asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many housing submissions were made by local authorities in Scotland in the last quarter of 1972; and what were the submissions for the same quarter in 1971, 1970, 1969 and 1968.

The numbers of houses submitted for approval by local authorities in the fourth quarter were 6,731 in 1970, 28,611 in 1971, and 1,056 in 1972. Because of a change in procedure made early in 1970, exact figures relating to submissions in the fourth quarters of 1968 and 1969 are not readily available, but the numbers were about 9,000 and 10,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes taking to stimulate public sector housebuilding; and what steps he intends taking to reduce the cost of private housing.

The new subsidy arrangements give the public authorities every encouragement to build to meet need wherever it arises. As a result, in 1972 the number of houses approved was over 5,000 more than in 1971, and over 7,500 more than in 1970. In the private sector increased building is the best way of stabilising house costs, and 1972 was a record year for both starts and completions: in particular, starts were up 14 per cent. on 1971, which is clear evidence of the effectiveness of our policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were built for owner-occupation in 1972; and by what percentage this is an increase or decrease on the figures for 1971 and 1970.

11,835, an increase of 2 per cent. and 44 per cent. over the numbers in 1971 and 1970, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what administrative or other changes he intends to make in the operation of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972.

I intend to make regulations altering the needs allowances set out in paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 2. Otherwise I have no proposals for any changes at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many public sector and private sector houses were completed in Scotland in the years 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects construction work to begin on the 90-bed geratric unit at Huntlyburn; and when he expects it to be completed.

The unit is in Band Three and construction is expected to start in about three years' time. It is too early to give a firm starting or completion date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representation he has had from existing local authorities in relation to proposed names of local government areas as stated in the bill now before Parliament.

I have received representations from seven local authorities about five of the names proposed in the Bill. Where appropriate, the question has been pursued with the joint advisory committee of existing local authorities in the area concerned, and I am proposing an amendment to change the name Esk Valley to Midlothian.The names were suggested by the local authorities concerned, including all of the five on which there have been representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications are before him from the South of Scotland Electricity Board to build new power stations in Scotland.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that adequate resources to deal with possible pollution by oil are readily available in Orkney and Shetland.

Extensive arrangements for dealing with possible spills of oil have been made both by the Government and by the oil companies concerned, and the local authorities have schemes for dealing with oil on coastlines.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland where it is intended to site the Common Services Agency and its branches including the building division under the National Health Service reorganisation.

The headquarters of the agency will be in Edinburgh. This is where the majority of the bodies whose functions will be absorbed by it are already located. The organisation of the agency work in local offices will be a matter for its management committee when appointed, but for some services there is bound to be a need for substantial sections in major centres like Glasgow. It is expected that building division staff will be employed in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen and, for at least the transitional years, in Dundee and Inverness.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of Government grants which the Scottish Development Association has received since the scheme started, up to the end of 1972; and what is the amount proposed for 1973.

As I told the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Bagier) on 21st November, I make a grant to the Scottish Council specifically to assist its campaign for the attraction of industrial investment from Europe. The grant in 1971–72 was £70,000; and for 1972–73 and 1973–74 the grant offered is £100,000 per annum, subject to agreed arrangements for matching funds being satisfied.—[Vol. 846, c. 389–90.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details of appointments he has made in the last three months to National Health Service bodies in Scotland.

The following is the information requested:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements exist for expectant mothers in the wider Girvan area to be examined at least once by a consultant during their period of pregnancy; and if he will make a statement.

In the Girvan area, as in other areas, when a woman has arranged for her general practitioner to supervise her during pregnancy, it is for him to decide if and when an examination by a consultant obstetrician is necessary.A general practitioner in the Girvan area who considers his patient requires specialist guidance or services would refer her for a consultant obstetrician's opinion to either Heathfield Hospital, Ayr, or Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are employed in the Fire Service Inspectorate at the highest level; what were the total expenses of running this section of his Department in the last financial year; and, of that sum, how much was allocated to reimbursement of subsistence and other such allowances.

There is one of Her Majesty's Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland supported by three subordinate staff. Payments made in 1971–72, when for most of the year there were only three officers in post, totalled £12,567 for salaries and uniform allowances, and £796 for travelling and subsistence allowances at standard Civil Service rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to allow teachers to serve on local authorities.

Teachers, like other local government employees, can serve as members of local authorities other than their employing authority. Whether they should be permitted to serve on any local authority will no doubt be one of the matters for discussion on the Local Government (Scotland) Bill, now before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the comparable cost to the National Health Service in Scotland and England of the following preparations: Panadeine Co. (Paracetamol 500 mg, Codeine phosphate 8 mg) 50 tablets, Distalgesic (Paracetamol 325 mg, Dextropropoxyphene tablets Hcl 32·5 mg) (50 tablets), Codis (Aspirin 500 mg, Codeine 8 mg) 50 tablets, Panadol (Paracetamol) tablets 500 mg (50 tablets), Paracetamol tablets B.P., 500 mg (50 tablets), Soiprin (Soluble aspirin) tablets (50 tablets), Aspirin tablets B.P., 300 mg (50 tablets), Mandrax tablets, Mogadon (Nitrapazem) tablets 5 mg, Tuinal Pulvules 200 mg, Sodium Amytal (Amylo- barbitone) Pulvules 200 mg, Nembutal (Pentobarbitone Sodium) capsules 100 mg, and Soneryl (Butobarbitone) tablets 100 mg.

The information set out in the table below relates to the average cost of a prescription dispensed by a retail chemist, including professional fees but excluding any deduction for prescription charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the comparable cost to the National Health Service in Scotland and England of the following preparations: Ponderax (Fenfluramine) tablets 25 mg—90 tablets, Tenuate Dospan (Diethylpropion Hydrochloride) long acting tablets—75 mg—40 tablets, Apisate (Diethylpropion Hydrochloride B Vitamins) sustained released tablets 75 mg—40 tablets, Tofranil (Imipramine) tablets 25 mg, 75 tablets, Amitriptyline (Tryptizol) tablets B.P. 25 mg (75 tablets), Imipramine tablets B.P. 25 mg (75 tablets), Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) capsules 10 mg, Valium (Diazepam) tablets 2 mg, Stelazine (Trifluoperazine) tablets 1 mg, Stemetil (Prochlorperazine) tablets 5 mg, Largactil (Chlorpromazine) tablets 25 mg, Amytal (Amylobarbitone) tablets 30 mg, and Phenobarbitone tablets B.P., 30 mg.

The information set out in the table below relates to the average cost of a prescription dispensed by a retail chemist, including professional fees but excluding any deduction for prescription charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the rate contribution to balance the housing accounts in the year 1971–72 in the accounts of the cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, respectively.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the sums of money shown in the housing accounts attributable to interest payments for the year 1971–72 for (a) large burghs, (b) small burghs, (c) counties and (d) for the cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh, respectively.

This information is not yet available except for the four cities. For these, the figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the implication of the contraction of the steel industry in Scotland on the Scottish economy and employment prospects.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Members for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) and Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of non-industrial civil servants employed by the Scottish Office in June 1970; and what is the latest figure.

At 1st July 1970 the total number of non-industrial staff in the Scottish Office was 8,180, including 2,073 for the prison service and the State hospital. At 1st October 1972, the latest date for which figures are available, the corresponding number is 8,708, including 2,398 for the prison service and the State hospital.

asked the Lord President of the Council what proposals he now has for better reception facilities for visitors and lobbies to the Palace of Westminster.

The Services Committee in its Second Report of 8th February 1972 recommended a number of improvements in the arrangements for mass lobbies. These have, as far as possible, been successfully implemented.As far as visitors to the House are concerned, the matter is kept under constant review by the Services Committee but as the hon. Member is already aware, the overriding restriction on what can be done is the lack of space.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will direct the Post Office to review the regulations that do not allow the use of alarm systems that transmit signals between dwelling-houses, with a view to allowing those councils which wish to use these transmitting systems in retirement pensioner grouped dwelling schemes to do so.

No, Sir. I understand that any requests to run alarm systems in group dwelling schemes are always given sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what salary he has approved for the new Chairman of the BBC.

£6,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what has been the cost to the Post Office's revenue account of introducing the postal code scheme, compared with the original estimated cost.

Since expenditure on revenue account is a matter for the Post Office Board I must ask my hon. Friend to take up the matter direct with the chairman.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is his estimate of the cost to his Department of abolishing the need for old-age pensioners living alone to have a television licence; and if he will consider such a proposition.

The cost would be about £7 million a year for single pensioner households and about another £5 million a year for two pensioner households. I have given much thought to proposals for licence concessions to pensioners. Any concession would lead either to a cut in the BBC's services or higher licence fees all round. Neither alternative is attractive.Local authorities already have the power to assist elderly people with, amongst other things, the cost of television. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind it may be worth while for him to see if the personal social services available could exceptionally be of help.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local councils are refusing to pay improvement grants; if he will specify the requirements by which they have to state to each applicant in writing their reasons for doing so; and if he will inquire into the extent to which this is done.

On the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 20th December last to my hon. Friend the Member for Northants., South (Mr. Arthur Jones). I have no evidence that local authorities are failing to comply with the statutory requirement to state to an applicant their reasons in writing if they refuse a grant or fix an amount less than the maximum authorised by the Act and accordingly there are at present no grounds for an inquiry.—[Vol. 848, c. 398.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the provisions under which the revised scheme and conditions for discretionary improvement grants are operated by the London Borough of Camden.

The provisions for the payment by local authorities of improvement grants are in Sections 2 to 6 of the Housing Act 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what classifications for planning purposes are currently available for farm shops selling only agricultural produce in rural areas.

No special classification applies where a farm building is used for the sale of the produce of the farm, since the use is regarded as purely ancillary to the agricultural use of the land. But the retail selling of agricultural produce in other circumstances will normally involve the establishment of a shop which would come within Class I of the Use Classes Order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made on the development of the diesel-powered high-speed train and the advanced passenger train.

The prototype high speed diesel train should begin its operational trials in the late Spring. The APT should do so in two or three years' time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what emergency made it necessary to employ a diver in the New Palace Yard excavations.

None. The hon. Member will appreciate that when work is being undertaken below the water table in close proximity to a river it is not unusual to employ a diver to carry out inspections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will establish an inquiry into public building for government and local government, with special regard to the effectiveness of liaison between government or local government and private contractors, to the standard of design and workmanship and to the financial viability of contractors; and whether he will make a statement.

No; I do not consider that such an inquiry would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many lorries, cars and other vehicles were using United Kingdom roads in 1970; and what has been the increase in each category in each year since.

Following are the figures of vehicles licensed to use United Kingdom roads:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give his present estimate of when the various sections of the Portsmouth to Cadname M27 motorway will be opened for public use; and what current plans he has to extend the M27 further East or West.

The Cadnam-Chilworth and the Windhover-Portsbridge sections will be opened in spring 1975 and the intervening section from Chilworth to Windhover during 1977. Proposals have been published for a further six miles of M27 from Havant to Chichester. Other improvements of the A27 to the cast of Portsbridge and of the A36 to the west of Cadnam are under preparation or being studied but the full extent of the M27 has not yet been determined.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give his present estimate of when the various uncompleted sections of the London to Southampton M3 Motorway will be opened for public use.

Subject to the completion of the necessary procedures:

• Sunbury Cross to Lightwaters.—Spring 1974.
• Popham to Compton.—By the end of 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the assurance given in April 1972 to the London Borough of Havering that the area would be designated under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 remains in being;(2) if he will give a specific date on which he will designate the area of the London Borough of Havering under the Caravan Sites Act 1968;(3) if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to residents in the Hornchurch constituency by the failure to designate the area of the London Borough of Havering under the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and what action he proposes to take.

The Department is in correspondence with Havering London Borough Council about its application for designation under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 which my right hon. and learned Friend is considering together with applications from four neighbouring London borough councils. A decision will be made as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he anticipates that the North Circular Road will be brought up to motorway standards.

The present intention is that the North Circular Road will remain an all-purpose road but flyovers or underpasses are being provided at important junctions. It is expected that this work will be substantially completed in about 10 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he anticipates that the parts of Ringway 3, planned to pass through the London Borough of Havering, will be brought into use.

Subject to the completion of statutory procedures, in late 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many miles of urban motorway are in use in the United Kingdom; and how many miles of these were completed last year;(2) how many miles of urban motorway are expected to be completed in 1973, 1974 and 1975, and where these are situated.

I regret that this information is not available since most motorways pass for part of their length through areas of urban development and mileage figures do not differentiate between motorways in urban and rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date there will be a direct motorway link between Folkestone and Birmingham.

1980.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence his Department has given to the Nugent Committee in order to ensure the urgent release of Ministry of Defence land on the Rainham marshes in the London Borough of Havering so that this might be considered for industrial and other uses.

The attention of the committee has been specifically drawn to the exceptional pressures on land which will continue in London and the South-East Region.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take special steps to help the ratepayers of Havering and the eight other London Boroughs where revaluation will result in more than marginally increased payments by domestic ratepayers where support grants do not make up the increases.

The purpose of revaluation is to ensure that the share of local expenditure among individual ratepayers more fairly reflects the current values of their property. London boroughs qualify for the needs and domestic elements of the rate support grant—like all other rating areas—including next year's increase to 6p for domestic ratepayers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the firms to whom the 99 Community multilateral vehicle licences granted to the United Kingdom have been issued; and on what basis they were allocated.

These authorisations were allocated to those applicants who provided the best evidence of being able to make intensive use of them for journeys between Member States. I am writing to the hon. Member about the first part of his Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take to obtain a proper allocation of operating permits for British road haulage firms within the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to a similar question to the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) on 24th January.—[Vol. 849, c. 156.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects work to commence on the Penrith-West Cumberland A66 trunk road improvement scheme.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 30th January 1973 in answer to a similar Question.—[Vol. 849, c. 359.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the report of the National Ports Council of its inquiry into non-scheme ports; and if he will make a statement.

I have today received a copy of the report. I expect it to be published in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons he has found it necessary to set up an inquiry into Government building standards; and what are the terms of reference given to Sir Robert Matthew and Mr. W. P. D. Skillington.

My right hon. and learned Friend decided to appoint Sir Robert Matthew and Mr. W. P. D. Skillington to advise him how his responsibilities for high standards of architectural design could best be discharged because their wide ranging nature made it necessary to put in hand a comprehensive inquiry. The areas in which those responsibilities arise and the terms of reference for the inquiry were given by my right hon. and learned Friend in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Roger White) on the 7th December 1972.—[Vol. 847, c. 515–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is intended to publish the eventual report of the inquiry into Government building standards.

My right hon. and learned Friend does not intend to publish a report of the inquiry to be conducted by Sir Robert Matthew and Mr. W. P. D. Skillington with the object of advising him about possible means of promoting high standards of architectural design in areas for which he is responsible. When he has had their advice he will announce his decision about the means to be adopted for discharging his responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the second experimental sound barrier will he erected on the Perry Barr section of the M1-M6 linkway.

Work on the erection of an additional 1 kilometre length of experimental sound barrier along the south side of the motorway will start on 1st February and should be completed by mid-April. It is hoped that work on Phase III—erection of wooden barriers on the bridge parapets over Queslett Road—will proceed concurrently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in which of the following towns domestic ratepayers will face a heavier rate burden as a result of revaluation: Heywood, Royton, Crompton, Milnrow Wardle, Littleborough Whitworth.

I do not have an analysis in sufficient detail to provide such a list.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further consideration has been given to the proposal to exclude central heating arrangements when assessing rateable values; what conclusions have been reached; and if he will make a statement.

I must ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the legislation to reform certain aspects of local government finance announced in the Queen's Speech on 31st October 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek further powers to control the destruction of trees, with particular relation to building houses close to woodlands.

My right hon. and learned Friend is consulting the local authority associations about possible ways of strengthening present powers to preserve trees. But the full implications of building houses close to trees and woodlands should be taken into account by the local planning authority when considering planning applications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the breakdown of the cost on which is based the estimated £200 million extra road expenditure which would result from the acceptance of higher axle weights of heavy trucks.

The £200 million is an estimate of the additional resurfacing costs which would be incurred after 1980, discounted to that year, if vehicles with an 11-tonne axle weight were accepted.Assumptions have had to be made about the rate of build-up of fleets using the heavier axle and on the roads which would be used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement about attendance and financial loss allowance for councillors under the Local Government Act 1972.

The new attendance allowance for elected members, for which provision is made in the Local Government Act 1972, will be payable from 1st April 1974.The maximum rate of attendance allowance will be prescribed by my right hon. and learned Friend. He is at present considering the views which have been expressed on behalf of the local authorities and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to develop a major steel project at Hunterston.

None, sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he proposes to have with both sides of industry in Scotland regarding the Government's view of the proposals contained in the International Management and Engineering Group's report.

As my right hon. Friend said in answer to a Question from the hon. Member on 22nd January, Ministers from the Department will be having a number of discussions with both sides of industry over the coming months. The first has been arranged for 9th February.—[Vol. 849, c. 12–13.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the travel-to-work areas which have been granted special development, development or assisted area status since such schemes started, giving in each case the rate of unemployment at the time of the announcement of assistance and the current rate, both in numbers and expressed as a percentage.

As the information asked for is voluminous I am sending it to the hon. Member and placing a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of aid granted under the Industry Act to industrial concerns locating in Scotland; and if he will state the expected total job creation value of the projects concerned.

A sum of £8·5 million has so far been paid. It is not possible to estimate the jobs in prospect as a result of this assistance because payment of regional development grants and shipbuilding construction grants is not directly linked with the creation or maintenance of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give his latest estimate of the costs to the Exchequer of research and development and of the contribution towards production costs, less repayments (if any) in respect of the Concorde aircraft, together with any estimate he has made from information available to him of the profits to date by BAC Ltd, as well as the total capital provided by BAC Ltd in respect of this project.

The latest estimate of the United Kingdom share of development costs was reported to the House on 4th May 1972 as £480 million. The Government propose to finance production by repayable loans, which will be recovered from the proceeds of sales. So far £46 million has been advanced to the United Kingdom manufacturers. It is not customary to reveal commercially confidential information about Government contractors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the amount of money spent by Her Majesty's Government on the Concorde project since 18th June 1970.

Expenditure incurred by Her Majesty's Government on the Concorde project since 18th June 1970 amounts to £197 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to investigate the circumstances in which objects from private British art collections appear in foreign collections without having received an export licence, when their value is clearly in excess of the export without licence financial limit.

The Customs and Excise have wide powers to investigate possible breaches of the export licensing regulations. If the hon. Member will write to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about any particular case, he will consider whether to ask for an investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the 175,000 live bovine cattle exported from the United Kingdom in the 11 months ended November 1972 were calves less than six months old.

Information by age is not available; in total 24,000 calves were exported.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of staff employed in the North Thames Gas Consumer Council office; and what is the cost of salaries and administrative expenses.

Approval was given on 30th November last for the staff complement to be increased from five to six. Staff to fill the additional post and also a vacancy due to the retirement of an existing member of the staff are being recruited by the council. The cost of salaries and administrative expenses in the last financial year 1971–72, was £11,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to have consultations with European countries on participation in Post-Apollo.

Discussions with our European partners are continuing. Possible United Kingdom participation in further studies to be undertaken by the European Space Research Organisation is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sum is owed by Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited to creditors; if interest is payable on the sums outstanding; and what this represents.

Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. is responsible for these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the proposed Garage Quality Council to begin its operations; whether a chairman and members of the council have been appointed; if he will publish its terms of reference; and, having regard to the interests of motorists, if he will ensure that it has adequate finance and manpower resources to undertake its proposed functions.

It was made clear from the outset that the proposed council would be an entirely voluntary body, to be financed by the trade and other organisations, whose purpose is to protect the interests of motorists, and not by the general body of taxpayers. It is being established under the auspices of the NEDO, which is currently finalising the details of the scheme. My Department strongly supports the proposed council's objectives, and I am prepared to make the formal appointment of a chairman, when invited to do so, as soon as the financial and other details are settled.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list by reference to the new counties of England the standard regions of England as currently used by the home Departments and where any Departments use different geography to identify the differences.

The regions most commonly used for regional planning and development purposes and to which regional statistics generally relate are the economic planning regions. I will circulate the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT by reference to the new counties. Apart from these, departments use other boundaries drawn by reference to their own administrative and operational requirements. There are a large number of variants. The information is as follows:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will state, at 31st December 1972, the revised allocation of British civil servants to the EEC, calculated at mid-1973, including all offices and Brussels.

I estimate that during 1973 between 600 and 700 British nationals may be recruited by the European Commission. Since most are being recruited by open competition it is not possible to say now how many of these will be found within the Civil Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to ensure that tankers on British roads are coloured to denote various types of dangerous loads, caustic soda and acids, to enable greater safety on these roads and in towns where these lorries are parked; and if he will make a statement.

Regulations under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 already provide for the distinctive marking of tankers carrying petroleum spirit, other inflammable liquids and corrosive substances by road. These controls are being systematically extended to other classes of dangerous substances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the refusal by the Metropolitan Police to supply the names and addresses of witnesses to a road accident before proceedings by the police are concluded or a decision taken not to institute proceedings imposes a burden on persons involved in an accident who desire to bring a civil suit for damages; and whether he will advise that this practice be reconsidered in the interest of persons involved, and state under what authority this information is withheld.

This is a matter within the discretion of chief officers of police. The present arrangements are designed to avoid prejudice to police proceedings but once these proceedings are complete, or a decision not to initiate them has been taken, it is the general practice of the police to supply, on request, not only the names and addresses but also the statements of witnesses. This practice enables the great majority of claims for damages to be settled without court action. The courts do not, as a rule, hear a civil suit for damages until criminal proceedings are out of the way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will define and detail the circumstances in which discrimination on grounds of sex is warranted; and if he will review such situations.

Different treatment for men and women may be warranted in situations where the circumstances, needs and capabilities of women are different from those of men. It is necessary to look at allegations of discrimination in their context. One purpose of the current study by the Department of Employment of the problems encountered by women in securing equal treatment with men in matters of employment and training is to identify areas in which differences in treatment between men and women are natural and desirable, as well as those where overt or concealed discrimination exists. A Select Committee in another place is also considering these matters and is expected to report shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women previously resident in Uganda have been admitted to the United Kingdom since 1st August 1972 whose husbands are stateless; and how many of these husbands have been admitted to the United Kingdom.

We estimate that about 300 women holding United Kingdom passports whose husbands are citizens of Uganda or of undetermined nationality have been admitted to this country from Uganda. Some 40 of the husbands are in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest number of registered drug addicts in Scotland; and how this compares with previous figures.

The number of drug addicts in Scotland known to the Home Office to be receiving narcotic drugs on prescription or from other sources at 31st December 1971 was 50; the figures at the end of 1969 and 1970 were 36 and 26 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards he has negotiated to protect British bacon pig producers after the ending of the Bacon Market Sharing Understanding.

I believe that the arrangements which will apply to trade in bacon as a result of the agreement on compensatory amounts in the pigmeat sector will adequately protect the interests of United Kingdom bacon pig producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce an order to bring up to date the Export of Horses (Veterinary Examination) Order 1966 in order to make the value of a heavy draft horse referred to in Section 5(a) and of a vanner, mule or jennet in Section 5(b) each at least £200; and of an ass referred to in Section 5(c) at least £50.

My right lion. Friend is at present reviewing the minimum values for the export of certain types of horses and ponies specified in various Orders under the Diseases of Animals Act 1950 and in the Ponies Act 1969.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many rounds were fired at the Army at the weekend by the IRA in Belfast; how many rounds the Army fired in reply; and with what effect.

Between 7 a.m. on 27th January and 7 a.m. on 29th January there were 120 incidents of shots being fired at the troops in Belfast. No record could be kept of the number of shots fired, but it is estimated to have been over 1,000. It is not possible to identify which shots were fired by the IRA, but the location of the shooting suggests that they were very largely responsible.Troops fired in 75 incidents, shooting 697 rounds, and 14 gunmen are believed to have been hit. There were no Army casualties.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the attempt to murder a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment at Bay Shore, Lurgan, at the weekend; and what arrests were made.

At about 9.30 p.m. on 28th January, a car carrying three or four men parked behind the private car of an off-duty member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. They surrounded his car and ordered him to alight. He did so, but he was able to reach his pistol and exchanged shots with them.The gunmen continued to fire, and the UDR member sustained a wound to the index finger of his left hand before he was able to escape across a field. Inquiries are still continuing but I understand that no arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how soon he expects to be able to announce decisions regarding the future use of RAF Station, Syerston, Nottinghamshire.

RAF Syerston is required as a relief landing ground for RAF Cranwell. The continued need for the domestic accommodation and other facilities depends on a number of current studies into the requirements of the RAF training organisation. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am able to give him any more definite information.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how soon he expects to be able to announce his decision following requests for the withdrawal of Forces' training facilities from Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Loveridge) on 30th January.—[Vol. 849, c. 355–6.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what monetary award is paid to soldiers of the 1914–18 war awarded the Military Medal and those of the 1939–45 war, respectively; and what are the reasons for the disparity.

No special payment is made to soldiers of the 1914–18 war on account of the award of the Military Medal. Men who were awarded this medal after 2nd September 1939 received a one-time gratuity of £20. When the £20 gratuity payable to recipients of certain gallantry awards was extended in 1945 to recipients of some other awards, including the Military Medal, the Government of the day decided it would not backdate the extension to a date earlier than 3rd September 1939, for reasons of cost and because it would have been impracticable to trace all of the 116,000 people awarded the Medal in the 1914–18 War. Successive Governments have endorsed this decision.

asked the Minister of State for Defence, what is the expected active life of HMS "Ark Royal".

HMS "Ark Royal" is being kept in service until the late 1970s.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if it is his intention to take over the Tamar Brewery and incorporate this site within HM Dockyard; and whether he will be able to offer any jobs to any workers who may be made redundant.

Negotiations are currently in progress with a view to the purchase of the Tamar Brewery site for incorporation into HM Dockyard after the present owners leave.If the sale is completed, any employees of the brewery who may be made redundant as a result of the owners' decision to close down the brewery, and who wish to seek employment with the Ministry of Defence, will be considered for any vacancies which exist at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many training places have been made available, respectively, in Teesside and in the Northern Region as a whole under the vocational training scheme providing 12-week courses.

Forty-seven such places are available on skills appreciation courses in Teesside and 253 in the Northern Region as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what support he proposes to give to Group Training Associations when ITB's present levy-grant arrangements come to an end.

The Government recognise the value of group training schemes and are anxious that they should be encouraged. In settling with industrial training boards this year their first round of plans and budgets under the new training arrangements, we shall see

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish figure showing the percentage decrease in male and female unemployment in each planning region of the United Kingdom between March 1972 and January 1973.

The following table shows percentage changes in the numbers unemployed between 13th March 1972 and 8th January 1973. The figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the male and female unemployment rate in the Bristol and district area for each of the last five years, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of those registered as unemployed in the region.

The following table relates to the Bristol travel-to-work area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the male and female unemployment rate in the South Western Region for each of the last five years,

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the male and female unemployment rate in the South Western Region as a percentage of the available work force for each month during the years 1971 and 1972.

The following table shows percentage rates of unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current state of the Redundancy Fund; and how this compares with previous years.

At the end of last week the Redundancy Fund was in deficit by £5,216,000. The position at the end

Following is the information:of each previous calendar year was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much was paid out in redundancy payments in each of the years since the inception of the scheme; and how many persons have qualified for payments in each of those years.

The following figures relate to payments to employees under the statutory scheme:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to carry out the proposal, which he announced on 1st February, 1972, to review the redundancy payments scheme and to issue a consultative document for that purpose.

There is nothing I can add to my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 21st November.—[Vol 846, c. 349.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she is taking to deal with the difficulties experienced in recruiting sufficient qualified youth and community workers; and what is the effect of the shortage on efficiency of the service.

My right hon. Friend will review the situation about the end of March when the returns from local education authorities of vacancies at 31st December 1972 are available and have been analysed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she now expects to publish the Russell Committee's report on Adult Education.

I hope that, subject to unforeseen delays, this report will be ready for publication before the end of March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what manner he proposes to announce appointments to advisory bodies of the EEC; and if he will list appointments already made in the OFFICIAL REPORT, together with the names of the bodies responsible for the expenses and emoluments of the persons concerned.