asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the effects on the National Farmers' Unions in their relations with their members in co-operating with him in giving advice, in particular in relation to the operation of restrictive trade practices legislation in respect of food supply, and the length of time that discussions zhave been continuing, whether he will now make a statement on this matter.

This is an extremely complex subject and the discussions with the National Farmers' Union are still in progress. We are concentrating on the marketing aspects and are paying particular attention to the possible types of organisation outlined in the Green Paper on Agricultural and Horticultural Marketing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will continue the practice of paying hill sheep and hill cattle subsidies on the total number of breeding ewes and cattle.

My Department will continue to pay subsidy on eligible breeding animals in flocks and herds which qualify under the hill livestock subsidy schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the special hill rates of grant to include provision of all farm buildings, including houses for farm workers on hill land.

No. Grant at the normal rates is available for this purpose in the hill areas as elsewhere. I do not consider that there is a case for differential rates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what form and in what way the hill farming production grants will be paid after the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund funds will be available for this purpose.

We see no reason to change the hill livestock subsidies. As with all subsidies, they will be reviewed from time to time in the light of circumstances. The availability of FEOGA funds has not yet been decided by the Community, but we shall be able to take a full part in the decision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce additional provisions to help hill farmers with such matters as improvement of farmhouses, mechanisation, and winter keep subsidy, on the lines adopted by the French Government, details of which are in his possession.

There is no reason at present to think that those measures would be an improvement on our existing arrangements which have been designed to suit circumstances in this country. The subject of aid for mountain areas is, however, due to be considered by the EEC in the near future, and the case for any new provisions can be examined in that context.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to resist the use of good agricultural land in hill areas or elsewhere for reservoirs and to promote desalination, and underground and barrage storage schemes.

In accordance with general Government policy for safeguarding agricultural land my right hon. Friend will continue, in consultation with his right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, to ensure so far as possible that good agricultural land is not taken for reservoirs when land of a lower quality is available. The Government are investigating all possible alternative methods of water conservation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action designed to secure the amendment of the regulations controlling the sale of apples in the European Economic Community, to take account of the requirements of British producers of culinary apples.

Yes, this is one of the matters we shall be discussing further with the Commission. Finding a solution may take some time but meanwhile growers will continue to find a market for Bramleys even though they have to pay regard to the requirements of the particular classes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects a conclusion to the negotiations with the European Economic Community on compensatory payments for poultry and meat; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions about compensatory amounts are now in progress with a view to reaching agreements as soon as possible. It is difficult to give a precise forecast at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect of the 50-mile limit off Iceland on the fish landings in the United Kingdom and its effect on fish prices.

There has been no change in the position since my reply to the hon. Member's Question on this subject on 17th October.—[Vol. 843, c. 10–11.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of food price increases due to seasonal causes at Christmas.

It is not possible to give a precise estimate, but it is usual for the normal seasonal increase in demand for certain fresh foodstuffs during the pre-Christmas period to increase the prices of the items in question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on meat prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making to stabilise beef prices.

The White Paper, (Cmnd. 5125), recognises that the price of meat—together with other fresh foods—is subject to fluctuations arising from external or seasonal causes and that changes in retail prices may thus be necessary. But distributors are required not to increase their cash margins during the standstill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the success of the measures he has taken in respect of food prices which fluctuate because of external or seasonal causes.

I have no evidence that the changes in prices of fresh foods such as meat and vegetables since 6th November are inconsistent with the principles set out in the White Paper "A Programme for Controlling Inflation" (Cmnd. 5125).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will urge all foodshops to publish for display a list of the prices of food commodities existing on Monday, 6th November, 1972.

I would refer the hon Member to the reply I gave to the hon Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks) yesterday.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what machinery has been established in his Department to vet food price increases; how many staff are involved; and how many cases they have dealt with so far.

Notifications by the public of apparent price increases will be checked with the manufacturer or trader in order to establish whether or not the increase should have been made. Requests by manufacturers or others for price increases will be carefully scrutinised in order to determine whether in exceptional cases consent should be given.A Food Prices Unit with 26 staff has been established at the Ministry's headquarters, and scrutiny of many individual cases is being devolved to local staff. About 1,900 inquiries from the trade and public have been dealt with or are currently being followed up.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the operation to date of the Government's policies to maintain a freeze on prices since 6th November; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has been in close touch with the various sections of the food industry and all have promised their full co-operation in observing the principles set out in the White Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the price of meat since June, 1970.

The following table shows the percentage increases in the average prices collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices between 16th June, 1970, and 17th October, 1972, the latest date for which information is available:

Item	Percentage Increase in Average Price
Beef: Home-killed
Chuck	36·5
Sirloin (without bone)	40·8
Silverside(without bone)*	33·9
Back ribs (with bone)*	40·3
Fore ribs (with bone)	38·6
Brisket (with bone)	48·4
Rump steak*	37·4
Beef: Imported, chilled
Chuck	47·3
Silverside (without bone)*	37·6
Rump steak*	29·0
Lamb: Home-killed
Loin (with bone)	26·6
Breast*	20·5
Best end of neck	22·5
Shoulder (with bone)	15·8
Leg (with bone)	21·6
Lamb: Imported
Loin (with bone)	46·9
Breast*	47·6
Best end of neck	43·8
Shoulder (with bone)	40·0
Lee (with bone)	39·9

Item	Percentage Increase in Average Price
Pork: Home-killed
Leg (foot off)	26·1
Belly*	24·3
Loin (with bone)	28·1
Other meat
Pork sausages	19·1
Beef sausages	27·1
Roasting chicken(broiler) frozen (3 lb.)	16·4
Roasting chicken, fresh or chilled (4 lb. oven-ready)	12·3
Pork luncheon meat, 12 oz. tin	5·9
Ham, cooked	12·5
Bacon
Collar*	19·4
Gammon*	21·4
Middle cut*, smoked	27·8
Back, smoked	34·1
Back, unsmoked	32·8
Streaky, smoked	26·8

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy towards the dedication of woodlands; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early to say. Discussions with the Forestry Committee of Great Britain and other interests are in progress following publication of the Government's recent consultative document. Meantime existing commitments under the dedication scheme are being honoured and I welcome this opportunity to reaffirm that these existing commitments will not be disturbed in any way.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the shtortage of apples due to poor British crops, he will ease import licensing to allow better supplies in the shops.

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry hopes to make an announcement tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish details of the compensatory levies on apple imports from other member countries of the enlarged European Economic Community.

The Commission of the European Economic Community still has to put forward proposals. I regret that I cannot yet say when decisions will be taken, but we have continued to urge on the Commission the need for speed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that the present quota arrangements on apple imports will remain at least until the imposition of the new compensatory levies.

Apple imports will remain subject to quota only until the system of compensatory amounts is introduced. The level of quotas is at present under urgent review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the possibility of changes in the United Kingdom cereal marketing arrangements agreed in Brussels to operate from 1st February, 1973, in view of the fact that threshold prices for imported grain are several pounds a ton below the forward feed prices being paid; and if he will relate his statement to the effects this will have on consumer prices.

Decisions have not yet been taken in Brussels as to how the relevant provisions of the Act of Accession should be applied in such a case. Her Majesty's Government will naturally have regard to the effects on consumer prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the amount of sugar produced in the current season from sugar beet grown in the United Kingdom.

The British Sugar Corporation's present estimate of the yield from the 1972 crop is equivalent to 862,000 tons of refined sugar.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the working of the Farm Amalgamation Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The farm structure schemes have been of some value but they need to be made more effective. We therefore intend to introduce impoved schemes next year using the new powers in the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1972. The new schemes will also give effect to the EEC directive on payments to outgoers and we are in consultation with the Community on this.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has of the extent of shipping of live animals from overseas through United Kingdom ports of entry, thus evading the quarantine regulations for such beasts; and how many prosecutions have been instituted for such offences in the past year.

I have no evidence of evasion of quarantine regulations for farm animals shipped through British ports; no prosecutions have been instituted in the past year. Local authorities have reported 13 prosecutions for unlicensed landings of animals subject to rabies control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether, having regard to the 55 major outbreaks of fire in intensive units last year in addition to a number of small fires, he will introduce statutory regulations making night watchmen compulsory where housed stock is left unattended overnight;(2) whether, in view of the number of outbreaks of fire in intensive units in 1971, he will introduce statutory regulations requiring everyone keeping livestock to have a licence and all stock buildings to be of approved standard with adequate fire precautions and alarms.

No, I do not consider that it would be either desirable or practicable to enforce such requirements. The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has the need for the mandatory provision of fire precautions and alarms under consideration, and I shall carefully consider any advice I receive from it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement expanding on the letter his Department wrote to Manchester Corporation on the subject of standards of hygiene in public slaughterhouses indicating which of the regulations referred to in the European Economic Community directive dealing with standards of hygiene in public slaughterhouses he believes would be impracticable or unjustifiably costly to introduce to this country.

The EEC directive applies to intra-Community trade and for this purpose applies equally to public and to private slaughterhouses. The main requirements which the Government consider would be either impracticable or unjustifiably costly if applied generally to the domestic trade are the complete separation of pig slaughtering lines from other slaughtering lines and the provision of a separate casualty slaughterhall, and special bays for the cleansing and disinfection of vehicles.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if British slaughterhouses are up to the standard required under the regulations of the European Economic Community.

Those of our slaughterhouses approved for intra-Community trade comply with the directive but others are not required to.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce regulations to ensure that customers are informed when artificial meat is used in restaurants and canteens.

Legislation already in force provides general safeguards. The Food Standards Committee is currently reviewing the use of unconventional proteins in food and will be considering the need for more specific regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the situation facing wine importers and vendors within the United Kingdom with respect to the date at which European Economic Community draft regulations on accompanying documentation and labelling of wines will become operative and the effect of which this will have upon importation, removal from bond and sale in the United Kingdom of wines which do not comply with the French nomenclature rules.

Dates for the operation of these regulations have not yet been determined, nor has the labelling regulation yet been adopted. It is normal for Community legislation to provide an interval between the dates of adoption and of operation. Until the latter date is settled in discussions in which the United Kingdom is participating, it would be premature to take a view on whether any longer period of derogation will need to be sought in order to deal with existing stocks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the situation affecting wine importers and vendors within the United Kingdom with respect to the date at which European Economic Community regulation No. 816/70 will become operative and the effect which this will have upon importation, removal from bond and sale in the United Kingdom, of wines which do not comply with the French nomenclature rules.

EEC regulation No. 816/70 will be effective in the United Kingdom from 1st February, 1973, subject to any limited period of delay for administrative purposes to be agreed with the Commission. This regulation will not, in isolation, have any significant effect on nomenclature.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will define the precise scope of the 1973 Annual Farm Price Review and the extent to which increased costs for the current year will be taken into account.

As foreshadowed in the 1972 White Paper, the review will be extended to include a fuller examination of some commodities and economic aspects, with particular reference to the scope of the common agricultural policy of the EEC. As for costs, I cannot anticipate the findings of the review, but all relevant factors will be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he appointed Sir Con O'Neill as Chairman of the Government's new Intervention Board; why he gave this information to the Press before the House of Commons; why Sir Con O'Neill is to receive a salary between £7,000 and £8,000 per annum; and what duties he will have to perform.

No firm appointments to the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce have been either made or announced as yet nor can they be before the order, setting up the board, becomes operative. It would not be appropriate to make any announcement about tentative or provisional arrangements, and no such announcement to the Press has been made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the operation

ENGLAND AND WALES
			(a)			(b)
			Numbers—Thousands Regular Whole-Time			Earnings—£ per Week Regular Whole-Time Hired
Year			Males	Females	Total	Men	Youths	All Females
1966	…	…	271·8	22·9	294·7	14·08	8·54	8·72
1967	…	…	258·0	21·1	279·1	14·76	8·95	9·53
1968	…	…	243·1	19·4	262·5	15·50	9·14	9·57
1969	…	…	231·0	18·8	249·8	16·61	9·89	10·38
1970	…	…	195·4	22·2	217·6	17·95	10·96	11·30
1971	…	…	190·0	23·5	213·5	19·70	11·90	12·71
1972	…	…	189·0	22·2	211·2	22·08	13·42	15·44
Sources:
(a) June Agricultural Census. Numbers for 1970 onwards are not directly comparable with earlier years because:
1. They include managerial and clerical workers previously excluded.
2. "Whole-time" has now been specifically defined as 40 hours or more per week, and
3. Junior partners previously returned as regular whole-time male workers are now returned as farmers partners and directors.
(b) The wages and employment enquiry. Earnings relate to a July-June year.
Notes:
1. Total earnings include overtime, piecework, bonuses, premiums and perquisites valued, where applicable, in accordance with the Agricultural Wages Orders. Men are defined as 20 years old and over.
2. Earnings for July-June years do not reflect the full effect of the Agricultural Wages Board awards effective earlier in the year.

Yes. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the programme is operating successfully. In Great Britain as a whole more than 70,000 herd owners have joined the voluntary schemes; in the initial eradication areas only 125 or so of the 10,000 herds involved are left to be dealt with under the compulsory measures introduced on 1st November. In some areas, of which South Cardiganshire is one, every herd is in one of the voluntary schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm workers were employed in England and Wales for the years 1966 to 1972, and what were their average wages in those years.

The number of regular whole-time hired and family male workers employed in agriculture in England and Wales at June were 271,800 in 1966 and 189,000 in 1972. The average total weekly earnings for regular whole-time hired men and youths for the year ending June were, respectively, £14·08 and £8·54 in 1966 and £22·08 and £13·42 in 1972.The figures for the intervening years are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to protect those fishing from ports in the South Coast of the United Kingdom from beam trawlers based on European ports.

An order banning the use of large beam trawls within the 12-mile limit was made earlier this year, and provision for fisheries protection by the Royal Navy is being increased by 50 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the National Federation of Fish Friers in connection with his proposal to discontinue the publicity levy scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The federation has written asking that the scheme should continue. This request is being considered along with the other representations that have been received as part of the formal consultation procedure laid down in the relevant Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the production grants, such as the grant for bracken eradication, are achieving their intended purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, I think the Farm Capital Grant Scheme is well designed to meet present requirements

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which country, or countries, are exporting live animals to this country for slaughter.

The Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for the encouragement of co-operative marketing in the hill areas with additional Government funds.

Aid is already available for worthwhile co-operative marketing projects in the hill areas both under the agricultural and horticultural co-operation scheme and from the central council for agricultural and horticultural co-operation's marketing fund.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the butter stocks held in the United Kingdom at the latest convenient date.

On 3rd November, 1972, total stocks in public cold stores in the United Kingdom were 75,400 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what discussions he is having with the National Farmers' Union on the burning of stubble;(2) if he will seek to have discussions with the National Farmers' Union on the question of the effect of stubble-burning on animal life, and on improved publicity among fanners of the revised straw-burning code.

Together with representatives of other interested organisations, we will be discussing with the National Farmers' Union on 23rd November ways in which the union's Code of Practice for Straw Burning can be made more effective, with the aim of avoiding risks of damage or nuisance and of preserving the wild life of the countryside.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what timetable he has in mind for implementing the recommendations of the Committee on Contract Farming, which has reported to him.

The Government have already announced that they accept the committee's judgment of contract farming and that producer groups and second-tier groups need developing. On the specific recommendation that there should be a new statutory body the Green Paper on Agricultural and Horticultural Marketing (Cmnd. 5121) invites views from the industry, and we shall take a decision in the light of those views.—[Vol. 842, c. 98–9.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many telephone calls his Department has received on the price freeze hot line service.

4,327 telephone calls have been received at the Ministry's headquarters and local offices. Of these 2,357 have been inquiries from consumers and 1,970 from the trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what records his Department keeps of the numbers of trees affected by the outbreak of Dutch elm disease; how many of these have been felled; and how many elm trees have been injected or otherwise treated to safeguard them against the disease;(2) if he will publish a map indicating visually the spread and incidence, by estimated proportion of the trees affected, of the outbreak of Dutch elm disease in England and Wales.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him and others earlier today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to stop or restrict beef exports from Great Britain.

Although I am concerned about the general shortage of beef supplies, I do not believe that a restriction on exports would necessarily provide an answer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to increase surveillance and protection of British inshore waters and fishermen with effect from 1st January, 1973, with regard to the size, mobility and speed of fishery protection units; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the former Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy announced on 20th January the measures that would be taken to increase the effort deployed by the Services on coastal fishery protection.—[Vol. 829, c. 651–2.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to make it easier for vehicles to reach remote hill farms.

We already provide grants for improving private farm roads and unadopted access roads under the Farm Capital Grant Scheme; for roads serving hill land the rate of grant is 50 per cent. of the cost. Local highway authorities are responsible for the maintenance and improvement of unclassified roads, and they decide their priorities in the light of local need.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from non-profit making clubs, societies, and associations concerned at the consequences to and continuing viability of the imposition of the addition of the value added tax to their subscriptions; and whether he is prepared to consider modifications.

I have received a number of such representations. This matter was fully debated during the Report stage of the Finance Bill and I see no reason to modify the views which were expressed by my hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on that occasion.—[Vol. 840, c. 1760–3.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the Community legislation to harmonise the rates of taxes on capital formation; what discussions have taken place with the Community on the 1969 directive; and whether he will make a statement on these discussions.

We accept the principle that there should be the greatest possible degree of harmonisation. We have asked for the merger relief provided by the 1969 directive to be amended to cover mergers by exchange of shares; the Commission has now published a draft directive which would, if adopted, have this effect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the, Inland Revenue to cease issuing surtax directions to close companies in order to restrain dividend increases in line with the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Bill.

No. Close companies will be exempted from dividend restraint only in so far as dividends have to be paid to avoid a shortfall assessment. They do not have freedom to increase their

Weekly wage	…	…	£35		£40
			A	B	A	B
Married man, no children	…	…	26·66	22·45	29·82	22·40
Married man, 1 child under 11	…	…	27·86	25·55	31·17	25·60
Married man, 2 children under 11	…	…	29·36	28·30	32·67	28·25
Married man, 3 children under 11	…	…	30·86	31·00	34·12	30·95
Married man, 4 children under 11	…	…	32·41	33·55	35·72	33·50
Column A shows the man's take home pay when at work for week 40 of the tax year.
Column B shows his total income from unemployment benefit including earnings-related supplement and income tax refunds for week 42 on the assumption that that is his third consecutive week of unemployment.

The figures take account of the family allowances, where appropriate, and the National Insurance, including earnings-related supplement, contributions.The take-home pay when out of work exceeds the take-home pay when at work only in the cases of a married man with either three or four children earning £35 per week and the maximum number of weeks for which this can happen is 16 and 14, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish details of the records Customs and Excise will require retailers to keep, to enable them to get credit for the purchase tax elements in stocks held on 31st March, 1973.

Details of the rebate scheme for unsold purchase tax-paid stocks will be published by Customs and Excise as soon as possible. Traders should preserve their suppliers' invoices for purchase tax goods for resale which dividends at will. I see no reason to suspend measures designed solely to discourage the avoidance of tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will tabulate a comparison of the take-home pay when at work and the take-home pay when out of work of a married man earning £35 and £40 per week, respectively, with none to four children under 11 years of age, and state how many weeks of the year the take-home pay when out of work could exceed the take-home pay when at work.

The figures will vary according to which week of the tax year is taken. For week 42, the answer is as follows:may be in stock on 31st March, 1973, and related stock records.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to use of the Post Office Giro system in relation to the proposed tax credit scheme.

If it is decided to pay some or all child credits to mothers the method of payment of these credits will need to be considered. The Green Paper proposes that other credits should be paid by employers, or, where national insurance benefits are payable, by the Department of Health and Social Security or Department of Employment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange with Customs and Excise that the Post Office Giro system acts as collection agent for all payments.

Facilities will be provided for the payment of value added tax through the Post Office Giro system. There has been little demand for this in relation to other Customs and Excise revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will change his policy of refusing certain unemployed registered blind persons employment in sheltered workshops, where there are plans available for them, on the grounds that they are suitable for other employment when in practice they cannot obtain other employment.

Section 15 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, clearly defines those categories of disabled people who are eligible for employment in sheltered workshops. My right hon. Friend's policies are directed towards securing for blind and other disabled people employment opportunities best suited to their individual abilities and skills.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs he estimates are now in prospect in Scot land in relation to the exploration and exploitation of North Sea oil.

Since employers are still formulating their plans, any estimate of the additional jobs which will arise from activities connected with North Sea oil must be subject to appreciable margins of error. However, we are aware of various expansions which are expected to increase employment on such activities from its present total of around 2,500 to about 8,000 within the next three or four years. This figure could increase considerably. In addition there will be substantial employment in supplying firms and as a result of infrastructure investment in support of North Sea oil activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to reduce the number of places unfilled in Government training centres in the Northern Region, in view of the fact that the places unfilled represent 18 per cent. of the total available places compared with 14 per cent. a year ago.

I would refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for The Hartlepools (Mr. Leadbitter) on 16th November, 1972.—[Vol. 846, c. 212–13.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the amount of money spent on the Community Industry Scheme functioning in the Mexborough and District area up to the last available date; and if he will make a statement on the future plans for this scheme.

The total expenditure on Community Industry in Mexborough up to 30th September, 1972, was £15,338. This includes a proportion of the cost of running Community Industry's headquarters.A report recommending an expansion of the scheme has been submitted to my right hon. Friend by the National Association of Youth Clubs and this is being sympathetically considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will have consultations with employers of labour in the construction industry designed to secure greater cognisance among them of safety measures, in view of the criticisms contained in the report of the Chief Inspector of Factories.

Consultations with both employers and trades unions take place from time to time on my right hon. Friend's Joint Advisory Committee for the Construction Industries.Two sub-committees are at present preparing two reports, one on the collapse of scaffolds and the other on health and asbestos.Apart from these activities, there are frequent

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many coal miners are at present unemployed in the Consett, Stanley, Lanchester travel-to-work area; how many are over 55 years of age; and how many have been unemployed for more than one, two and three years, respectively.

At 9th October 533 males who last worked in coal mining were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Consett, Stanley and Lanchester employment exchanges. There is no age analysis of this figure by a special quarterly return in September of colliery workers unemployed through the contraction of the coal mining industry showed that 422 such workers, including 405 aged 55 and over, were unemployed in this area. I regret that information showing how long these workers have been unemployed is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all major prices comprised in the retail price index, other than food, as at 6th November, 1972.

I regret that the information is not available. Although the Department collects each month about 30,000 prices for items other than food, average prices for many of these items would not be meaningful because of variations in quality, and in fact average prices are not calculated for items other than food.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of employees of the National Coal Board, the Gas Council, the Electricity Council, British Rail and the British Steel Corporation at the latest month for which figures are available, and for the comparable months in 1971 and 1970.

My Department's employment statistics are analysed by industry using Minimum List Headings of the Standard Industrial Classification. It is not my Department's practice to compile details for individual organisations. I would therefore refer my hon. Friend to the organisations' published reports which give information about the numbers employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many men were employed in the service industries in Scotland in 1945, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1970 and at the last available date;(2) how many men were employed in the manufacturing industries in Scotland, in 1945, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966. 1970 and at the last available date.

The following table shows estimates of the numbers of male employees in employment in Scotland from June, 1959. Owing to substantial changes in classification, estimates prior to that are not comparable.

	Manufacturing* industries	(Thousands Services* industries
June, 1959	489·6	501·6
June, 1964—
(i)†	489·2	514·5
(ii)†	490·5	512·8
June, 1966—
(i)‡	499·0	500·8
(ii)‡	512·1	495·8
June, 1969—
(i)§	502·6	479·2
(ii)§	502·6	482·6
June, 1970	499·6	481·0
June, 1971	471·2	475·8
* The industry groups included in the table are:—
Standard Industrial Classification	Manufacturing industries	Service industries
	Order	Order
1958 edition	III—XVI	XIX—XXIV
1968 edition	III—XIX	XXII—XXVII
† Estimates for June, 1964 (ii) onwards are on a revised basis of calculation and are not strictly comparable with those for June, 1964 (i) and earlier dates.
‡ Between June, 1966 and June, 1967, the industrial classifications of many establishments were corrected. The estimates for June, 1966 are shown on both bases, that is (i) excluding and (ii) including the effects of re-classifications.
§ The estimates for June, 1969 (ii) onwards include improved information about the location of employees in the distributive trades, and are based on the 1968 edition of the Standard Industrial Classification instead of the 1958 edition as previously.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a list of the member States of the International Labour Organisation, indicating those states taking membership in the period since 1962; and if he will detail

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION
STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS DUE FROM MEMBER STATES FOR 1972–73
(In United States Dollars)
MEMBER STATES MARKED * JOINED THE I.L.O. AFTER 1ST JANUARY, 1962
State (French alphabetical order)			Percentage 1972	Net contribution 1972 (1)	Percentage 1973	Net contribution 1973 (1)
Afghanistan	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Algeria*	…	…	0·12	41,804	0·12	41,805
Federal Republic of Germany	…	…	5·34	1,860,296	5·68	1,978,742
United Arab Republic	…	…	0·27	94,060	0·25	87,093
United Arab Emirates	…	…	—	—	0·06 (2)	20,902 (2)
Argentina	…	…	1·26	438,946	1·18	411,077
Australia	…	…	1·83	637,517	1·83	637,517
Austria	…	…	0·44	153,283	0·46	160,250
Bangladesh*	…	…	—	—	0·06(2)	20,902 (2)
Barbados	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Belgium	…	…	1·35	470,299	1·35	470,300
Byelorussia	…	…	0·45	156,766	0·46	160,250
Burma	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Bolivia	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Brazil	…	…	1·20	418,044	1·12	390,175
Bulgaria	…	…	0·19	66,190	0·19	66,191
Burundi*	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Cameroon	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Canada	…	…	3·36	1,170,523	3·36	1,170,523
Central African Republic	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Ceylon	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Chile	…	…	0·30	104,511	0·28	97,544
China	…	…	3·17	1,104,333	3·36	1,170,523
Cyprus	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Colombia	…	…	0·28	97,544	0·27	94,060
Congo (Democratic Republic)	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Congo (People's Republic)	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Costa Rica	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Ivory Coast	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Cuba	…	…	0·24	83,609	0·22	76,642
Dahomey	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Denmark	…	…	0·70	243,859	0·70	243,859
Dominican Republic	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
El Salvador	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Ecuador	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Spain	…	…	1·04	362,305	1·04	362,305
United States	…	…	25·00	8,709,250	25·00	8,709,250
Ethiopia	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Finland	…	…	0·38	132,380	0·39	135,865
France	…	…	6·07	2,114,606	6·07	2,114,606
Gabon	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Ghana	…	…	0·10	34,837	0·09	31,353
Greece	…	…	0·23	80,125	0·24	83,609
Guatemala	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Guinea	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Guyana*	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,907
Haiti	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Upper Volta	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Honduras	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902
Hungary	…	…	0·42	146,315	0·43	149,799
India	…	…	2·32	808,218	2·17	755,963
Indonesia	…	…	0·42	146,315	0·39	135,865
Iraq	…	…	0·09	31,353	0·09	31,353
Iran	…	…	0·27	94,060	0·27	94,060
Ireland	…	…	0·22	76,641	0·21	73,158
Iceland	…	…	0·07	24,386	0·06	20,902

Details of contributions actually made are not readily available, but the table below gives the contributions due for the two calendar years covered by the current budget.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what references are currently being dealt with by the

	Date
References by the Secretary of State under Section 121 of the Industrial Relations Act 1971, concerning:	(Date in brackets relates to the original reference to the Royal Commission on Industrial Relations)
Industrial relations training	4th November, 1971 (29th May, 1970)
Industrial communications	4th November, 1971 (16th November, 1970
The rôles in industrial relations of:
(a) boards of directors,	4th November, 1971 (4th May, 1971)
(b) personnel and line management, and
(c) consultants
The hotel and catering industry*	4th November, 1971 (5th November, 1969)
Negotiating machinery for multi-plant undertakings	8th November, 1971
Williams & Glyn's Bank Ltd.	20th March, 1972
General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd.	5th June, 1972
Certain retail distributive trades	20th June, 1972
G. Clancey Ltd., Halesowen	14th August, 1972
W. Alexander (Coach Builders) Ltd., Falkirk	18th August, 1972
Disputes and grievance procedures and disciplinary matters	15th November, 1972
* Report No. 23, Part One: Hotels and Restaurants, published 6th October, 1971 and Report No. 27, Part Two: Industrial Catering, published 20th March, 1972.

References by the Secretary of State under the Wages Councils Act 1959 (as amended by the Industrial Relations Act 1971) concerning abolition or variation of the field of operation of:	Date
The Ready-made and Wholesale Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council	31st January, 1972
The Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing Wages Council (England and Wales)
The Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing Wages Council (Scotland)
The Wholesale Mantle and Costume Wages Council
The Shirtmaking Wages Council
The Hat, Cap and Millinery Wages Council
The Corset Wages Council
The Retail Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council (England and Wales)
The Retail Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council (Scotland)
The Rubber Proofed Garment Making Industry Wages Council
The Stamped or Pressed Metal-Wares Wages Council
The Hollow-ware Wages Council
The Pin, Hook and Eye and Snap Fastener Wages Council
The Keg and Drum Wages Council
The Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making Wages Council
Boot and Floor Polish Wages Council	13th June, 1972
Paper Box Wages Council	24th July, 1972
References by the National Industrial Relations Court under the Industrial Relations Act 1971:
Section 11 concerning an agency shop agreement
Rank Leisure Services Limited, Theatre Division and Entertainment Managers' Association	21st September, 1972
Section 17 and Schedule 1 concerning closed shop agreements
British Actors' Equity Association and the Film Production Association of Great Britain	11th August, 1972
British Actors' Equity Association and Council of Regional Theatre
British Actors' Equity Association and the Association of Touring and Producing Managers
British Actors' Equity Association and the Theatrical Management Association Ltd.
British Actors' Equity Association and the Society of West End Theatre Managers
Section 46 concerning recognition of a sole bargaining agent:
Allied Breweries (U.K.) Ltd. and National Association of Licensed House Managers	2nd June, 1972
Section 52 concerning withdrawal of recognition of a sole bargaining agent:
National Coal Board, Immingham Bulk Terminal and a group of employees	3rd July, 1972

The Commission on Industrial Relations is currently dealing with the following:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to issue his consultative documents on redundancy payments.

My right hon. Friend is not yet able to say.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of registered apprenticeships in the city of Liverpool.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of boys and girls registered as wholly unemployed in the city of Liverpool; and what plans he has to deal with this problem.

In October there were 2,770 young people registered as wholly unemployed in Liverpool County Borough. Various short-term measures to alleviate unemployment amongst young people have been introduced and careers officers are doing all they can to help those affected to find work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will have discussions with voluntary organisations concerned with the employment of disabled people before he completes his review of policies and services for disabled people; if his Department has had discussions with the Sir Robert Jones Workshops regarding his Department's review; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend intends to consult widely before completing his review; and voluntary organisations, including the Sir Robert Jones Workshops, will be given the opportunity to express their views on matters of interest to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research his Department is carrying out into the problems of schizophrenia; how much money is allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.