asked the Minister of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to giving trade pay to riding instructors in the Army.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 16th March 1972.—[Vol. 833, c. 146.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been dismissed from the Regiment in November 1972, December 1972 and January 1973.

The numbers of men whose discharge from the Ulster Defence Regiment has been recorded in those months are eight, 33 and 82, respectively.

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been dismissed because they were members of the Ulster Defence Association;(2) how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been dismissed because they were members of the Roman Catholic Ex-Servicemen's Association;(3) how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been requested to resign from the Ulster Defence Association;(4) how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been requested to resign from the Roman Catholic Ex-Servicemen's Association.

It is not possible to give any of these figures. There is no obligation on a UDR member to tell us whether he belongs to the UDA or the CESA, which are not illegal organisations. We have no guaranteed way of finding out if he is a member and membership of either organisation is not in itself necessarily incompatible with membership of the UDR. Our interest is solely in a UDR member's acceptability for continued service in the regiment. If we believe that this is in question, he is discharged because his services are no longer required.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the percentage of low-level military aircraft flights over Wales in relation to the total number of such flights taking place over Great Britain.

In 1972 a little more than 9 per cent. of all low-level flights by military aircraft took place over Wales.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what reports have been received of foreign officers, advisers and technicians serving with, or otherwise assisting the IRA.

I am aware that such suggestions have been made occasionally in the Press, but I have received no specific evidence to substantiate the involvement with the IRA of foreigners other than certain citizens of the Republic of Ireland.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what progress has been made in working out future plans for defence in South-East Asia.

All defence plans are kept under constant review.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many employees are currently employed at nuclear bases in Scotland and England, respectively; and what is the figure for Rosyth Dockyard.

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the support of our nuclear submarine force. Approximately 2,700 civilians are employed at the Clyde submarine base; about 23,000 workers at Chatham and Devonport in England and 7,700 at Rosyth in Scotland are employed in dockyards equipped for work on nuclear submarines.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total area of sea in Cardigan Bay which is now subject to any restrictions connected with the testing of weapons by any service or other Government Department.

Under byelaws relating to the Aberporth range made in 1941, some 215 square nautical miles of sea in Cardigan Bay are subject to restriction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to improve the conditions for persons awaiting trial who are detained in custody, in respect of visits, facilities and exercise periods; and whether he will examine the question of compensation for those subsequently found to have committed no criminal offence.

A number of measures have been taken to improve the conditions of unconvicted prisoners and further improvements will be made where practicable. My right hon. Friend has no plans for making compensation from public funds generally available for acquitted persons who have been in custody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 22nd December 1972 to reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, North's, communication of 7th August concerning Mr. Ram Sharda; and what information, as contained in the letter of 22nd December, was not available by 17th August.

The police investigation into Mr. Sharda's complaints was protracted, and the report of the investigation required careful study. The inquiry had not been completed on 17th August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the facilities for dealing with disturbed psychopathic persons who are in trouble with the law and a danger to the public.

The power and facilities for dealing with offenders suffering from psychopathic disorder are under review by the Committee on Mentally Abnormal Offenders under the chairmanship of Lord Butler of Saffron Walden.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he now refuses to state the average number of years served by persons released from prison over the past 10 years after serving life sentences on the grounds that such a figure would be unrealistic and could be misleading, when he provided such average figures for each of the years 1961 to 1971 in a written answer on Friday 11th February 1972.

I gave my hon. Friend on 22nd January full information about the periods of detention served by prisoners released from prison after being sentenced to life imprisonment. I did not give the information in terms of an "average" period because, as I said, I consider this concept to be unrealistic. The terms served by life sentence prisoners released from prisons in England and Wales in the last five years range from six months to 24 years. The sentences were imposed for offences committed in a wide range of circumstances, and for a wide range of motives, and they include sentences imposed for offences of manslaughter and offences other than homicide. As I have informed my hon. Friend, the mathematical mean of the terms is 8·7 years. But I am concerned that the publication of so-called "average" periods should not lead anyone to underestimate the terms likely to be served by heinous offenders convicted of murder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he estimates that the inflow of Commonwealth immigrants' dependants will have reached minimal proportions.

Numbers have declined steeply over the past five years, and should continue to decline, but I cannot be more specific.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what conditions Commonwealth immigrants in the United Kingdom are free to seek employment in the EEC.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what conditions Commonwealth immigrants in the United Kingdom are free to seek employment in the enlarged EEC.

Commonwealth citizens who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies or British subjects without citizenship and who have the right of abode in the United Kingdom under Section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 are free to seek employment in the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a permanent bomb squad has been formed by the Metropolitan Police; and, if so, what are its functions and who defined them.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is responsible for the deployment and redeployment of his force to meet changing operational circumstances and requirements. In this setting no arrangements made to counter specific threats can be regarded as permanent: but the commissioner is in no doubt about the continuing need to retain a capacity to deal with terrorism.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the approximate numbers of personal callers per day at the aliens office recently situated in Holborn; and if he will make a statement concerning its removal to Croydon.

The Immigration and Nationality Department moved to Croydon during November as the premises at Holborn had become quite inadequate for the work that needs to be done. During the six months preceding the move the daily average of callers was 967. The new offices at Croydon provide much better facilities for personal callers and are within easy reach of East and West Croydon stations, which have a frequent train service from Victoria.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to remove the discretionary power of chief constables concerning prosecutions for motoring offences.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the absence of any reciprocal arrangements between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Eire for the enforcement of maintenance orders; and if he will take steps to remedy this.

Yes. The Government have power under the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972 to make arrangements with any country for the reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders. We are ready to enter into an agreement with the Government of the Republic under Part I of the Act as soon as they are in a position to offer reciprocity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make conditions governing sales of property to prevent the practice of speculators buying buildings owned by the Ministry of Defence and making large profits by reselling them as flats, etc.

It has been the practice under successive Governments that sales of Government property whether by auction, tender or private treaty are at market value. I have no evidence at this time which would suggest the need for a change in this practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment at what stage he intends to assess the merits of the pilot project now being undertaken by the Student Co-operative Dwellings Limited with his approval; and what criteria he intends to use in such assessment.

The student co-operative dwellings scheme to which the hon. Member refers is to provide housing for young single people and is experimental in nature. Its assessment will therefore be a continuing process. What we shall be judging is its suitability as accommodation for the particular type of person in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the number and names of M1 motorway intersections where no road lighting is provided.

The information is as follows:

7 Beechtree	Not at present, but to be lit.
8 Breakspears	Not at present, but to be lit.
9 Friars Wash	Not at present, but to be lit.
10 Pepperstock	Not at present, but to be lit.
11 Luton	Not at present, but to be lit.
12 Toddington	Not at present, but to be lit.
13 Husborne	Not at present, but to be lit.
14 Newport Pagnell	Not at present, but to be lit.
15 Collingtree	Not lit.
16 Upper Heyford	Not lit.
18 Crick	Not lit.
19 Catthorpe	Not lit.
20 Lutterworth	Not lit.
21 Enderby	Not lit.
22 Markfield	Not lit.
24 Lockington	Not at present, but to be lit.
25 Sandiacre	Not at present, but to be lit.
26 Nuthall	Not at present, but to be lit.
27 Annesley	Not lit.
30 Barlborough	Not lit.
31 Aston	Not lit.
32 Treecroft	Not lit.
33 Treeton	Not lit.
36 Tankersley	Not lit.
38 Haigh	Not lit.
39 Calder Grove	Not lit.
42 Lofthouse	Not lit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents have occurred in Bedford town involving heavy container traffic and large lorries.

This figure is not immediately available but I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce legislation to prohibit the parking of motor vehicles within 20 yards of any road junction.

At the first suitable opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has given approval for the imposition of conditions for discretionary improvement grants under the Housing Act 1969 which involved owners who accept such grants being involved in the expense incurred by a local authority in registering its interest with the Land Registry.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council and private tenants, respectively, in England and Wales are expected to gain from the increase in the needs allowance under the phase 2 proposals; what will be the estimated average increase in rent rebates and rent allowances, respectively; what will be the total annual cost to the Exchequer; and to what estimated percentage take-up of rebates and allowances these figures relate.

All those tenants eligible for a rent rebate or allowance at present will be entitled to an increase rebate or allowance of between 60p and 88p if there is no change in their rent or circumstances. A substantial number of tenants will also become eligible for a rebate or allowance for the first time, but I cannot estimate how many. The total cost of the increased needs allowances to the Exchequer in 1973–74 is estimated at between £25 and £30 millions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council and private tenants, respectively, he estimates will be in receipt of rent rebates and rent allowances under the Housing Finance Act within one year of its coming into operation; how many of these are estimated to be supplementary benefit recipients; how much he estimates will be spent by that time on their rebates and allowances; and to what proportion of those tenants eligible these estimates relate.

About 2 million council tenants are likely to be eligible for a rent rebate and about 750,000 private tenants for a rent allowance. Of these, rather over 1 million council tenants and 250,000 private tenants will be receiving supplementary benefit. I cannot estimate how many will be in receipt of a rebate or allowance in August. The cost to the Exchequer of the rebates and allowances in 1973–74 is estimated at £150 million to £200 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has studied the report of the Coroner for South West Lancashire in connection with an accident on the M6 on 8th December; and what action he proposes to take in the light of the vital urgency of the recommendations forwarded to him by the coroner arising out of this accident.

I will of course study the coroner's recommendations when I receive them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the average percentage increase in the property revaluation of domestic and industrial/commercial properties, respectively, in each of the local authorities

Numbers in thousands
			Husband's income below (£ per week)
			20	25	30	35	40
Married couples with—
1 child	…	…	230	530	900	1,500	2,000
2 children	…	…	125	300	600	1,100	1,650
3 children	…	…	65	150	275	500	700
4 or more children	…	…	40	90	150	300	450

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under the £1 plus 4 per

Final figures by categories of ratepayers are not yet available centrally but on the basis of preliminary estimates rateable values in England have increased on average 2·57 times for domestic property and 2·48 times for non-domestic property. The estimates are not available by regions and are insufficiently reliable for individual rating areas, or for new district councils incorporating individual rating areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families with, respectively, one, two, three, four and five or more children have current incomes below, respectively, £20, £25, £30, £35 and £40 per week.

Estimates are available only for families above the PAYE deduction card limit—currently £11 a week—and by range of husband's income, excluding any earnings of the wife. On this basis, the estimates arecent. pay proposals subject to a maximum of £250 a year, how many persons are estimated in the first full year following the introduction of these proposals to receive a gross pay increase of £75 or less, £75-£99, £100-£125, £125-£149, £150-£174, £175-£199, £200-£224, £225-£249, and £250, respectively; and how many persons are expected to receive net pay increases of these same amounts.

It is not possible to estimate the amount by which the pay of any individual will increase as the limit is deliberately expressed as an addition to the pay bill of the group concerned, in order to leave scope for negotiation and for flexibility in application to the circumstances of particular workers. The form of the limit is, however, designed to favour low-paid workers and within the limit no individual should receive an increase of more than £250 a year. Of course, the amount of any increase in net pay depends on a number of other factors as well as the addition to gross pay, in particular the family circumstances and tax position of the individual concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consult with the

	Calendar Years
	1970	1971	1972
	£	£	£
Building Societies	925	1,015	N.A.
National Savings:
National Savings Bank
Ordinary Accounts	70	68	72
Investment Account	497	590	650
Trustee Savings Banks*
Ordinary Department	102	108	N.A.
Special Investment Department	769	831	N.A.
Premium Savings Bonds	44	47	50
National Savings Certificates	412	435	450
SAYE	68	118	180
British Savings Bonds, National Development Bonds and Defence Bonds	551	569	655
* Year runs from 21st November to 20th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on Government policy to the Association of Municipal Corporations on 13th December.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the public speech he made at Guildhall on 13th December to the Association of Municipal Corporations.

Our contacts with our EEC partner countries of course cover all important economic matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the latest decisions relating to the £ sterling, he will now publish revised estimates of the net cost of United Kingdom contributions to the EEC Budget for 1973 and each subsequent year to 1977, showing in each case the change on previous estimates.

I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Gentleman of 23rd January this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how small savings increased or diminished in 1972, 1971 and 1970, expressed per head.

The following table shows the estimated amount of savings held per head of depositors in the main small savings facilities:

I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he gave prior to 6th November 1972, to the possibility of subsidising importers of foodstuffs so that retail prices could have been maintained at the levels of 6th November 1972.

A general subsidy on food imports would give rise to a number of problems. For instance, it would create imbalance between supply and demand on the United Kingdom market and would necessitate a rationing system for commodities in short supply. The Government believe that those most vulnerable to rising prices can be helped more effectively by direct means such as the family income supplement and regular uprating of pensions and social security benefits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his estimates of United Kingdom beef, mutton and lamb, and pigmeat production, respectively, in 1973.

Meat production forecasts are necessarily uncertain because factors such as retention of animals for breeding, imports of stores and exports can vary significantly and cause marked changes.We expect home-killed production of beef and pigmeat in the United Kingdom to increase in 1973. Assuming average weather conditions this winter, and remembering the unusually high lambing percentage which was achieved last year, home-killed production of mutton and lamb in 1973 should be at about the same level as in 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the increases in the price of feeding stuffs since the imposition of a freeze on the price of eggs and the consequent effects on egg producers, whether he will make a statement on the future of the industry.

Eggs are a fresh foot and the Government have therefore not imposed a freeze on egg prices. Heavy production caused very low prices during a considerable part of 1972 but there are now signs that production is more in line with demand. The prospect is therefore that prices will be more satisfactory for producers, although eggs remain an excellent buy for consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the risk that swine vesicular disease may be introduced in foreign-grown food brought by aircraft for providing meals for passengers or crews, the residue of which could be sold to feed pigs.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the potential disease hazard to livestock in this country from waste food, including waste food from ships and aircraft. My Department's veterinary staff inspect and report on the methods of disposal of all waste food from ships and aircraft and from canteens and restaurants within the customs area at sea and airports and visit all plants which process waste food from such sources for animal feeding. The Diseases of Animals (Waste Foods) Order 1957 requires all waste foods to be boiled for at least an hour before being fed to animals and anyone collecting or receiving waste food from other premises must have his boiling plant licensed by the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give financial support to any local authority which attempts to educate handicapped children in ordinary primary and secondary schools; if she will make representations to local authorities on the need for such provision; and if she will make a statement.

All expenditure by local education authorities on school provision is taken into account for purposes of rate support grant.It has long been the Department's policy that handicapped children should not attend a special school if they can obtain the special help they need without doing so; and I have already included in building programmes projects for the education of handicapped children at ordinary schools. I consider that further experience of such projects is required before firm conclusions can be reached about the extent to which handicapped children, who vary widely in the nature and severity of their disabilities, can thrive in ordinary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science at what stage she intends to assess the merits of the pilot project now being undertaken by the Student Co-operative Dwellings Limited with her approval; and what criteria she intends to use in such assessment.

I have nothing to add to the answer given today to the hon. Member's similar Question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made towards comprehensive type education in the Barnsley area; when is it likely to go fully comprehensive; and if she will make a statement.

My Department has almost completed its consideration of the local education authority's statutory proposals; this has involved some consultation with the authority but my right hon. Friend hopes to reach a decision shortly. If the proposals are approved the authority intends to implement them next September.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment by how much the retail price index has risen since June 1970; and what was the corresponding rise over a similar period immediately prior to June 1970.

The General Index of Retail Prices rose by 21·7 per cent. between 16th June 1970 and 12th December 1972. The rise between 12th December 1967 and 16th June 1970 was 15·4 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are presently unemployed in Ayrshire; and if he will show how this compares with the last 12 months.

Following is the information:

Young persons aged under 18 unemployed in Ayrshire
8th January 1973 (provisional)	…	477
11th December 1972	…	497
13th November 1972	…	573
9th October 1972	…	710
11th September 1972	…	887
14th August 1972	…	1,001
10th July 1972	…	963
12th June 1972	…	463
8th May 1972	…	507
10th April 1972	…	590
13th March 1972	…	699
14th February 1972	…	735
10th January 1972	…	779

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total number of registered unemployed in Rochdale over 18 years of age; and how many of that total are Commonwealth immigrants;(2) what is the total number of registered unemployed in Rochdale under the age of 18; and how many of that total are Commonwealth immigrants.

On 8th January 1973, 1,686 people aged 18 and over were unemployed in the area covered by the Rochdale employment exchange together with 30 aged under 18. Comprehensive figures for Commonwealth immigrants are not available, but data for coloured workers from the Commonwealth are available for 13th November 1972: these show that there were 39 out of 1,795 people unemployed aged 18 and over and 5 out of 70 aged under 18. The figures for January 1973 are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the conditions for the issue of work permits under the Immigration Act 1971.

As my right hon. Friend promised in November, I am placing a statement in the Library explaining the new criteria for work permits in detail. In general, these provide that permits will be issued only for work requiring a professional qualification, skill or experience and where the employment of an overseas worker is necessary. They will not be issued if suitable resident labour is available to fill the post offered nor if the wages and conditions offered are less favourable than those obtaining in the area for similar work. Commonwealth citizens and aliens—other than EEC nationals—will generally be eligible for permits on the same terms. The Government will keep the number of permits issued under close scrutiny, so that the criteria can be revised at any time if this appears necessary in the light of national needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average duration of periods of unemployment.

About 10 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the illegal drinking clubs which have been raided by the security authorities; if he will indicate the amount of drink removed by the authorities from each; and if he will make a statement.

Searches have been made of, and intoxicating liquor removed from, unlicensed premises in Belfast and other places in Northern Ireland. As a result, prosecutions involving a variety of charges are being considered. It would not be in the interests of justice to reveal at this stage the information requested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of houses purchased by the housing executive and the amount of money spent on this in each month since its creation; how many of these purchases were for persons on the emergency housing list and how many for persons who had previously occupied the premises; and whether there has been any substantial default in payment of rent to the housing executive by such persons.

The number of houses purchased by the housing executive is as follows:

			Houses purchased under Emergency Arrangements	Amount Paid £
1971
October	…	…	5	6,325
November	…	…	2	3,375
December	…	…	3	4,625
1972
January	…	…	8	15,250
February	…	…	8	18,800
March	…	…	18	35,750
April	…	…	12	19,850
May	…	…	4	9,700
June	…	…	9	21,900
July	…	…	14	28,025
August	…	…	11	22,950
September	…	…	27	61,425
October	…	…	41	114,800
November	…	…	51	130,150
December	…	…	34	79,175
Totals	…	…	247	572,100

TABLE 2
			Houses purchased in Redevelopment Areas in Advance of Vesting	Amount paid £
1971
October	…	…	—	—
November	…	…	—	—
December	…	…	—	—
1972
January	…	…	2	975
February	…	…	3	1,750
March	…	…	5	3,075
April	…	…	4	4,375
May	…	…	5	2,275
June	…	…	4	2,100
July	…	…	—	—
August	…	…	6	13,400
September	…	…	21	17,375
October	…	…	25	19,075
November	…	…	15	10,975
December	…	…	32	31,510
Totals	…	…	122	106,885

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate the amount paid in each month under the scheme providing for immediate

1972		Amount paid £	Number of applications	Number of payments	Number declined or withdrawn	Number pending
April	…	25,170	50	18	21	107*
May	…	53,580	30	30	20	87
June	…	65,895	81	25	29	114
July	…	49,065	50	35	35	94
August	…	40,100	57	24	34	93
September	…	37,720	20	27	32	54
October	…	5,750	20	10	6	58
November	…	45,700	11	12	16	41
December	…	12,450	11	5	13	34
		335,430	330	186	206
* This includes 96 cases pending at 31st March 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is being done to assist British citizens who have been assisting the Uganda Government under various aid programmes and who have been dismissed or expelled from that country.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 23rd January.—[Vol. 849, c. 139–41.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

The following table gives the information for advance payments to shopkeepers, traders and businessmen under the Emergency Finance Scheme between 1st April and 31st December 1972. Payments are advances of compensation which may ultimately be awarded under the Criminal Injuries Acts (Northern Ireland) 1956–1970. Responsibility for the Emergency Finance Office has been transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Home Affairs where it is being amalgamated with that Ministry's Criminal Injuries Branch.if he will publish a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the contributions made to the United Nations Development Programme in 1972, the contributions pledged for 1973, and the percentage increase, for those members of the European Community who have made an increase in their pledged contribution and a similar table for those members who have made a decrease.

The following table contains a list of those member countries of the European Economic Community who have pledged an increased contribution to the United Nations Development Programme in 1973. The figures show the dollar equivalents of their 1972 contributions to the programme, their pledged

			Contribution to UNDP for 1972	Contribution to UNDP pledged for 1973	Percentage Increase
			$ millions	$ millions
Denmark	…	…	21·42	24·71	15·33
Federal Republic of Germany	…	…	15·09	17·92	18·75
Netherlands	…	…	13·75	15·12	10·00
France	…	…	5·92	6·99	18·74
Italy	…	…	4·00	5·00	25·00
Belgium	…	…	3·88	4·82	24·22
Ireland	…	…	0·28	0·38	33·33
Luxembourg	…	…	0·045	0·054	20·00

No member Government of the Community has reduced its contribution to the United Nations Development Programme in 1973. The United Kingdom pledged £8 million to the programme in 1973 and thus maintained the level of its 1972 contribution. Fluctuations in exchange rates reduced the dollar equivalent of the sum at the time the pledge was made from $19·9 million to $18·8 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to increasing the amount of British aid to Zambia so as to alleviate the disruptive effect on the Zambian economy of the closure of the border with Rhodesia.

Zambian Ministers will no doubt take the opportunity of raising the subject with me during my visit next week and I shall carefully consider what they say.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to make grants in aid out of public funds in 1973–74 to the European Educational Research Trust Ltd., the British section of Europa Nostra, or the European League for Economic Co-operation (British section); and for what purposes.

It is proposed, subject to Parliamentary approval, to make the following grants in aid in 1973–74 to the organisations concerned:(i) European Educational Research Trust Ltd.:A grant in aid of £20,000 to assist the trust with its European exchange programme;

asked the Lord President of the Council what provision is to be made to provide hon. Members with verbatim accounts of proceedings in the European Parliament.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will arrange for the Annexe to the Official Journal of the European Communities containing the proceedings of the European Parliament and the verbatim record of proceedings to be made available to Members through the Vote Office.

Arrangements are being made for copies of the Annexe to the Official Journal, containing the verbatim record of proceedings in English, and the multi-lingual verbatim record to be made available to Members through the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the total loss sustained by the Post Office from illegally made long-distance telephone calls.

The Post Office tells me that it has been investigating for some time the misuse of the telephone system. Its total loss cannot readily be estimated because many of the calls are of a type that would not otherwise be made. The Post Office has instituted wide-ranging measures to prevent abuses of the system.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average percentage increase in Scottish local authority rents in 1972; and what is the comparable percentage increase for each of the previous five years.

The figure for 1972 is not yet available. The following is the information for the years 1967 to 1971:

						Per cent.
1967	…	…	…	…	…	11·8
1968	…	…	…	…	…	12·1
1969	…	…	…	…	…	18·2
1970	…	…	…	…	…	14·8
1971	…	…	…	…	…	6·8

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if Scottish local authority rent increases will be subjected to stage two of the Government's anti-inflation provisions.

Increases in local authority rents in Scotland will continue to be restricted in accordance with the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972. The increase of the needs allowance by £3·50 will give very substantial help to tenants who qualify for rebates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider additional financial incentives to Scottish local authorities which have a housing shortage.

The new subsidy system provided in the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 achieves precisely this objective by concentrating Government assistance on areas where current housing needs are greatest.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the known housing submissions by Scottish local authorities in 1971 and 1972, if he will indicate how many local authority houses he expects to be completed in 1973 and 1974.

I have made no estimates but completions in 1973 and 1974 will reflect the increase in local authority tender approvals during the last two years over those in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a list indicating the names of local authorities in Scotland which did not submit any new house building programmes in 1972.

Many local authorities submitted their new house building proposals for 1972 before 1st December 1971, in order to qualify under the favourable residual subsidy provisions of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972. They are included (see footnote) in the following list of authorities which did not submit building programmes in the calendar year 1972:

Counties:	Small Burghs:
*Angus	Aberchirder
*Argyll	Aberfeldy
*Bute	Aberlour
*Clackmannan	Abennethy
*Dumfries	*Alloa
*East Lothian	*Alva
*Fife	Alyth
Kinross	Adrossan
*Lanark	*Armadale
*Moray	Auchterarder
*Nairn	*Auchtermuchty
*Peebles	*Ballater
*Selkirk	Banchory
West Lothian	Banff
Wigtown	*Barrhead
	*Blairgowrie
Cities:	*Bo'ness
*Aberdeen	*Bonnyrigg
*Glasgow	*Brechin
	Bridge of Allan
Large Burghs:	*Buckhaven
Airdrie	Burghead
*Arbroath	*Burntisland
*Clydebank	Callander
Coatbridge	Campbeltown
*Dumbarton	*Carnoustie
*Dunfermline	*Castle Douglas
*Falkirk	*Cockenzie
*Greenock	Coldstream
*Hamilton	*Coupar Angus
*Kilmarnock	Cove & Kilcreggan
*Motherwell
*Paisley	*Cowdenbeath
*Perth	Crail
Port Glasgow	*Crieff
*Rutherglen	Cromarty
*Stirling	Cullen

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider amending the provisions made under the Methylated Spirit (Sale by Retail) (Scotland) Act 1937 to abolish restrictions that do not apply under the present regulations in England and Wales.

I have no proposals for legislation in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children in care were in the custody of each of the Scottish local authorities through homelessness in the years 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972.

I am not in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) on 8th December last. Figures for 1972 are not yet available.—[Vol. 847, c. 537.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will include Arran in the area of the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

The position of Arran, and of certain other areas, will be considered in this connection as local government reform is carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the designated schools in Ayrshire; and if he will make a statement on his plans relating to the number of designated schools.

Cumnock Academy and Dalmellington High School. The number of schools designated under the second scheme of designation of schools of teacher shortage depends partly on the size of the national quota of posts fixed for the purposes of the scheme and partly on how each education authority uses the quota for its area. The national quota of posts has been approved by the Scottish Teachers Salaries Committee for the three years to August 1974. Some authorities have not, however, taken up the quotas for their areas and I am considering whether any redistribution of these posts might be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from organisations in Scotland about the continuing high rate of unemployment; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement about government policy for the Scottish economy.

References to unemployment or aspects of unemployment have occurred in communications I have received on various occasions from hon. Member, local authorities and other correspondents. Where appropriate my replies have referred to the Government's measures to improve economic growth. The general downward trend in unemployment has been maintained since the spring of last year and gives an encouraging indication that our measures to stimulate the Scottish economy are now having a significant effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to sanction expenditure for the Girvan bypass.

I have at present no plans for a trunk road bypass of Girvan.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to sanction expenditure for the Cumnock bypass.

This scheme was among those added to the trunk road preparation pool last September. Preliminary design work has begun but has not advanced far enough to allow the scheme to be costed and given a firm place in the programme.

£ millions
		Private sector	1967 Public sector	Total	Private sector	1971 Public sector	Total
Contributions by employees	…	185	160	345	290	230	520
Contributions by employers	…	515	405	920	725	625	1,350
Total	…	700	565	1,265	1,015	855	1,870

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has studied the additional evidence regarding the correlation between diseased potatoes and the incidence of spina bifida and anencephaly; if he will now take steps to improve the quality of potatoes sold in Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

Articles by Dr. Renwick published in New Society on 26th October 1972 and in the New Scientist on 2nd November 1972 restated evidence that was taken into account in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Peters-field (Miss Quennell) on 23rd October 1972 and I am not aware of any additional evidence regarding the correlation between diseased potatoes and the incidence of spina bifida and anencephaly.—[Vol. 843; c. 189–90.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that standards of medical care in the United Kingdom will not be adversely affected as a result of harmonisation measures within the EEC.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the figures were for employees' contributions and employers' contributions to private and public contributory occupational pension schemes, respectively, in 1969, 1970 and 1971.

The information requested is not available. Reports by the Government Actuary gave the following estimates relating to 1967 and to 1971:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether individuals who participate in a strike in defiance of the regulations contained in phase 2 of the counter-inflation legislation, will be entitled to draw supplementary benefit for themselves and their dependants.

The Counter-Inflation Bill contains no proposals for amending the provisions of the Ministry of Social Security Act 1966 and the Social Security Act 1971 concerning payment of supplementary benefit to claimants who are involved in trade disputes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a statistical analysis of both the first and, where relevant, subsequent employers of all students completing successfully the basic flying training course at the College of Air Training, Hamble, for each year since the formation of the college.

Information on first employers is given below, but I have no information regarding subsequent employers:—

			BEA	BOAC	Others
1962	…	…	26	7	—
1963	…	…	45	—	1*
1964	…	…	33	—	—
1965	…	…	67	—	—
1966	…	…	55	13	—
1967	…	…	83	40	1†
1968	…	…	14	115	—
1969	…	…	44	72	—
1970	…	…	7	46	—
1971	…	…	66	55	8‡
1972	…	…	106	—	—
* Nigeria Airways.
† British Midland Airways.
‡ Court Line.