asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total acreage of land currently in use as statutory allotments; and how this compares with the acreage for each of the preceding five years.

The latest available figures show that on 30th September 1971 there were in county boroughs, boroughs and urban districts in England about 17,300 acres of statutory allotments. The acreages for earlier years were:

1970	17,737
1969	18,015
1968	18,647
1967	19,458
1966	20,225

The corresponding figures for rural districts are available for 1968 only, when the acreage was about 10,600.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will institute research to determine the extent to which chemical substances in the atmosphere are restricting the growth of trees in the industrial areas of the Pennines;(2) if he will examine ways of reducing the degree of atmospheric pollution caused by modern electricity generating stations which restricts tree growth in the uplands of the Pennines.

There is no need to augment the research already being conducted by the Forestry Commission into the effect of atmospheric conditions upon trees. I know of no evidence to suggest that the effect upon trees of sulphur dioxide emissions from electricity generating stations is unduly adverse. Everything practicable is nevertheless being done to keep these emissions to a minimum and to disperse them as widely as possible. The situation has markedly improved during recent years, bearing in mind the increase in fuel consumption, and further reductions will be achieved as new stations replace older ones.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average level of increase in council rents in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough in October.

The council was given a direction under Section 62(4) of the Housing Finance Act 1972 to increase its rents by an average amount of 96p per dwelling.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average level of increase in council rents in Newcastle-under-Lyme Rural District Council.

I understand that the council's last general increase in rents was one of 50p in April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of garages in England and Wales that were initially granted authorisation as testing centres under the terms of the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1968; and if he will list for each subsequent year, including 1972, the number of garages that have been added and have had their authorisation withdrawn.

By the end of 1968, 18,028 garages in England and Wales had been authorised as testing stations. In 1969, 1970 and 1971 respectively, 1,225, 592 and 262 stations were appointed. In the same years 325, 313 and 380 stations were compulsorily withdrawn. The number of new appointments during 1972 is relatively small since my announcement in September, 1971 of an embargo on new authorisations but up to 30th September, 1972, 209 stations have been compulsorily withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of garages in Cornwall that were initially granted authorisation as testing centres under the terms of the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1968; and if he will list for each subsequent year, including 1972, the number of garages that have been added and have had their authorisation withdrawn.

Such information about individual counties is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total mileage of loss-making railways in Wales now in receipt of grant under the Transport Act, 1968 whose grants expire at the end of 1972.

Approximately 380 route miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will announce before the end of 1972 the maximum attendance allowance payable to councillors under Section 173 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

I have opened consultations on this subject with the local authority associations, but these are unlikely to be completed by the end of the year. I intend to announce the maximum figure in good time before the elections next spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what amounts were approved for the minor works programme for Southampton Education Authority for 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72; and what amounts have been approved for 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1974–75.

The information at 1972 prices is as follows:

	£'000
1969–70	157
1970–71	157
1971–72	157
1972–73	235 (Including £79,000 brought forward from 1973–74)
1973–74	76
1974–75	115

I regret that the figures for Southampton given in answers to Questions on 13th March, 1972 were at current prices and not, as stated in the answer, at constant 1971 prices.—[Vol. 833, c. 39–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of schools in England and Wales now designated as comprehensive schools; what percentage this number represents of all maintained secondary schools; and what number is housed in purpose-built buildings.

In January, 1972, 1,591 or 31·7 per cent. of all maintained secondary schools, of which 287 were in purpose-built accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of places available in maintained and non-maintained schools for educationally subnormal children in the Northern Region.

In January, 1972, 6,749 children attended maintained special schools for ESN children in the Northern Region, including 2,037 of the severely educationally subnormal. There are no non-maintained ESN schools in the region.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the figures for the pupil-teacher ratio in schools for maladjusted children for England and Wales for the last six years.

The following is the number of pupils per teacher:

January, 1966	6·8
January, 1967	6·4
January, 1968	6·6
January, 1969	6·5
January, 1970	6·3
January, 1971	6·2

The figures for January, 1972 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to be able to authorise the provision of a new primary school at Sharn-ford in Leicestershire.

The Department authorised the acceptance of a tender for the building of the first instalment of this school in a letter to the Leicestershire local education authority on 15th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will investigate anomalies which exist in educational grants between one local education authority and another with a view to introducing legislation to compel local authorities to give prescribed grants to technical college students and postgraduate students.

My Department has drawn the attention of local education authorities to the need to reduce variations in practice in the field of discretionary grants.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schemes for secondary reorganisation submitted by local education authorities contained, respectively, full provision, partial provision and no provision for comprehensive education; and if she will list the names of those local education authorities which have not yet submitted plans for secondary reorganisation.

As I explained to the hon. Member last November, local education authorities are no longer required to submit non-statutory plans for the reorganisation of secondary education. Since that date, however, my Department has noted further plans from 10 authorities covering the whole or a part of their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state the names of those local education authorities who have withdrawn proposals for comprehensive education following the issue of Circular 10/70.

Since the issue of Circular 10/70, Southend-on-Sea, Hastings and Burton-upon-Trent have withdrawn non-statutory plans for the reorganisation of secondary education. The last-named has, however, recently submitted statutory proposals under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944 (as amended).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state the sum allocated for minor works for each of the last six years, the actual sum expended in each of those years and that proposed allocations for the next three years.

The figures are:

MINOR WORKS: ENGLAND AND WALES
£million at constant 1972 prices
Programme Year	Total allocation	Value of work started
(1)	(2)	(3)
1966–67	38·5	38·4
1967–68	41·1	42·4
1968–69	39·1	36·6
1969–70	34·5	41·8
1970–71	34·5	39·5
1971–72	42·2	46·2
1972–73	67·9	allowing for 18·4 million to be brought forward from 1973–74 to 1972–73
1973–74	24·2
1974–75	37·0	—

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is his policy regarding the siting of helicopter landing areas in highly populated urban centres; and whether his Department is prepared to claim its technical exemption from planning permission, when the location is opposed by the local authority.

Highly populated urban centres would be used for helicopter landing only in emergency or when operationally essential; in the case of a permanent site, normal planning procedures would be followed.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he has notified Plymouth City Council of an intention to locate a helicopter landing area on the east side of Military Road, Devonport; and what has been the response of the council.

This helicopter landing area has been in use for a number of years. Plymouth City Council was recently consulted on proposals to improve the operational facilities for helicopters engaged on emergency tasks, both Service and civilian, arising principally from accidents and disaster at sea. The council conveyed to the naval authorities certain objections, and these are now being discussed.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is aware that residential development is planned for the Raglan Barracks site, and what consideration he has given to the environmental effects of a helicopter site nearby.

asked the Minister of State for Defence in view of the fact that his Department has plans to develop the Raglan Barracks site for residential accommodation, what discussions he has had on the environmental effects of the proposed helicopter pad.

It is planned to develop the Raglan Barracks site as married quarters for the Royal Navy. The only helicopter pad nearby has been in existence for some years. The environmental effects from helicopter landings, which are relatively infrequent and are mostly in connection with medical emergencies, have been examined and are considered acceptable.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the distance from the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic primary school to the proposed helicopter landing site in Devonport, and what consideration he has given to the effect on the school of the site.

asked the Minister of State for Defence in view of the fact that St. Joseph's Roman Catholic primary school was built at a cost of £70,000 and formally opened on 16th November, whether he will make a statement on his intentions with regard to the placing of a helicopter pad at approximately 40 yards from the school.

The school buildings are between 100 and 200 yards from the helicopter landing site, which has been in operation for some years. Any environmental effects from helicopter landings are considered acceptable, but the question is now being discussed with the school authority.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what consideration has been given to alternative helicopter sites in the city of Plymouth, and whether he has given consideration to the use of a site bordering the sea which would cause minimum disturbance to the civilian population, if helicopters were only permitted to approach to land and take off over the sea.

Various sites in the city of Plymouth are now used for Ministry of Defence helicopter landings with no apparent evidence of disturbance to the civilian population. The choice of site depends on the purpose of the flight and weather conditions. In view of this, there is no plan to concentrate helicopter landing at a site bordering the sea.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total acreage of land owned by the Ministry of Defence within the complex comprising the Royal Naval Dockyard and H.M.S. "Drake"; what helicopter landing site facilities already exist within this area or could be provided; and why it is considered that these are not sufficient for the use of the Ministry of Defence within the city of Plymouth.

About 190 acres. Within this complex helicopters use two permanent sites and could use most open spaces in emergency. However, the RN hospital at Stonehouse has a requirement for the existing closer landing site at Military Road.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will hold a public inquiry over the location of any helicopter landing site which the Ministry of Defence intends establishing and for which it does not require formal planning permission.

Normal consultation procedures would be followed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions there have been with the European Economic Community in relation to setting up offices in Northern Ireland and in particular to deal with agriculture and regional problems.

Discussions are taking place with the Commission about the possibility of establishing offices of the European Communities' Information Office in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The decision will be for the new Commission to take next year. If such offices are established, their job will be to provide information about all Community policies (including agriculture and regional policy).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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.

My right hon. Friend has made no official visit to the London Borough of Newham and has no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 2,000 offers of accommodation for Ugandan Asians which he has received were from Members of Parliament; and what is the latest figure of letters he has received on the Ugandan Asian question since August, 1972.

The offers of accommodation, now more than 2,000, include several from hon. Members. Since the beginning of August, over 3,500 letters about various aspects of the Ugandan Asian question have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the breakdown of financial expenditure within the prison service for 1971.

The information for England and Wales in the financial year ended 31st March 1972 is as follows:

PRISONS ENGLAND—WALES CLASS III VOTE 7
	Current Expenditure	£
Subhead
A	Pay and Allowances	42,253,825
B	Other Staff Expenses	1,550,326
D	Maintenance, Repairs. Rentals etc.	2,302,991
E	General Supplies	4,485,823
F	Materials, etc. for production and Training	5,600,301
G1	Plant, Machinery, Tools and Vehicles	793,548
H	Rail Transport and Other Freight	210,917
I	Escort and Conveyance of Prisoners	873,034
J	Education and Recreation	1,468,042
K	Prisoners' Earnings etc.	888,488
L	Aid on Discharge	359,217
M	Miscellaneous Services and Expenses	1,102,054
	Gross Current Expenditure	61,888,566
Z	Less Appropriations in aid	5,202,000
	Net Current Expenditure	56,686,566
	Capital Expenditure	£
C	New Buildings, Alterations etc.	9,148,725
G2	Plant, Machinery and Tools	1,107,257
		10,255,982
	Total Expenditure	£66,942,548
	CIVIL ACCOMMODATION SERVICES, UNITED KINGDOM CLASS VI VOTE 5
	Capital Expenditure on prison building incurred by Department of the Environment	516,000

This information will form part of the annual Appropriation Accounts to be published shortly. The annual report on the work of the prison department for 1972, to be published next year, will, as is usual, also include information, which is not yet readily available, about elements of allied service expenditure during 1971–1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for reports from chief constables and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of persons who were stopped by the police for speeding on the M1 for the longest and most convenient stated period of time up to and including Saturday 11th November 1972; and what action was taken in each instance.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the chief constable of Thames Valley as to whether he accepted the practice of the police to warn motorists stopped for speeding that a prosecution may follow, and that notices of such intended prosecution are automatically served either at the time of stopping of the driver, or by a recorded delivery letter within a stated period of time; and whether this was done on Saturday, 11th November, 1972 in the case of which details are in his possession.

These matters are governed by Section 179 of the Road Traffic Act, 1972. Enforcement in particular cases is a matter for chief officers of police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause an investigation to be made into all aspects of an alleged speeding offence on Saturday, 11th November, details of which have been supplied to him, to ascertain to what extent prior to a notice of prosecution and actual trial full details were divulged to the Press.

I have asked the chief constable for a report, and shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the report he has received from the Chief Constable of Wiltshire regarding an individual whose name has been sent to him in connection with a car.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to seek to amend the legal aid scheme, to obviate the present situation where a person convicted of a serious crime can and does obtain full free legal aid, whereas a person acquitted of a minor offence may have to pay full legal costs.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals at present for legislation on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many medical students from Wales are in medical schools in Northern Ireland.

I understand that there are at present no students from Wales at the medical school of the Queen's University of Belfast, which is the only one in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were killed or seriously injured in road accidents in each hour of the day from Mondays to Fridays, on Saturdays, and on Sundays, respectively; and in how many of the recorded cases the breathalyser was used positively, in each of 12 months to the nearest convenient date.

The information is not readily available in this form, but I shall send it to my hon. Friend as soon as it has been extracted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of staff employed in his Department, what percentage of this total is working in each of the four Scottish city conurbations; and what plans he has for changing the existing pattern of staff distribution.

On 1st October 1972 there were 9,531 staff employed in my Department. Excluding 2,507 prisons and State hospital staff, the percentages of staff employed in the four city conurbations were as follows:

Edinburgh	73 per cent.
Glasgow	5 per cent.
Dundee	1 per cent.
Aberdeen	6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Lanarkshire branches of the Scottish Old-Age Pensioners Association during the forthcoming national lobby.

None. Pensions are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. The branches did not make any arrangements to meet me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is now being made by Scottish local authorities in identifying chronically sick and disabled persons in their areas and in providing appropriate services for them; and what action he is taking to encourage full implementation of the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970 and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Act, 1972.

During 1971 the number of physically handicapped people receiving services from local authority social work departments increased by about 30 per cent. The proposals I am now receiving from authorities for the further development of social work services up to 1978 include their proposals for the identification and provision of services for those in need. My Department has issued a number of circulars to local authorities about their statutory responsibilities for the disabled and will continue to give such advice and assistance as it can.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether, in view of the decision of Mr. Justice Payne in the case of Winter versus Winter, he will consider his Department taking over the enforcement of maintenance orders made against husbands by the court in which the wife had instituted proceedings;(2) whether, in view of the decision of Mr. Justice Payne in the case of Winter

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has said, the difficulties encountered by wives in obtaining payment of maintenance awarded by the courts and the question of what further provision should be made to help them are within the terms of reference of the Finer Committee on one-parent families; and it would not be right to anticipate its conclusions.When a wife is in receipt of supplementary benefit, arrangements already exist for maintenance to be paid direct to the Department so that she can receive the full benefit regularly without regard to maintenance payments due. Where appropriate, the Supplementary Benefits Commission encourages and assists the wife to enforce maintenance orders made against her husband; and for the purpose of maintenance proceedings the commission also makes available to the court such information as has been obtained about the financial circumstances of the husband. Although the commission has no powers to enforce a woman's own order, it is empowered to take proceedings for the recovery of benefit, and use these powers, when necessary, if the woman is unable or unwilling to take her own proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received from organisations representing retirement pensioners concerning the need for pensions to be linked to average national earnings; and if he will make a statement.

The London Trade Unions and Old Age Pensioners Joint Committee wrote to me recently about its proposals for linking retirement pensions with average earnings. The Government are committed to reviewing pensions annually to ensure that they at least keep pace with the rise in the cost of living. They have also undertaken that, if inflation can be curbed, pensioners will share in the increased prosperity of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many drugs which are not exempt from purchase tax have been regularly distributed under the National Health Service.

About 300 such drugs are prescribable under the National Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of National Health Service prescriptions is for drugs and medicines which have been exempted from purchase tax.

This information is not readily available, but the majority of prescriptions would be exempt.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make a further statement on the implementation by local authorities of Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will indicate in his statement what further action he will be taking to encourage full implementation of the provisions of this section by all local authorities.

I do not expect to be able for some months, to add to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 8th August.—[Vol. 842, c. 338–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish information bringing up to date the information in Appendix C, Table IV, Appendix D, Table III, and Appendix D, Table IV, of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Aircraft Industry, Cmnd. No. 3853.

Tables III and IV of Appendix D to Cmnd. 2853 can be brought up to date by reference to the "Survey of the United Kingdom Aerospace Industry", July, 1970, and its two supplements dated November, 1971 and February, 1972, copies of which are available in the Library. Updating of Table IV of Appendix C to Cmnd. 2853 would involve the publication of commercial information relating to particular firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications his Department has so far yet received under the regional development grants scheme.

Since no initial dates of acceptance are being prescribed for this scheme, applications were made as soon as forms were available in September and October. Claims numbered some 500 by 10th November, applying for grant of about £1½ million. About one-third of this sum had been paid by that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has had with the National Coal Board about current coal deposits in the United Kingdom and about what steps can be taken in pursuit of a national energy policy to sink new pits.

Extensive discussions have taken place with the NCB on future coal policy. If the board sees a need for new pits it will be for it to put forward proposals in its investment programme, and to decide where these pits will be situated.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of reserves of workable coal seams in the United Kingdom and in what areas; and if he will make a statement.

The NCB estimates the reserves of economically workable coal accessible to currently working collieries at 4,000 million tons. It also estimates that unproven reserves and virgin coalfields may together contain a further 12,000 million tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to abolish differential prices of coal to domestic consumers in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

No. The structure of coal prices is a matter for the National Coal Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a White Paper about the potential of gas and mineral deposits in Cardigan Bay.

Report No. 69/2 issued by the Institute of Geological Sciences in 1969 deals with the geology of the Cardigan Bay area. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider a form of special assistance over and above ordinary development area subsidies for developers in remote rural areas which suffer from depopulation.

These areas already stand to benefit from the new regional incentives in the form of regional development grant and selective financial assistance, and the national measures to stimulate economic growth. The Development Commission is actively promoting the development of suitable industry by various means, including programmes of factory construction, in certain rural areas suffering from depopulation, including mid-Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the length of time that the new advance factory has lain vacant at Coatbridge, what special measures he proposes to take to find a suitable occupant.

Efforts to attract a suitable tenant for the Coatbridge advance factory continue. An extensive range of incentives is now available to prospective tenants in special development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to expand the job opportunities for the unemployed in the Hamilton constituency area.

My Department is doing everything possible to encourage expansion and the location of new projects in the Hamilton as in other areas where the maximum level of assistance under the Industry Act is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department has taken arising out of its preliminary inquiry into the collision between the British coaster "Redthorn" and the Liberian tanker "Elphia" in the English Channel; and what contribution the Liberian authorities made to the inquiry.

A formal investigation under Section 466 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 has already been ordered into this casualty and a date and place will be announced as soon as possible. The Department will take any appropriate action on the report of the court. The Liberian authorities cooperated with the Department during the preliminary inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has completed its preliminary inquiry into the collision between the British vessel "Royston Grange" and the Liberian tanker "Tien Chee"; what further action is being considered; whether the Argentine and Liberian authorities have completed their inquiries; and whether their reports will be made available.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on 26th October, 1972. The Argentinian inquiries are still in progress and it is not yet known whether a report will be published. The Liberian inquiry is now due to open in New York on 22nd January next and a report is expected to be published. The Department has completed its preliminary inquiry, and its decision whether to hold a formal investigation will be made in the light of a report by its officials on the Liberian court's proceedings.—[Vol. 844, c. 436.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is a new policy to appoint chairmen for gas consultative and consumer councils other than from amongst the existing membership of the relevant council.

No. Under the previous Administration, six chairmen of gas consultative councils were appointed; of these only one was a member, or had been a member, of a gas consultative council. It is this Government's policy to find, whether from within consultative councils or outside, a strong person, who, whilst being a good chairman, will increase and strengthen the influence of the council for the protection and benefit of gas consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what opportunity the public has been given to subscribe for shares in Bristol Composite Materials, formed to purchase the composite material and carbon fibres interests in the former Rolls-Royce Company.

This is entirely a matter for Bristol Composite Materials Ltd.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will ask the Select Committee on House of Commons Services to look at the possibility of broadcasting on radio the proceedings of the House, and, if appropriate, to ask the House to consider a recommendation to this effect.

I do not consider this would be appropriate in view of the recent rejection by the House on 19th October of the proposal for an experiment in the public broadcasting of its proceedings by sound and television.

asked the Lord President of the Council what consideration has been given by the Select Committee on House of Commons Services to the broadcasting on television of proceedings in Standing and Select Committees.

The Services Committee has not considered specifically the televising of proceedings in Standing or Select Committees. It would not now seem appropriate to do so in view of the recent rejection by the House on 19th October of the proposal for an experiment in the public broadcasting of its proceedings by sound and television.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drugs and medicines, available only on prescription, are chargeable to purchase tax.

This information is not available from purchase tax records.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drugs and medicines, available only on prescription, are exempt from purchase tax.

This information is not available from purchase tax records.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the proportion of total costs that is represented by wages in both the economy as a whole and in manufacturing industry.

In 1971, total wages and salaries represented 61¾ per cent. of gross national product at factor cast, and 69 per cent. of manufacturing industry's contribution to the gross domestic product.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the detailed procedure for administering value added tax on works of art.

I hope that it will be possible to lay a Treasury order in the fairly near future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider exempting the sale of works of art by fine art auctioneers and dealers from value added tax in the case of sales to public institutions in this country, bearing in mind that value-added tax will be refunded in the case of works of art being exported.

I have noted the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue deriving from value added tax on admission charges to the national museums and galleries for the fiscal year commencing April, 1973.

Revenue from value added tax on admissions to museums and galleries will depend on several factors and no precise estimate is possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on growth of corporate profits in 1972–73 of the introduction of statutory controls over prices and incomes; and in which sectors he expects profits to increase as a result of these measures, and in which to diminish.

Any estimate of the effect of statutory controls on profits, in aggregate and in particular sectors, must depend on how long the present standstill on increases in prices and incomes continues, and on the nature of the second stage policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the basis of his 5 per cent. growth forecast in gross national product for 1972–73, what proportion of gross national product he expects to be represented by profits at the end of the current financial year, and how far that estimate has been affected by the introduction of statutory control over prices and incomes.

It is not customary to publish forecasts of profits. It is unlikely that the share of profits in gross domestic product will be greatly affected by statutory controls over prices and incomes during the period of standstill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how he estimates the introduction of statutory control of prices and incomes will affect growth of consumer spending in 1972–73;(2) how he estimates the introduction of statutory control of prices and incomes will affect growth of total demand in 1972–73.

Any reduction in the growth of consumer spending resulting from the standstill will be offset by the extra spending resulting from the special lump sum payment to pensioners. Other components of demand would not be significantly affected by the measures during the period in question.