before appointment as a United Kingdom meat inspector; and what are comparable qualifications in European Economic Community states.

Meat inspection may be undertaken in England and Wales by the medical officer of health or by a veterinary surgeon employed by a local authority. In addition, public health inspectors or holders of a Certificate of Meat Inspection issued by the Royal Society of Health, may be employed as meat inspectors: such officers in fact carry out the bulk of the work. Similar qualifications are required in Scotland and Northern Ireland.Our information on EEC countries is confined to slaughterhouses for intra-Community trade where meat inspection is the responsibility of veterinary surgeons, who may be assisted by trained auxiliaries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if entry into the European Economic Community will affect the United Kingdom qualifications for service as a meat inspector.

No. EEC requirements for inspection of red meat apply only to trade between Members and United Kingdom entry into EEC will not therefore affect our domestic meat inspection system. The inspection and certification of meat exported by us to EEC countries will continue as at present to be the responsibility of veterinary surgeons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present qualifications for service as a meat inspector; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Meat inspectors receive a satisfactory practical and theoretical training.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of this season's soft fruit crop; and how it will compare with previous years.

Preliminary estimates of this season's gross production of the major soft fruit crops in England and Wales are shown below, together with figures for earlier years.

ENGLAND AND WALES
			('000 tons)
	1967–1971 5-year average	1971 Provisional	1972 Forecast
Strawberries…	43·8	47·7	42·6
Raspberries…	2·4	2·8	2·8
Blackcurrants	17·2	22·3	21·8
Gooseberries…	10·6	9·8	7·5

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of this season's hard-topped fruit crop.

First estimates of this season's gross production of the major orchard fruits grown in England and Wales will be compiled at the end of July and published early in August. Present indications are that production of apples and pears will fall below the high level reached last year, although some varieties are expected to yield quite well. The prospects for plums and cherries are for crops similar to last year's.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the permitted minimum amount of fresh fruit in manufactured fruit jams and preserves.

The composition of jam is laid down in the Food Standards (Preserves) Order, 1953, as amended. When jam is manufactured, 40 lbs. of prepared fruit, defined as sound, fresh fruit from which stalks and calices have been removed, must be used for each 100 lb. of jam produced. When jam is manufactured from fruit pulp, the amount of fruit pulp used in the production of 100 lb. of jam is that resulting from 40 lb. of prepared fruit. The order contains a number of specific exceptions, namely, strawberry jam must be produced from a minimum of 38 lb. of prepared fruit for each 100 lb. of finished jam.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will publish a detailed breakdown of the Defence Estimates 1972–73, Class XII, 9C; and why it has increased by approximately £16 million over the 1971–72 figure.

It is not customary to publish a detailed breakdown of the Defence Estimates. Variations in Vote 9 from year to year are the net effect of changes, both up and down, in a large number of the elements of expenditure. The difference between 1971–72and 1972–73 can be attributed in part to the purchase of a number of Mark 46 tor-pedos from the United States which was announced in the 1972 Statement on the Defence Estimates, and in part to a decision to increase the scale of spares provision for some equipments; the effects of general cost increases are also reflected in the higher estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the number of non-industrial civil servants employed in the Planning Branch and Planning Divisions, including the Planning Statistics Division, the Special Services Branch, Information and Library Department, Further Education Branches,

Branch										Number of staff on 1st July, 1970	Number of staff on 1st April, 1972
Special Education			…	…	…	…	…	…	…	33	31
Further Education			…	…	…	…	…	…	…	78	81
Schools	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	128 (1)	130
Architects and Building				…	…	…	…	…	…	144 (1)	151
Legal	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	51	53
Teacher Training, Salaries and Qualifications							…	…	…	184	179
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools (England and Wales)									…	531 (8)	496 (5)
Universities		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	72	76(1)
Finance	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	96 (1)	115
Pensions	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	216	191
Medical	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	20	21
Totals			…	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,553	1,524

The following branches were affected by changes in the organisation of work between the two dates:—

Branch

Staff on 1st July, 1970

Branch

Staff on 1st April 1972

Planning (including Planning Statistics and ADP)

…

…

…

…

421

Planning and programmes

…

…

17

Libraries and Information Systems

…

74

Statistics (including ADP)

…

…

383 (18)

Arts, Information and External Relations

…

…

…

…

…

106

Arts and Libraries

…

…

…

42 (1)

External Relations and General

…

110

Science

…

…

…

…

…

52 (1)

Science

…

…

…

…

…

61

Establishments and Organisation

…

301 (1)

Establishments and Organisation

…

296(1)

Total

…

…

…

…

954

Total

…

…

…

…

909

Notes:

1 Figures in brackets relate to part-time staff who are included in the total.

2 Staff in the Department's Information Division and Library are included in Arts, Information and External Relations Branch and External Relations and General Branch respectively.

Details of reduced stall numbers on 1st April, 1972, compared with 1st July, 1970, being the nearest dates for which information is readily available, are given below. Changes in the organisation of the Department's work affected some branches during this period and direct comparison is not always possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish the list of building programmes, major and minor works, primary and secondary schools for each year from 1970.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave on 5th June to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. John E. B. Hill).—[Vol. 838, c. 29–30].

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many qualified picture restorers he now has in his Department; how this compares with the largest number recently employed; and whether he will take steps either to recruit qualified persons or engage suitable trainees.

There are at present eight qualified picture restorers in the Department. This is one fewer than the 1970 figure, which was the highest in recent years. The Civil Service Commission has competitions in hand to recruit further qualified staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be replying to the London Borough of Ealing regarding the inclusion in its programme of phase 1 of the Boston Road, Hanwell, widening scheme.

Later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state his attitude to the request of the Huddersfield County Borough that council house rents should be increased by 25p only following the enactment of the Housing Finance Bill.

The Council wrote informally to ask for an indication of the likelihood of a direction under Clause 62(4) of the Bill in respect of the increase towards fair rents required under the Bill in October, 1972. Attached is a copy of the Department's reply:

Thank you for your letter of 4th July together with supplementary information in support of your request for an indication of whether a direction is likely to be issued in due course under what is now Clause 62(4) of the Housing Finance Bill in respect of the increase towards fairrents in October 1972 which your council would be required to make under Part VI of the Bill.

We note that your council have made a preliminary assessment of the fair rent of 6,874 council dwellings in the light of the age, type, general condition, character, location and size of the dwellings. When that assessment is compared with the existing rents it shows that if an increase of £1 per week were to be applied to the rents of some 1,283 dwellings, being 19 per cent. of the sample, the rents would exceed the likely fair rent by amounts ranging from 5p to 30p per week. We understand from a conversation with the council's officers that the council consider that the sample is representative of the whole stock of qualifying dwellings. If the figures of the sample are applied to the total stock, we note that for about one third of those dwellings, for which an increase of £1 per week is estimated to bring the rent above the estimated fair rent, the likely excess is estimated at 5p per week, that for about a further one third of those dwellings the estimated excess would be about 10p a week and that for the remaining one third the excess would be in the range of 15p to 30p a week.

While we would not necessarily agree with all the estimates in your letter, it does appear to us, having considered the information provided by the council that, if no direction were given under Clause 62(4), it is likely that the increase towards fair rents of £1 per week for each qualifying dwelling which your council would be required to make in the year 1972–73 would result in the rents of somewhat more than 2 per cent. of those dwellings being substantially above their fair rents. Thus, it seems that, to avoid the likelihood of such a result, the amount of that increase towards fair rents (which is an average amount) should be less than £1 per week, so as to enable your council to distribute or apportion the increase as may be necessary within the maximum of £1 per week for any individual dwelling permitted by the Bill.

Accordingly, I am writing to inform you that the Secretary of State would be willing, when the Bill is in force, to give a direction under Clause 62(4) that your council's increase towards fair rents in the year 1972–73 should be 98p per week which could be distributed or apportioned among the qualifying dwellings in such manner as the authority may determine in accordance with what is now Clause 62(6) of the Bill. That direction will not affect the fair rents to be determined for your council's Housing Revenue Account dwellings. The determination of fair rents is not a matter for the Secretary of State but is the responsibility of the housing authority and the rent scrutiny board in accordance with Part V of the Bill. Nor will the direction relate to the amount of any increase towards fair rents for the council's qualifying dwellings in 1973–74 or subsequent years.

The Town Clerk,

PO Box A19,

Huddersfield, HD1 2SY, Yorks.

Mr. Lomas asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the powers of control he possesses over smoke pollution from publicly owned bodies and other bodies, respectively.

The Alkali etc. Works Regulation Act, 1906, the Public Health Acts and the Clean Air Acts, 1956 and 1968, confer powers of control, some of which are exercisable by my right hon. Friend and some by the local authorities. The premises of nationalised industries are subject to these controls in the same way as other industries, but the distinction which I believe the hon. Member is seeking resides in Section 22 of the Clean Air Act, 1956, which applies also to the Act of 1968. This qualifies the normal exemption of Crown premises by providing that on receiving representations from local authorities about smoke from Crown premises, the responsible Minister shall investigate and, where a complaint is found to be justified, employ all practicable means towards abatement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what time limit he has set on provision of the report by local authorities on land held by them; and if he is satisfied with its progress.

A circular will shortly be issued confirming my request to local planning authorities to publish as soon as possible information of all sites in their areas on which house building can start within the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for 75 per cent. House improvement grants have been accepted at the latest available date in England and Wales; and what has been the total sum given in grants.

75 per cent. house improvement grants were made available for private owners in Development and Intermediate areas in England and Wales from 23rd June, 1971, and additional Intermediate areas were included from 22nd March, 1972. The numbers of dwellings for which grants were approved in these areas during the months July, 1971 to May, 1972, was 55,000and the amount of these grants was £35½ million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what local authorities have informed him of their intention to give 75 per cent. house improvement grants only to owner-occupiers; and if he will make a statement.

No local authority has informed me of such an intention. I hope that local authorities will be viewing each application on its merits and not exercising discrimination based on any other factors than the housing needs and the condition of the housing stock of its district.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many houses and other premises in which a least one person is ordinarily resident are without the supply of electricity; and what proportion this constitutes of all such premises in Northern Ireland.

It is estimated that 36,000 dwellings in Northern Ireland, almost 8 per cent, of the toal, have no electricity.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will state the number of categories of further education establishments available to students and the nature of their courses.

The Ulster College, often referred to as the Northern Ireland Polytechnic, provides advanced courses for student teachers specialising in home economics, physical education or art, courses leading to diplomas in art and design, first degrees of the Council for National Academic Awards and Higher National Diplomas and Certificates.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will take steps to encourage the formation of a federation to represent the interests of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve force.

No. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland is already charged with the consideration of matters affecting the welfare and efficiency of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the total cost to public funds of overtime payments to members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the financial year 1971–72 and the first three months of the 1972–73 financial year.

The cost was £4,460,855 and £1,260,467 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the salary of an inspector in the Royal Ulster Constabulary; what is the gross monetary value of his other emoluments; and how this compares with an equivalent ranking colleges and the courses of the Workers' Educational Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present strength of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, all grades, compared with one year ago.

:officer in the police forces of England and Wales.

A male inspector in the Royal Ulster Constabulary is paid on the scale £2,151–£2,229–£2,310–£2,391, which is equivalent to that paid to inspectors in provincial forces in England and Wales. His other emoluments, exclusive of overtime, amount to an average of £375 per annum. It is not practicable to compare these emoluments with those payable to an inspector in the police forces in England and Wales, whererent allowances vary between forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider using the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve in such a way as to reduce the burden of overtime being worked by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and using the money saved to improve the remuneration of the Reserve force.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve is under the direction and control of the Chief Constable. The Police Authority is satisfied that the Reserve is being used to the best possible advantage.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of overtime worked by constables and sergeants in the Royal Ulster Constabulary is spent on duties which confine them to police stations; and how much is spent on duties involving them on ordinary control work.

:The records kept by the Police Authority do not indicate what proportion of overtime worked by constables and sergeants in the Royal Ulster Constabulary is spent on indoor duties and on other duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average monthly salary, including overtime, for constables and sergeants in the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the financial year 1971–72.

In 1971–72 the average monthly emoluments including overtime and allowances for a male constable in the Royal Ulster Constabulary were £206 and for a male sergeant £274.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average payment by way of overtime to individual members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, by rank.

In 1971–72 the average monthly payments for overtime to male members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were:

	£
Chief Inspector	129
Inspector	107
Sergeant	100
Constable	77

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table setting out the age of school buildings in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the school-age population of Northern Ireland, the number of primary and secondary schools available, and the pupil-teacher ratio, respectively.

In January, 1971 the school-age population of all grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland was as follows:

Age	Nos. (Thousands)
2–4	17·7
5–10	188·0
11–14	112·1
15	16·1
16	8·8
17	6·1
18	2·8
19 and over	0·4
Total	352·0

In the 1,216 primary (including nursery) schools in existence at the same date the average pupil-teacher ratio was 29·0 and in the 265 secondary schools it was 18–4.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to amend the Malicious Damage Acts whereby individuals who have had to leave their houses through intimidation and who are then unable to sell their houses at a proper price may claim compensation accordingly.

No. The Criminal Injuries Acts in Northern Ireland deal with compensation for malicious damage to property by an unlawful assembly or association and it would not be appropriate to widen that legislation to include cases where no damage to property was caused.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of the pamphlet, "The Terror and The Tears".

The cost was £7,444.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why it was decided to withdraw the publication "The Terror and The Tears" from distribution when in March there were still 80,000 copies in stock which could have been distributed; and what requests to stop distribution he received from either wing of the Irish Republican Army and any Republican Party.

Approximately 120,000 copies of the publication had already been distributed to illustrate the human suffering caused by terrorism. A further25,000 copies have since been distributed to meet particular requests. No requests for distribution of the publication to be stopped have been received.

Mr. Kilfedder asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the names of the main voluntary organisations interested in the care and welfare of the elderly in Northern Ireland which have official contact with his Department; and in what ways they have assisted the provisions made by the public authorities.

Various voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland maintain homes for elderly persons which supplement the residential accommodation provided by local welfare authorities. The voluntary organisations which have official contact with the Ministry of Health and Social Services provide about 1,540 places for the elderly. Some of the main bodies carrying out this valuable work are:Abbeyfield Societies.Alexian Brothers Warrenpoint.Belfast Central Mission.Belfast Charitable Society.Londonderry City Mission of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider employing one qualified social service worker in every local office of the Ministry of Healthand Social Services, to assist their staff in work where their expert assistance would be considered valuable.