asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the increases in price that have taken place in agricultural fertiliser and feeding stuffs since June 1970, giving the total percentage increase for each product from June 1970 to the latest available figure.

Compound feedingstuff prices (Great Britain)	June 1970 £/ton	December 1972 £/ton	Increase £/ton	Percentage increase
Cattle (excluding calf)	39·36	45·06	+5·70	14·5
Pig	40·98	49·29	+8·31	20·3
Poultry	43·85	53·07	+9·22	21·0
Index of compound feedingstuff prices (United Kingdom)	115·7	137·2*	—	18·6
* Not yet published.

(Based on average 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67 = 100).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inspectors are available to make sure that cauliflowers imported from France conform to the Community regulations on grading.

The present strength of the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate, which is the inspecting authority in England and Wales for the EEC grading regulations for fruit and vegetables, is 141. Any of the 133 inspectors based in the regions may inspect cauliflowers from any source.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to enforce the Community regulations on grading in the case of cauliflowers imported from France.

Cauliflowers—whether home grown or imported—are liable to inspection under the EEC grading regulations at all stages of distribution.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity

Since June 1970, manufacturers of fertilisers have increased their prices as follows:

• 1st January 1971 by 10 per cent.
• 1st June 1971 by 7½ per cent.
• 1st October 1972 by 7½ per cent. (excluding basic slag).

The overall increase in fertiliser prices since June 1970 is 26 per cent.The price increases for the main groups of manufactured compound feeding stuffs and the index of compound feeding stuff prices between June 1970 and December 1972 are listed below:of cauliflowers from France have been imported into the United Kingdom; and what quantity have been inspected to ensure that they comply with the grading regulations of the EEC.

The EEC regulations for cauliflowers did not apply to the United Kingdom until 1st February 1973 and official statistics of imports since that date are not yet available. A substantial tonnage of French cauliflowers has been inspected but detailed information could not be obtained without an unjustifiable use of resources.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the present stocks of beef in cold-store; and how that figure compares with 12 months earlier.

There were some 21,400 tons of imported beef in public cold stores on 26th January, the latest date on which full information is available. This compares with some 18,200 tons a year ago.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many computer installations are being installed in Government Departments; and at what cost in the current financial year.

Twenty-five computers for administrative and scientific uses have been installed in Government Departments since the beginning of the current financial year and a further six machines are likely to be accepted before 1st April next. The total value of these machines will be £14·5 million. Flight simulators and similar operational systems are not included in these figures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to enable operators of coin-operated vending machines to increase the price charged for the goods they supply by more than 10 per cent., once VAT and Phase II of the incomes policy have been introduced, if this is necessitated by the non-availability of an appropriate coin of low value.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates that the repayment of post-war credits will be completed.

By the end of this year all those entitled to credit will have become entitled to claim repayment but it is too soon to consider a final date beyond which claims will not be acceptable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy with regard to tax relief on mortgages on dwellings other than the main residence.

It has been the view of successive Governments that tax relief should be given for interest paid on loans for the purchase or improvement of land or buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures to show the effects of outward migration from the five counties of Mid-Wales since 1960.

The population of the five counties of Mid-Wales fell by 3,130 between mid-1961 and mid-1971. A natural increase of 484 was more than offset by a decline of 700 in the number of service personnel and presumed civilian net migration of 2,914.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motoring offences were heard in each of the magistrates' courts in the Leek parliamentary constituency in each of the past 10 years; and what proportion of all cases heard these figures represent.

I regret that such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to explain to voters the new voting procedure following local government reorganisation.

The voting procedure itself is unchanged. Press, television and radio publicity for the first elections is being arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions took place under the provisions of the Obscene Publications Acts in the year 1972; and what were the results.

The figures for 1972 are not yet available; but in 1971, 211 persons were proceeded against under the Obscene Publications Acts 1959 and 1964, of whom 196 were found guilt. Of these, 11 were sentenced to immediate imprisonment, 161 were fined, one was placed on probation, eight were given absolute or conditional discharges and 15 were otherwise dealt with.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will advise the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis of the need to set up regional squads to be trained to combat potential violence from militant strikers and others likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Improved arrangements now exist for mutual aid and co-operation between police forces to help to ensure that sufficient police reinforcements could be deployed quickly to cope with situations of the kind that my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many proceedings relating to pornographic offences took place as a result of Post Office Acts seizures in the year 1972; and with what results.

I have been asked to reply.No proceedings were instituted in 1972. Twenty cases are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's review of the law of picketing.

I have been asked to reply.I regret that I am not yet able to say when a statement about the review will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information required by Directive 72/221/EEC of 6th June 1972 is not already collected by his Department; and what is his estimate of the additional cost of providing this information for the purposes of the directive.

To meet the requirements of the directive, the following additional information will be sought on the questionnaires for the annual censuses of production:—

• remuneration paid to outworkers^*†
• social security charges^*‡
• value added tax‡
• local authority rates^*‡
• cost of non-industrial services^*‡

Notes:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether firms receiving cash grants for modernisation are entitled to treat such grants as revenue available for distribution.

There is no uniform professional practice as to how cash grants should be treated in the accounts, apart from the obligation that the accounts shall show a true and fair view of the company's state of affairs. However, it is a fundamental rule of company law that, save in the exceptional circumstances covered by Section 65 of the Companies Act 1948, dividends can only be paid out of profits and not out of capital.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to ensure that those responsible for the storage of goods belonging to other persons are not permitted to undertake that storage without adequate insurance against their loss.

No. This is a commercial matter between the parties. It is open to the owners either to insure their goods themselves or to agree with the storer terms for suitable insurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the adverse health effects of insurance which creates a financial incentive, in the form of a no claims bonus, for delaying or avoiding admission to hospital, he will seek powers to require insurance companies advertising such policies to refrain from so doing.

No. Many considerations may affect an individual's decision whether to seek hospital treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the inquiry carried out by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on stocks of petroleum, natural gas and natural uranium.

I am not aware of any such inquiry, but if the hon. Member would write to me with more information I would be pleased to try to help.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the situation facing the British domestic appliance industry in being unable to obtain required supplies of cold reduced steel sheet from the British Steel Corporation, what further steps and meetings are envisaged between his Department and the parties involved to meet this situation.

My Department is currently considering applications from domestic appliance manufacturers for temporary exemption from import duty on certain types of sheet steel, and we are in touch with the companies concerned about these applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet replied to representations from the EEC regarding the pricing policy of the British steel industry, including the introduction of the basing points system; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Commission's letter, which invites comments within 30 days, is being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in his forthcoming legislation on companies, he will include those recommendations of the Jenkins Committee which were not implemented in 1967.

The outstanding recommendations of the Jenkins Committee are among the matters I am considering in my review of company law.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the appointments of the present members of the English Tourist Board are due to end; whether any change in the number of members will then be made; and if he will make a statement.

The present appointments expire next September. The composition of the board will be reviewed at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will outline the changes in Commonwealth Preference on United Kingdom imports which came into operation on 1st February.

The main change affecting Commonwealth Preference on 1st February was the introduction of charges under the common agricultural policy with the removal of the protective import duty on products subject only to agricultural levies. Apart from a few minor adjustments, the full protective duties on other agricultural products, including processed foodstuffs, continue in force unchanged. There was no change in Commonwealth Preference on non-agricultural products.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many notices have been served under the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act requiring, respectively, a standstill or a reduction in prices.

Eighteen notices have been given by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Counter Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972. These prevented increases in domestic air fares which otherwise would have been made on 1st January 1973. No other notices have been given and no orders relating to price increases have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the membership of the Monopolies Commission, distinguishable between full-time and part-time members.

The list of members is as follows:

• Sir Ashton Roskill, Q.C., Chairman.
• Sir Alexander Johnston, GCB, KBE, Deputy Chairman.
• Professor T. Barna.
• Mr. Bernard Boxall, CBE.
• Mr. J. Crawford, OBE.
• Sir Roger Falk, OBE.
• Mr. John Gratwick.
• Professor H. L. A. Hart, FBA
• Mrs. Jacqueline Inchbald.
• Mr. D. A. Hunter Johnston.
• Mr. M. J. Methven.
• Mr. K. A. Noble.
• Mr. R. G. Opie.
• Mr. E. L. Richards, CBE, MC, TD.
• Mr. G. B. Richardson.
• Mr. Lewis Robertson, CBE.
• Mr. S. A. Robinson.
• Mr. L. H. Williams.
• Professor B. S. Yamey, CBE.
• The Chairman's is the only full-time appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff are employed by the Monopolies Commission; and how many of these are economists, lawyers, accountants and statisticians, respectively.

The commission has 66 staff, of whom six are economists and seven are accountants. The commission can use the legal and statistical services of the Department of Trade and Industry when required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will indicate the percentage of private capital the Government propose to permit in the new company, British Steel Corporation (Chemicals) Ltd.

I do not propose to restrict the proportion of private capital that may be introduced into British Steel Corporation (Chemicals) Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will permit private capital to participate in the capital of Redpath Dorman Long.

Yes. This was the object of establishing the former constructional engineering division of BSC as a company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will study the monopoly implications of the bid by Glynwed for Armitage Shanks with a view to a reference to the Monopolies Commission; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is yet able to confirm that the Department's examination centre at Belfast for maritime examinations will not be closed.

I can now confirm that it will not be closed. It is intended, however, to reduce the frequency of examinations held at Belfast and at the Department's other centres.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the average earnings of manual workers in the gas supply industry.

The latest issue of the Department of Employment New Earnings Survey for April 1972 showed average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers in gas, excluding those whose pay was affected by absence, to be £35·50. (The comparable figure, including those whose pay was affected by absence, would be £34·70.)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Her Majesty's Government now propose to participate in the next stages of the post-Apollo programme.

The next stage in the post-Apollo programme is the Phase B2 study into the sortie lab and I have offered the European Space Research Organisation a contribution of £300,000 to this stage. In doing so I have made it clear that the United Kingdom is in no way committed to participating in further stages of the studies or in the subsequent development and construction phases.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average weekly wage of motor vehicle industry employees in Scotland, England and the relevant regions of England, respectively.

The New Earnings Survey for April 1972 shows average gross weekly earnings, based on a 1 per cent. sample of employees, of £40·4 for England, £42·1 for the West Midlands, £38·8 for the North-West and £41·3 for the South-East regions of England. The figures shown are subject to sampling error, and the survey sample is too small to provide reliable figures for Scotland. The figures relate to full-time manual men whose pay was not affected by absence in the survey week.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many complaints there have been under the fair wage resolution in the past 10 years; and what is the average time in each of the years to deal with complaints.

No comprehensive records are available which would provide this information. Complaints are normally notified to contracting departments and other public bodies and are referred to my Department for conciliation only if they cannot otherwise be resolved.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on consultations he has had in relation to definition of fair wages resolution in so far as it relates to fines and good employers; and if he will seek to amend these references in the light of his consultations.

No representations have been made to me on the resolution since consultations took place, at the request of the Trades Union Congress in 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he is making to cope with redundancies which will be caused in Wirral as a result of the proposed rundown in steelmaking at Shotton.

One of my senior officials in the North-West Region is a member of the task force set up by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales to prepare proposals for comprehensive economic and social measures to deal with the rundown at Shotton.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to be able to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Stirling and Falkirk Burghs sent to him on 16th November 1972 with a reminder on 19th January 1973 concerning the implementation of a wage increase for dock workers at Grangemouth which was negotiated before the Government anti-inflation measures were announced.

My Department wrote to the hon. Member on 6th February explaining that a careful search of the Department's records had revealed no evidence that the hon. Member's letter of 16th November had been received by the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many notices have been served under the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act

							Scale maxima
							1st January 1971	1st January 1972
							£	£	Percentage
Principal	…	…	…	…	…	…	4,400	4,708	7·0
Executive Officer	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,000	2,150	7·5
Clerical Officer	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,385	1,489	7·5
Higher Scientific Officer	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,350	2,515	7·0
P and TO, Grade 1	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,396	3,760	10·7
Messenger	…	…	…	…	…	…	17·50	19·15	9·4
Copy Typist, Grade 1	…	…	…	…	…	…	18·90	20·55	8·7

The Retail Price Index stood at 147 on 19th January 1971 and 170·2 on 12th December 1972—a move of 15·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the male job loss in the five counties of Mid-Wales in 1971 and 1972;(2) how many male jobs in manufacturing industry were created in the five counties of Mid-Wales in 1971 and 1972.

Precise information about jobs lost and jobs created is not available, but an indication of net annual changes can be obtained by comparing mid-year employment estimates, the most recent of which, for local areas, relate to June 1971. Between June 1970 and June 1971 there was no significant change

Notices applying Section 2 of the Act have been served on two companies. The effect of one was to stop the payment of a proposed increase in pay and of the other to require reversion to the rates paid before 6th November 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the increase in pay of civil servants since 1st January 1971 and the increase in the cost of living from the same date to the latest available date.

I have been asked to reply.The increases in Civil Service rates of pay since 1st January 1971 vary according to the grades concerned. The following are examples:in the numbers of males in employment in manufacturing and in all industries and services.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are registered as unemployed in the five counties of Mid-Wales at the present moment and how many officially notified job vacancies there are in the area.

In January 1973 there were 2,770 people unemployed and 562 notified vacancies remaining unfilled in the counties of Brecknockshire, Cardiganshire, Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire. The vacancy figure relates only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled, and does not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many 17-year-old persons were involved in road accidents in each of the past five years.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the road casualty figures for the A52 in Staffordshire in each of the past five years.

These figures are not immediately available, but I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to save the Garrick, Adelphi, Wyndhams, Vaudeville, Phoenix, Arts and Duchess theatres threatened by development and road-widening proposals.

I have no control over the future of these theatres except in the case of the Garrick, Wyndhams and Vaudeville, which are listed as being of special architectural or historic interest. However, I have agreed to receive a deputation from the Theatres' Advisory Council to discuss the future of London theatre buildings in general.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will include the Criterion Theatre in the list of preserved buildings.

The Criterion Theatre was included on 5th February 1970 in the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to refuse applications for permission for further office building in areas of London where theatres are likely to be affected by such development.

Any application for planning permission must be considered on its merits, but I have agreed to discuss with a delegation from the Theatres' Advisory Council whether applications involving theatre buildings should receive special consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to representations to him by British Actors Equity about the threat to London's theatres as a result of redevelopment proposals.

I have informed British Actors Equity Association that I am arranging to receive a delegation from the Threates' Advisory Council to discuss the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will propose lorry routes which bypass Huddersfield.

No. This is for the local authority, but my present advice is that lorries should be routed on to the primary network avoiding sensitive areas where possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now visit Huddersfield to discuss traffic problems with local officials.

The opening, in December, of the section of M62 from Outlane to Ainleys reduced the volume of through traffic. The adjoining section from Ainleys to Chain Bar will afford further relief.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a date for the completion of the M62.

The Yorkshire section west of the M1 should be completed by the late spring 1973—and the whole M62 motorway during 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage take-up of rate rebate grants; and what his Department is doing to bring to the attention of those entitled the new allowances.

Information about the take-up of rate rebates in all rating authorities in England and Wales in the financial year ending 31st March 1972 is given in the booklet "Rate Rebates in England and Wales in 1971–72" published by my Department and the Welsh Office at the end of last year. Copies of the booklet are available in the Library of the House. There is no basis on which a reliable estimate can be made of those eligible for rebate who did not apply.Publicity for the scheme is primarily the responsibility of the rating authorities, but my Department assists by making leaflets available to them for local distribution, and by issuing posters to them and to voluntary organisations and post offices. Following the recent approval by Parliament of higher income limits to operate from 1st April next, a circular will be issued to local authorities drawing their attention to the new limits and inviting them to publicise them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals have been submitted to him regarding the future of Cambridge Circus; and whether he will sanction the proposed payment by Camden Council of £630,000 to the Greater London Council for sites in this area which the Greater London Council is prepared to sell to developers for £625,000.

Apart from the proposals for the Covent Garden comprehensive development area which affect a small part of Cambridge Circus, no proposals have been submitted to me; nor have I received any approach from Camden council regarding the purchase of sities in this area from the Greater London Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will freeze all existing planning consents in the central London area pending reconsideration of the plans for Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Bloomsbury and Soho.

The responsibility for considering how far individual proposals in these areas should proceed in advance of decisions on more comprehensive schemes lies with the local planning authorities, and they have powers to take revocation action where development which is thought to be inconsistent with those plans has already been permitted. In particular cases, where it seems to be appropriate, I can use my powers to "call-in" certain applications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the reconsideration of the plans for Covent Garden, he will consider finding a site for the National Library in this area in order to save over seven acres of Bloomsbury from demolition.

No. The White Paper on the British Library (Cmnd. 4572), presented to Parliament in January 1971 by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General stated that the site for the new building would be in the seven acres adjacent to the British Museum and that an investigation had shown it was possible to meet the library's needs on this site, while preserving all the more important listed buildings and making space for at least as much housing as under earlier plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the hazard to life constituted by the absence of crash barriers on the central reservation of the Great West Road between Chiswick roundabout and the Hogarth roundabout, he will announce arrangements for such barriers to be erected without delay.

No. There are already crash barriers for eastbound traffic between the end of the M4 and the signal-controlled junction with Sutton Court Road. Experience does not indicate any need for their extension to the Hogarth roundabout or along the westbound carriageway.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the 1973 grant to be paid, under Section 20 of the Transport Act 1968, in respect of the following services within the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority—Liverpool-Birkenhead-New Brighton, Liverpool-Birkenhead-Rock Ferry and Liverpool-Birkenhead-West Kirby; and how that estimate compares with grants made in previous years

MERSEYSIDE PASSENGER TRANSPORT EXECUTIVE—GRANTS FOR INTERNAL RAIL PASSENGER SERVICES
				1970 100% DOE Grant* Final	1971 100% DOE Grant* Final	1972 90% DOE Grant† Revised	1973 80% DOE Grant† Estimated
				£	£	£	£
Liverpool to New Brighton	…	…	…	124,000	107,000	96,300	181,600
Liverpool to Rock Ferry	…	…	…	164,000	125,000	112,500	152,000
Liverpool to West Kirby	…	…	…	159,000	163,000	146,700	228,000
TOTALS	…	…	…	447,000	395,000	355,500	561,600
* Grant paid under section 39 of the Transport Act 1968.
† Grant paid/payable under section 20 of the Transport Act 1968.

The 1973 estimate (total) represents an increase of 80 per cent. over 1970, 70 per cent. over 1971 and 63 per cent. over 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the policy of Section 20(8)(b) of the Transport Act 1968 will continue to be applicable to financial support for loss-making railway services covered by it after 1st January 1974.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the proportion of total rateable value constituted by domestic ratepayers has changed with each post-war revaluation.

Final figures for this year are not yet available centrally, but on the basis of earlier estimates the domestic proportion of total rateable value will change from just over 48 per cent. to nearly 49 per cent. in 1956, the change was from 59·83 per cent. to 49·41 per cent., and in 1963 from 47 per cent. to 48·35 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with residents or organisations concerning revision of the Barnsbury traffic management scheme in the last four months.

None.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual number of new home sales in each of the last three available years; and in each year what percentage has been sold for less than £8,000.

In the years ending in September 1970, September 1971 and September 1972, the numbers of new dwellings sold and mortgaged with building societies or insurance companies in the United Kingdom were 135,000, 165,000 and 178,000 respectively. The proportions sold for less than £8,000 in each of the three years were 92 per cent., 90 per cent. and 79 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total annual number of all home sales in each of the last three available years; and in each year what percentage has been sold for less than £8,000.

In the years ending in September 1970, September 1971 and September 1972, the numbers of dwellings sold and mortgaged with building societies or insurance companies in the United Kingdom were 535,000, 656,000 and 720,000 respectively. The proportions sold for less than £8,000 were 91 per cent., 87 per cent. and 74 per cent. respectively. In addition, the numbers of dwellings sold and mortgaged with local authorities were 33,000, 48,000 and 48,000 respectively but I have no information on the proportion sold for less than £8,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the position under the Road Vehicles Lighting (Standing Vehicles) (Exemption) (General) Regulations 1972 whereby it is permissible to park vehicles after dark in any road which is subject to a 30 m.p.h. speed limit regardless of whether any kind of street lighting is in operation; whether he has received representations about the working of this feature of the regulations; and if so what replies he has sent.

The available evidence is that these regulations have not had an adverse effect on road safety. In replying to a number of representations I have explained the need for uniform regulations on parking at night. I have promised to keep the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reject any plans submitted by Washington Development Corporation under Section 6(1) of the New Towns Act 1965 for redevelopment which will affect Fatfield village.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's decision on proposals which the corporation may submit to him in the future for Fatfield.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a full report on the archaeological discoveries recently made in New Palace Yard; and whether he will ensure that they are fully investigated and properly recorded before any further construction is undertaken.

One of the historic features of New Palace Yard, dating back to the Middle Ages, was a conduit-head or fountain. This appears in a number of late sixteenth and seventeenth century drawings of the Palace of Westminster. It survived until the reign of King Charles II, but its precise site was not known until the construction works for the underground car park gave my Department's archaeologists an opportunity to determine it with a view to examining and recording any remains. As hon. Members will have seen, what has so far been excavated is both extensive and well preserved; I understand to a considerably greater degree than was expected. Construction work in the area concerned has been halted, and I can assure my hon. Friend that arrangements have already been made for these important discoveries to be investigated, recorded and preserved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have signed and ratified, respectively, the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport.

The Convention has been signed by Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, West Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It has been ratified by Denmark, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will indicate the current number of troops in Northern Ireland and state how many troops it is intended to have there at the time of the border poll.

At present, the Regular troops number about 16,500 and the Ulster Defence Regiment about 8,800 men. The Regular force level is kept under constant review and is adjusted to meet the needs of the current and expected situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were awaiting admission to Rugby hospitals on 1st January 1973; and what was the figure for 1st January 1972.

The information is as follows:

• 583 at 31st December 1972;
• 803 at 31st December 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were awaiting admission to hospitals in the Coventry Hospital Management Committee area on 1st January 1973; and what was the figure for 1st January 1972.

The information is as follows:

• 6,070 at 31st December 1972;
• 7,058 at 31st December 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total expenditure on health centres in the current financial year; and how this compares with expenditure, at constant prices, in each of the previous three years.

Capital expenditure on health centres expected to be approved for loan sanction purposes this financial year is between £9 million and £9·5 million. At constant prices the equivalent figure for 1971–72 was £6·3 million for 1970–71 £5·9 million and for 1969–70 £5·8 million. The totals for this financial year and last do not include expenditure on sites, furniture and equipment which is no longer subject to prior approval by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what medical manpower estimates for the next five and 10 years, respectively, his Department is using in connection with planning the requirements of the National Health Service hospital service.

The provisional figure for England and Wales for 1972 is 26,900; for planning purposes a forecast rate of increase of approximately 3 per cent. per annum is used, but this is subject to variable factors and is kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the vehicle in page 48 of his Department's Handbook of Wheelchairs and Hand Propelled Tricycles represents what his Department considers to be the best in British engineering and technology; when this type of vehicle was first produced; what modifications have been carried out and on what dates; and if he will make a statement;(2) if model 11 on page 48 of his Department's Handbook of Wheelchairs and Hand Propelled Tricycles is considered by his Department to be the best available for British hospitals and associated institutions; if there are models he prefers produced in the United Kingdom or overseas; if he will make such models available for the British public who need them; and if he will make a statement;(3) in view of the effort required to handle patients in Model 11 on page 48 of his Department's Handbook of Wheelchairs and Hand Propelled Tricycles, if he will consider inviting applications from university or other engineering departments to produce a design incorporating the best in British technology with better characteristics for medical staff, patients' relatives and patients' themselves; and if he will make a statement.

A coach-built alternative to the model 11 available for those who prefer it. Many users, however, prefer the wickerwork construction despite its dated appearance because of the lightness and coolness it provides. If the hon. Member is aware of alternatives providing the desired characteristics I will gladly have them examined, but I would not consider it a proper use of resources to investigate the replacement of a carriage of this kind, which is required in only very small numbers, unless there were functional as distinct from fashion objections to the present model. The components—wheels, chassis, upholstery and push handles—have all been improved over the years and the design will continue to he reviewed from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will place in the Library the second edition of details of the management of the reorganised National Health Service.

A copy of National Health Service Reorganisation circular HRC(73)3 has been placed in the Library. It gives provisional guidance on management arrangements for the reorganised National Health Service, subject to Parliament's decisions on the National Health Service Reorganisation Bill. It is not proposed to issue an amended version of the report to which the circular relates.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of classes in secondary schools in Staffordshire has 30 or more pupils; and how this figure compares with each of the past five years.

In maintained secondary schools in Staffordshire the percentage of classes as taught with 31 or more pupils was:

January
1969	…	…	…	…	…	24·5
1970	…	…	…	…	…	24·5
1971	…	…	…	…	…	23·4
1972	…	…	…	…	…	22·4

The information for 1968 is not available and that for 1973 not yet processed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the names and occupations of the persons who interviewed applicants for the post of Chief Executive for the British Library; and if any of the interviewees had experience in library work.

I am informed by the Civil Service Commisison that the members of its selection board which interviewed candidates were:—

• Mr. K. H. Clucas, First Civil Service Commissioner (Chairman).
• Dr. L. Rotherham, Vice-Chancellor, Bath University of Technology.
• Mr. D. T Richnell, Goldsmith Librarian, University of London.
• Sir Frank Francis, formerly Director and Principal Librarian, British Museum.
• Sir William Pile, Permanent Secretary, Department of Education and Science.
• Mr. N. G. Morrison, Deputy Secretary, Scottish Office.

Three of the candidates interviewed had experience in library work.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will consult with the appropriate bodies, and review the methods by which she selects civil servants in her Department for appointment to posts outside the Department.

Posts outside the Department which carry Civil Service conditions of service and are subject to my approval are normally filled through public advertisement followed by an open competition run by the Civil Service Commission. Any person, including any civil servant, who is eligible in the terms of the advertisement may apply. I see no reason to review these well-established arangements, which are eminently fair to all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the arrangements her Department makes to assist local authorities with planning and providing primary and junior schools to meet the requirements of new housing estates; and, in particular, what applications and representations she received and what discussions she had with regard to new housing estates in the towns of Heywood, Royton, Crompton, Milnrow, Little-borough, Wardle and Whitworth.

The Department's officers are ready at all times to discuss with local education authorities and other bodies concerned the effect of housing development on primary and secondary schools. Several discussions have taken place with the Lancashire Education Authority about proposals that it has submitted for school building in the areas mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek to impose further restrictions on the export of antique furniture and other objects of historic and artistic value in the interest of the national heritage.

I have dealt with the general subject of export control in the debate on Museums (Purchase Grants) on 31st January and also in answers to Questions by the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Ernle Money) on 5th February 1973. Antique furniture raises no additional problem.—[Vol. 849, c. 1509·24; Vol. 850, c. 24, 25.]