asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price of flour at the most recent date and two years earlier.

The average retail price per 3-lb. bag of self-raising flour as collected for the Index of Retail Food Prices was 12·lp on 20th February 1973, the latest date available, compared with 10·6p on 16th February 1971.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage food prices have risen since June 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the percentage increase in food prices since June 1970.

Between 16th June 1970 and 20th February 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 29·7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual rate of increase in the food price index, based on the latest monthly figures.

Between 22nd February 1972 and 20th February 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 11·3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the average retail price of fish since June 1970 and 6th November 1972, respectively.

In mid-February the average retail price of cod fillets, the main variety of fish consumed in this country, was 76 per cent. higher than in June 1970 and 10 per cent. higher than in November 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the average retail price of cheese since June 1970.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 15th February to the hon. Member for Oldham, East (Mr. James Lamond).— [Vol. 850, c. 380–81.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage rise in the retail price of food since the Treaty of Accession was signed with the EEC.

Between 18th January 1972 and 20th February 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 12·1 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage the average price of beef has increased since June 1970.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 5th April.—[Vol. 854, c. 122.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the effect of the expected rise in the cost of feedingstuffs on the price of top quality beef.

We are not expecting increases in the prices of feedingstuffs in the foreseeable future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of British livestock farmers are themselves exporters of live animals for slaughter.

This information is not available, as applicants for export licences are not required to disclose whether or not they are livestock farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now institute an independent inquiry into the export of livestock with particular reference to the implementation of the Balfour Assurances.

We have asked for talks on welfare in the European Community. Our request has been remitted to the Commission and we have offered to assist in the preparations for these discussions. I do not believe it would be appropriate to conduct a concurrent independent inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received a copy of the report of the National Food Survey Committee on Household Food Consumption and Expenditure for 1970 and 1971; and if he will study it with a view to taking action thereon.

My right hon. Friend has received the committee's report and studied it with interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much grain has been bought by the Intervention Board since it was set up; and how much of this grain has been rendered unfit for human consumption.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the New Zealand Government to remove the import duty imposed by the United Kingdom on mutton and lamb imported from New Zealand.

None, although the subject was mentioned when the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture called on my right hon. Friend on 5th April.

asked the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food whether a start has yet been made in training the fishing industry regarding the EEC grading system; and if he will make a statement.

Officers of the Fisheries Inspectorate in the main ports who have received training are helping the industry by comparing size and freshness assessments of representative catches.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider arrangements for existing applications already in the pipeline for capital grants for agricultural buildings to be allowed at the higher rate.

Applications received by my Department before 22nd March 1973 will qualify for the 30 per cent. rate subject to the usual conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now arrange for additional statistics to be kept by his Department, showing to what degree farm fragmentation has followed rising land prices, capital gains tax and death duties.

The agricultural census already identifies changes from year to year in the distribution of land by farm size and location. I do not think it would be feasible to go further and to require precise reasons to be given for each disposal of agricultural land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that the prices at which the British Sugar Corporation disposed of 12,000 tons of dried molassed beet pulp to merchants during the second half of January 1973 were not higher than the price of such pulp at the beginning of the standstill.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what refrigeration capacity is available to Her Majesty's Government for the long-term storage of carcase meat which comes into its possession as a result of the activities of the Intervention Board; and where it is situated.

A list of cold stores to be available is being prepared and will be published when the necessary consultations have been completed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if animals used in experimental trials of oil-based protein feeding stuffs are sold for meat for human consumption; and if so whether steps are taken to ensure that special records are kept of its sale to the public.

The meat in question is normally used in research and would not be sold. I do not consider that records of the kind suggested could contribute to safety. What is essential is full investigation before the public is involved in any way. This is being achieved through research, costing over £2 million, which has been in progress for nine years to establish that these products involve no risk to health when used as animal feeding stuffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the working of the International Sugar Agreement in safeguarding the interests of emergent States in the absence of the United States of America and the EEC from the list of members.

Following its entry into force on 1st January 1969, the present International Sugar Agreement was, despite the absence of the Community and the United States from its membership, a major factor in raising the world market price of sugar from its previous very depressed level, and in introducing greater stability into world sugar market conditions. By so doing, it has assisted all countries which export sugar to the world market, in particular the developing exporting ones.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, under the International Coffee Agreement, what provision has been made by the present members, particularly in South America, to admit new producers from Africa.

Under Article 63 of the International Coffee Agreement, the Government of any State member of the United Nations or of any of its specialised agencies may accede to this agreement on conditions that shall be established by the Council. No African producing country has applied for accession to the present agreement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now seek to make arrangements for the continuation of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement beyond 1974.

No. After 1974 the agreement will be succeeded by new arrangements to be negotiated between the Community and the countries concerned under protocol 22 to the Act of Accession.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when the total value of premium bonds held reaches £1,000 million, he will mark the occasion by awarding a compensatory amount to those holders of bonds bought within the first year of the scheme operating who have not won any prize subsequently.

No. Special concessions to particular holders of premium bonds would be contrary to the concept of the premium bond scheme, in which all holders accept the distribution of prizes on a random basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the taxation of fringe benefits, in the light of conclusions in a recent study on the subject published by Gower Press, a copy of which is in his possession.

No. As stated in reply to a parliamentary Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr. Tugendhat) on 26th March, the Government have under review the whole question of the taxation of benefits in kind. I have no present statement to make on this subject.—[Vol. 853, c. 251.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the recent letter received by Mrs. Ramsden of 2 Willow Close, Carr Hall, Barrow-ford, near Nelson, from the Director of the National Savings Bank informing her that due to industrial action a warrant for withdrawing money could not be issued, he will ensure that payment of money is not again refused and that in the event of further industrial action by staff issuing warrants other means of repayment will be immediately put into operation.

I regret the delay in issuing this warrant. It has now been issued, as have all other such warrants delayed by industrial action. Normal withdrawal on demand services at post offices continued to operate, and special arrangements were made at National Savings Bank headquarters to deal with cases causing special hardship.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will agree to see individuals with specialised knowledge who have sought interviews with him in connection with the export of works of art of national and historic interest, bearing in mind the financial incentive for art dealers and auctioneers to export these goods following the introduction of value added tax.

Any request for an interview would be considered on its merits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention that all invoices for transactions in works of art and antiques under the special scheme contained in Customs and Excise Notice No. 712, whether between two taxable persons or between a taxable person and a private person, shall be required to be certified by both parties in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of Notice No. 712.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his intention that where a work of art or antique is purchased by one taxable person from another taxable person within the special scheme contained in Customs and Excise Notice No. 712, both buyer and seller must retain invoices certified by each of them in accordance with paragraph 5 of Notice No. 712.

The copy sales invoice retained by a taxable person selling under the scheme must be certified by the buyer and the seller as required in paragraph 5 of the notice. A taxable buyer wishing to use the scheme must retain the sales invoice issued by the seller.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the operation of VAT since its introduction; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 11th April to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange (Mr. Parry).—[Vol. 854, c. 291.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether talking books provided for the blind are subject to VAT; and if so whether he will remove the tax.

The supply to the Royal National Institute for the Blind of talking books for the blind, together with the specially adapted magnetic tape and parts and accessories for the recorders, is zero-rated under Group 4 of Schedule 4 to the Finance Act 1972.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether radio sets provided by the British Wireless for the Blind Fund are free from VAT; and if not whether he will remove the tax.

No, but the British Wireless for the Blind Fund should benefit from the concessions to charities announced in the last two Budgets.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution United Kingdom private investment in overseas manufacturing industry makes to the growth of the United Kingdom gross national product.

Investment in overseas manufacturing industry contributes to the United Kingdom gross national product both directly, through the return on this investment and indirectly, through the increased exports it generates. United Kingdom investment overseas is mainly financed by other than domestic sources —for example, by borrowing in the Eurocurrency market and by reinvested profits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer if building societies were exempt from paying tax on the first £40 of investment earned by savers on building society accounts.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer if income tax paid by building societies was reduced from the current rate of 30 per cent. to 20 per cent in the current year.

The composite rate of tax for the current year has not yet been determined. For 1972–73, when the composite rate was 30 per cent., the cost would have been about £70 million if the saving to building societies from the reduction were not distributed to shareholders.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the correlation between private investment in United

The relationship between investment and growth cannot be estimated precisely.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how current average United Kingdom interest rates on capital for private investment in manufacturing industry compare with those in Sweden, West Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Japan and the United States of America.

It is not possible to make precise comparisons of interest rates charged on capital for industrial and commercial investment in different countries because of institutional differences and because the data available in international publications relate to varying periods of loan and reflect the different pattern of financing as between one country and another. Differing tax regulations and the existence of additional charges may mean that interest rates do not reflect the true rate of borrowing.An important development in recent years has been the growth of an international market in short- and medium-term finance which has reduced the dependence of large commercial organisations on domestic interest rates. In the table below, representative interest rates or yields on bonds and debentures, on shares and on short- and longer-term bank lending, are shown for December 1972. Separate statistics are not available in respect of borrowing by manufacturing industry. Detailed notes on the rates in each country are available in the OECD Financial Statistics, from which the figures have been drawn.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, after allowing for tax relief on a 9½ per cent. mortgage rate, what is the real interest cost to the mortgagor.

For a basic rate taxpayer for 1973–74, 6·65 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the size of speculative funds in the European currency market.

It is impossible to identify a separate category of speculative funds

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to enable the Spanish lady teacher at Downshall Secondary School, Ilford. details of the loss of whose passport by the Immigration and Nation-

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average sentence for those convicted of robbery with violence in 1960, 1965, 1970, 1971 and 1972.

The following is the readily available information:ality Department of the Home Office have been given him by the hon. Member for Ilford, North, to leave the country on 15th April and return to resume her employment after the school holidays.

I much regret the delay, and that my hon. Friend was misinformed of the position by the Department. In fact the lady's passport was returned to the chief education officer on 3rd April endorsed with an extension of stay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it tok him until 31st March 1973 to reply to the communication sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 29th December 1972, concerning a constituent's prison sentence; and what information, as contained in this reply, was not available in January 1973.

The case was a complex one which involved extensive consultation within the Home Office before a reply to the hon. Member could be prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policemen were convicted of criminal offences in each of the past five years.

Following are the figures, which exclude traffic offences:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Ashington Urban District Council was not given the opportunity to comment on the recommendations of the independent committee prior to his acceptance thereof, in view of the fact that there were no representations on his draft scheme of 15th December 1972 which accepted the proposal for two wards for the Ashington area; and if he will make a statement concerning arrangements for the first election of councillors for the new district Northumberland No. 5.

A further round of consultation and comment was precluded by the need to announce warding decisions in time for preparations to be made for elections in June. I have no doubt that the advisory committee was right to recommend an alternative to wards returning 7 and 11 councillors respectively, while still leaving the Ashington area with the same total of representation on the council for the new county of Northumberland district No. 5.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange for Ministers to issue a White Paper on the subject of any future major Bills placed before Parliament.

This is already the normal practice when appropriate.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he has now concluded his discussions on the question of the registration of Members' outside financial interests; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, East (Sir D. Walker-Smith) on 2nd April 1973.—[Vol. 854, c. 27.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions for harassment have been dealt with in each of the inner London boroughs since 1st January 1972.

The information is not available, but in the first six months of 1972 there were 15 prosecutions for harassment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if British Rail sought his approval prior to raising their prices for beer and spirits; and if these increases are in conformity with the Price and Pay Code.

The board has not consulted me. I am not aware that any of these prices conflict with the code.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a system to license goods-carrying vehicles by gross loaded weight instead of unladen weight and thereby save checking expenditure.

I accept that there would be advantages in licensing goods vehicles on the basis of maximum permitted laden weight. This is indeed part of the EEC proposals for the taxation of commercial vehicles. I shall be considering it and other changes in the context of the EEC discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the amount of bridging grant to be paid to each building society; when the grants will be paid; and in how many instalments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will circularise local authorities, pointing out to them that if applications for housing improvement grants have not been processed by the due date the recipients of grant will not be eligible for grant at the present rate, and advising them to complete the processing by the due date.

It is the date of completing of works, not the date of approval of grant, which counts. I have already asked local authorities, in circular 30/73, to warn grant applicants in assisted areas that it will be necessary for them to satisfy the authority that works are completed before 23rd June 1974 in order to qualify for the 75 per cent. grants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the improvements that qualify for assistance

The amount of bridging grant payable to each building society will depend upon whether the building society qualifies for the grant in relation to the terms announced on 5th April. The detailed arrangements for the administration of the grant are the subject of current discussions with building society representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of discretionary improvement grants made in each of the years since the Housing Act 1969 came into force; and what proportion of these has been in respect of properties in greater London, county boroughs, urban districts and rural districts, respectively.

The information requested is as follows for England and Wales:under the provisions of the house improvement grants scheme, both standard and discretionary awards, and categorise those which are liable to VAT under the heading of repairs and maintenance and those which are zero rated under the heading of construction and alteration; and state what advice and guidance has been given to local authorities, the building industry and professional associations involved with house improvement grants.

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise notice No. 798 explains in general terms which categories of work are construction and alteration and which are repairs and maintenance. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that considerable advice and guidance in this connection has been given to the three groups concerned by Customs and Excise and that a revised and amplified version of notice No. 708 is in course of preparation. Advice on particular questions may be obtained through local value added tax offices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority houses and how many private houses were built in the Kidsgrove urban district in 1971 and 1972.

The numbers of dwellings reported as completed in the Kidsgrove Urban District for 1971 and 1972 are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the breakdown for types of serious injury caused by road accidents during 1972; and whether, in the light of this information, he will give advice or introduce legislation in respect of compulsory safety features to be incorporated into the future design end manufacture of motor vehicles.

This information is not available on a comprehensive annual basis. The Transport and Road Research Laboratory collects detailed information on a representative sample of serious injuries as part of a continuing programme of research on the protection of car occupants and other road users.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the existing arrangements for Ministry of Transport vehicle testing; and what proposals he has to ensure a full test of all those items including bodywork which can be a potential source of danger.

I am examining ways of improving the MOT scheme in conjunction with EEC proposals for harmonising vehicle inspection arrangements within the Community. I have to consider what contribution an extended test would make to the saving of road casualties as well as the cost to the motorist.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to ensure priority for police, ambulance and fire-brigade vehicles driven in the course of their driver's duty in answering emergencies.

The Highway Code already tells drivers to give way to such vehicles. I am considering the special case of traffic signals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many fatal accidents there were per mile of motorway in Staffordshire in each of the past 10 years.

Following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of cars in use he estimates to be unlicensed.

In 1972 there were 708,196 reports of vehicles without a current excise licence. This represents one report for every 23 vehicles on the road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost to the Government in annual terms of the recently announced increase in needs allowance to council house tenants, based on the present rate of take-up of rebate.

The estimated increase in rent rebate subsidy for Great Britain in 1973–74 is about £25 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the fact that almost all of the information contained in Highway Statistics recently published is a year or more out of date, he will take steps to ensure an earlier publication of future issues.

Ways of speeding up publication are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will encourage local authorities either to sell or lease land at a low price to builders willing to participate in low cost housing schemes.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 20 of the White Paper "Widening the Choice: The Next Steps in Housing" (Cmnd. 5280).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether

Listed below are the local planning authorities which have so far published such information. Only authorities in the South-East and West Midlands were asked to send copies to the Department and those listed below have done so. The information received conforms generally with the requirements of the circular and will be discussed with both local authorities and representatives of the building industry. The main check on the detailed accuracy of the information published lies in its scrutiny by all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the sites formerly owned by

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the land in the metropolitan green belt which it is proposed to release for housing.

The review referred to in the White Paper "Widening the Choice: The Next Steps in Housing" (Cmnd. 5280) is one of identifying areas within the metropolitan green belt which contribute little to green belt purposes. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Development has asked the Standing Conference on London and South-East Regional Planning to undertake an urgent study to identify limited areas where housing development might be possible without damage to green belt policies. When the study is complete and the results made known, planning applications for appropriate sites within such areas will be considered on their merits.A rough assessment of the possibilities suggests that some 2,000 acres might be found suitable for housing. This figure must be seen against a total metropolitan green belt area of 610,000 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current stock of owner-occupied houses in England, Wales and Scotland, detailed separately and expressed as a percentage of the total of houses in each case.

Following is the information requested:

The list is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average length of time between the lodging of an appeal against refusal or non-determination of planning permission for residential development, the notification of the proposed date for the hearing by his Department to the appellant, the holding of the hearing, and his decision on the appeal; and what were the equivalent figures in April 1972 and April 1971.

The average length of time between lodging an appeal and holding an inquiry into it and between the date of the inquiry and the decision was 38 weeks and 17 weeks respectively for appeals decided by the Secretary of State in March 1973. The equivalent figures for April 1972 were 31 weeks and 15 weeks, and for April 1971 26 weeks and 17 weeks. Information specifically related to residential development and to the average period between the notification of the date of an inquiry and the date it is held is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it remains his policy that regional strategic planning documents should be prepared in every region of the country during the life of this Parliament.

Yes. I set out the detailed position in each region in my reply to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. S. James A. Hill) on 24th January.—[Vol. 851, c. 445–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now announce his decision on the regional planning document "A Developing Strategy for the West Midlands"; and on what date it was formally submitted to him.

The West Midlands planning authorities conference study "A Developing Strategy for the West Midlands" was submitted to my right hon. and learned Friend at the end of October. The documents have been most carefully considered. As a result I have recently had a meeting with the chairman and vice-chairman of the conference, Sir Michael Higgs and Councillor Stanley Yapp. I shall be writing to Sir Michael Higgs in the near future about a number of issues which are outstanding and asking that these be given further thought to enable a decision to be reached quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on his policy regarding the Report of the Working Party on Public and Private Enterprise Partnership Schemes.

Consultations are now largely complete on the report of the Working Party on Local Authority/Private Enterprise Partnership Schemes. There has been a general welcome for its main conclusions. Circular 104/72 has already drawn the attention of local authorities to the scope under the existing law for partnership schemes on the lines recommended and, as announced in the White Paper "Widening the Choice: The Next Steps in Housing", the Government have now accepted the two principal recommendations in the report for legislation. These are, first, that local authorities should be empowered to form joint companies with private interests to assemble land for development and, secondly, that Section 52 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 should be amended so that agreements

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will announce the results of his review of house building by local authority direct labour departments.

I am still considering this issue in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) which of the new housing schemes, for which he granted loan sanction, to be built by direct labour in 1972 and to the latest convenient date in 1973 had not been won by the direct labour department in competition with private contractors;(2) whether he will list the local authorities which received loan sanction to build new houses by direct labour in 1972 and to the latest convenient date in 1973, naming the scheme in each case and indicating the value of the work involved and the number of houses.

This information is not readily available. It is being obtained and I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many convictions for causing death by dangerous driving there were in each of the past five years; and what was the average period of disqualification in respect of these.

I have been asked to reply.Following is the readily available information for England and Wales:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the reports produced by the Central Housing Advisory Committee, including its sub-committees or working parties, during the years 1972 and 1973; what is the committee's programme of work for 1973; and whether he will make a statement.

No reports from the committee were published during this period. The committee has no fixed programme of work but meets as and when necessary to discuss particular topics.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement following his meeting with the TUC and CBI at the National Economic Development Council on 4th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the last meeting of the NEDC at which he took the chair.

I refer the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) and others on Thursday, 5th April.—[Vol. 854, c. 606–8.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will during his forthcoming discussions with the Australian Prime Minister discuss the question of pollution.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 10th April—[Vol. 854, c. 253.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's views on the Franks Committee Report on the Official Secrets Act.

No. The Government have undertaken that the House will have an opportunity of debating the recommendations before the Government's proposals are announced.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to take the chair at a meeting of the NEDC.

I am always ready to consider taking the chair at meetings of the NEDC but there are no arrangements for me to do so again at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will transfer responsibility for the arts from the Paymaster-General to the Lord President of the Council.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to make an official visit to the Indian sub-continent.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister how many official visits he has made to Merseyside since taking office.

One, in February of last year, when I had a meeting with the Advisory Committee on Unemployment on Merseyside. As Leader of the Opposition I visited Merseyside several times between 1965 and 1970.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement listing the cost of Government-sponsored advertising on television and in newspapers for the years 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973–74, under appropriate departmental headings, Service Recruiting, Social Services, VAT, etc.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many computer installations were installed in Government Departments in each of the past five years; and what was their cost.

The number and cost of computers installed for administrative and scientific purposes in Government Departments over each of the last five financial years has been as follows:

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many teenage Army cadets from Northern Ireland are being trained in the use of weapons at Army camps in England.

In 1972, 710 Army cadets from Northern Ireland attended annual camps in Great Britain and received instruction in the use of weapons as part of the training.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans his Department has for the use of Twatt and Skaebrae airfields in Orkney.

None. These were wartime airfields which have since been sold and the land is now in private ownership.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how much was spent last year on advertising recruitment schemes for the Armed Forces.

About £3·97 million in the financial year 1972–73.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether there is any. and if so what, restriction on the entitlement of serving officers of Her Majesty's Forces to communicate directly with hon. Members on matters affecting the welfare of constituents under the command of such officers.

Defence Council instructions provide that all official inquiries addressed by hon. Members to individual officers and units should be referred to the Ministry of Defence, usually for reply by the appropriate Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pictures of national historical importance which have been sold in auction sales of English pictures to art dealers since 1st April she estimates are now liable to be exported, bearing in mind the financial incentive given to art dealers to export such items following the imposition of value added tax.

It was not a responsibility of my noble Friend to maintain records of pictures sold at auction to dealers. The imposition of value added tax will in any case have no effect on the export control of works of art.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of classes in primary schools in Staffordshire with 40 or more pupils.

In January 1972, 81 maintained classes with 41 or more pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will allow school teachers who undertook war service between 1939 and 1945 to buy in their superannuation rights for their period of service at cost, that is to say, at 10 per cent. of the deemed salary plus 3½ per cent. compound interest.