asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts have been made since the closing of the Rhodesia-Zambia border between British officials and representatives of the Smith régime; and what undertakings were given on behalf of Her Majesty's Government relating to the border issue.

I have been in contact with the Rhodesian authorities on several occasions since the closing of the border. No undertakings relating to the border were given on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions representatives of his Department have visited Rhodesia in the past three months; and for what purpose.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member on 11th December last year, contact will be maintained so far as is possible with Rhodesian opinion of all shades. That, of course, includes the Rhodesian authorities, the African National Council and others. Details of these contacts must remain confidential.—[Vol. 848, c. 7–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the proposed subject matter of the seminar in London to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

After consulting the Women's National Commission we have reached provisional agreement with the United Nations Secretary-General that the title should be "The Family in a changing society; the problems and responsibility of its members".

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to Portugal and West Africa.

I was very happy to visit Senegal, Liberia and Nigeria from 9th until 17th February as the guest of the Governments there. I had friendly and valuable talks in each case with the Heads of State, Governments and the Foreign Ministers and other Ministers about a wide range of subjects of concern to us and to them. We have thereby achieved a better understanding of each other's points of view, especially on relations between the enlarged Community and Africa and on Southern African questions.On the way to Dakar my aircraft made a refuelling stop at Lisbon, and on the way back at Algiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise in the Security Council, as a threat to world peace, recent Israeli attacks on neighbouring States.

We believe it is primarily for the parties immediately concerned to decide whether to have recourse to the Security Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the visit of the Minister for Overseas Development to Zambia; and why he acted as an intermediary between the Government of Zambia and the Smith régime.

I went to Zambia to lead the British delegation to the Commonwealth Youth Ministers' meeting in Lusaka. This was a valuable meeting which I hope will pave the way for increased Commonwealth co-operation and activity on youth matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the peace enforcement machinery for the settlement in Vietnam.

The question of supervision is covered in chapter 6 of the Paris Agreement. This is one of the items under discussion at the peace conference at present taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate, derived from information received by officials of his Department, of the value of assets of those Ugandan Asians at present in the United Kingdom who placed funds in British banks and numbered accounts in Swiss banks prior to their entry into this country.

It is not practicable to give such an estimate. My Department is recording details of assets left in Uganda by United Kingdom citizens, without inquiring whether they had or have assets elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being afforded by his Department to British nationals recently returned from Uganda.

My main concern is to secure prompt, adequate and effective compensation from the Ugandan Government for the property our nationals have been forced to leave in Uganda. We are keeping up continual pressure on the Ugandans to this end. Our most recent intervention was on 22nd February when our Acting High Commissioner saw the Ugandan Cabinet Committee dealing with British nationals. We have already made arrangements to record details of property left in Uganda.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is sending representatives or financial support to the meeting in Oslo from 9th-14th April which is being arranged by the United Nations to draw up a programme for action against apartheid.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the Question by the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about future aid to Botswana.

The Vice-President of Botswana led a delegation for talks in London with Her Majesty's Government from 23rd-25th January about Her Majesty's Government's contribution to Botswana's development programme in the three years 1973–74 to 1975–76. At these talks an offer was made of continuing British aid. This has since been accepted formally by the Government of Botswana.Subject to the annual provision of funds by Parliament, Her Majesty's Government will provide capital aid of £8·1 million for the period, to be used for development projects agreed by the two Governments. This aid will be made available on exceptionally favourable terms; two-fifths of it will be provided in grant form. The rest will be issued as a loan, free of interest, repayable over 25 years, with a seven years' grace period. Technical assistance services, including an expanded training programme, will be provided at levels to be determined annually.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when a decision to include the Rothwell Urban District-Huddersfield-Wakefield Hook Moor (Claimed) County Road A.642-Oulton and Woodlesford Bypass in the firm programme can be expected.

It is too early to be specific but it is hoped that an announcement can be made by the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to compel lorries using the motorways to travel only in the slow lane.

Not generally, but my right hon. Friend is considering restricting use to the nearside lane for such vehicles on part of the M5, where there is a special problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to enable him to curb the practice of speculative buying of new houses for immediate resale at a profit.

This practice, so far as it exists, is a symptom of the fact that the supply of houses to buy has not yet caught up with the demand. The answer is to build more houses. Whereas 165,000 private houses were started in 1970, 227,000 were started in 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an early statement on his attitude to recommendation 25.73 of the Layfield Report, that higher education activities in London should be frozen or reduced.

I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science about the panel's recommendations on the various aspects of education in London, and the Government's conclusions will be announced in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what pilot projects have been initiated, with the participation of his Department, in the city of Chichester resulting from the special studies by the Preservation Policy Group.

We are pursuing with the local authorities concerned a study— proposed by the Chichester Environment Group—of an out-of-town depot for the transfer of goods to light delivery vehicles. This will be valuable for practical implementation of the traffic proposals in the study; and the Department is prepared to participate financially if an appropriate local contribution can be obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now give a date for the final decision on the proposed traffic lights scheme at the junction of Marsh Lane-London Road-Dennis Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex.

No. Further details are awaited from the Greater London Council to enable us to complete consideration of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice he has given to local authorities concerning the desirability to publicise the work that will be done by the new authorities;(2) if he will send a circular to all local authorities involved in local government changes asking them to make available booklets or leaflets that will be distributed to all concerned telling them of the responsibilities and obligations of the new authorities.

The various ways of publicising the work that will be done by the new authorities respectively are under joint consideration by representatives of the local authorities and of the central Government. The specific suggestion for explanatory booklets and leaflets which local authorities would distribute to all households is one of the kinds of publicity for reorganisation under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the inland facilities used by his Department for the checking of foreign lorries returning from Great Britain to the Continent to ensure that they are not overloaded; and if he will indicate the number of prosecutions since 1st September 1972 in respect of these loads including the name of the court involved.

Over the country as a whole my staff make use of some 260 weighing sites for carrying out checks on the loading of domestic and foreign heavy goods vehicles. Urgent steps are being taken to increase this number substantially. Foreign vehicles found to be overloaded are treated in the same way as domestic vehicles: they are prohibited from proceeding further and forced to offload. Foreign drivers are normally summonsed only when they have been arrested under Section 3 of the Foreign Vehicles Act 1972. Two drivers have so far been successfully prosecuted: the first at Lewes, the second at Thames Magistrates' Court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to ascertain which European coun-

			Tender Cost £000	Contract Let
Under Construction
A30 Kennards House	…	…	140	April 1972
A30 Cardinham Railway Bridge	…	…	53	May 1972
A30 Town Hall and Higher Bore Street, Bodmin	…	…	30	February 1972
A30 Lords Waste, Bodmin Moor	…	…	146	October 1972
A38 Chudleigh Bypass	…	…	3,900	April 1971
A38 lvybridge Bypass	…	…	3,400	November 1971
A38 Ashburton-Buckfastleigh	…	…	4,700	February 1972
A38 Drumbridge-Caton Cross	…	…	3,300	May 1972
A38 Drybridge-Syon Abbey and South Brent Bypass	…	…	3,000	May 1972
A38 Lee Mill-Smitherleigh Diversion	…	…	1,334	January 1973

FIRM PROGRAMME
					Forecast Contract Let
Schemes estimated to cost less than approximately £½ million
A30 Lifton Down-Walnut Cottage, Lifton	…	…	…	…	Spring 1973
A38 Devon Motel-Peamore Roundabout	…	…	…	…	Spring 1973
A38 Peamore Roundabout-Peamore Garage	…	…	…	…	Spring 1973
A38 Drawbridge Improvement	…	…	…	…	Mid-1973
A30 Hawks Tor Improvement, Bodmin Moor	…	…	…	…	Spring 1973
A38 Trethawle Diversion	…	…	…	…	Mid-1974
Estimated to cost between approximately £½ million-£1 million
A38 Tinkers Lake Diversion	…	…	…	…	Mid-1974
Estimated to cost between approximately £2 million-£3 million
A38 Liskeard Bypass	…	…	…	…	Autumn 1973
Estimated to cost between approximately £3 million-£4 million
A30 Launceston Bypass	…	…	…	…	End-1973
A30 Pearces Hill-Pocombe Link	…	…	…	…	End-1973
Estimated to cost between approximately £4 million-£5 million
A38 A30/A38 Bodmin Bypass	…	…	…	…	Spring 1974
Estimated to cost between approximately £6 million-£7 million
A30 Camborne-Scorrier	…	…	…	…	Spring 1973

Austria and Switzerland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will itemise the road schemes under construction, programmed and in the preparation pool together with costs and commencement dates where appropriate for the A30 and A38 trunk roads west of Exeter.

Dates forecast for schemes in the firm programme and preparation pool are dependent on the successful completion of statutory and other procedures, and on the availability of funds.Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the authorised strength of the Alkali Inspectorate, the actual number employed and where they are located.

The authorised strength has recently bee nraised to 38, of whom 36 are at present in post. Arrangements are currently proceeding to engage a further two by competition. In addition my right hon. and learned Friend is setting up four grit and dust testing teams of two officers each. Six of these officers are already in post. Information about the locations of the inspectorate, which is lengthy, is given in the Chief Alkali and Clean Air Inspector's report for 1971. The testing teams are located in Bradford, Cardiff, Leek and Stevenage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in how many instances local authorities have been consulted, or made party to, agreements entered into in their area of jurisdiction between the Alkali Inspectorate and industry, where the possibility of emission of toxic or odoriferous gases or other noxious substances could pollute the atmosphere in their localities;(2) how many agreements were entered into between the Alkali Inspectorate and the chemical industry in the period 1962–72, giving the totals year by year, in relation to permitted levels of emission to the atmosphere from chemical industrial buildings of toxic or odoriferous gases or other noxious substances; and how many of these agreements were made public;

In fulfilling its duties under the Alkali etc. Works Regulation Act 1906, the Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate does not enter into agreements with industrialists but imposes requirements, the object of which is to ensure the installation and use of the best practicable means to prevent emissions to atmosphere and to render them harmless and inoffensive where unavoidably emitted. With regard to certain matters—for example, the effect of wind on dusty stockpiles—it is not practicable to impose emission limits, and the inspectorate requires and enforces, among other things, that every care is taken to prevent escapes of dust. For a minority of works, particular point-of-emission standards are imposed in the light of individual circumstances.In the case of most registered industries, however, it is practicable to prescribe general standards, which are then applicable to all premises where the industry is carried on; although local conditions and circumstances are always taken into account, especially in any case where a higher standard may be essential on account of the pecularities of the location. All standards are subject to continual review as the efficiency of emission control is improved. The general standards or requirements imposed for each industry or process by the inspectorate are published in the annual reports of the Chief Alkali and Clean Air Inspector. It would not, however, be practicable to give details of each individual case. At the present time the inspectorate deals with about 2,100 premises where over 3,000 registered processes are operated.For further information I would refer the hon. Member to the chief inspector's annual reports and especially to appendix V of the report for 1966, which deals with emission standards and includes examples. Certain modifications, the effect of which has been to raise these standards, are included in later reports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions were authorised for infringement, by industry in the United Kingdom, of the Alkali Acts, in the years 1962–72, giving the numbers year by year.

Information for England and Wales is as follows:

1962	…	…	…	…	—
1963	…	…	…	…	—
1964	…	…	…	…	—
1965	…	…	…	…	—
1966	…	…	…	…	—
1967	…	…	…	…	1
1968	…	…	…	…	2
1969	…	…	…	…	2
1970	…	…	…	…	2
1971	…	…	…	…	4
1972	…	…	…	…	3
					14

Corresponding figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to locate a member of the Alkali Inspectorate in Swansea.

The needs of Swansea are adequately covered by a district alkali inspector and two alkali inspectors located at Cardiff and my right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to alter or add to these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make an early statement on his attitude to recommendation 15.7(a) in the Layfield Report about action on all components of the overall transport strategy.

Paragraph 30 of the statement published on 19th February indicated that the Government wholly endorse the panel's views that comprehensive and co-ordinated transport policies are needed, and accept that individual decisions should be taken in the context of policies for the whole range of relevant topics.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if caravan site rentals and winter storage fees are covered by the counter-inflation policy of the Government.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Mudd) on 23rd February 1973.—[Vol. 851, c. 224.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were killed in road accidents in England and Wales in each of the past five years.

Following are the figures:

1968	…	…	…	…	6,043
1969	…	…	…	…	6,479
1970	…	…	…	…	6,688
1971	…	…	…	…	6,830
1972*	…	…	…	…	6,917
*Provisional figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Environment (1) what is his estimate of the loss of dwellings which will result in the London borough of Camden if the motorway proposals outlined in the Layfield Report are implemented;(2) what estimate he has made of the loss of housing that will take place in each of the London boroughs which will be affected by motorway proposals, as outlined in the Layfield Report.

TABLE 1
The latest estimate of the housing take (dwellings) needed for the whole roads programme (Day 223, page 56A(1)).
	GLC Primary Roads		DOE Primary Roads		Secondary Roads†
Borough	To 1981	1981–1991	To 1981	1981–1991*
City of London	—	—	—	—	—
Barking	—	—	50	—	—
Barnet	—	42	260	—	—
Bexley	31	—	—	—	—
Brent	—	761	136	—	—
Bromley	—	711	21	—	—
Camden	—	635	—	—	—
Croydon	—	1,443	103	—	—
Ealing	—	—	263	—	—
Enfield	—	—	592	—	—
Greenwich	952	75	—	—	—
Hackney	—	1,022(21)	—	—	—
Hammersmith	224	126(88)	40	—	—
Haringey	—	—	—	—	—
Harrow	—	—	—	—	—
Havering	—	—	62	—	—
Hillingdon	—	—	153	—	—
Hounslow	—	302	168	—	—
Islington	—	103 (6)	—	—	—
Kensington & Chelsea	563	131	—	—	—
Kingston upon Thames	—	—	45	—	—
Lambeth	—	—	543	—	—
Lewisham	—	1,012	—	—	—
Merton	—	357	959	—	—
Newham	—	—	55	—	—
Redbridge	—	—	648	—	—
Richmond upon Thames	—	238	—	—	—
Southwark	—	—	—	—	—
Sutton	—	—	270	—	—
Tower Hamlets	—	—	—	—	—
Waltham Forest	—	—	1,045	—	—
Wandsworth		—	2,432 (22)	—	—
City of Westminster	—	—	—	—	—
Total	1,770	9,388 (137)	5,413	—	—
* No figures available.
† No figures available. Estimated take based on past experience about 150 dwellings a year (E/12/1) (as stated in E/12/1, paragraph 7.5.14).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what archaeological records were made of the stratification visible in the sides of the guide trench, and what evidence was

The panel's report states that the loss of housing arising from the Greator London Council's original primary road proposals would amount to some 16,600 dwellings. Table 1 of the inquiry support paper S12/355, reproduced below, shows the estimated housing loss for each of the London boroughs for two periods up to 1991.The panel says on page 455 that while it is unable to give specific estimates, it expects that the housing loss arising from its own road proposals would be somewhat smaller.recovered for dating the process of accumulation, and particularly its earliest levels immediately overlying undisturbed natural levels, in New Palace Yard;(2) if undisturbed levels were removed in the guide trench and recorded by his staff in New Palace Yard;

During the digging of the guide trench for the diaphragm wall of the car park the sequence of stratified deposits overlying the natural levels was examined carefully and recorded according to the standard methods employed on all modern excavations.The exact date at which the marshland underlying New Palace Yard became dry enough to be habitable is still uncertain, no artifacts having been recovered from the earliest levels: an environmental study is in hand to throw more light on this problem.Westminster Hall was built on the edge of this marshland in the later 1090s. By the thirteenth century the ground level in front of the Hall had risen by some 30 cm. Thereafter the level continued to rise, as a result of the repeated re-metalling of the yard, until 1835 the debris from buildings destroyed in the great fire was spread across the yard to a depth of one metre bringing it to its final level.This sequence is dated from the thirteenth century onwards by sparsely scattered sherds of pottery. Within the guide trench no artifacts earlier than the thirteenth century have been found.When the excavations on the site are complete and have been fully studied I propose to arrange for an exhibition of drawings, photographs and artifacts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government have any plans to raise the speed limit for touring caravans to 50 mph.

Yes. I intend to lay the necessary amending regulations before Easter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research work he is sponsoring into the use of after-burners and of controlled injec- tion in internal combustion engines for the purpose of reducing the atmospheric pollution caused by motor vehicles; and on current information what economic penalty would have to be paid for their intrdouction into current types of vehicles.

Extensive research is being carried out by industry. My Department has a continuing programme for the evaluation of equipment developed as a result of this research. The use of after-burners and associated equipment might add £300 to the cost of a vehicle.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of miles of navigable inland waterways which are in sufficiently good condition to allow continuing use by commercial vessels and the number of miles which could be brought up to this standard where commercial use now continues; and if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the commercial use of inland waterways.

340 miles of the British Waterways Board's waterways are required to be maintained in suitable condition for commercial freight carrying. Apart from those controlled by port authorities, the use for this purpose of other inland waterways in Great Britain is insignificant. It is the Government's policy that full use should be made of inland waterways for freight carrying wherever this can be economically and socially justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage increase in the rateable value of industrial and trading properties in the areas of Bentley-with-Arksey UDC, Doncaster RDC, Adwick-le-Street UDC and Tickhill UDC, respectively, as a result of revaluation; and that in respect of dwelling-houses in the same areas.

The local authorities concerned should be in a position to supply the information requested, and I would refer the hon. Member to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now announce what action the Government propose to take to alleviate the burden on the domestic ratepayer in 1973–74 arising from revaluation.

I hope to make an announcement very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give such information as he has available as to the numbers of tenants of unfurnished properties who are now eligible for rent allowances, respectively, of up to £2 per week and of £3, £4, £5, £6 and £7 a week or over; and his comparable estimates for numbers of tenants who will become eligible in furnished tenancies.

I regret that information in this detail is not available, since it would require comprehensive data about tenants' incomes, rents and family circumstances. Our overall estimate is that between 700,000 and 800,000 tenants of unfurnished dwellings are eligible for rent allowances this year, including those in receipt of supplementary benefit. This number will be increased by the uprating of the needs allowances at the end of April. In the unfurnished sector we estimate that on the basis of our proposals perhaps about 120,000 tenants, excluding those in receipt of supplementary benefit, will be eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the provision of facilities under the National Health Service for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in Scotland.

The provision of such facilities is a matter for individual regional hospital boards in the first place. Pressure exists in certain areas and steps are being taken by them to relieve this but, in general, the facilities available appear to match the known needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now publish the Hawick Working Party's report.

It will be for Roxburgh County Council to consider publishing this report when it has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now publish the report of the Scottish Committee on Liquor Licensing.

I have not yet received it, but I understand that the work of the committee is at an advanced stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes in butter consumption he expects during the transitional period to full adoption of the EEC common agricultural policy.

Consumption of butter will be affected by a combination of many factors, the effects of which cannot be forecast for five years ahead.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average price received by wholesale producers of milk at the latest convenient date in Northern Ireland, England and Wales and Scotland, respectively.

The weighted average of the prices—including premiums—paid to wholesale producers in January 1973 is estimated to be as follows:

		p. per gallon
Northern Ireland	…	20·7
England and Wales	…	21·9
Scotland (Scottish MMB)	…	24·0

Comparison of monthly figures can be misleading. The average prices for the

year ending 31st March 1973 on the same basis are expected to be:

		p. per gallon
Northern Ireland	…	18·5
England and Wales	…	20·3
Scotland (Scottish MMB)	…	21·0

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will redefine land eligible under the hill cow subsidy scheme in Northern Ireland to include parts of West Ulster where store cattle could be raised to meet the current shortfall in stores due to the dwindling of the supply from the Republic of Ireland.

No: but of course a herd kept on land which does not satisfy the definition of hill land in the statutory scheme may qualify for beef cow subsidy under the Northern Ireland Cattle Breeding Herds Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest available statistics on numbers of outbreaks of swine vesicular disease and numbers slaughtered as a consequence; what progress has been made in determining the origins of the disease; what consultations have taken place with the EEC Commission and the Council of Ministers with a view to drafting an animal health regulation dealing specifically with swine vesicular disease; and if he will make a statement.

From 11th December to 28th February there have been 66 confirmed cases of swine vesicular disease. The number of pigs slaughtered during the same period is 29,000.The disease was first detected in swill-fed pigs in the Midlands and investigations suggest that the source of the disease was likely to have been pig meat which may have originated in the Far East. As no pig meat is permitted to be imported from the Far East such a consignment would have entered the country under false certification and we are pursuing inquiries. The permanent veterinary committee of the EEC has exchanged information on the relative disease position in member countries. Disease has been reported from France and Italy. A resolution has been passed which requires member countries to monitor the disease situation in their own country and to take all necessary steps to prevent the export of diseased material. Member countries have also agreed to slaughter affected pigs and to seek to eradicate the disease.The continuance of outbreaks and the persistence of the disease presents a disturbing situation. It is evident that we are dealing with a strongly resistant virus and that all precautionary measures must be applied with determination. The prompt reporting of suspected disease and the effective boiling of swill are essential.It is equally important that all those concerned with the transport of stock should make certain that vehicles are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each consignment with a Ministry approved disinfectant. Unless vehicles start clean and are kept clean and effectively disinfected they can be a major means of spreading infection. There is an absolute need to eliminate this risk so that eradication can be achieved. My officials have been instructed to bring home this essential need to all those involved in the transport of pigs.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants have been sponsored for the master of business administration degree in each of the past four years.

Departments sponsor candidates for suitable courses run by business schools and similar institutions, in addition to the wide range of courses offered by the Civil Service College. According to the information available, no civil servant has been sponsored for the master of business administration degree in the past four years.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list giving the times and dates when the head of the Civil Service has circulated letters to all civil servants regarding their salaries and conditions of service and matters relating thereto whilst wage negotiations are in progress; and whether, in each of these cases, consultations took place with the appropriate trade unions before such letters were circulated.

On 22nd February the head of the Home Civil Service sent a personal message to all non-industrial civil servants. There have been consultations with the staff associations concerned about the salaries of civil servants, but the message itself was not the subject of prior consultation.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants walked out in protest at the letter from Sir William Armstrong on 22nd February; how many offices, normally open to the public, were closed as a result; why the letter was duplicated by the Ministry of Defence, and on whose authority this was done; and what protests have been received from civil servants at the Army being used on a civil matter.

Information from all Departments is not available centrally. In most of the larger Departments only a very small number of staff walked out and few, if any, offices were closed. About 73 local offices were closed for varying periods in the Department of Health and Social Security.Each Department was asked by the Civil Service Department to duplicate and distribute copies of Sir William Armstrong's letter to its own staff as the necessary records are not held centrally in the Civil Service Department. The Ministry of Defence duplicated copies for its own departmental requirements. So far as is known, only one civil servant in the Ministry of Defence protested against the Army's being employed for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement with regard to the future of the youth service and of recruitment of trained professional workers for it.

The Government will continue their support for the youth service and are about to review the provision for training in the light of returns from local education authorities of recruitment in 1972 and prospective vacancies in 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the percentage increase of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in Cheshire in the latest available year; and what was the national percentage increase in the same year.

Between January 1971 and January 1972, 4·0 per cent. in Cheshire and 2·5 per cent. in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list the new school building projects either under construction or expected to start in the present financial year in Staffordshire.

Major school building projects in Staffordshire are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled cases have now been treated in the new industrial rehabilitation unit in Dundee; and if he will give a breakdown of when these cases originated.

Dundee Industrial Rehabilitation Unit opened on 28th June 1971 and from then until 12th February 1973, 548 disabled people entered courses.It is not possible to give a breakdown of when these cases originated but the waiting list has shown a gradual rise during the 18–19 months in which the unit has been operating and in order to meet this the unit will be increased to 70 places as soon as possible this year.The enlarged capacity should absorb an additional 80 entrants a year and be sufficient to keep the waiting time down to two to four weeks at the present rate of recruitment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long he expects it to be before he is able to declare his policy on the recommendations made by the Brodrick Committee which reported in 1971; what is the length of time which has elapsed since the committee was first formed; and if he will make a statement.

The committee was appointed in March 1965; its report was published in November 1971. Consideration of its recommendations is well advanced, but I cannot say when the Government's conclusions will be announced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the penalties for the poaching of deer.

I have no evidence that the present penalties for unlawfully taking or killing deer are inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those who had been released on parole were recalled to prison in 1970, 1971 and 1972.

138, 227 and 237, exclusive of life sentence cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were for dangerous driving in Leek urban district in each of the past five years.

I am obtaining the available information and shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are imposed on the sale of polyurethane furnishings in view of the fire hazards.

None, so far as I know. Research into the burning behaviour of plastic material is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average number of constituents for each constituency in greater London, and inner London, respectively, both for the old and new constituency boundaries, using the 1973 register.

Provisional 1973 figures indicate that the average number of electors for constituencies wholly or partly in greater London as constituted before the Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970 is 53,402 for greater London and 46,266 for inner London. Comparable figures for constituencies constituted by the order are 58,340 for greater London and 55,208 for inner London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bomb scares there were in the United Kingdom, not counting Northern Ireland, in 1972; and how the figure compares with previous years.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public money has been paid or agreed to be paid to International Social Service up to the end of January 1973 in respect of the repatriation of Commonwealth immigrants; how many Commonwealth immigrants had been repatriated by that agency up to that date; and how many applications for assistance in repatriation had been received by it up to the end of 1972.

Up to 31st January 1973, £44,256 had been paid to International Social Service in connection with the scheme under Section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971. Up to the same date 26 families, numbering 85 persons, whose head was of Commonwealth origin, were assisted to leave this country. International Social Service had received 456 applications by 31st December 1972.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what point in a transaction a registered dealer operating the special scheme for VAT contained in Customs and Excise Notice No. 712 must decide whether a particular item is to be included in the special scheme; and whether such a decision is irrevocable.

If at the time when he purchases an eligible article the dealer thinks he is likely to sell it under the special scheme, he should enter the purchase in the special stock record at that time, but the entry may be cancelled later if his intention changes. The decision cannot be changed after the tax point for his supply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the authority by which a final decision will be made in cases of dispute as to the retention or loss of the original character of an antique exceeding 100 years of age which has been the subject of repair or restoration and which is included in the special VAT scheme contained in Customs and Excise Notice No. 712.

A dispute could be referred to a value added tax tribunal under Section 40(1) of the Finance Act 1972.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many art and antique dealers have been granted Bank of England permission to have foreign domiciled associates or subsidiaries from which they will derive additional financial advantages after the introduction of value added tax.

Although Bank of England permission is required before a company may set up a foreign subsidiary, the particular details for which the hon. Member asks are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bear in mind, in connection with his forthcoming Budget, the fact that in other European Community countries chiropractic treatment for persons with spinal complaints is exempt for purposes of value added tax.

I have noted my hon. Friend's point.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by whom a final decision will be made in a case of dispute as to whether an antique complies with the definition of eligible goods contained in paragraph 2(d) of Customs and Excise Notice No. 712.

A dispute could be referred to a value added tax tribunal under Section 40(1) of the Finance Act 1972.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what considerations led him to decide not to zero-rate the work of living artists; and whether he took into account the incentive to them to export their work when VAT is introduced.

I would refer the hon. Member to the discussion of this point in the course of the debates on last year's Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he proposes to assess agricultural societies for the purposes of VAT.

If the hon. Member has any particular point in mind perhaps he will write to me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek powers to require banks to publish the amounts of their unclaimed deposits; and if he will make a statement.

No. I understand that the total sum involved is small, and I see no purpose in requiring the banks to publish these figures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will tabulate the factors he has employed during the current year when defining the money supply, M1 and M3, respectively.

My hon. Friend will find details of the composition of M1 and M3 in Table 59 of "Financial Statistics" and in "Notes and Definitions", a supplement to "Financial Statistics" published each April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of married women in employment is now taxed separately from their husbands.

There are about 2½ million married women with earned income above £595 a year—the effective exemption limit for tax. As I said in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) on 22nd February, there have been about 3,500 elections for separate taxation of a wife's earnings, but elections for the tax year 1972–73—ending 5th April 1973—may be made not later than 5th October 1973.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, from information available from international sources, what was the gross domestic product per head at factor cost in New Zealand for the most recent year for which information is available; and how this compares with the figure for the United Kingdom.

In the year beginning 1st April 1970 gross domestic product per head at factor cost in New Zealand was £846. This figure has been converted to pounds sterling at official exchange rates but these do not necessarily reflect differences in internal purchasing power. The figure for the United Kingdom in 1970 was given in answer to my hon. Friend on 19th February.—[Vol. 851, c. 10.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage rise of average incomes per head in Great Britain between 1961 and 1971 or the latest date; and how this compares with the percentage rise in Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The information is given in the following table. The estimates for the United Kingdom are derived from "National Income and Expenditure 1972" adjusted to international definitions. The estimates for the other countries are derived from "National accounts 1961–1971" published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Percentage increase in total personal incomes per head between 1961 and 1971
Belgium	…	…	129·4
France	…	…	157·3
Germany	…	…	114·1
Italy	…	…	164·9
Luxembourg*	…	…	85·4
Netherlands	…	…	181·4
United Kingdom	…	…	95·3
* Increase between 1961 and 1970.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated cost to the Treasury of the introduction of the present family allowance to the first child.

I have been asked to reply.The gross cost of paying a family allowance of 90p for first and only children would be about £335 million a year. The net cost to public funds would be about £210 million after allowing for the adjustment of other social security benefits and income tax at 1972–73 rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of gilt-edged purchased by non-banking

DATA SOURCES FOR YEARS 1950 ONWARDS (PAGE NUMBERS)
				Division of national income		Rates of growth in the volume of gross domestic product
				A	B	A	B
United Kingdom	…	…	…	303	327	408	434
United States	…	…	…	59	69	368	394
Austria	…	…	…	85	95	372	398
Belgium	…	…	…	97*	107	374	400
Denmark	…	…	…	121	135	378	404
Finland	…	…	…	135	149	380	406
France	…	…	…	147	161	382	408
West Germany	…	…	…	159	175	384	410
Greece	…	…	…	171	187	386	412
Iceland	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	388	414
Irish Republic	…	…	…	195	213	390	416
Italy	…	…	…	207†	225	392	418
Luxembourg	…	…	…	111‡	123	376	402
Netherlands	…	…	…	219	237	394	420
Norway	…	…	…	231†	249	396	422
Portugal	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	398	424
Spain	…	…	…	255§	273	400	426
Sweden	…	…	…	267	287	402	428
Switzerland	…	…	…	279	301	404	430
Turkey	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	406	432
* No information available prior to 1953.
† No information available prior to 1951.
‡ No information available prior to 1952.
§ No information available prior to 1958.

My hon. Friend will find the information for the period up to the third quarter of 1972 in Table 18 of "Financial Statistics". Figures for the fourth quarter have not yet been published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the division of national income of gross national product, or whatever other comparative national aggregate is appropriate between wages-cum-salaries, income from self-employment, and profits-rents-dividends for each year since 1900 in Great Britain, the United States of America and all countries in Western Europe for which the information is available.

I regret that information back to 1900, except for certain countries specified below, is not available. Figures from 1950 are generally available and have been published in national accounts volumes issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The sources of the figures for individual countries are indicated in the tables below.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there was a net inflow of overseas investment into the United Kingdom private sector during the calendar year of 1972.

There was a net outflow in the first nine months of 1972 estimated at about £500 million. This reflected the high level of outward portfolio investment in North America and the EEC which was financed by foreign currency borrowing. Full figures for 1972 will be published on 6th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the net receipts on the travel account in the calendar years of 1970, 1971 and 1972.

The net surplus on the travel account was £48 million in 1970 and £52 million in 1971. Figures for 1972 will be published on 6th March. In the first three quarters of the year the net surplus was £14 million seasonally adjusted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees receive income tax relief in respect of contributions to occupational pension schemes under Section 208 of the

Estimates are available only for contributors to all forms of approved occupational pension schemes whether relief is given under Section 208 or otherwise. On this basis, about 8 million employees contribute to such schemes at a revenue cost of about £125 million for 1971–72.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of an additional personal allowance to war widows of £100, £150, £200 and £250.

The information on which to base an estimate is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration has been given to the payment of disturbance allowance to all ranks of the Royal Ulster Constabulary according to the precedent of the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1921.

RUC regulations do not provide for a disturbance allowance as such but they provide for a removal allowance and the payment of expenditure incidental to removal. I understand that the Police Authority for Northern Ireland has developed a scheme whereby policemen who have found it necessary to move their homes to areas considered safer for their families are given financial assistance above the normal removal expenses permitted by regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive concerning the sale of public authority accommodation.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is formulating a general policy governing the sale of public authority housing accommodation, in consultation with the Ministry of Development and the Northern Ireland Housing Council.A policy has already been established for the sale of pre-war labourers' cottages to sitting tenants or, in the case of vacant cottages, by public auction, if there is no local demand for accommodation from the executive's waiting list.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average net income of farmers in Northern Ireland at the latest convenient date; and how these figures compare with England and Wales and Scotland.

The weighted average net income per full-time farm in Northern Ireland in 1970–71 was £1,687. The comparable figure for England and Wales was £2,045 and that for Scotland £2,603.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost of feeding stuffs as a proportion of total expenses in Northern Ireland at the latest convenient date; and how these figures compare with England and Wales and Scotland.

The figures for 1970–71 are as follows: Northern Ireland 47·5 per cent.; Scotland 21·0 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the maximum and minimum differential in the London Provision Exchange prices of Ulster and Danish bacon in the last 12 months.

The maximum differential over the past 12 months, recorded in the three-week period ended 24th February, was £105 per ton in favour of Danish bacon for each of the top two grades. This was due to the price freeze on United Kingdom prices as part of the Government's anti-inflation measures.The minimum differential for the top selection, prevailing from early June until early August 1972 and in some subsequent weeks, was £5 per ton in favour of Danish bacon. For second quality the lowest price advantage recorded for Danish was also £5 per ton, during the week ended 11th November 1972. In one week—ended 21st October 1972—quotations for Northern Ireland bacon exceeded those for Danish, the difference being £15 per ton for top selection and £10 for second grade.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Enterprise Ulster funds or the Development Services Act (Northern Ireland) 1948 will be used to assist the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum to renovate the schooner "Result" and to provide a safe anchorage with access for visitors at Cultra beside the museum.

The renovation of the "Result" is being assisted by a grant from the Ministry of Finance under the Ulster Folk Museum Act (Northern Ireland) 1958. The trustees of the museum have not yet decided what is to be the future use or location of the vessel.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the introduction of a Bill of Rights; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is considering what safeguards are needed to ensure the rights of all members of the community.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the procedure in the event of destruction or loss of ballot boxes at any time during the conduct of the border poll.

This will be a matter to be decided by the appropriate electoral officers in accordance with electoral law, and it would not be proper for me to prejudge their decisions.