asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the expected output of sugar beet in the enlarged EEC in 1973; and how this compares with the past three years.

No forecast can be made of production of sugar beet from the 1973 crop. Production in earlier years was as follows:

Crop Year	Metric Tons
1969–70	60,302,000
1970–71	58,421,000
1971–72	64,351,000
1972–73 (estimate)	63,331,000

These figures include French beet used for the production of alcohol and Danish beet processed into sugar in Finland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he expects to be the production of United Kingdom sugar beet this year; and how

		Pence per Pound
		Chuck	Sirloin	Fore Rib	Silverside	Back Rib	Brisket	Rump Steak
January-June 1970	…	+0·6	+2·0	+1·2	+2·0	+1·1	+1·2	+3·1
July-December 1972	…	+4·7	+4·7	+3·8	+4·3	+4·2	+3·9	+4·8

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider seeking to amend the law so as to provide some security of tenure in appropriate cases for the near family of a decased agricultural tenant.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 18th December 1970.—[Vol. 813, c. 71–2.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures were taken to prevent shops immediately implementing the price rises announced on 23rd February, in respect of food that was already on the shelves.

The White Paper—A Programme for Controlling Inflation: The First Stage—requires that retailers

The information is as follows:

Campaign Year	Sugar Produced (Thousand tons refined equivalent)
1969–70	847
1970–71	892
1971–72	1,069
1972–73*	871
*Most recent estimate received from British Sugar Corporation Ltd.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the increase in the average price of beef in the last six months; and what was the comparable figure in the first six months of 1970.

The best available indication of such movements in beef prices is given in the following table of retail prices:should not increase their cash margins during the standstill. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that in general this requirement is being observed throughout the retail food trade, but if my hon. Friend has any evidence to the contrary I shall be pleased to investigate it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now publish a table showing the average open market world price in sterling for the principal agriculture products imported into the United Kingdom for the years 1960, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively.

The following table provides quotations of prices on London and New York commodity markets of particular qualities of the main food products imported into the United Kingdom; these quotations are normally taken as providing the nearest broad indication of average world price trends:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any evidence that swine vesicular virus is not destroyed by ordinary boiling to 100 degrees centigrade.

Swine vesicular disease virus is destroyed by boiling. Provided, therefore, that the infective material is thoroughly boiled the disease should be neutralised.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the cost to public funds of compensation for slaughter of pig herds during the current outbreak of swine vesicular disease.

Total compensation paid and to be paid for pigs slaughtered up to 7th March 1973 amounts to £741,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to implement EEC Decision 73/10 authorising the United Kingdom to introduce a butter subsidy for pensioners and those in receipt of social security benefit.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Farnworth (Mr. Roper) on 26th February 1973.—[Vol. 851, c. 284.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the resolution concerning agricultural wages passed unanimously by the Agricultural Wages Board on 11th December 1972; and if he will make a statement.

The board's resolution was as follows:

"The Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales has noted the effect of the Counter-Inflation (Agricultural Wages) Order 1972 on the Board's award as set out in its order made on 11th December 1972 and due to come into effect on 22nd January 1973. The board unanimously resolved to request Her Majesty's Government to take the necessary steps to allow this award to come into effect not later than the end of the 90-day standstill period; that is by 28th February 1973."

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the 53 countries named in the Customs and Excise import statistical sheets, meat and meat preparations, are not primary producers; and what were the countries of origin of such imports.

I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether agricultural exports from East Germany to West Germany are exempt from import levies and other restrictions required by the common agricultural policy; and whether such goods re-exported from West Germany to other EEC countries are so exempt.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes".

asked the Attorney-General how many of the localities in Wales which have Crown courts meeting regularly therein have a law library for the use of those courts.

Adequate library facilities are available at seven crown court centres in Wales where sittings are held regularly. At three other centres, where the court offices are not permanently staffed, only minimal facilities are available.

asked the Attorney-General if he will arrange for a Crown court to meet regularly at Aberystwyth.

No. There is no present justification in the light of the probable work load, and no suitable accommodation available.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total value of Ministry of Defence contracts placed with the engineering industry for the years 1970–71 and 1971–72 for the supply of new equipment; and what proportion of this amount is in respect of items which are manufactured exclusively for military use.

The information requested is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she is considering concerning schools at Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme; when a decision will be made; and whether she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is considering a proposal to cease to maintain Seabridge county secondary school and will reach a decision as soon as possible. Other proposals affecting schools in the Clayton area have been withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the practice of his Department, in administrative matters, regarding the definition of the term "Head of the Household" or an equivalent term; and what benefits or allowances are available when the requirements of that status are met.

The term "Head of the Household" is not used in my Department's administration. Welfare benefits available under the Education Acts are normally assessed by reference to the financial circumstances of parents as defined in the Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the practice of his Department, in administrative matters, regarding the definition of the term "Head of the Household" or an equivalent term; and what benefits or allowances are available when the requirements of that status are met.

The term "Head of the Household" is not in official use by the Department in its administration, though it is commonly necessary in determining eligibility for benefits to establish whether an applicant is maintaining dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those countries for which, from 1st January 1974, motorists will not need to obtain insurance green cards.

Possession of a green card will not be necessary to enter or travel in any of the other States of the European Economic Community. Insurers will continue to issue green cards because they will still be required as a convenient form of insurance evidence and for travel outside the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to inform British motorists of the fact that the ending of the insurance green card system from 1st January 1974 for many European countries does not automatically mean that they are provided with coverage for serious third party or passenger liability claims; and if he will make a statement.

Motor insurers are already informing their policy holders that the extension of cover required by the EEC directive relates only to those liabilities which are compulsorily insurable in each member State. The green card system will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the percentage increase in the domestic rate charge directly attributable to revaluation in each of the county boroughs in the West Midlands.

The following provisional estimates have been made of the percentage increases in domestic rates which would result from revaluation with the related change in resources element of rate support grants but without allowing for the increase in domestic element of rate support grant. The estimates were prepared on the basis of preliminary forecasts of the new rateable values and may be subject to considerable variation when the figures for April 1973 became available.

	per cent.
Birmingham	18
Coventry	14
Dudley	24
Solihull	9
Walsall	25
Warley	21
West Bromwich	19
Wolverhampton	18

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated percentage cost of the collection of rates.

About 1¼ per cent. of the yield.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total domestic rate produced in the United Kingdom in 1972–73 or in the latest year for which figures are available.

The total domestic rate call for the United Kingdom in 1972–73 was approximately £1,120 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken to ensure implementation by local authorities of Section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; how many local authorities have now made provisions for meeting the special housing needs of persons covered by the Act; and if he will make a statement.

The attention of housing authorities in England was drawn to the responsibility placed on them by Section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 in a circular issued in August 1970. Between the date on which Section 3 came into force and the end of last year 241 authorities had notified the Department of proposals for the construction of new dwellings for the disabled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the implementation by local authorities of the provisions of Section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; what action he has taken; and if he will make a statement.

I am currently reviewing the experience of the first year of the orange badge scheme introduced under Section 21. In this review I will take account of all representations received from Members of Parliament, local authorities, disabled people themselves and the organisations representing them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet able to spell out in more detail his plans for putting Centre Point to some other use.

My concern is that Centre Point and other vacant office blocks should be brought into use for their designed purpose. If necessary, I will take appropriate powers to secure that objective.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the appeal concerning the proposed central library, Ironmarket, Newcastle-under-Lyme, will be heard.

31st May 1973 is the date offered to the parties concerned for a local inquiry, and their replies are awaited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the local authority associations and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the nuisance caused by uncontrolled dogs, and in particular the collection and disposal of strays; and what proposals he now has for dealing with this problem.

The Dogs Act 1906 confers upon the police certain powers in regard to the collection and disposal of stray dogs. I have asked the local authority associations to consider the transfer of these powers to the new district councils which will come into being next year, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and I are at present considering their replies. I have held no consultations with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for extending the basing-point of coal and steel transport pricing to other commodities; and whether he will make a statement.

I have no such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to co-ordinate the concessionary fares policies of local authority passenger transport undertakings in respect of the raising of the school leaving age.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement on discussions with the European Commission about the allocation of Community permits to British road transport operators.

Having submitted strong arguments for a substantial increase, I now await the Commission's revised proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what consideration of the city's problems his Department has recommended that the Manchester City Council reduce its proposed estimate for 1973–74 by £2 million.

My Department has made no such recommendation. Preliminary figures provided by the corporation suggested an exceptionally high growth of expenditure but these figures were subsequently corrected. The corporation has now been told that my right hon. and learned Friend has no comment to make on its rate estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is monitoring how far action is being taken by county councils, following the designation of a county borough area under the Caravan Sites Act 1968, to provide sites for gipsies; and, in the absence of such action after a reasonable period of time, if he will give notice that he will use his powers of mandamus under the Act to direct local authorities to make such provision as he sees fit.

My right hon. and learned Friend will continue to keep himself informed about the plans which local authorities have for providing gipsy caravan sites; and the Department will be holding regional conferences with local authorities in the next few months to encourage early action. This course seems to my right hon. and learned Friend much preferable to any suggestion that he should use his direction-making power under the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he accepts the figures of the number of gipsies in the North-West as obtained from a recent census by National Council for Civil Liberties researchers, a copy of which is in his possession; and if he will make a statement on its findings.

My right hon. and learned Friend does not appear to have received a copy of the census to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the discrepancies between the 1965 official survey of gipsies and recent surveys of gipsies residing in the North-West, Surrey and Wolverhampton areas, he will take steps to have another national survey undertaken in the near future; and if so, whether he will invite external bodies like university departments or the Centre for Environmental Studies to do the work.

No. My right hon. and learned Friend is not aware that the question of establishing the precise number of gipsies is impeding the provision of sites. Another national survey would be of greater value when further progress has been made in site provision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many citizens from Hong Kong have made application for United Kingdom passports since 1st January 1971; and how many have been granted.

No records are kept of applicants who, following initial inquiry, are clearly not qualified for British passports. From 1st January 1971 to 28th February 1973, 67,840 applications for British (Hong Kong) passports passed the initial inquiry stage. Sixty-seven thousand, five hundred and twenty-eight of these were subsequently issued. During the same period, 2,078 United Kingdom passports were issued in Hong Kong to United Kingdom belongers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to pay an official visit to Hong Kong.

My right hon. Friend visited Hong Kong in February and in November last year. I also visited Hong Kong in November. There are no present plans for a further visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent incidents involving the British fishing fleet off Iceland and Icelandic Government gunboats; and what representations he has made to the Icelandic Government on these issues.

I have at present nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the House yesterday in answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson).—[Vol. 852, c. 410–12.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the talks the Minister for Overseas Development has held with Kenya Ministers this week.

During my recent visit to Kenya, I had the opportunity of discussions with the Kenya Government and of seeing projects financed under our aid programme. I was able this week to assure the Ministers of the British Government's willingness to continue to provide support for the Kenya Development Programme. I said that, subject to parliamentary approval, financial aid of £22 million would be made available for commitment over the next three years, including £5 million carried over from previous undertakings.Of the £17 million assistance, up to £7 million will be available to facilitate the continued transfer of British mixed farms to Kenyan ownership. Up to £6 million of this will be a grant for purchase for settlement, and £1 million will be provided on loan terms for the Agricultural Finance Corporation. The balance of £10 million will be available as a loan for other development projects which will be jointly discussed and agreed between the two Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry to study the effects of drink upon the commission of crimes of violence; and whether he will take into account the effect of the consumption of alcoholic drinks before he implements the recommendations of the Erroll Report.

My right hon. Friend has no such inquiry in mind, but a research project on crimes of violence which is being undertaken by the Cambridge Institute of Criminology may provide some relevant information. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's estimate of the cost of all fires in the United Kingdom for the last 12 months for which statistics are available; and from what sources information as to the cost of such fire losses is obtained.

According to information published by the British Insurance Association, fire losses in the United Kingdom in 1972 amounted to about £140 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many men and women were engaged in the removal of an IRA prisoner from the Lagan Valley Hospital on 29th December 1972.

Information available to the security forces indicates that seven men and two women took part.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what were the rank and experience of the security officers engaged in the guarding of the IRA prisoner who was removed from the Lagan Valley Hospital on 29th December 1972;

It would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efforts have been made to recapture the IRA prisoner who was removed from the Lagan Valley Hospital on 29th December 1972; and with what success.

Every effort has been made to recapture this prisoner, as yet without success.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the name of the IRA prisoner who was removed from the Lagan Valley Hospital on 29th December 1972; and why he was being held in the Maze Prison.

James Brown. He was being detained under an interim custody order made under Article 4(1) of the Detention of Terrorists (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suspected IRA invalids have been treated at Lagan Valley Hospital since the opening of the Maze Prison; and for what complaints treatment was given.

Fourteen high security prisoners have been given treatment at Lagan Valley Hospital during the time they have been in custody at Her Majesty's Prison, Maze. Four were treated for bone fractures, two for angina, two for appendicitis, two for abscesses, one for severe abdominal pain and one for a head wound. Two others attended the hospital to receive physiotherapy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses in Scotland, private and local authority, are currently below the tolerable standards of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1969.

About 190,000, almost all in private ownership except those—probably not many—acquired by local authorities in the course of clearance or improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were demolished in Scotland in 1970, 1971, 1972, and in what local authority areas.

17,345 and 20,554 houses were closed or demolished in Scotland in 1970 and 1971 respectively. For the first nine months of 1972 the number was 13,286.Figures for each period by local authority districts are published in the Housing Return for Scotland for 31st March 1971, 31st March 1972 and 31st December 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many separate dwellings were provided in Scotand in 1970, 1971 and 1972.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Housing Return for Scotland, 31st December 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received a copy of the report commissioned by the Highlands and Islands Development Board on the Harris tweed industry; and what action he proposes to take.

I understand that the board has commissioned three studies in this field; but the work has not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide finance to the Highlands and Islands Development Board to enable it to make grants and loans to individual weavers for the purchase of double width looms, when a satisfactory design has been produced.

I understand that work on the prototype double width loom has not yet been completed, but that the board has recently had preliminary discussions with the principal interests concerned about possible ways in which any new looms could be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet reached a decision on the future of the Glasgow city-wide selective schools; and whether he will make a statement.

It is the declared policy of this Government to allow education authorities as much freedom as possible to decide for themselves the form of secondary organisation best for their areas and not to seek to impose any particular form of secondary organisation on them. As Secretary of State, my main responsibility is to ensure that, whatever arrangements are made, the education authority continues to provide adequate and efficient school education.When Glasgow Education Authority made proposals to me last year in respect of its city-wide selective schools I received a large number of representations from parents and others protesting against them and I asked the authority to carry out further consultations with parents and staff. It has since reported to me the outcome of these consultations.I have considered the authority's proposals most carefully and am prepared to approve them with effect from session 1973–74 subject to modifications designed to ensure that pupils at present attending these schools will be allowed to continue until they have completed their school education or, in the case of those in the primary schools or department, their primary education. These modifications are of course designed to minimise the disturbance to pupils currently attending the schools, some of whom would have been transferred to other schools under the authority's original proposals.These modifications will apply to the High School of Glasgow as to the other schools except that, as and when the stage is reached when I can be satisfied that the number of pupils remaining in the secondary department of the school no longer constitutes a viable school unit, I shall be prepared to give sanction for the discontinuance of the school. All pupils now attending the primary department of the High School will, however, be allowed to complete their primary education there and only then, at the end of the 1973–74 session, will the primary department be discontinued.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to find out what was the number of appeals initiated by his Department against medical board decisions that miners were suffering from prescribed disease No. 17, nitrous fumes; how many of these appeals have been successful; what was the average length of time taken on appeal by physical examination; and how many of these have been in North Staffordshire.

No. Some of the information requested is unobtainable and the rest could be obtained only after a disproportionate expenditure of staff time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total number of adapted four-wheeled cars issued in England and Wales to disabled war pensioners who are able to drive, to disabled war pensioners who elect a nominated driver, to disabled parents who are in the sole charge of young children, to severely disabled haemophiliacs, and to other categories of National Health Service patients, who qualify for an adapted car, respectively;(2) what is the total number of invalid three-wheelers issued in England and Wales to disabled war pensioners, and to disabled National Health Service patients, respectively;(3) what is the total number of disabled drivers who have been granted a private car allowance in respect of their own vehicle under the categories of disabled war pensioners, and National Health Service patients, respectively, showing the number of new applicants since 1st April 1972;(4) what is the total number of forms MHS 330 on issue to disabled drivers by the Department of Health to enable them to apply for exemption from vehicle excise duty.

Information in the form required is not immediately available, but I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the value of drugs prescribed under the National Health Service by chemists in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

The costs of drugs dispensed by chemists under the National Health Service in England in the last five years were:—

	£ million
1968	101·4
1969	111·4
1970	122·5
1971	136·6
1972	154·6

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what recommendation he has received from the Manchester Regional Hospital Board concerning the proposed closure of the Manchester Ear Hospital; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he will make a statement indicating his decision on the proposal of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board to close the Manchester Ear Hospital.

My Department recently received the Manchester Regional Hospital Board's recommendation, following local consultations, that the Manchester Ear Hospital should be closed. The board's proposal is under consideration, and my right hon. Friend hopes to make a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any firm from any country on the continent of Europe has made an application or an inquiry concerning development in mid-Wales during the past 12 months.

There has been no application or inquiry to the Department of Trade and Industry but I have no information concerning inquiries through other channels. However, Mid-Wales, in common with other development areas, will continue to be brought to the attention of any firms interested.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the difficulty facing hoteliers who wish to avoid passing on rate increases in the form of higher prices, in particular since competition from package tours makes it commercially dangerous to increase such charges, he will consider proposing a form of subsidy to hotels in areas which have sustained high rate increases.

No. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment said on 5th March in reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) the Government have already undertaken to give more grant to local authorities than ever before in order to moderate the average rate increases.—[Vol. 852, c. 19–20.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the regional airport study shortly to be undertaken on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority will take into consideration the potential of the airports in the regions, and the possibility of relieving pressure on the airports of London and the South-East by greater use of those of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham.

I am informed that the Civil Aviation Authority study will cover the rôle of airports in the regions con- cerned, taking account, amongst other things, of their potential and of the Government's decisions about airport development in the South-East.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the workings of the transport costs basing-point system arising from the United Kingdom's adaptation of the regulations of the European Coal and Steel Community.

United Kingdom steel producers are expected as soon as the present standstill ends to adopt this system. The British Steel Corporation has made every effort to assist industry by selecting basing points which will cause the least possible disturbance to its customers.National Coal Board industrial fuels are sold on a pithead basis which conforms to ECSC requirements. The NCB is currently discussing with the Commission the future arrangements for pricing its domestic fuels, which are sold on a delivered price basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number and square footage of advance factories which have been built in intermediate areas for the years ended 31st December 1971 and 1972.

Following is the information:

	Number of Advance Factories completed in Intermediate Areas	Square feet
Year ended 31st December 1971	2	20,000
Year ended 31st December 1972	7	140,000

The largest-ever advance factory programme in the assisted areas has since been announced for 52 new factories covering a total of 950,000 square feet.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number and square footage of advance factories which have been built in development areas for the years ended 31st December 1971 and 1972.

Following is the information:

	Number of Advance Factories completed in Development Areas	Square feet
Year ended 31st December 1971	42	985,000
Year ended 31st December 1972	20	366,000

The largest-ever advance factory programme in the assisted areas has since been announced for 52 new factories covering a total of 950,000 square feet.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent talks with President Nixon's special adviser on trade matters.

I had talks on 24th February with Ambassador Peterson, on his visit to Europe as the personal representative of President Nixon.The discussions covered a wide range of subjects, in particular matters affecting the forthcoming international trade negotiations. These talks were part of the continuing dialogue between the United States Government on the one hand and the Government of the United Kingdom as a part of the EEC on the other, and will have contributed to a fuller understanding of common problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will consider the need for the redevelopment of the road pattern at Cymmer, Port Talbot, taking advantage of the disused railway to ensure that the village is bypassed and no buildings allowed to be constructed to inhibit a proper road pattern.

These are non-trunk roads and the matter is one for the Glamorgan County Council and the Glyncorrwg Urban District Council as the responsible highway authorities to consider in the first instance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the broad categories of goods which should cost (a) more and (b) less as a result of the introduction of VAT, indicating the approximate extent of the reduction and increases.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the Government's public information campaign on VAT which begins next week and gives the information he requires.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many houses are covered by the Manchester South valuation area; how many of these houses have been assessed for central heating; and how many were inspected by the valuation officer for the purpose of the 1973 revaluation.

There are about 110,000 dwellings in the area. Answers to the other parts of the Question could not be obtained without disproportionate use of staff time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the tax treatment of the discount on the forthcoming issue of 3 per cent. Treasury Stock 1979.

Under the law as it stands the discount on this stock would be chargeable to tax as income under Case III of Schedule D. My right hon. Friend proposes to introduce a clause in the Finance Bill to remove this charge.