asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reports he has received of discrimination in the National Health Service against doctors and nurses opposed to abortion; whether he will make such reports available to the Lane Committee and whether he will make a statement.

Since 1968, two cases of difficulty over gaining appointments in obstetrics and gynaecology have been reported to the Department. I shall continue to make information available to the Lane Committee when it is likely to be of use to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when, in view of the continuing public and professional concern over the rise in the numbers of pregnancies medically terminated, he proposes to publish the findings of the Lane Committee.

The Lane Committee, which first met in June 1971, hopes to report this summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the entitlement of students to State benefit during their long vacations when paid employment is unobtainable, in view of representations made to him by the Federation of Conservative Students.

We have not received the representations to which my hon. Friend refers. Whether a student is entitled to supplementary benefit during a vacation is a matter for determination by the Supplementary Benefits Commission in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Ministry of Social Security Act 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has had to the effect that women who have reached their retirement age of 60 years should be exempt from National Health Service prescription charges.

We have received 59 letters since August 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will issue warnings about the dangers of large doses of vitamins A and D; and if he will make a statement.

Not at the moment. My right hon. Friend is expecting to receive shortly advice from the Medicines Commission on whether there should be any restrictions on the sale over the counter of medicines containing vitamins A or D, including the need for requiring warnings to appear on the label. In the light of its recommendations, he will consider in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any action is required in relation to dietary supplements, other than medicines, containing vitamins A and D.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the present number of training centres for speech therapists.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to alleviate the shortage of speech therapists.

My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science, for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. Friend are considering the recommendations in the Quirk Report, including those for an increase in numbers and for a broader-based training.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the percentage increase on geriatric hospital expenditure.

In 1972–73 capital expenditure on hospital geriatric services is estimated to be £18 million which represents a threefold increase in real terms over the figure for 1969–70. In hospitals dealing mainly with the elderly the costs per week between 1969–70 and 1971–72 increased by 12 per cent. in real terms as compared with 7 per cent. for the hospital service as a whole. These figures indicate the increasing priority which is being given to the development and improvement of provision for geriatric patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he has had with professional associations of social workers about the employment prospects of social workers following the reorganisation of local government.

None, Sir; nor am I aware of any ground for concern about employment prospects. Levels of recruitment for social workers in the local authority services have been rising, and can be expected to continue to do so, to meet the continuing expansion of the social services. Full account has been taken of the need for this increase in the rate support grant negotiations for 1973–74.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on his Department's research into the cycle of deprivation.

My Department and the Social Science Research Council have set up a joint working party to explore the practicability of mounting a programme of research into the transmission of deprivation from one generation to another. It is also to give advice on how such a programme might be implemented. A number of other Departments are closely associated with the joint working party, which, I understand, hopes to make a report later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the state of his investigations into the cycle of deprivation and the remaining deficiencies in the social services which he has under study.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Norman Lamont) in reply to his Question earlier today, my Department and the Social Science Research Council have set up a joint working party to explore the practicability of mounting a programme of research into the transmission of deprivation from one generation to another. It is also to give advice on how such a programme might be implemented. A number of other Departments are closely associated with the joint working party, which, I understand, hopes to make a report later this year.As regards deficiencies in the social services, I am now receiving from local authorities 10-year plans for the development of these services. These plans will give us clearer assessments than have hitherto been available of the desirable and realistic rate and direction of development of the personal social services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the existing arrangements for payment of widows' pensions in cases of sudden bereavement; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My hon. Friend recently referred a case to me where, regrettably, there was delay in making payment, but I am satisfied that this was an isolated occurrence.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to reduce the time lag between the announcement of the pension increase and its payment.

A working party under Sir Richard Meyjes, which reviewed the system of payment of social security benefits last year, could find no practical means of securing a significant reduction in the time needed between the announcement of an uprating and its implementation. Now that benefits are increased annually, however, the time lag is no longer the prime factor that it was when pensions were increased only at irregular intervals. Pensioners know now that they will be receiving an increase at approximately yearly intervals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an estimate of the saving effected by not granting to retirement pensioners, who live abroad in countries with which the United Kingdom has no reciprocal arrangements, the increases they would have received if they had remained in Great Britain.

At current rates of pension, about £10 million annually.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service if he is satisfied with the provision of local facilities by the Department of Health and Social Services to applicants for civil legal aid; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The arrangements are of course kept under review and adjusted where necessary in the light of experience.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to bring the present eight per 1,000 geriatric beds in North-East Essex up to the national goal of 10 per 1,000.

Sixty geriatric assessment and rehabilitation beds are included in the regional hospital board's plans for the first phase of the new district general hospital at Colchester and additional beds for geriatric purposes are expected to be provided by re-allocating acute beds in existing hospitals. The board is also considering the possibility of providing geriatric beds in Clacton and Harwich.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether all local health authorities are now providing chiropody services for old people; and if he is satisfied that the present provision of these services is adequate.

All local health authorities in England provide a service and the numbers of elderly people treated increased by 20 per cent. between 1967 and 1971. Still more needs to be done, however, if all elderly people needing treatment are to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will circulate guidance to local authorities to ensure that common criteria are applied in all local authority areas in carrying out the provisions of Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

The criteria applied by each local authority in providing services under this section must depend on the availability in the area of other services provided under other powers and on the authority's resources. My right hon. Friend does not therefore regard it as practicable to formulate general criteria at the present time, but he will review the position in the light of experience.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will estimate the additional number of seriously disabled people likely to qualify for the special attendance allowance when this is extended in June.

It has been estimated that up to 50,000 people born in the years 1908 to 1956 will qualify for the new lower-rate attendance allowance which becomes payable for this age group from June.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what number of applications for the attendance allowance have involved cases of haemophilia; and in how many of these, since its inception, the allowance has been granted.

Attendance allowance has been awarded to 23 severely disabled people whose main cause of helplessness was stated to be a coagulation defect. Information is not available regarding the total number of such claimants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the practice of withholding payment of family allowances on children sent to List "D" and other schools in Scotland under a supervision order from a children's hearing.

This is in accordance with Section 11(1)(a) of the Family Allowances Act 1965. Family allowances are intended for families with children. When a child is sent to a List "D" or other school it is legally removed from parental control and the separation from the family is likely to last for a substantial period. In these circumstances it is not appropriate that family allowances should remain in payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department is taking to ensure that retired people are able to obtain a balanced diet, in view of the increase in food prices.

The Government have introduced annual reviews to ensure that, at the least, the purchasing power of pensions is maintained. The present value of the pension is in fact over 10 per cent. higher in real terms than it was in June 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the drug L-Dopa is now available under the National Health Service; and what is the latest estimate of its success rate in the cure of Parkinson's disease.

Yes. It has been estimated that about one-third of patients are greatly helped and a more modest benefit occurs in a further third, whilst the remainder cannot tolerate therapeutic doses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received on the payment of family allowances.

Each year my Department receives some hundreds of representations on different aspects of the family allowances scheme. In addition a large proportion of the letters received in connection with the proposed tax-credit scheme have asked for an assurance that the replacement of family allowances by child credits would not deprive mothers of an existing source of income.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will raise the £2 limit on the amount which a widow's dependent child may earn without reducing his mother's entitlement to widowed mother's allowance on supplementary benefit.

The amount of earnings that can be ignored for supplementary benefit purposes is £1 a week for children under 16 and £2 for children over 16. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Conway (Mr. Wyn Roberts) on 14th November last.—[Vol. 846, c. 55–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many individuals there are resident in Torbay receiving supplementary benefit, in addition to their basic State retirement pension or other old-age pension.

At November last 9,065 retirement, old persons and widow pensioners were receiving a supplementary pension from the Torbay office of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to secure that industrial injury benefits are payable to workpeople at the pre-symptomatic stages of prescribed diseases.

No. The purpose of the industrial injuries scheme is to provide benefits for incapacity, disablement and death resulting from industrial accidents or prescribed industrial diseases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in receipt of supplementary benefit were in receipt of a reduced benefit through the working of the wage stop in Greenock and Port Glasgow at the latest available date and in 1972, 1971 and 1970.

Following is the available information:

NUMBERS OF PERSONS RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTARY ALLOWANCES SUBJECT TO WAGE-STOP ON A DAY IN NOVEMBER
	1972	1971	1970
Greenock	43	59	135
Port Glasgow	35	41	101

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants had a telephone installed and their telephone bill paid for them by the Supplementary Benefits Commission during each of the last three years in Scotland and in the burghs of Greenock and Port Glasgow respectively.

The commission does not pay telephone bills as such but in exceptional cases, where a telephone would be the sole means of communication in an emergency, includes the cost of telephone rental in assessing the requirements of the person concerned. Help of this kind and/or with the cost of installation was given in four, four and two cases respectively in Scotland in the years ending August 1970, 1971 and 1972. None of the cases related to people living in the burghs of Greenock and Port Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the General Index of Retail Prices rose by 22·4 per cent. and the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; to what extent the retirement pension and social security benefits rose on a percentage basis during this period; and to what extent there was a shortfall below 34 per cent. for each stated category of welfare benefit.

Following is the information:

Benefit (Standard Rate for Single Person)	Percentage Increase between 16.6.70 and 16.1.73
Retirement pension—under 80	35·0
Retirement pension—over 80	40·0
Sickness benefit and unemployment benefit	35·0
Industrial injury benefit	22·6
Supplementary benefit scale rate	36·5
100 per cent. War or Industrial Injuries Disablement pension	33·3

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to improve preventive dental treatment within the National Health Service.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Halifax (Dr. Summerskill) on 19th June last.—[Vol. 839, c. 41.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now in a posititon to give the results of his inquiries into the 1,100 known cases of non-payment of the £10 Christmas bonus to pensioners; and whether any new cases have been discovered during the last month.

On 1st March the number of known cases of non-payment of Christmas bonus was 657. In 360 of these the claimant could not be traced at his last known address and in 297 notification of retirement was awaited. 570 payments were made to new cases in the four weeks up to 1st March. I regret that I have not yet been able to write to the hon. Member about cases which were missed for payment, but I will do so as soon as my inquiries are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received about the payment of the £10 bonus to pensioners.

Up to 23rd February, 2,044 at the headquarters and central offices of the Department. A record was not kept of inquiries at local offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state the average length of waiting time for admission to the North Staffordshire hospitals; and whether he will take further steps to reduce this waiting time.

The average length of waiting time is 17·8 weeks but varies widely according to specialty. Urgent cases are admitted without delay.The £6 million so far invested in capital developments in the North Staffordshire area together with future planned developments will contribute to a reduction of waiting time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present delay in admitting people for non-urgent but serious operations to the Peterborough General Hospital, Huntingdon Hospital and the old and new Addenbrookes Hospitals at Cambridge respectively.

Waiting times for admission for non-urgent operations vary according to the specialty and the circumstances of the individual case from one week to over 12 months. I am sending my right hon. and learned Friend more detailed information.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service how many children are on the waiting list for operations at Derbyshire Children's Hospital; how many beds are available; what has been the average waiting period in recentThe table below gives the number of children on the waiting list at the Derbyshire Children's Hospital and the length of time they had been waiting on 31st December 1972. Urgent cases are admitted without delay.

		Less than 3 months	3 to 6 months	6 to 12 months	12 months to 2 years	Over 2 years	Total
General Surgery	…	7	—	—	—	—	7
Ear, Nose and Throat— (Tonsils and Adenoids)	…	140	113	202	85	4	544
Ear, Nose and Throat (Other)	…	83	29	20	14	—	146
Orthopaedics	…	12	—	—	—	—	12
Total	…	242	142	222	99	4	709

Of the 92 beds available in the hospital, 20 are allocated to ear, nose and throat patients. The regional hospital board is taking steps to appoint an extra senior registrar and senior house officer to the ear, nose and throat department during 1973–74. It is also planning to provide an extra 14 or 15 beds at the hospital during 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the latest figures for the numbers of home helps employed by local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

The figures are as follows:

HOME HELPS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 1972
	Part-time staff
Number of whole-time staff	Number	Whole-time equivalent	Total whole-time equivalent
2,598	72,142	32,587	35,185

They show an increase in staff—wholetime equivalents—since 1971 of about 11 per cent. compared with an increase between 1970 and 1971 of 6·2 per cent. This rate of increase has not been uniform throughout the country: some local authorities show a drop in the number of home helps between 1971 and 1972. The total represents 76 home helps per

709, of whom nearly all are for ear, nose or throat surgery. Over a third have been on the list for less than three months. A detailed analysis is given below.Of the 92 beds available in the hospital, 20 are allocated to Ear, Nose and Throat patients. The Regional Hospital Board is taking steps to appoint an extra Senior Registrar and Senior House Officer to the Ear, Nose and Throat Department during 1973–74. It is also planning to provide an extra 14 or 15 beds at the hospital during 1974–75.Following is the information:100,000 population, compared with 68·5 in September 1971 and 63 per 100,000 in 1967 at the time of the survey of the home help service carried out by the Government social survey. I have suggested to local authorities that over the next 10 years they should plan for an expansion of the service to between two and three times its 1967 level, and I therefore welcome the growth during the last year, and hope to see it sustained in future.

asked the Secreatry of State for Social Services if he will examine the present method of allocating to regional hospital boards money for their capital building programme.

I shall be reviewing the basis of allocation as part of the preparations for the proposed National Health Service reorganisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider providing extra help with the heating costs of poor families and old people living in smokeless zones.

No, Sir. It would be inappropriate to single out any one element of general living costs or one particular form of fuel for special treatment. The Supplementary Benefits Commission already helps in appropriate cases where a supplementary benefit recipient incurs extra expense in the initial period of adjustment from one form of heating to another. Where there are continuing exceptional heating expenses the commission will consider making a discretionary addition to benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people volunteered to fill the vacancy on the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board caused by the resignation of the hon. Member for Nuneaton.

One.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the concern over illegal child minding, if he will take steps to stop this abuse and extend day nursery facilities.

The relevant legislation was very substantially strengthened in 1968; its enforcement is a matter for local authorities. But we also need more services for the under-fives and the Government will continue to approve expenditure for this purpose within the resources available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is necessary for a general practitioner to obtain a fresh approval of the local executive council if, having had his current deputising arrangements by a commercial company accepted, that company is subjected to a take-over bid and changes hands.

No, Sir; but executive councils are required in any event to review periodically all authorisations to use deputising services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the numbers of single homeless in the inner London area; and if he will make a statement.

I am afraid that no reliable estimate of this kind is possible. My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction and I are fully aware of this problem and actively seeking ways of alleviating it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give more help to deaf persons who find existing National Health Service hearing aids inadequate and wish to make private purchases of more suitable aids.

I have no power to give financial help towards the cost of aids purchased privately.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he remains satisfied that adequate steps have been taken to reclaim supplementary allowances fraudulently claimed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to him on 31st January.—[Vol. 849, c. 419.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now authorise hospital management committees to provide insurance cover from Exchequer funds for medical and nursing staff attending the scene of major accidents.

No. There is an injury allowance code, shortly to be improved, under which payments are made where a National Health Service employee is permanently incapacitated or dies as a result of injury sustained in the course of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the next meeting of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council will be held.

This is a matter entirely for the chairman and members. I understand that the next meeting of the full council is likely to be held in the late spring but the date has not yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the quality of food provided for hospital patients under the National Health Service.

"No" in some cases "Yes" in others.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the maximum levels of lead in children and in adults which are considered acceptable by his Department; and whether he will make a statement on the policy of his Department towards ensuring that such levels are not exceeded.

For many years a blood lead level of 80 micrograms per 100 millilitres was regarded as being the maximum level which could be tolerated without some risk of harmful symptoms, although industrial workers rarely show symptoms of lead poisoning unless the blood lead is well in excess of this figure. Research has shown that the 80 micrograms level per 100 millilitres which is accepted by industry is not necessarily acceptable for the community as a whole, particularly for children who may be more susceptible than adults. It is therefore the policy of my Department, in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, to keep the community intake of lead as low as is practicable, and to investigate in as much detail as possible the relative importance of the various sources of intake. To this end any special difficulties encountered by medical officers of health are investigated and appropriate action is taken. Details of the studies of specially exposed populations groups will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he takes into account accessibility and availability of public transport as well as size of population when selecting towns in which to establish his local offices.

Yes. All the factors mentioned are taken into account, together with any others which may be relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends to take on the request by the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board for an independent investigation into his proposal to move its headquarters out of Sheffield to Nottingham.

I am considering the proposal of the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board along with the views of other authorities consulted and will make known my conclusions as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why a person, whose name has been supplied to him, born in Malta, has been allowed to live continuously on social security payments since he landed in England from Malta; and, in view of the prima facie evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North of offences against the Social Security Acts, what action he proposes to take.

I have arranged for the matters raised by the hon. Member in his letter to be investigated, and will write to him when the investigation is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the negotiations on a revised grading structure in the National Health Service for members in the remedial professions, including physiotherapists, to be concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received to the latest convenient date about the grading of physiotherapists employed in the National Health Service; and whether he can report any progress in the Whitley Council negotiations.

I understand that, following recent meetings of the sub-committee which has been discussing the grading structure of the remedial professions, proposals have been referred back to the two sides of the council which will no doubt wish to consider them in relation to similar proposals for other related professions. The council has given us no indication of when it expects matters to be finalised. Since my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs) on 12th December last, we have received about 30 more letters on this subject.—[Vol 848, c. 72–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many meetings of the Whitley Council to discuss the pay of physiotherapists took place in 1972; and when the next meeting will take place.

One, at which agreement was reached to increase the pay of physiotherapists amongst others by about 8 per cent. from 1st April 1972; for the classes concerned there has been no general pay claim before the council since then.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Assistant Director of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work who will be responsible for Scotland is to be located in London.

This is a matter for the council. The advertisement issued recently by the council for an assistant director for Scotland specifies that in the first instance the person appointed will work from the London office of the coun- cil, but at a later date will be located in Edinburgh and will be required to travel to London for consultation as necessary. I understand that it is the council's intention that the assistant director will remain in London for a short period only in order to become familiar with the work of the council before moving, and active steps are being taken by the council to find suitable and permanent office accommodation in Edinburgh as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give the figures of establishment vacancies in the hospitals in the Stockport area, tabulated in medical, para-medical, nursing, clerical and ancillary staffs, at the most recent available date.

On 31st January 1973 there were the following vacancies in the funded establishment at hospitals in the Stockport and Buxton Hospital Management Committee area.

	Vacancies
Medical:
Consultants	2
Senior House Officers	3
Professional, Technical and Scientific	28
Nursing (funded establishment)	34
Clerical and administrative	9
Ancillary	16

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the latest date for which accounts for the Hospital Endowments Fund are available; and what is the reason for the delay in providing more recent accounts;(2) who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Hospital Endowments Fund;(3) what is the average gross return—capital appreciation plus income—per annum measured on a time-weighted basis, allowing for withdrawals and new money being available, that has been earned on the Hospital Endowments Fund since inception, and for the last five years;(4) whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for monitoring the investment performance of the Hospital Endowments Fund; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the standards for monitoring the performance of the fund correspond with those widely used in the private sector;(5) after allowing for inflation what was the change in the real capital value of the Hospital Endowments Fund, after making allowances for withdrawals or additions of money, in the last year for which statistics are available; and(6) upon what basis the proportion of the Hospital Endowments Fund invested in equities was determined.

The Hospital Endowments Fund accounts are prepared for each financial year to 31st March, and the latest available are for 1971–72. The arithmetical average gross return—capital appreciation plus income—per annum earned on the fund since inception is about £415,000 and for the last five years £809,000. The increase in the market value of the fund in 1971–72, after allowing for inflation, has been calculated as approximately £2·9 million. The National Debt Office, on my behalf, with the advice of the Government Broker, and in co-operation with my Accountant General's Department, is responsible for day-to-day management. Having regard to the objectives of the fund, satisfactory arrangements and standards for monitoring the investment performance exist and will continue until the fund is wound up in accordance with the provisions, if Parliament approves, of the National Health Service Reorganisation Bill. Investment in equities has followed the broad guidelines of the Trustee Investment Act 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he can now give the approximate annual cost to the National Health Service of treatment of patients suffering from diseases caused by tobacco smoking.

An estimate of the approximate annual cost to the National Health Service of health care due to smoking in respect of the main smoking related conditions was included in a report of a study of the effects of a reduction in cigarette smoking on health care and social security expenditure. This report was published in August last year and was referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, South (Dr. Stuttaford) on 8th August last. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.—[Vol. 842, c. 336–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the nature and object of the survey of Indian and Pakistani in-patients being conducted at the London Hospital.

A study of the social problems of the London Hospital's Indian and Pakistani patients is being conducted over a period of two months by the hospital's social work department by arrangement with the medical staff. All patients who consent are being interviewed and a competent interpreter has been engaged. As a result of the study, the social workers hope to achieve a better understanding of these patients' cultural problems, attitudes and reactions to illness so as to be able to provide a more effective service for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds are occupied by those suffering from alcoholism.

A survey conducted at the end of 1971 indicated that about 1,600 beds in specialist units and psychiatric hospitals and departments were occupied by patients with a primary diagnosis of alcoholism or alcoholic psychosis.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the hospitals which have been studied by the Brunel University Unit for the purpose of comparing performance; what criteria were used; and if he will make a statement concerning the value of the advice on management within the National Health Service resulting from these studies.

The studies have been principally conducted in the hospitals of the Westminster Board of Governors and of the following hospital management committees in the North-West Metropolitan Region: Hillingdon Group Hospital Management Committee, North-wick Park Hospital Management Committee, North London Group Hospital Management Committee, and Staines Hospital Management Committee.The purpose of the studies has not been to compare performance but to help to understand problems of hospital organisation and to bring about controlled change. I understand that the hospital authorities concerned have found the work useful.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will seek powers to give further assistance to local authorities in the London area to increase the amounts of cash payments they can make to the elderly in need.

The form and extent of financial assistance to local authorities is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Local authorities have no substantive powers to make cash payments to the elderly. But, as I explained to the hon. Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin) on 14th November last, the possibility of legislation enabling them to make such payments will be considered at a suitable opportunity.—[Vol. 846, c. 51.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases, during each of the three years prior to the passing of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, the Supplementary Benefits Commission included the cost of telephone rentals in assessing supplementary benefit; and to what extent the use by local authorities of their powers under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 has resulted in an increase in the total number of cases in which help with telephone charges is given either by local authorities or the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

I regret that no figures are available earlier than for the 12 months ending August 1970. In that period the commission helped with installation and rental costs in 99 new cases. Between August 1970 and August 1972 the commission gve help in a further 61 cases. Information on the help given by local authorities will be available later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the review body on doctors' pay remains independent of and not subject to the legislation to curb inflation.

The Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body's terms of reference require it to make recommendations on pay, and it will be for the Government to consider those recommendations in the light of counter-inflation legislation. The review body will be aware of the Pay Code. There is no intention that doctors and dentists should be exempt from a policy fairly and effectively applied to all sections of the community.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the establishment for physiotherapists and remedial gymnasts, respectively, in the Hull "A" Group of the National Helth Service; what is their present strength; and what steps he is taking to remedy this shortage.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the establishment for physiotherapists and remedial gymnasts, respectively, in the Hull "B" Group of the National Health Service; how much these are under strength; and what action he is taking to remedy this shortage.

The following are the staff in post—in whole-time equivalents—under the respective Hospital Management Committees:

	Physiotherapists	Remedial Gymnasts
Hull "A" Hospital Management Committee	15	10
Hull "B" Hospital Management Committee	4	1

I understand that the Hull "A" Committee would like to employ up to seven more physiotherapists and two remedial gymnasts, and Hull "B" Committee five more physiotherapists; but by employing aids or helpers in these departments both committees are taking steps to make the best use of the trained personnel they have. Recruitment and deployment of staff are matters for the respective committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the establishment for remedial gymnasts in the East Riding Group of hospitals; how much this is under strength; and what steps he is taking to remedy this shortage.

I am informed that the hospital management committee has no present intention of employing any remedial gymnasts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether he will list the categories and persons within his Department whose earnings during this period have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

The information is not available in this form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether he will list the categories and numbers of persons within the hospital services whose earnings have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

I regret that the information is not available in this form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in order to ensure that training in family planning is available to medical practi- tioners, he will institute courses in family planning, including refresher courses for practising practitioners.

The content of postgraduate medical training generally is a matter for the professional and educational bodies concerned. I understand that family planning is already an integral part of the training of hospital doctors wishing to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology and of doctors undertaking formal schemes of vocational training for general practice; that a number of local authorities provide in-service training and that a training programme leading to a certificate in contraception and family planning is being prepared by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of General Practitioners.Family doctors attend courses in family planning provided or approved by universities under my Department's scheme for assisting postgraduate medical education. The numbers attending such courses has been increasing: 756 attended in the last academic year. These training arrangements will need to be further extended and we are discussing this with those concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give an assurance that it is not Her Majesty's Government's intention to legalise euthanasia.

I have been asked to reply.The Government have no proposals for legislation on this subject

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is now ready to report on her consideration of the recommendations of the Vernon Committee's Report on the Education of the Visually Handicapped; and if she will make a statement.

Not yet. Comments on the report are still awaited from nine bodies, of which two have asked for an extension until the end of March. Consultation is also taking place with other Government Departments on recommendations with which they are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she last met representatives of London teachers and discussed with them their present grievances on the London allowance; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend met on 23rd January a deputation from the Burnham Committee, which included London teachers. She has asked me to meet on her behalf on 8th March representatives of London teachers who have asked to see her.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what requests she has received concerning improvements at the five former listed schools of architecture at Plymouth, Liverpool, Huddersfield, Cheltenham and North-East London designed to assist these schools to move towards full recognition by the Royal Institute of British Architects; and if she will make a statement.

None directly, but Her Majesty's inspectors have kept in close touch with the schools and have responded to requests for advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers and nursery assistants are currently employed to teach children in nursery classes in the administrative county of Bedfordshire; and how many more teachers and nursery assistants on her proposed staffing ratio of about 1:13 she estimates would need to be recruited by 1982 for the administrative county of Bedfordshire in order to provide full-time education for 15 per cent. of three-and four-year-olds, and part-time education for 35 per cent. of three-year-olds and 75 per cent. of four-year-olds as proposed in paragraph 2 of Circular No. 2/73. "Nursery Education".

In January 1972 Bedfordshire's nursery classes, containing 173 full-time equivalent pupils, were staffed by eight teachers and nine full-time equivalent nursery assistants. In addition there were about 675 other full-time equivalent pupils under five in primary schools, staffed—on the basis of the county's average primary school pupil of 24·6:1—by nearly 30 teachers. No realistic estimate can be made of the number of children under five in 1982 in the areas of individual local education authorities, but they were asked in Appendix B of circular 2/73 to estimate the number of three-and four-year-olds in January 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many three-and four-year-olds, respectively, are currently receiving part-time nursery education in the administrative county of Bedfordshire; and what percentage of their age groups each represents; and(2) how many three-and four-year-old children, respectively, are currently receiving whole-time nursery education in the administrative county of Bedfordshire; and what percentage of their age groups each represents.

In January 1972 numbers of pupils under five in maintained nursery schools and classes were:

	Full-time pupils	Part-time pupils
3-year-olds	18	36
(as a percentage of	0·3	0·6
births in 1968
4-year-olds	84	106
(as a percentage of	1·5	1·9
births in 1967)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what numbers of students she anticipates will be attending full-time and part-time courses, respectively, in 1976–77 and 1981–82 in each polytechnic.

I cannot predict the incidence of future student demand college by college, but the polytechnics are planning on the basis of between 100,000 and 110,000 full-time and sandwich students by 1976–77 and 180,000 by 1981. Even a rough projection of part-time students eight years hence is not possible, but might range between 75,000 and 85,000 by 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what correspondence she has received from the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions concerning the proposed cuts of part-time staff in art colleges; and what replies has she sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received from the Inner London Education Authority concerning the difficulty in recruiting and retaining teaching staff because of the problems of obtaining living accommodation in the London area; and if she will make a statement.

None directly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether she is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether she will list the categories and persons within the teaching services whose earnings during this period have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case; and(2) whether she is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether she will list the categories and persons within her Department whose earnings during this period have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

The information is not available in this form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths during 1971 and 1972 occurred where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate in Greenock and in Renfrewshire.

One death was registered in each of the years 1971 and 1972 in Greenock and one each year in Renfrewshire—excluding the three large burghs—where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many firearms licences were issued by the police in Scotland during 1972; and if he will list the types of weapons to which they relate together with numbers of the types.

Information is not available in the form requested, but I am writing to my hon. Friend to convey some information which I hope he will find helpful.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether he will list the categories and persons within his Department whose earnings during this period have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

The information is not available in this form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement about the reform of the lay summary courts on the reorganisation of local government.

I regret that I cannot add meantime to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. William Hannan) on 23rd November 1972.—[Vol. 846, c. 494–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when details will be available of rate rebates granted in Scotland for the year 1971–72.

I am today publishing a booklet entitled "Rate Rebates in Scotland 1971–72", copies of which I am having placed in the Library.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, in his letter of 26th February showing gross neglect and maladministration upon the part of the Civil Service, what positive action he proposes to take to prevent such happenings in the future.

I do not accept that the hon. Member's letter showed any such thing.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Belfast.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit Belfast officially in the near future.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to a Question from the right hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Stonehouse) on 15th February.—[Vol. 850, c. 410.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether he will list the categories and persons within his Department whose earnings during this period have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

The information is not available in this form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether he will list the categories and persons within his Department whose earnings during this period have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

The information is not available in this form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether he will list the categories and persons within his Department whose earnings during this period have not rised by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

The information is not available in this form and the work involved in obtaining it would not be justified.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that since 16th June 1970 until 16th January 1973 the increase in earnings was 34 per cent.; and whether he will list the categories and persons within his Department whose earnings during this period have not risen by 34 per cent. and the shortfall in each case.

The information is not available in this form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will have urgent talks with the National Farmers' Union over measures to combat large-scale rustling of livestock.

The National Farmers' Union has not asked for talks but if it felt that they might be helpful I would be glad to arrange them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations prevent United Kingdom eggs from being imported into the EEC countries, in particular France.

No commercial restrictions on trade in eggs are permitted between member countries of the Community. We understand that French public health regulations prevent the import of eggs from countries which do not prohibit the use of certain additives in feeding stuffs. We are not aware of any other regulations among Community countries which might affect trade in United Kingdom eggs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider seeking to amend the British Sugar Corporation Act to enable the transfer of facilities from the corporation to a private company.

Although the British Sugar Corporation Ltd. was established by the Sugar Industry (Reorganisation) Act 1936, that legislation was repealed by the Sugar Act 1956. The corporation is a limited liability com-

THE NATIONAL FOOD SURVEY
(Household Consumption in Great Britain)
					Ounces per head per week lbs. per head per annum (as purchased by the housewife)
					1954	1972	1954	1972
Beef and Veal	…	…	…	…	9·23	7·01	30·00	22·78
Mutton and Lamb	…	…	…	…	5·98	5·05	19·44	16·41

FOOD SUPPLIES MOVING INTO CONSUMPTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
(Total Supplies expressed in terms of Dressed Carcase Weight)
					Ounces per head per week lbs. per head per annum
					1954	1972	1954	1972
Beet and Veal	…	…	…	…	13·66	13·60	44·4	44·2
Mutton and Lamb	…	…	…	…	6·68	6·28	21·7	20·4
Total Major Meats	…	…	…	…	27·51	36·49	89·4	118·6

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the consumption of beef and lamb separately per head of the population in the second quarter of 1954 and the third and fourth quarters of 1972, calculated by the National Food Survey method, and

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the glut of cheese, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange.

We are keeping the market situation, including the level of stocks, under review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the consumption of beef and lamb separately per head of the population in 1954 and 1972 calculated by the National Food Survey method, and the "supplies moving into consumption" method.

Separate statistics are not available for beef and lamb, and the statistics relate to the consumption of beef and veal and of mutton and lamb. The figures, with provisional figures for 1972, are as follows:—the "supplies moving into consumption" method.

Consumption figures for the major meats are as shown. Figures for 1972 are provisional. Separate statistics are not available for beef and lamb, and the statistics relate to beef and veal and mutton and lamb.

THE NATIONAL FOOD SURVEY
As purchased by housewives in Great Britain)
	Ounces per head per week
	1954	1972
	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter
Beef and Veal	8·55	6·40	7·32
Mutton and Lamb	6·18	4·74	5·31
Pork	2·60	2·87	3·22
Poultry (uncooked)	0·49	5·89	5·35

FOOD SUPPLIES MOVING INTO CONSUMPTION
(Total meat supplies expressed in terms of dressed carcase weight
	Ounces per head per week
	1954	1972
	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter
Beef and Veal	11·53	12·76	14·11
Mutton and Lamb	7·31	6·30	5·58
Pork	5·04	8·22	8·59
Poultry	1·15	7·90	9·74

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of a pint of milk of each grade on 18th June 1970; and what is its cost now.

The following is the information requested:

	18th June 1970 P.	6th March 1973 P.
Channel Islands untreated milk farm bottled	6 (1s. 2d.)	6½
Other Channel Islands milk	5½ (1s. 1d.)
South Devon untreated milk farm bottled	6 (1s. 2d.)	6½
Other South Devon milk	5½ (1s. 1d.)
Untreated milk farm bottled	5½ (1s. 1d.)	6½
Ultra heat treated milk	5 (1s. 0d.)	6
Sterilised milk	5 (1s. 0d.)	6
Homogenised milk	5 (1s. 0d.)	6
Untreated milk	4½ (11d.)	5½
Pasteurised milk	4½(11d.)	5½
Ordinary milk (milk other than the above mentioned)	4½(11d.)	5½

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of a pound of English, New Zealand, Canadian and Australian butter on 18th June 1970; and what is its cost now.

The Department of Employment's General Index of Retail Prices shows average retail prices of New Zealand and Danish butter were 16·8p and 20·0p per lb. respectively on 18th June 1970 and 22·7p and 25·1p per lb. on 16th January, the latest date for which figures are available. The prices of other types of butter are not collected for the purpose of the index.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of a pound of English, New Zealand, Canadian and Australian cheese on 18th June 1970; and what is its cost now.