asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average number of pupils in secondary school classes in England and Wales; and how this figure compares with the figure for autumn 1970.

The Department's figures relate to January of each year. In January, 1970, and 1972, respectively, 22·9 and 22·6.

ATTENDANCES 1ST APRIL TO 30TH SEPTEMBER
					1971	1972
British Museum
Bloomsbury (see Note 2)	…	…	…	…	1,473,143	1,547,381
Burlington Gardens	…	…	…	…	48,929	50,047
Science Museum	…	…	…	…	1,020,248	1,056,703
Victoria and Albert Museum	…	…	…	…	784,307	720,065
Bethnal Green Museum	…	…	…	…	65,913	66,836
Imperial War Museum	…	…	…	…	346,129	354,439
London Museum (see Note 3)	…	…	…	…	187,883	229,332
National Gallery	…	…	…	…	1,090,400	1,043,330
National Portrait Gallery	…	…	…	…	274,065	251,602
Tate Gallery	…	…	…	…	457,000	470,000
Wallace Collection	…	…	…	…	90,065	77,461
British Museum (Natural History)	…	…	…	…	833,861	876,693
Geological Museum	…	…	…	…	173,127	187,144
National Gallery of Scotland	…	…	…	…	173,880	137,486
Scottish National Portrait Gallery	See Note 4		…	…	33,541	46,759
National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art	…	…	…	…	76,508	58,114
Royal Scottish Museum	…	…	…	…	301,535	271,536
National Museum of Wales	…	…	…	…	217,693	200,203
Welsh Folk Museum	…	…	…	…	161,958	167,997
Notes:
1. No comparable figures are available for the National Maritime Museum.
2. The figures for the British Museum exclude admissions of over 1 million to the Tutankhamun Exhibition in the period April to September, 1972.
3. The figures for the London Museum exclude admissions to the State Apartments of Kensington Palace which have during 1972 been closed for refurbishing.
4. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland share a building with a common entrance.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on her intentions regarding the future of admission charges to museums and galleries after the end of the pay and prices standstill.

It is too early to say when after the end of the standstill admission charges will be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish the report of the Russell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many visitors went to each of the national museums and galleries during the summer months, or any comparable period, in 1971 and 1972.

The following table compares attendances during the periods from 1st April to 30th September in 1971 and 1972.Committee on Adult Education as soon as practicable after its receipt, so that discussion of it recommendations may be undertaken by interested bodies concurrently with her Department's consideration.

Yes, but I have not yet received the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on her recent meeting with representatives of the Association of Municipal Corporations.

Representatives of all the local authority associations, including the one named by the hon. Member, asked to see me, following my speech at Bournemouth on 23rd June, for a discussion about general developments in the education service. I was glad to receive the views of the associations on this occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent proposals she has received from Warwickshire County Council about the introduction of comprehensive education.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will take immediate steps to arrange for English teaching in the camps occupied by the Ugandan Asians.

This is a matter in the first instance for the local education authorities in those areas resettlement centres have been set up. My Department is however asking the authorities concerned to consider whether such provision should be made for those adult Ugandan Asians who are less proficient in English.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to receive the Heaton Report on the Nature Conservancy.

Early in December.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to arrange the total Government grant for village halls and community centres for 1973–74.

I hope to announce the Department's grant allocations before the beginning of the next financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes in the structure of education will have to be made to conform with European Economic Community regulations; and if she will make a statement.

None of the existing regulations calls for such changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what criteria she has decided the capital allocations to individual county education authorities for major pre-1903 primary improvement programmes for 1972–75.

The allocations for 1972–73 gave some priority to counties containing socially deprived urban areas. Allocations for 1973–75 were based on the number of children in primary schools built before 1903.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pre-1903 primary schools remain in the London Borough of Waltham Forest; and what plans she has approved for replacing them.

Of the 13 remaining pre-1903 primary schools for which there is likely to be a continuing need, when projects under construction have been completed, four will be replaced in the 1972–75 building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will consent to the expediting of the rebuilding of temporarily built wooden primary schools in the Liverpool area.

My right hon. Friend has had in mind the deficiencies of some of these schools when considering the 1974–75 school-building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate she has made of the number of primary schools that will be replaced or improved in each of the next four years; and what are the comparable figures for each of the past six years.

The following are the available figures:

Major building programme	Primary schools to be improved or replaced in England and Wales
1968–69	109
1969–70	222
1970–71	178
1971–72	198
1972–73	460
1973–74	607
1974–75	525

NOTES.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she has taken, or proposes to take, to assess the educational priorities in areas of urban stress other than commissioning the studies conducted by Professor Halsey.

Dr. Halsey's recommendations have confirmed my view that provision for pupils under five should be given a high priority in these and other areas. Local authorities also have a responsibility for assessing and meeting the special needs of their own areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is aware of the concern about the increase of violence amongst schoolchildren, both within and outside school hours; and what action she proposes to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in the discussions which she has been holding on the problems of violence in schools.

I am aware of the anxieties being expressed. At a meeting with representatives of the local authority and teacher associations in July of this year, the Association of Education Committees agreed to make inquiries among their members on my behalf. A questionnaire has been drawn up with the help of the associations, and I hope that the AEC will send it to local education authorities shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will authorise an increase in the provision of swimming pools in schools, particularly primary schools; and whether she will make a statement.

I welcome efforts being made by local education authorities and parent teacher associations to encourage children to learn to swim; however my first priority for school building programme resources is the replacement of inadequate old primary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will obtain and publish details of the number of United Kingdom universities undertaking research on matters relating to the exploration and production of oil and gas from the Continental Shelf.

This information is available in the directory called "Scientific Research in British Universities and Colleges". A copy is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the City of Birmingham Education Committee has properly and adequately published the Education Act, 1944, Section 13 notices, as amended, concerning the proposed secondary school reorganisation in the city, with particular reference to the posting of the notices in conspicuous places throughout the city and at or near the main entrance of each school affected; and if she will make a statement.

The Birmingham Local Education Authority recognises that the original publication of notices did not conform with the conditions laid down in the County and Voluntary Schools (Notices) Regulations, 1944. It has informed me that it has now republished all its statutory proposals in the prescribed manner.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the latest developments in her Department's consideration of the scheme for secondary reorganisation submitted by the London Borough of Harrow.

The Department has recently received essential supporting information from the local education authority about these complex proposals which have attracted a large volume of objection. My right hon. Friend will reach a decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence she has obtained in her current inquiries into university finance of applicants for entry to universities being refused admission through the accident of illness precluding them from taking the necessary entry examinations.

Admission arrangements are the universities' own responsibility and my Department does not assemble information of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the Medical Research Council has decided to close its Neuropsychiatric Research Unit.

This is a decision which is within the competence of the Medical Research Council and was taken after full consideration of all the circumstances. I understand that discussions with the staff took place at all stages.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will initiate studies amongst the present categories of handicapped pupils to establish which special needs have to be met by specialised institutions, and which do not.

The decision where to place a handicapped child depends on a variety of personal factors, and it is impossible to generalise about the need for placement in special schools. My Department carries out surveys of children with particular handicaps, in both ordinary and special schools, and my Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children has recently suggested that a pamphlet should be prepared on the integration of handicapped children into ordinary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether she will lift Her Majesty's Government's general embargo on capital expenditure by local education authorities on the replacement of sub-standard secondary school buildings in educational priority areas;(2) whether she will lift her general embargo on capital expenditure by local education authorities on the replacement of sub-standard secondary school buildings.

At present primary schools have priority. When more progress has been made with the replacement of old primary schools I hope to make additional resources available for secondary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost per student per annum in a university, a polytechnic and a college of education.

The latest figures, which are provisional and relate to 1971–72, are £1,045, £751 and £484, respectively, using the same method of calculation as in the Department's Planning Paper No. 2.The average costs quoted are running costs and do not include student maintenance awards and capital costs, debt charges and boarding costs in colleges of education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest figure for the number of children receiving free school meals, and the comparable figure for September, 1970.

The latest complete figure is for October, 1971, when 805,000 children were getting free school meals. Partial returns from the census taken last month indicate that the figure is now approaching 850,000. The comparable figure for September, 1970, was 627,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now postpone any further increases proposed in the cost of school meals.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will now suspend the increases in the prices of school dinners due to operate in April, 1973.

The 2p increase in the price of the school dinner due to come into effect on 1st April, 1973, will be among the matters considered in the light of plans for implementing the second stage of the Government's policy for countering inflation. An announcement will be made as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration, in making her plans for the expansion of nursery education, she is giving to the recommendations of the Halsey Report.

It has always been my policy that when an expansion of nursery education is possible, priority should be given to the needs of children in deprived areas, both urban and rural.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will release the restrictions on nursery provision imposed by Circular 8/60, as recommended by the annual meeting of the National Association of Divisional Executives for Education, details of which are in her possession; and if she will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave in the House earlier today to similar Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what meetings she has had with representatives of teachers employed in the Inner London Education Authority about matters for which she is responsible.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Central (Mr. Thomas Cox).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will conduct an inquiry into the extent and causes of unemployment among teachers, particularly those recently qualified, in the Northern Region.

My right hon. Friend has no evidence of any substantial unemployment among newly qualified teachers who are willing to go where the jobs are.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is still considering means of protection against the sale of bogus degrees, as promised to the hon. Member for Brixton in reply to his Written Question on 15th June last.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Merton and Morden (Miss Fookes).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received from the Burnham Committee on the payment of an increased London allowance to teachers; and what reply she has sent.

On 3rd November I met representatives of both sides of the Burnham Committee with the independent chairman. Later that day the management panel made an offer to all the teachers' panels. It was rejected except by the college of education teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision her Department makes through various recognised bodies for trade union education.

Trade union education of various kinds is an important element in the work of bodies providing adult education and my Department's grants make a substantial contribution to this. There are also courses in a number of further education colleges maintained by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now issue a circular recommending to local education authorities that all children shall be admitted to school in the September before their fifth birthday.

To make admission compulsory at that age would require legislation. Local authorities admit children at the beginning of the school year if they have the facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to announce her plans to increase cost limits on new school buildings.

I am keeping cost limits under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied that increased building costs are taken fully into account in the Department's calculations; and if she will make a statement.

Yes. I am keeping cost limits under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many Ministries, besides the Department of Education and Science, are involved in arranging the Fanfare for Europe.

Six. They are the Central Office of Information, Depart- ment of the Environment, Department of Trade and Industry, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Scottish Office and Welsh Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is aware that Cheshire County Council now proposes to close the Merchant Navy School HMS "Conway"; and if she is satisfied that there is adequate alternative provision for the training of Merchant Navy Cadets in the North West.

My right hon. Friend has received from the Cheshire LEA a statutory proposal under Section 13 of the 1944 Education Act, as amended, to cease to maintain this school; the authority will give public notice of its intentions. The proposal will be considered in the light of any objections which may be received; it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage on any effects which it might have.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state the rate of interest assumed in calculating that a combined contribution of 14·2 per cent. would be required to finance that part of the teachers' superannuation arrangements known as the new entrants scheme.

The rate of interest assumed in determining the new entrant contribution of 14·2 per cent. for the revised teachers' superannuation scheme was 5½ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what computers are in use by her Department; for what they are used; and where they are located.

The only computer in the Department is an ICL 1904E located in Darlington. Its main uses are (a) maintaining the central record of teachers in England and Wales, required in connection with the administration of the teachers' superannuation scheme, (b) the Department's vote accounting system and (c) processing education statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the negotiations on teachers' salaries.

Discussion is continuing on some of the detailed matters in the schoolteachers' claim for increases from 1st April, 1973. The other groups of teachers have not yet submitted claims. As to the future course of negotiations, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House on Monday.On 20th September, the school teachers claimed that the London allowance should be raised from 1st November, 1972, from £118 to £300. The management panel promised to make an offer on 20th October but decided in the event, because of the exceptional situation created by the tripartite talks, not to make it then. On 3rd November it made an offer of an increase of £15 which was rejected by all the teachers' panels—except the college of education lecturers who reached an agreement—and which has now lapsed. It was again calculated on the basis developed in Report No. 44 of the National Board for Prices and Incomes. London allowance as part of pay is now subject to the standstill.—[Vol. 846, c. 926–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she last made an official visit to the London Borough of Newham; how many such visits she has made to date; and when she expects to make the next visit.

I have made no official visit to Newham and have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is aware that, notwithstanding the Government's appeal, large numbers of Ugandan Asians are settling in Red areas, and that problems are being created regarding the lack of school places in these districts; and whether she will seek powers to make a special grant to councils that have to bus out children to other boroughs for schooling purposes.

I am aware that in a few areas the arrival of Uganda Asian children has created pressure on school places. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir".

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is aware that the Registrar of Births and Deaths in the London Borough of Newham has published his official report showing that the number of babies of immigrants is more than double that of the national average and that this is causing difficulties with regard to present and future educational facilities; and whether she will now have discussions with the local education authority to see to what extent her Department can assist, in addition to increasing the minor works programme.

I am aware of the large numbers of pupils of overseas parentage in Newham. Additional nursery provision has been approved under the urban programme; the teacher quota has been increased; and grant has been paid to the local authority under Section 11 of the Local Government Act. 1966.

asked the Minister of State for Defence when he expects to announce his final proposals for further development of the Proof and Experimental Establishment at Eskmeals; and if he will make a statement.

The proposals for the Proof and Experimental Establishment at Eskmeals are the subject of consultations with the local authorities. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of State for Defence, if he will state the locations of his headquarters staff and the number employed in each location.

Approximately 18,600 Ministry of Defence headquarters staff are located in the London area and some 1,300 at Bath.The other major blocks are at Leeds 125, Liverpool 75, Brighton 75, Broxbourne 50 and Reading 50. The remaining 500 or so are scattered in very small groups at various locations throughout the United Kingdom. The numbers outside London are relatively small because headquarters staff who are dispersed away from London are usually reclassified as outstations staff.

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) how many members of the security forces are at any given time involved in border control; and what is the ratio of personnel to length of frontier;(2) how many units of the British Army are actively involved in border security in Northern Ireland; and how many men are available for such duty in each of the five border counties.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 20th November. It is not the practice to provide details of the deployment of our forces.—[Vol. 846, c. 312–313.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in the Northern Region described themselves as unemployed in the 1971 Census.

The number of persons in the Northern Region who described themselves in the 1971 Census as "seeking work or waiting to take up a job" or "intending to seek work but sick" was 103,620. This figure is taken from the Advance Analysis, and must therefore be regarded as provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many males and how many females, respectively, in the area of the Consett Urban District described themselves as unemployed in the 1971 Census.

The numbers of persons in Consett urban district who described themselves in the 1971 Census as "seeking work or waiting to take up a job" or "intending to seek work but sick" were: males, 705 and females, 290.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many males and how many females, respectively, in the area of the Stanley, County Durham, urban district described themselves as unemployed in the 1971 Census.

The numbers of persons in Stanley urban district who described themselves in the 1971 Census as "seeking work or waiting to take up a job" or "intending to seek work but sick" were: males 1,190, females 330.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total cost in 1971–72 of national insurance and industrial injuries benefits paid to residents of the Republic of Eire.

Payments in respect of British retirement pensions, widows' pensions and industrial disablement pensions to persons in the Irish Republic for the year ended 31st March, 1972, amounted to about £4·3 million. Other social security benefits are not normally paid outside Great Britain, but in respect of the same year adjusting payments of about £460,000 were made to the Republic under the terms of a reciprocal agreement. These payments were related to the extent to which insurance in one country was used to give entitlement to benefit—mainly sickness benefit—under the legislation of the other country.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the detailed census statistics in respect of the London Borough of Camden.

They will be included in the report for the greater London area, which I expect to be published early in April next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the detailed census statistics in respect of the area of the Greater London Council.

Early in April next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the next review of the State retirement pension is to take place; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have undertaken that there will in future be regular annual reviews of pensions with increases taking effect in November each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average gross and net remuneration of the general medical practitioner, the general dental practitioner, and hospital doctors in the registrar and post-registration house officer grades.

For general medical practitioners the fees and allowances for 1972–73 recommended by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body are intended to produce gross and net remuneration of £7,805 and £5,575 on average per practitioner; and direct payments of practice expenses not reimbursed through the fees and allowances are estimated to amount to about another £1,150 on average per practitioner. The target average gross and net remuneration of general dental practitioners from fees and allowances for 1972–73 is £11,038 and £5,050 respectively. The salary scales for registrars and house officers in the hospital service are £2,634–£3,282, and £1,749–£2,025 respectively; any extra duty allowances payable to practitioners in these grades are additional to the salary scale.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the extension of awards of free welfare milk and free school meals for 12 months will apply to families in receipt of supplementary benefit.

No. The change is specifically designed to help the low paid wage-earner, whereas supplementary benefit is for those who are not in full- time employment. Families on supplementary benefit are automatically entitled to free school meals and free welfare milk under the existing passport arrangement. If, when they are no longer entitled to supplementary benefit, e.g. on return to work, their income is below the qualifying levels or free welfare milk and free school meals, they can apply in the usual way and any consequent award would then normally be made on a 12-monthly basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now institute an independent inquiry into the functions of the General Medical Council; and whether he will make a statement about the risk of interruption of medical services if doctors are erased from the medical register for failing to pay the statutory fees.

I have decided, in conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Lord President of the Council and the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, to set up a committee of inquiry into the regulation of the medical profession with the following terms of reference:

"To consider what changes need to be made in the existing provisions for the regulation of the medical profession; what functions should be assigned to the body charged with the responsibility for its regulation; and how that body should be constituted to enable it to discharge its functions most effectively: and to make recommendations."

I hope shortly to be able to announce the membership of the committee.In recent months I have been kept in touch with the valuable work being done by a joint working party of representatives of the British Medical Association and the General Medical Council in identifying the issues and how far they are susceptible of being resolved by further joint discussion. But there are still substantial differences of opinion on a number of questions, and it is now evident that the discussions could not be completed within the period of six months envisaged by the British Medical Association's Annual Representative Meeting last July.The General Medical Council is a body with a notable record of service to the public and to the profession. It is not contemplated that the profession should be regulated otherwise than by a predominantly professional body, but, as the General Medical Council itself has pointed out, its functions are very much the concern not only of the medical profession but of the public, as well as of the universities and other bodies. In the circumstances, my colleagues and I have thought it right not to wait any longer before establishing an independent committee of inquiry. That committee will, of course, be able to take into account, among other evidence, reports of previous joint discussions and any further report which the joint working party may produce.I am confident that in the public interest those doctors whose dissatisfaction has hitherto led them to withhold payment of the statutory fees will now pay them without further delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the publication of his Bill on competition policy will be preceded by a White Paper.

No; but I expect the Bill itself to be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for assistance have been received from firms in West Dunbartonshire under the Industry Act.

I regret that the requested information on applications for regional development grants under Part I of the Industry Act is not readily available. One application for selective assistance under Part II of the Act has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for loans under Section 7 of the Industry Act, 1972, have been received from Nottinghamshire; and how many have been refused.

Three. One has been refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he proposes to restrict increases in recommended prices.

Increases in manufacturers recommended prices would not be consistent with the objectives of the standstill, and my Department would so advise any inquirer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will rescind any further export licences for scrap metal deliveries to Europe pending a reduction in the domestic short supply position, in view of the hoarding and the rise in ex-merchants' prices in the last few weeks.

Exports of scrap metal to all destinations are subject to control, and export licences are already granted or refused according to the state of supply. It is not my present intention to revoke existing licences.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the security arrangements for the shipment of plutonium and other substances to and from Windscale; and if he will make a statement.

Under the Atomic Energy Acts, 1954 and 1971, the responsibility for the security arrangements for the shipment of plutonium and other substances to and from Windscale rests with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels Limited. I am satisfied that the authority and the company ensure that there are very strict arrangements for the transport of nuclear materials to and from Windscale, and that these arrangements are kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the recent application from the British Leather Federation for safeguard action under the United Kingdom General Preference Scheme was not advertised; and what is the policy of his Department in respect of the advertising of such applications.

My right hon. Friend the then Minister for Trade announced on 7th August, in reply to a Question, that he was considering an application by the British industry for reimposition of the import duties on leather from developing countries. I do not believe that any further advertisement was necessary. Decisions about advertising any future applications for safeguard action will continue to be taken in the light of the circumstances of each case.—[Vol. 842, c. 1243.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) why he has reimposed tariffs on imports of tanned leather from certain developing States;(2) what representations he had from domestic producers of leather goods before reimposing tariffs on imports of tanned leather from certain developing States.

When import duties were removed on 1st January last as part of the United Kingdom contribution to the Generalised System of Preferences for developing countries, we reserved the right to restore them in whole or in part if imports enjoying the preferences were causing or threatening serious injury to the British producers affected. It was found that imports of this leather from the four South American countries concerned would obtain about 25 per cent. of the British market this year, compared with 8 per cent. in 1971, and that the continued existence of a number of small tanners and the employment that they provided was seriously threatened.Representations on the case were made by the British Leather Federation. There were none from producers of leather goods.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he gave to the availability of raw hides on the domestic market before deciding to reimpose tariffs on imports of tanned leather from certain developing States.

This was certainly taken into account with the other factors in the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many United Kingdom businesses have a turnover in excess of £5,000 per annum.

Approximately 1½ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will investigate the possibility of interesting commercial companies or a nationalised company in operating a car ferry service from Portpatrick in Scotland to Donaghadee in Northern Ireland.

No. It is up to the companies themselves to judge whether or not there is a commercial opportunity open to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what projection has been made of manpower needs in the United Kingdom coalfields over the next 10 years;(2) what estimates have been made of coal production in United Kingdom coalfields for the next 10 years.

Estimates of future coal production and manpower needs in the coalfields are made for a variety of purposes. These are kept under constant review and revised frequently in the light of developments; to quote any one set of projections out of context would be misleading.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what forms the additional Government investment in Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Limited will take.

This is still under consideration, but I hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the further progress of discussions with the European Economic Community about the import of textiles in 1973.

The European Commission has sought a mandate from the Council to renegotiate its agreements under the GATT Long-Term Arrangement on cotton textiles with Japan, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Korea and Egypt to take account of the enlargement of the Community. The agreements provide for these countries to restrict their exports of cotton textiles to member countries of the Community. They apply until 30th September, 1973, except for Hong Kong and Korea, where the agreements last until 31st December, 1973. A comparable arrangement would be sought as regards exports of cotton textiles from Taiwan.The new arrangements would extend as far as practicable to trade in cotton textiles between the seven countries and the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland, the pattern of restraints in the Community's existing agreements. The practical effect would be to limit exports to the three acceding countries at approximately the same levels—with appropriate allowance for growth—as under the bilateral arrangement currently existing between the countries concerned. The categorisation of the quotas and arrangements for flexibility between groups and categories would as far as possible be rearranged to bring them into conformity with those in the Community's agreements, again without substantially changing their existing effect.The products to be covered would in large measure be the same as under the present bilateral arrangements, including in the case of the United Kingdom cotton yarn. The negotiations would take place as soon as possible and in any case before the end of this year.The United Kingdom will retain existing restraint arrangements on cotton textiles with countries other than the seven covered by the Community's agreements under the Long-Term Arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Law Commission regarding high interest rates and their impact upon inflation.

I have received no such representations.

asked the Prime Minister what communications he has received about thalidomide children; and what replies he has sent.

Apart from three letters from the hon. Gentleman to which I have replied, I have received a letter from the right hon. Lady the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle). An acknowledgment has been sent and the points within the Government's responsibility which she raised are being urgently investigated. Several letters from members of the public have also been received, to which acknowledgments have been sent, and the points which they contain are being examined.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his most recent meeting with the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic.

Mr. Lynch and I last met during our visit to Paris for the EEC summit meeting on 19th and 20th October. We discussed a number of matters, including the situation in Northern Ireland. I am having a further meeting with Mr. Lynch tomorrow.

asked the Prime Minister what communications he has had with the Prime Minister of Eire since his last meeting with him; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills). We are in touch with the Government of the Republic of Ireland through diplomatic channels whenever circumstances require: the details are confidential.

asked the Prime Minister if he will further increase the number of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office in order to reduce the delay in dealing with Northern Ireland affairs.

No. I am not aware of any undue delay in dealing with Northern Ireland affairs, despite the special geographical conditions under which the Department operates.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Social Services in the field of compensation for personal injuries; and if he will make a statement.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech at Bexley on 7th November on the economy.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the text of his public speech at Bexley on 7th November on Government policies.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech, on the Government's counter-inflationary measures, at the inaugural meeting of the Bexley-Sidcup Conservative Constituency Association on 7th November.

I did so on 10th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on the Downing Street talks at Tring, Hertfordshire, on 4th November.

I did so on 10th November.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet come to a decision as to who is to succeed Lord Hill of Luton as chairman of the governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation; and whether he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Prime Minister why he has appointed an additional Minister to deal with Government information services.

The Home Secretary will remain generally responsible for the Government's information services; the appointment of an additional Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department has been made to assist him in discharging this responsibility.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to seek to make an official visit to Libya.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Northfield.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding price control; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 21st November.—[Vol. 846, c. 1086–7.]

asked the Prime Minister when he last made an official visit to the London Borough of Newham; how many such visits he has made to date; and when he expects to make the next visit.

I have not made an official visit to the London Borough of Newham, and I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received the communication dated 17th November from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning the problems being created by immigration into the London Borough of Newham; what action he proposes to take in regard to this matter; and when the hon. Member may expect a reply to this letter.

I have received the hon. Gentleman's letter and I will be replying as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister what reply lie has sent to the recent request from the Islington Borough Council for an official meeting to discuss the operation of the Housing Finance Act, 1972.

The council wrote to me about a number of matters concerning the effect of the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Bill on housing. I have replied that since the issues which it raises had already been fully considered by the Government and there is no question of changing Government policy, I am unable to agree to meet a deputation.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now appoint a Minister with sole responsibility for dealing with inflation.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he will include within the duties of the Minister now responsible for protecting consumers' interests the power to control escalating land prices.

No. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is already taking the only practicable steps to curb the increase in land prices by increasing the supply of land available for development.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he now has for seeking a meeting with the President of the United States of America.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on my behalf to the hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Douglas) on 16th November.—[Vol. 846, c. 608–9.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to Northern Ireland.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Pounder) in reply to a similar Question on 21st November.—[Vol. 846, c. 379–80.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to protect Great Britain's inshore fisheries now that Great Britain has joined the Common Market; whether fisheries research will involve the other Common Market countries and to what extent; what research projects are currently being undertaken in the United Kingdom; and whether these include a survey of fish stocks in the Irish Sea, North Channel and off the west coast of Scotland.

The present research programme of the laboratories of the fisheries departments includes surveys of fish stocks in the areas referred to, as well as a close study of inshore resources. Other Common Market countries co-operate with us in assessments of stocks in international waters under the aegis of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, which gives scientific advice to the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. However, research into and the management of stocks within our 12-mile limit remains a domestic matter. If our research shows a threat of overfishing, non-discriminatory regulations will be made. Provision for enforcement by the Royal Navy is being increased.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the latest progress made in combating Dutch elm disease; and if he will make a statement.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the announcement to which I referred on 21st November in reply to Questions.—[Vol. 846, c. 1072–74.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will authorise the Forestry Commission to undertake all necessary research into factors limiting the growth of trees in the industrial Pennines; and if he will make the necessary finance available.

The Forestry Commission is already in touch with these problems through its existing research programme, and my right hon. Friend does not think that any special measures are called for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will detail the percentage changes in the average retail prices of the 80 important items of food as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices between July, 1970, and the latest dates for which figures are available.

The following table shows the percentage changes between June, 1970, and October, 1972—the latest date for which information is available—in the average retail prices of about 80 important items of food as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices:

Item	Percentage change 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
Leg (with bone)	+39·9
Pork, home-killed:
Leg (foot off)	+26·1
Belly*	+24·3
Loin (with bone)	+28·1
Sausages:
Pork	+19·1
Beef	+27·1
Roasting chicken:
Broiler, frozen, 3 lb.	+16·4
Fresh or chilled, 4 lb. (oven ready)	+12·3

Item	Percentage change in average price
Fresh fish:
Cod fillets	+56·3
Haddock fillets	+41·7
Haddock, smoked, whole	+42·6
Plaice fillets	+29·9
Halibut cuts	+40·1
Herrings	+43·9
Kippers (with bone)	+44·4
Fresh fruit:
Apples, cooking	+30·9
Apples, dessert	+34·7
Pears, dessert	+22·0
Oranges	+40·0
Bananas	+14·8
Bread:
White, 1¾ lb. wrapped and sliced loaf	+15·6
White, 1¾ lb. unwrapped loaf	+17·0
White, 14 oz. loaf	+25·0
Brown, 14 oz. loaf	+21·7
Flour, self-raising, per 3 lb.	+24·7
Bacon:
Collar	+19·4
Gammon	+21·4
Middle cut, smoked	+27·8
Back, smoked	+34·1
Back, unsmoked	+32·8
Streaky, smoked	+26·8
Ham (not shoulder)	+12·5
Pork luncheon meat, 12 oz. can	+ 5·9
Canned (red) salmon, ½-size can	+17·3
Milk, ordinary, per pint	+19·6
Butter:
New Zealand	+41·7
Danish	+26·5
Margarine, per ½ lb.:
Standard quality (without added butter)	+13·2
Lower priced	+23·3
Lard	Nil
Cheese, cheddar type	+74·9
Eggs, per dozen:
Large	+0·9
Standard	+2·7
Medium	+5·0
Fresh vegetables:
Potatoes, old, loose:
White	—19·2
Red	— 7·4
Tomatoes	—27·9
Cabbage, greens	+ 7·5
Cabbage, hearted	— 9·3
Cauliflower or broccoli	+ 1·3
Carrots	—25·5
Onions	—27·7
Mushrooms, per ¼ lb.	+18·3
Sugar, granulated, 2 lb.	+17·6
Instant coffee, per 4 oz.	+17·4
Tea, per ¼ lb.:
Higher priced	+8·0
Medium priced	+7·7
Lower priced	+9·6
* or Scottish equivalent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present state of planning for the new National Library; what discussions he has had with the Borough of Camden, particularly regarding the responsibility for rehousing; and what financial recompense will be made to the borough in connection with this rehousing.

I hope to publish design proposals early in 1973. My officials hold regular meetings with the Greater London Council and Camden officials on rehousing and other problems of mutual interest. As my Department is responsible for rehousing and compensating tenants on the site, the question of financial recompense to the borough does not arise.