asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he now has for the early use of land for which housebuilding permission has been given.

Where such land is being unreasonably withheld from development, my right hon. and learned Friend is prepared to consider authorisation of compulsory purchase by a local authority under the policy set out in paragraph 27 of Circular 102/72.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to urge local authorities whose plans under the Planning Act 1962 are out of date, but whose structure plans are not yet available, to release more land for building at an early date; and whether he will make a statement.

Local planning authorities have already been urged by Circular

Local Authority			Location			Approximate amount as estimated by Authority in Millions of Pounds
Kent County Council	…	…	Walderslade	…	…	1·75
Kent County Council	…	…	Singleton Ashford	…	…	2·0
Crawley Urban District Council	…	…	Gossops Green	…	…	3·0
Essex County Council	…	…	South Woodham Ferrers	…	…	11·0
East Sussex County Council	…	…	Peacehaven	…	…	2·0
Colchester Borough Council	…	…	Turner Village	…	…	0·175
Kingswood Urban District Council	…	…	Woodstock near Bristol	…	…	1·0
			Total	…	…	20·925

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further initiatives he proposes to take to ensure that outer London boroughs provide land to assist the housing programmes of the inner London boroughs.

Land availability for housing is at present the subject of a programme of discussions with individual boroughs by the Action Group on London Housing. The group will be reporting to my hon. Friend when its

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities have so far applied for loan sanction under his proposals for land assembly schemes; what is the total sum involved; and in respect of which pieces of land.

No formal applications have yet been made for loan sanction to buy land for private housing under the arrangements set out in Circular 102/72. But provisional approval has been given to schemes costing an estimated total of some £21 million and I understand that schemes to the value of a further £20 million are under consideration by local councils.Following are the details of the schemes provisionally approved:programme is completed, and he will consider what action is necessary in the light of its report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the regulations under the Superannuation Act 1972 relating to local authority superannuation schemes are to be made.

The regulations embodying the whole new scheme—which will be retrospective to 1st April 1972—have to be a codification of existing local government superannuation Acts and regulations with many improvements. The negotiation of these improvements with both employers' and employees' representatives has taken a long time as one idea or complication has led to another, necessitating frequent re-thinking of proposals as they come to be translated into legislative form.In view of the time it is taking to compile and prepare the whole new scheme my right hon. and learned Friend is arranging for interim regulations to be made to implement the main new benefits. Consultation on the draft of those interim regulations should be completed this month and the regulations will be made quickly thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, what response there has been to the Code for Motorways in Fog; if he is satisfied with progress so far; and if he will make a statement.

There has been some improvement, but too many drivers persist in ignoring the warning to slow down in fog and keep a safe distance. It is too early to assess the effects of segregation of heavy goods vehicles from others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the study of transport in the Luton/Dunstable/Houghton Regis area to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

The draft report on the transportation study is expected by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the total cost of constructing the proposed new airport at Foulness, including the associated residential and industrial development and communications.

It is not possible to give an estimate for all the diverse elements of the Maplin project because many decisions, for example, on the size of the new town, have still to be taken. The Maplin Development Authority is being given borrowing powers up to £200 million to carry out its functions. We will be keeping the House informed at the various stages of decision taking.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to conclude his consultations with the London Borough of Bromley and the Greater London Council with regard to the proposed widening of the carriageway and the provision of traffic islands in the vicinity of the Bickley Point junction in Bromley.

My right hon. Friend has so far been consulted only by the Greater London Council. It has not yet put forward firm proposals to my Department for possible inclusion in the preparation list of principal road schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the expected timing of the public inquiry and the other procedure attending the construction of Ringway 6;(2) what is the expected timing of the public inquiry and the other procedure attending the construction of Ringway M3.

I understand my hon. Friend is referring to Ringway 3. I regret that it is too early to say since proposals have not yet been published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the names for the new local authorities in England will be announced.

Consultations have already been initiated. My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make an order naming the metropolitan districts by about the middle of February and a separate order naming the non-metropolitan districts by the end of March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will defer a decision on the Covent Garden Development Plan until he has considered the recommendations of the Theatres Advisory Council on the preservation of London theatres.

I announced my proposed modifications to the Greater London Council's plans for Covent Garden before the Theatres Advisory Council's memorandum was received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received proposals from the Theatres Advisory Council concerning the preservation of London theatres; and if he will make a statement.

I have received the Theatres Advisory Council's memorandum, and agreed to receive a delegation from the council to discuss it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will display a model of the proposed new layout on Tower Hill in the Upper Waiting Room.

Arrangements are being made with the Greater London Council for their exhibition, which includes two models, to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Room some time after 15th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will ascertain and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the total number of discretionary grants awarded during 1972 by local authorities to tenants of public houses subjected to compulsory purchase for redevelopment, and of the total number of public houses occupied by tenants and so required; and whether he will make a statement on the Government's future policy in this respect.

This information is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the extent of closure of railway lines in the Yorkshire and Humberside region in the last five years, respectively; and whether there are to be any planned closures in the years 1973 and 1974.

The route mileage closed to passenger traffic in Yorkshire and Humberside as a result of the withdrawal of passenger services with my, or my predecessors' consent, for each of the years 1968–72 inclusive, is listed below:

1968	…	…	…	…	19 miles
1969	…	…	…	…	7 miles
1970	…	…	…	…	93 miles
1971	…	…	…	…	nil
1972	…	…	…	…	nil

There are no firm plans at present for passenger closures in the Yorkshire and Humberside region in 1973 and 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now introduce legislation to increase the liability of the British Railways Board with regard to the fencing of railway lines and with particular respect to the potential danger to children.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to secure an adequate allocation of lorry licences for the United Kingdom for use in the European Economic Community in 1973.

I shall take every opportunity to pursuade the Council of Ministers that the present allocation of woefully inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he is taking to prevent the entry into the United Kingdom of lorries exceeding the weights prescribed by United Kingdom regulations.

My officers are continuing to enforce the Foreign Vehicles Act. Fifty additional enforcement staff have been approved. Weighbridges have been, or are being, provided at all roll-on/roll-off ports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to define the categories of furnished tenancies to remain deprived of security of tenure under the Rent Act 1968.

I have not current proposals for amending the Rent Act 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now announce his decision on the inquiry into St. Neots town map, and his decision as to the future road building programme, so far as it affects St. Neots.

Not yet. Last year, after consideration of my right hon. Friend's proposed modifications to the town map, the local planning authority requested deferment of the decision while it worked on an alternative road scheme for the central area. This has not yet been received. In reaching a decision on the future road building programme in the area of St. Neots, account will be taken of the results of the feasibility study into a new link from the Ml near Northampton to the Al. These are expected at the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of his recent decision to allow the erection on land at Clausentum Farm, Bournemouth Road, North Stoneham, Hampshire, of a hypermarket having 50,000 square feet of selling space, a total floor area of 122,750 square feet and parking facilities for 1,050 cars, whether he will reconsider the proposed arrangements for the Chilworth Link between the M27 and the A33, as the public inquiry took place before his decision on the hypermarket was known.

I cannot prejudge the factors I will take into account when making my decision on the schemes and orders discussed at the public inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of a recent decision of Bolton magistrates' court, he will now make a grant for the improvement of Beaumont Road, Bolton.

The question of the state of repair of the road is before the courts at present. It is in any case a maintenance matter for which Bolton County Borough Council is responsible and my Department issues no specific grants for this type of work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has included the Broadway, Worcestershire Inner Ring Road, in his authorisation for 1973–74; and in what amount.

A proposal for this scheme to be included in the firm programme is expected from Worcestershire County Council, the highway authority, this spring.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what positive incentives he intends to give to local councils to increase their house building programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to arrest the decline in council house building programmes.

This Government, unlike the last, place no restrictions on the number of houses a local authority may build. In the Housing Finance Act we have created financial arrangements under which those authorities who need to build can do so without increasing rents or putting intolerable burdens on their ratepayers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the housing starts and completions in the public and in the private sectors for 1972, and the comparable figures for 1971.

The full year's figures will not be available till the end of the

GREAT BRITAIN
			Public Sector		Private Sector
			Starts	Completions	Starts	Completions
1971	…	…	125,700	142,200	187,800	170,500
1972	…	…	115,700	112,800	210,500	178,800

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which planning authorities have so far published their structure plans for public comment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many planning authorities have not yet been requested by him to prepare structure plans; which they are; and when the requests will be made;(2) by what date he expects structure plans to be in operation over the country as a whole.

The following 10 local planning authorities in England have published draft structure plans for formal public participation:

• Coventry CBC
• Solihull CBC
• Warwickshire CC
• Worcestershire
• Hampshire CC
• Portsmouth CBC
• Southampton CBC
• Leicester CBC
• Leicestershire CC

Further authorities will reach this stage over the next few months. Others have given publicity at an earlier stage for example, to survey reports and to the alternatives they are considering, and have sought public comment on these.It is the Department's practice to have discussions with local planning authorities before formally inviting them to prepare structure plans. I am glad to say that approaches have now been made to all authorities in England. The vast majority have agreed to prepare plans and in only a very few cases has there not yet been a formal request to prepare a structure plan for at least part of the authority's area.There has also, since the passing of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 1972, been considerable

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the reasons why there are further delays in the completion of the viaduct over East Haven Creek; and whether a firm date can now be given for the opening of the Canvey Island approach road originally due to be opened last autumn.

I understand from Essex County Council, the highway authority, that this scheme has been delayed by unforeseen construction problems and industrial action, but completion is now expected in April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give publicity to the fact that there are two separate categories of furnished tenancy, and that unless the proportion of rent attributable to furniture and services is substantial the tenant of furnished accommodation has the same security of tenure as the tenant of unfurnished accommodation.

The position has already been publicised in leaflet FR1, "Determination of Rents and Security of Tenure for Furnished Accommodation under Part VI of the Rent Act 1968", available free of charge from rent officers, rent tribunals, local authorities and citizens' advice bureaux.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the official date for the termination of the Special Environmental Assistance Scheme; and whether he has any plans to extend the period.

The Special Environmental Assistance Scheme is due to end on 30th June 1973, by which date well over 10,000 environmental improvement projects will have been carried out in the assisted areas. I am reviewing the scheme but I cannot say at the moment whether it will be possible to extend it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider making finance available to prevent deterioration of towpaths and the blocking of canals by inadequate dredging; and if he will make a statement.

The British Waterways Board, whose duty it is to maintain its commercial and cruising waterways for navigation, is already substantially grant-aided by the Government. The board has no duty to maintain towpaths. Responsibility for these lies with the local highway authorities where there are public rights of way. The board is anxious to collaborate with local authorities in making towpaths more widely accessible as local amenities, and much progress has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a White Paper setting out the Government's policy regarding the future of canals; and if he will make a statement on the employment prospects of people who obtain their livelihood directly or indirectly from canals.

The Water Bill will not cover the British Waterways Board. I have no doubt that the integration of the waterways with those of the new regional water authorities could have advantages, but such a change is not immediately necessary. The board and the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council will accordingly remain in being with their present responsibilities.I will expect the board and the regional water authorities in discharging their functions to work closely together. When we have experience of this co-operation it will be possible to consider whether further changes in the relationship between the British Waterways Board and the regional water authorities are desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to link the Midlands with the East Coast ports; and in the context of his plans, what role he has for the A45;

The results of the feasibility study into a new route to link the MI near Northampton with the Al should be available at the end of the year. It is too early therefore to say what recommendations may be made as to the timing, standards or location of any route improvements on this section. The route is, however, included in the strategic network of trunk roads to be completed by the early 1980s. The communications needs from Milton Keynes to the east coast ports are being taken into account both in this study and in the study being carried out into a possible new route linking M1 near Luton with M11 near Bishops Stortford. From Cambridge to Ipswich comprehensive improvement of the A45 has been accelerated and the schemes are now expected to be completed by 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has investigated the relationship between new car registration and the social costs of new roads, road improvement schemes, accidents, car repairs, car insurance, pollution from exhaust fumes and deteriorating public transport services.

These and other relevant factors are taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will suspend consideration of the Greater London Council's proposals for a large new traffic intersection at the Angel, Islington, until his Department has produced guidelines for urban transport in the light of the Expenditure Committee's report on that subject.

No. I would not wish to delay the preparation of principal road schemes such as this whilst the Expenditure Committee's report is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is aware that it is taking more than nine months in some areas between making compulsory purchase orders in slum clearance areas and the holding of the public local inquiry by the Department of the Environment and that this is delaying rehousing; what steps he will take to end these delays; and if he will make a statement;(2) what progress he is making towards ending the shortage of inspectors to undertake public local inquiries after compulsory purchase orders have been made; and how long he anticipates it will take to end the shortage.

I am aware of and regret the delays and am urgently recruiting additional inspectors to overcome them. Since last August 55 new inspectors have been recruited and a further 30 are expected to join the Department shortly. These inspectors will be available to deal with casework arising under both housing and town and country planning legislation. Meanwhile the Department has agreed advance bookings for programmes of inquiries with some 14 major housing authorities and is prepared to extend these arrangements to other authorities who have heavy slum clearance programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he received representations from the West Riding County Council about a possible substitution of a 40 mph speed limit for the existing 50 mph limit on the Huddersfield - Wakefield - Hook Moor County Road A642 as it approaches Lepton Church of England School; when the county council may expect a reply; and whether he will make a statement.

Representations were received on the 29th August 1972. They have been under consideration since then and a reply will be given shortly when the effect of other road safety measures which have recently been implemented at the site can be assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice has been given to planning authorities regarding uniformity in the placing of letter boxes on residential accommodation, and on the desirability of numbering all properties.

Neither of these matters is the responsibility of local planning authorities. Advice on the numbering of properties has, however, been given to local authorities in roads circular 12/72, a copy of which is being sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider extending Learn to Swim Year into 1973.(2) what has been the reaction of the general public to the "Learn to Swim" campaign; and if he will make a statement.

The 1972 "Learn to Swim" campaign was organised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Amateur Swimming Association, with the support of many other organisations. Public response was most encouraging and I am sure the House will welcome the organisers' decision to mount a further campaign in 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received the report of his inspector following the local public inquiry at Fulham Town Hall in the summer of 1972 into the Greater London Council's proposal for a West Cross Route Motorway from Holland Park Road to the Embankment; and whether he will publish this report.

The report has been received and is being considered. It will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the context of the South Hampshire Plan, he will make a statement on his granting of planning permission for a hypermarket at Chandler's Ford.

I am sending die hon. Member a copy of the formal letter which explained this decision, and which dealt fully with the argument that it would be premature to permit the proposed hypermarket before the South Hampshire Plan had been prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on his policy regarding the Report of the Working Party on Public and Private Enterprise Partnership Schemes.

I shall make a statement when consultations on the report have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take to ascertain and publicise the economic and social effects of the free market in land and property in Greater London.

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in reply to the debate on his motion on 15th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the number of duties now facing the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, he will appoint additional commissioners and enable the commission to increase the size of its staff.

The commission already comprises the maximum number of commissioners permitted by the Act. Consideration is being given to the proper scale of staff to serve the commission in the tasks ahead of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will soon publish a background paper on water reorganisation.

Yes. A report by my department and the Welsh Office is being published today. Copies have been placed in the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether, in the light of the delays in the Christmas mail, he will now dismiss the Chairman of the Post Office.

No, Sir. I am satisfied, on the basis of the chairman's public statement and the full report he has made to me, that all appropriate action has been taken to establish the cause of these delays and ensure that they do not occur again.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what was the number of letters posted by 21st December which did not reach their destination by 24th December 1972; and how this compares with previous years.

I understand from the Post Office that it does not have this information.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what was the total number of permanent staff employed by the Post Office on sorting and distributing mail in the Christmas period in the years 1970, 1971, 1972, respectively; and what was the total number of hours overtime worked by the same staff in the same periods.

The Post Office tells me that over the periods in question the approximate numbers of such staff employed were:

1970	…	…	…	128,000
1971	…	…	…	126,000
1972	…	…	…	125,500

The number of hours overtime worked by certain staff is a management matter for the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1) how many temporary staff were recruited by the Post Office to deal with the Christmas mail in 1972 compared with 1971;(2) what was the increased cost, in real terms, of recruiting temporary staff to deal with the Christmas mail in 1972 compared with 1971.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what was the number of temporary postmen employed by the Post Office for the Christmas period 1972; and how this compares with previous years.

The Post Office tells me that it employed about 96,000 temporary staff in 1972 compared with 110,000 in 1971 and 134,000 in 1970.The costs of Christmas working in 1972 have not yet been finally calculated. In any case detail of this kind is a management matter for the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when was the last occasion on which delivery of the Christmas mail ceased on 23rd December.

The Post Office tells me that 1972 was the first year since the turn of the century in which mail deliveries ceased on 23rd December.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what has been the capital cost of introducing the postal codes scheme compared with the original estimated cost.

The Post Office tells me that the capital cost of introducing postcodes has been negligible, since almost all the expenditure has been borne on revenue account.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation adopting keeper liability in respect of parking fines.

My right hon. Friend is considering the possibility of such legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the fire risks associated with colour television; what investigations have been undertaken by his Department; and if he will consult with manufacturers with a view to minimising any such risks and make a statement.

A few complaints have been made in recent months, chiefly by members of the public whose colour television sets had caught fire. It appears that the incidence of fires in colour sets may be higher than in monochrome sets, and in consultation with the British Standards Institute the Home Office is pursuing with the manufacturers possible ways of reducing the fire risk.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the penalty for being found in illegal possession of firearms.

The Criminal Justice Act 1972 has already increased the maximum penalties for the illegal possesion of firearms, with effect from 1st January 1973, and my right hon. Friend thinks that these penalties are now generally adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what criminal offences, other than those relating to motoring, chief constables have a discretion in respect of prosecutions.

Some statutes place restrictions on prosecutions and require, for example, the consent of the Attorney-General, or Director of Public Prosecutions, or provide that prosecutions may be brought only by the public body responsible for enforcing the legislation. Apart from such offences, and subject to the requirements of the Prosecution of Offences Regulations 1946, the police have discretion whether or not to prosecute in respect of all other criminal offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that by 11th January 1973 the hon. Member for West Ham, North, had not received the letter promised to him on 21st December 1972 regarding revelations to the Press by the police; and when he may expect to receive this promised communication.

I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been in solitary confinement for more than three months.

On 15th January, 33 prisoners in England and Wales had been removed from association with other prisoners for the maintenance of good order or discipline for periods exceeding three months. This figure does not include prisoners who had asked to be removed from association in their own interest. The authority for the removal must be renewed by the Board of Visitors or the Secretary of State at least once a month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the value of goods and services provided annually by persons detained in prison at the present time.

For the year ending 31st March 1972, about £10·9 million in respect of prison industries and farms in England and Wales. This does not include work on internal services and building and maintenance projects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, in view of the change in the value of money; and if he will make a statement.

No change is necessary on this account: the board assesses compensation on the basis of common law damages, with certain modifications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the results of his inquiries of chief officers of police in England and Wales about offences of mugging.

Replies from chief officers of police indicate that while this kind of offence has undoubtedly become more prevalent in the last year or two in urban areas of England and Wales, notably in London and Liverpool, the general situation is not deteriorating further and may be improving in some areas.The police are very much alive to the seriousness of the situation and have taken special measures to deal with it, mainly by identifying the areas of greatest risk and re-deploying their resources. In many areas special squads of uniformed or plainclothes officers have been formed. There are indications that the measures taken are having some effect in containing the problem, but it is too soon to judge their full effect. The police are continuing to watch the situation closely.I believe that these inquiries have been valuable in obtaining an up-to-date assessment of the situation and putting it into perspective. Arrangements are being made to ensure that chief officers of police obtain the benefit of one another's experience.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what estimate he has made of the increase in the number of civil servants as a result of the White Paper on the programme for controlling inflation.

As stated in its Explanatory and Financial Memorandum, the Counter-Inflation Bill is likely to require in the short-term an increase in pubic service manpower of about 700; of which about 600 are likely to be in the agencies and about 100 in Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase is permissible under the freeze in the price of home-cured bacon.

Any increase in the first-hand price of bacon produced in the United Kingdom is subject to the

HOME KILLED PRODUCTION
('000 tons)
					1970	1972 (provisional)	Percentage Difference
Beef	…	…	…	…	923·7	898·7	-2·7
Mutton and Lamb	…	…	…	…	223·5	215·6	-3·5
Pigmeat	…	…	…	…	905·7	960·1	+6·0

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place with the EEC on the future of the bacon market sharing understanding; and if he will make a statement.

Notice of intention to withdraw from the Bacon Market Sharing Understanding from 31st January 1973 has been given by the United Kingdom and by Denmark. The withdrawal of either country would terminate the operation of the understanding under the terms of the 1969 Memorandum. The United Kingdom's action is not a matter that requires prior discussion with the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proposals he has made to the EEC in respect of compensatory payments for pigmeat during the transition period;(2) to what extent he estimates British pig producers and the pig industry would be at a disadvantage if compensatory payments were made by the EEC in respect of Danish pig products exported to the United Kingdom:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the respective figures for United Kingdom production of beef, mutton and lamb, and pigmeat in 1970, the comparable figures for 1972 and the percentage change in each case.

The figures asked for are as follows:(3) if he will make a statement or recent discussions in the EEC about the future of the bacon stabilisation scheme during the transitional period up to 31st December 1977;(4) if he intends that the flexible guarantee arrangements for pigs should continue in 1973–74; and if such decision requires the prior approval of the EEC;(5) if he extends that the bacon stabilisation scheme should continue in 1973–74; and if such decision requires the prior approval of the EEC;(6) what discussions have taken place with the EEC about the legality and future of the bacon stabilisation scheme.

The answer to these Questions is bound up with our adoption of the Community's pigmeat regulations and the arrangements for the transition to them which have been under discussion in Brussels this week. I would refer the hon. Member to the comprehensive answers about the outcome of these negotiations which my right hon. Friend is making today in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison) of which I have sent him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the price difference between top quality Danish and English bacon on the wholesale market on 6th November 1972; what is the difference currently; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the housewife benefits from the relatively low wholesale price of English bacon;(2) if the rise in Danish wholesale bacon prices in the London Provision Exchange since 6th November 1972 has been the result of world conditions;(3) what has been the rise in the wholesale price of top grade Danish bacon since 6th November 1972.

The prices of British and Danish Al grade bacon sides at first hand on 6th November 1972 were £445 and £450 per ton respectively. Today the prices are £445 and £525 per ton. The mechanisms of the prices standstill, together with the co-operation of the distributive trade and shoppers, provide the best assurance of benefit for the consumers of British and Ulster bacon. The price of imported bacon at first hand is a matter for decision by the overseas supplier.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was his estimate in March 1972 of the amount of bacon stabilisation payment for 1972–73; what is his latest estimate and how much of the difference is attributable to the situation resulting from his decision to freeze the English bacon price as at 6th November 1972.

The estimate of stabilisation payments to bacon curers for 1972–183 published in February 1972 was £12·8 million. The latest estimate is £11·3 million. The saving is attributable to higher first-hand bacon prices and, for part of the year, lower pig market prices than was expected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increases of beef have been exported to the Common Market countries since 1st December 1972.

The information will not be available until the December issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics, which should be in the Library at the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the highest and lowest retail price paid for beef during the last six months to the latest available date.

The following table shows the highest and lowest average retail prices for various beef cuts from the prices collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices between June and December 1972, the latest available date for which figures are available:

	Lowest monthly price	Highest monthly price
	(p per lb.)	(p per lb.)
Beef: Home killed
Chuck	42·7	47·4
Sirloin (without bone)	62·3	67·0
Silverside (without bone)*	55·2	59·5
Back ribs (with bone)*	39·0	43·2
Fore ribs (with bone)	38·3	42·2
Brisket (with bone)	26·3	30·3
Rump steak*	77·9	82·7
Beef: Imported, chilled
Chuck	37·6	41·2
Silverside (without bone)	45·2	48·2
Rump steak	58·4	60·3
* Or Scottish equivalent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the retail price of beef in June 1970 and January 1973, respectively.

The following table shows the average retail price of various beef cuts collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices in June 1970 and December 1972, the latest date for which information is available.

	June 1970	December 1972
	(p per lb.)	(p per lb.)
Beef: Home killed
Chuck	31·8	47·4
Sirloin (without bone)	44·8	67·0
Silverside (without bone)*	41·6	59·5
Back ribs (with bone)*	28·3	43·2
Fore ribs (with bone)	28·0	42·2
Brisket (with bone)	18·2	30·3
Rump steak*	57·2	82·7
Beef: Imported, chilled
Chuck	26·4	41·2
Silverside (without bone)	33·8	48·2
Rump steak	46·2	60·3
* Or Scottish equivalent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, from information available to him from international sources, what was the number and total weight of salmon taken, respectively, by inshore nets on the Greenland coast and by drift nets and long line operated in international waters off the Greenland coast in 1972.

Data on catches of salmon around Greenland in 1972 are not yet available. However, catches in international waters in 1973 will be restricted by international agreement to 1,935 tons, and phased out by December 1975. Fishing within Greenland's national fishery limits will be restricted to 1,100 tons thereafter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that New York dressed poultry may continue to be sold within the United Kingdom following the EEC directive on this subject; what representations he has received from the National Farmers' Union on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

The EEC directive comes into effect for the domestic market in February 1976. One of its requirements is that each bird must be eviscerated immediately after slaughter to allow full inspection of the carcase. The concern which this requirement is causing producers of New York dressed poultry has been brought to our attention by the NFU and an assurance has been given that the matter will be kept under review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rise in average market prices for cattle, sheep and pigs since 6th November 1972; and what proportion of the increase he attributes to world market conditions.

Average market prices of livestock qualifying for the Fat-stock Guarantee Scheme have increased between the week commencing 6th November 1972 and that beginning 8th January 1973 as follows: fat cattle, £4·57 per live cwt.; fat sheep 8.7p per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight; and fat pigs, 11p per score deadweight.It is not possible to attribute precisely any particular part of these increases to particular factors, but the major influence has clearly been the pressure of world demand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the saving on livestock guarantees in 1972–73 compared with estimates made in the 1972 Annual Review White Paper.

Mainly as a result of higher market prices it is expected that there will be a saving of rather more than £50 million on the figures given in Table 18 of Cmnd 4928.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of sheep scab have recently occurred in the United Kingdom; what conclusions have been reached in respect of the origins of this disease; if he is satisfied with present regulations concerning sheep dipping; and if he will make a statement.

Twenty-six cases of sheep scab have been confirmed from 1st January to 24th January. All have occurred in farms on the Yorks-Lancs border or on premises elsewhere in Lancashire and Cheshire which have direct connections with these farms. Evidence so far available suggests that the disease may have been introduced by sheep imported from Ireland in 1971. Urgent tracing and examination of sheep imported in 1971 and 1972 is being carried out by my Department's veterinary staff.My right hon. Friend is satisfied that powers under the existing sheep scab legislation are adequate to deal with the disease. These powers have already been used to secure the treatment of sheep on infected premises and the dipping of sheep which may have been exposed to infection.In order to prevent further spread of the disease, a movement order was declared on 13th January covering an area of approximately 450 square miles of Lancashire and the West Riding; sheep may not be moved out of the area unless licensed and, unless going for direct slaughter, must have been dipped in an approved single-dipping type dip before being licensed.When further investigation has been completed, it may be necessary to declare a dipping area which will require all flocks in the area to be specifically dipped. I am glad to say that farmers are cooperating fully with my Department's staff and we are confident that together we will be able to get the disease under control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage food prices have increased since June 1970.

Between 16th June, 1970 and 12th December, 1972, the latest date for which information is available, the Food Index rose by 24·9 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement to the Irish Government about the declining number of cattle exported to the United Kingdom.

None. The best endeavours undertaking in respect of store cattle exported from the Irish Republic to the United Kingdom is linked to the circumstances of the trade. In the current situation of trade on the British and European markets, representations would seem inappropriate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT detailed statistics of the consumption and retail prices of liquid milk, butter and cheese and the minutes worked to earn a litre of milk and kilogramme of butter and cheese in each of the nine countries of the EEC for 1970; and to what extent he is able to publish the figures for 1971.

The International Dairy Federation has recently published figures for 1970. These are included in the January 1973 issue of the Dairy Mirror and I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.Statistics of per capita consumption and retail prices for 1971 for certain countries are set out below; information relating to 1971 on minutes worked to earn a litre of milk and a kilogramme of butter and cheese is not available.Because of the wide variation in the quality and form in which the products are sold in different countries, the prices given below are not strictly comparable.

CONSUMPTION AND RETAIL PRICES OF LIQUID MILK, BUTTER AND CHEESE 1971
	Retail price p per litre	Consumption per head litres
LIQUID MILK
United Kingdom	9·2	138·0
Denmark	7·8	103·5
Belgium	7·8	74·1
Netherlands	7·9	—
Irish Republic	7·3	—
France	8·0	—
Federal Republic of Germany	9·2	70·1
Italy	9·9	66·4

	p per kilogramme	kilogrammes
BUTTER
United Kingdom	52·9†	8·1
Denmark	74·6	8·8
Belgium	91·4	8·5*
Netherlands	87·4	2·4
Irish Republic	55·1	12·1
France	94·9	9·0
Federal Republic of Germany	89·3	7·9
Italy	115·3	(2·0)
CHEESE
United Kingdom	51·3	5·6
Denmark	67·7	9·9
Belgium	68·2	8·4*
Netherlands	74·9	9·9‡
Irish Republic	44·9	(1·7)
France	96·5	(14·1)
Federal Republic of Germany	104·6	10·5
Italy	—	(10·5)
* Includes Luxembourg.
† New Zealand butter.
‡ Includes curd.

Figures in brackets are provisional.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers on 22nd and 23rd January.

At the Council of Agriculture Ministers which ended this morning, we were able to take all the remaining decisions needed prior to the United Kingdom and the other new Member States adopting the common agricultural policy as from 1st February. It was agreed that, in view of the continued floating of sterling, prices and compensatory amounts for the United Kingdom in units of account will be converted to sterling on the basis of the average market rate for sterling during the first part of January rather than the officially declared IMF parity. This will ensure that prices in sterling terms will not be increased when we adopt the transitional arrangements.However, because of the marked rise in world cereals prices since the arrangements were provisionally agreed in July, intervention prices for cereals in the United Kingdom—which set a floor for the market—have been increased in sterling terms by approximately £4 a ton over the figures agreed then. Given the current high levels of cereals prices, this adjustment will have no effect on the level of our market prices for cereals or cereal products. The compensatory amounts will be temporarily adjusted downwards so as to ensure that within certain limits they will not exceed the Community levy on third country imports. The compensatory amounts for processed cereals will be established in the management committee with the help of the coefficients used in the EEC levy arrangements.We have agreed to accept the Community regime of production refunds for the manufacture of starch and glucose, on the understanding that, if, before 31st July 1973, there were to be a significant fall in world cereal prices, this arrangement would be reviewed by the Council.The transitional arrangements for pigmeat, poultry and eggs were agreed upon, including provision for the compensatory amounts to be reduced following the re- ductions in those for cereals. For pig-meat, we secured agreement to maintain the bacon stabiliser until 1st June next. During this period, the compensatory amounts will also be phased so that, for pig carcases, the compensatory amount to apply in trade between the United Kingdom and the Six will be of the order of £40 per ton from 1st February, about £35 per ton on 1st April, reducing to about £25 per ton on 1st June, assuming that world prices remain at around current levels. I am satisfied that these arrangements adequately cover the interests of both consumers and producers. They should in particular safeguard against any immediate increase in the price of pork or bacon. Producers and processors can now plan ahead with confidence. As a further measure, I propose immediately to take steps to abolish the flexible guarantee adjustment to the pig guarantee.For eggs and poultry, compensatory amounts have been agreed at levels well below those which would have resulted from the application of the co-efficients used for calculating levies. With current cereal prices, the amounts applicable from 1st February on trade between the United Kingdom and the Six and likely to be of the order of 1·3 pence per dozen for eggs and 0·8 pence per lb, for broilers.We were also able to settle the transitional arrangement for sugar. The minimum price to sugar beet growers will be equivalent to the guaranteed price for 1972–73; the intervention price for white sugar on 1st February will be about £88 per ton exclusive of bagging and delivery. The Council agreed to the phasing out between 1st March and 1st July of the current special arrangement for subsidising the price of sugar in the United Kingdom. The arrangements for the import of Commonwealth sugar have been settled in such a way as to ensure that the full quantities of sugar covered by Protocol 17 of the Act of Accession can be refined and effectively marketed in the United Kingdom, and that the London Terminal Market can continue to operate on the present basis.Finally, certain changes were agreed to the Community's import regime for calves and for young animals for fattening. The present temporary reductions in the Common external tariff, including the nil rates on these animals, will continue until the beginning of April. During this period, United Kingdom duties on beef will remain completely suspended.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the impact of the export trade in pigs for slaughter, especially sows and heavy pigs, on United Kingdom market prices.

Export statistics do not distinguish between pigs exported for slaughter and those exported for other purposes such as breeding. Provisionally, in 1972, the total number of pigs exported, including breeding pigs, was about 29,000. United Kingdom slaughterings for the same period were about 15·5 million. In these circumstances no discernible impact on United Kingdom market prices could have arisen.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many Service camps such as were made available for Ugandan Asians are held in reserve in Great Britain; and whether he will consider making them available for the provision of cheap holidays for underprivileged and other children.

Six camps are earmarked against possible contingencies, or to provide temporary accommodation for units in transit, under training or temporarily dispossessed from their normal locations. All six camps are either currently occupied or will be occupied in the near future.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment two months ago.

The strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment on 29th November 1972 was 345 officers and 8,811 soldiers.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment at the latest convenient date.

The strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment on 17th January 1973 was 352 officers and 8,524 soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria, both statistical and other, she uses to assess the cost effectiveness of the primary and secondary levels in the state education system.

I do not regard it as feasible to apply a cost effectiveness approach to the maintained primary and secondary school system. In general I think it right to rely on the professional judgment of Her Majesty's inspectors for an assessment of the success with which the schools are performing their functions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what she now estimates the total expenditure of public money to be on the Fanfare for Europe celebrations.

£350,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in view of the fact that many employers of sales representatives have not supplied a written statement of the particulars of employment as required by Section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1971, if he will take action to bring to employers' notice their obligations under this section.

My Department carried out a large publicity exercise early last year to draw employers' attention to their obligations under the Contracts of Employment Act as amended by the Industrial Relations Act. Manpower advisers and other officers of my Department have brought these requirements to employers' notice at every appropriate opportunity and they are being asked to continue this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the working of the industrial tribunals under the Industrial Relations Act 1971.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will prosecute firms which fail to display copies of the Catering Wages Act on their premises contrary to the provisions of the Act.

The Catering Wages Act 1943 was repealed in 1959. It is now an offence under the Wages Councils Act 1959 for an employer to fail to post notices of any wages regulation proposals or wages regulation orders affecting workers employed by him. The circumstances of such a failure would be considered but criminal proceedings would normally be linked to other charges arising from infringements of the Act or orders made under the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the EEC's total expenditure on aid to developing countries in 1972 was spent in French or formerly French territories.

1972 figures are not yet available. In 1971, 53 per cent. of all net expenditure by the Community's institutions on aid to developing countries went to French or formerly French territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is responsible for representing United Kingdom policy to the European Economic Community authorities in periods when the Council of Ministers is not sitting.

This is normally the task of the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the European Communities, Sir Michael Palliser.

asked the Secretary State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he will propose the abolition of passports for travel between all EFTA and European Economic Community countries.

No. A passport, a travel card, or document of identity of some kind is necessary at present for travel between these countries. There is in fact a considerable measure of acceptance of national identity cards in lieu of passports. The British Visitor's Passport is already accepted for short visits in the countries concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is the United Kingdom representative on the EEC Committee of Permanent Representatives and which Minister will be responsible to Parliament for his activities.

Sir Michael Palliser is the United Kingdom representative on the European Communities Committee of Permanent Representatives. The Minister responsible to Parliament for his activities is my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications the Government have had, as Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference, with the United States Government on the latest bombing of North Vietnam.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins) and Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy).—[Vol. 849, c. 142.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his intention to have renewed talks with the Icelandic Government regarding the 50-mile limit fishing dispute.

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 22nd January we have suggested that discussions be resumed at an early date.—[Vol. 849, c. 35.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what request for British assistance has been received from Zambia following the closing of her border with Rhodesia;(2) what diplomatic and other support other than financial aid he will give to Zambia following the closure of her border with Rhodesia.

I have been in touch with the Zambian Government as well as the Rhodesian authorities. But details of these exchanges must remain confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government is doing about South African armed police who are indulging in military activities in Rhodesia against a friendly Commonwealth country.

I have no evidence that South African police in Rhodesia have indulged in such activities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the cost of the tax credit system, as outlined in the Green Paper, would be reduced by introducing the higher income tax rates at incomes above £3,000 per year as follows: on £3,000-£4,000 at 35 per cent., on £4,000-£5,000 at 40 per cent., on £5,000-£6,000 at 50 per cent., on £6,000£8,000 at 60 per cent., on £8,000-£10,000 at 63 per cent., on £10,000-£15,000 at 67·5 per cent., and on £15,000 and above at 75 per cent.

On the basis of 1972–73 incomes, an increase in the higher rates of tax as proposed would yield about £300 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the estimated £1,300 million cost of the tax credits proposals takes into account the savings arising from the replacement of means-tested benefits by credits for many low income families; and what is estimated to be the annual saving regarding means-tested benefits paid, respectively, to families with dependent children and to retirement pensioners.