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Written Answers

Volume 855: debated on Tuesday 1 May 1973

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 1st May 1973

Employment

Full-Time Workers

12.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are in full-time employment now in the United Kingdom as compared to June 1970.

At June 1972, the latest date for which information is available, the estimated number of employees in employment was 22,336,000. In June 1970 it was 22,891,000. The figures do not distinguish full-time workers separately; however, estimates based on sample surveys suggest that about 85 per cent. of all employees are in full-time employment.

Unemployed Persons

16.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, on the basis of calculation of the 1971 census figures for unemployment, what he estimates to be the current number of the unemployed.

Monthly figures are not compiled on this basis but an estimate for May this year will be obtained from the labour force survey which is being carried out in the United Kingdom this month at the request of the EEC.

Building Labour (Scotland)

17.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the future increase in the demand for building labour in Scotland; and what are the trades involved.

I regret that quantified estimates are not available. However, the indications are that the demand for building labour in Scotland will remain buoyant for some time ahead.

Disabled Persons (Mexborough)

19.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled persons were registered as unemployed at the Mexborough and district employment exchange at the latest available date.

On 12th March, 242 registered disabled people were unemployed in the Mexborough and district travel-to-work area.

Training

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of places for women are expected to be found in the increased number of places at national training centres as envisaged in the White Paper on industrial training.

Courses provided at Government training centres, colleges of further education and employers' establishments under the Training Opportunities Scheme are open equally to men and women. With the expansion in Government training over the last year, the number of women taking courses has increased rapidly and in March 1973 over a quarter of trainees were women. It is expected that this proportion will go on increasing.

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has received from industry to provide training courses for young people above the upper limit of compulsory school age to supplement 12-week vocational training provision; and what response he has made.

A firm on Tees-side, with the support of the Teesside Education Committee, has proposed a course lasting six months covering a wide range of skills. This is being considered in consultating with the Department of Education and Science, and a decision will be given as soon as possible.

Days Lost

26.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many days have been lost through strikes since 20th June 1970.

45·6 million working days were lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes between 1st July 1970 and 31st March 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many days were lost through strikes and other industrial disturbances and stoppages, during the first quarter, that is, 13 weeks ended 31st March 1973, --compared with the rate of loss in 1972 of 24 million days; and what calculation he has made of the increase or decrease, both percentum and days lost, in respect of the first quarter of 1973 outturn of days lost.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given today to my hon. Friends the Members for Brierley Hill (Mr. Montgomery) and Bosworth (Mr. Adam Butler).

South Bedfordshire

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what are the latest figures for the number of job vacancies as notified to the various employment exchanges in the South Bedfordshire parliamentary constituency; and what were the figures in May 1970;(2) what are the latest figures for the numbers of people registered as unemployed at the various employment exchanges in the South Bedfordshire parliamentary constituency; and what were the figures in May 1970.

Following is the information:

EmploymentUnfilled VacanciesUnemployed
Exchange areaApril 1973May 1970April 1973May 1970
Luton2,2422,5821,3981,007
Dunstable446412356193
Leighton Buzzard2151687654
The vacancy statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour. The figures for April 1973 are provisional.

Social Services

Dental Treatment

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time taken by the Dental Estimates Board to decide on applications for dental treatment.

A recent check by the board showed that, including weekends and public holidays, nearly 89 per cent. of estimates for treatment—other than orthodontic treatment—requiring prior approval were approved within seven days of receipt and nearly 94 per cent. within 10 days.

British Dental Association

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what communications he has received from the British Dental Association about the joint working party with his Department; and whether dentistry will be represented on the management team at a regional level.

The association wrote to me on 19th February and I met its representatives on 14th March. In the reorganised National Health Service dental officers, while not full members of the regional and area management teams, will have the right to attend any meeting when matters affecting dentistry are to be discussed.

Benzodiazepine Derivatives

30.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he will now exercise his prerogative to buy the derivatives of benzodiazepine which have recently been the subject of a report of the Monopolies Commission, as a service for the Crown, on behalf of hospitals and general practitioners in the National Health Service.

No. I am satisfied that appropriate action is already being taken on the recent report of the Monopolies Commission.

Infectious Diseases (Safeguards)

31.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what safeguards are employed by the hospital authorities to screen both in-patients and out patients for infectious diseases, particularly smallpox.

Nurses and doctors are always alert to the possibility that any patient may have some infectious disease but hospital authorities do not normally arrange to screen either in-patients or out-patients for such diseases. On becoming aware that a patient is suffering from an infectious disease, a hospital doctor or nurse would be expected to take action. appropriate to the circumstances of the case, to guard against spread of infection.

Tonsillectomies (Manchester)

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting period for tonsillectomy operations in the Manchester region.

Separate figures for hospital admissions for tonsillectomy are not readily available. Waiting times for admission vary according to the circumstances of the individual case and an average figure for the region would, therefore, have little meaning, but of cases in the ear, nose and throat specialty admitted to Manchester Regional Hospital Board hospitals in the last quarter of 1972, 1,216 had waited less than a month, 3,106 for between one and five months and 1,829 for over six months.

St Cross Hospital, Rugby

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects a start on phase 2 of the development of the Hospital of St. Cross, Rugby.

It is not possible at this stage to forecast a starting date for phase 2.

Limb-Fitting Centre, Old Trafford

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider obtaining suitable premises in the same area to continue the services which were previously provided by the Old Trafford Limb-Fitting Centre.

No. Whenever opportunities are taken to improve services by moving to functionally superior premises it is inevitable that some journeys may

ATTENDANCE AND REPRESENTATION OF APPELLANTS AT SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFITS APPEAL TRIBUNAL HEARINGS
Quarter ended 30th June 1972
Number of casesAppeal Tribunal's Decision in Appellant's favour (Number of cases)
Appellants who were unrepresented7,015846
Appellants who were represented by solicitors197
Appellants who were represented by social and welfare workers10857
Appellants who were represented by friends and relative?1,137326
Appellants who attended but were not represented2,542579
Appellants who attended and were represented1,251380
Appellants who did not attend but were represented309100
Appellants who did not attend and were not represented4,473267

be slightly more difficult just as others will be easier.

Supplementary Benefits (Appeals)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of appeals relating to the right to, or amount of, supplementary benefit, in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available, were decided in favour of the appellant from the supplementary benefits appeal tribunals, respectively, for north London, north-east London, east London, Watford and St. Albans, southeast London, south-west London and west London.

Following is the information for the 12 months ending 30th September 1972:—

Per cent.
North London25·2
North-East London25·7
East London24·5
Watford and St. Albans20·3
South-East London19·8
South-West London12·6
West London19·7

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appellants before supplementary benefits appeal tribunals, in the latest period of 12 months, were unrepresented, represented by solicitors, by social or welfare workers, and by friends or relatives, respectively; in respect of each category, how many appellants failed themselves to attend the hearing; and in how many cases a decision was given in the appellant's favour among those, respectively, who did and did not personaly attend.

I regret that no figures are available for a period of 12 months. Those for the three months ending 30th June 1972 are given in the table below, as nearly as possible in the form requested by the hon. and learned Member:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of appeals relating to the right to or amount of supplementary benefit in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available were decided in favour of the appellant, respectively, in England and Wales, and in each region.

For the 12 months ending 30th June 1972 the percentage was 17·2 per cent. in England and Wales and 16·8 per cent in Wales. The figures for each region are given below: —

Per cent.
Northern13·2
Yorkshire and Humberside13·1
East Midlands and East Anglia17·5
London North23·3
London South18·3
London West20·5
South Western28·2
West Midlands18·3
North West (Manchester)8·6
North West (Merseyside)10·8
Wales16·8

Pathology Laboratories (Computers)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what savings have been made in pathology laboratories following the introduction of computers; and whether he will make a statement.

Trials of computers in pathology laboratories are being made at present to assess their effect on management procedures, use of resources and quality of patient care. There are not yet enough data to permit final conclusions on costs. Indications are that savings in staff and material costs tend to be balanced by the costs of the systems, but this does not take account of benefits in patient care and in management organisation.

Education And Science

Secondary Education

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement on the reorganisation of secondary education in the county borough of Sunderland and the proposed Carley Hill School.

Proposals for which notices were published in December 1972 are being examined in my Department. I understand that Carley Hill is the proposed location for the 900-place school included in the recently announced programme of replacement of old secondary schools to start in 1975–76. Statutory notices under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944, as amended, will have to be published in respect of this school in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary grammar, secondary modern, secondary technical and comprehensive schools there were in England and Wales at the nearest convenient date; and how many pupils were at that date being educated in each type of secondary school.

Following is the information:

January1972
Schools Pupils
Grammar893540,049
Modern2,2181,085,850
Technical5833,271
Comprehensive1,5911,337,242
In addition, there were 266 secondary schools which did not fall into any of these categories and which had 180,082 pupils.

Handicapped Children (Preston)

34.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied with the provision of further education for educationally sub-normal children in the area of Preston, Lancashire.

I am satisfied that, within available resources, local education authorities in the Preston area are providing adequate facilities for further education for young people, including the educationally subnormal.

Reading And Language Teaching (Inquiry)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made by the committee which she set up to inquire into the teaching of reading in schools and the use of the English language.

The committee and sub-committees have held numerous meetings, and evidence has been received from over 400 individuals and organisations. Questionnaires on teaching organisation and methods were sent early this year to a large sample of primary and secondary schools and replies to these are currently being analysed. An extensive programme of visits to schools is being conducted and, later in the year, visits will be made to colleges of education and to reading and language centres. Sub-committees are giving specific attention to reading, language, initial and in-service training of teachers, monitoring and to primary and secondary schools.

Primary Schools

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many nineteenth century primary schools in England and Wales have been replaced in the past two years, or are in the process of being replaced.

The school building programmes for 1970–71 and 1971–72 included major projects designed to replace or improve respectively, 70 and 170 old primary schools in England and Wales. The corresponding figures for the 1972–73 and 1973–74 programmes are 460 and 607.

School Building

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much the school building programme for 1972–73 of £255 million has been eroded by rising costs since April 1972.

Returns from local education authorities are not yet complete but the great majority of school projects in the 1972–73 programme started before the end of the financial year.

Cbi And Tuc (Meetings)

Q6.

I hope that it will be possible to arrange discussions shortly with the CBI and the TUC, either separately or together, which would cover the next stage of the counter-inflation programme.

Q10.

asked the Prime Minister what recent meetings he has had with the TUC and the CBI; and whether he will make a statement.

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his most recent official discussions with the TUC and the CBI.

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) and the hon. Member for Bothwell (Mr. James Hamilton) on 5th April—[Vol. 854, c. 606–8.]

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for a further meeting with the TUC and CBI on the economic and industrial situation.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I have given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-East (Mr. Adley) today.

New Zealand

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with Mr. Hugh Watt, Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official discussions with Mr. Hugh Watt, Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Qll.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement concerning his official conversations with the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.

We were very glad to welcome Mr. Watt in London as the first member of the new Government in New Zealand to come here. The purpose of his visit to Europe was primarily to discuss nuclear testing in the Pacific with the French Government. He and I naturally discussed this question. Mr. Watt also had useful discussions with Ministers on other matters.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his consultations with the Government of New Zealand.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I have given today to the hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Mark Hughes).

Adult Education (Departmental Co-Ordination)

Q9.

asked the Prime Minister, if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of Employment and the Department of Education and Science in the arrangements and facilities available for these wishing to engage in adult education.

Indonesia

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the Head of State for Indonesia to visit the United Kingdom.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia would be a very welcome visitor to Britain. However, it has not yet been possible to find a mutually convenient time.

Australia

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement following his official meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia.

I was very glad to welcome Mr. Whitlam here as Prime Minister of Australia. I had a meeting with him for two hours on 24th April and later entertained him to dinner at No. 10 Downing Street. We reviewed the world situation and also discussed the constitutional implications of the possible abolition of the right of appeal to the Privy Council from Australian State courts. We agreed that the Australian Solicitor-General and my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General should explore the matter further.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Arsenic And Lead (Regulations)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to enforce the proposed amendments to regulations laying down new levels of arsenic and lead in food.

My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services expect to make the regulations further amending the Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959 and the Lead in Food Regulations 1961 in the near future.

Potatoes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is still intended to impose a tariff on imports of new potatoes on 1st May.

No. The Council of Ministers has decided to extend the suspension of the common external tariff on new potatoes from 1st May to 15th May, and we have taken corresponding action to suspend our own small tariff of £1 per ton for a further two weeks.

Public Trustee

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the future of the Public Trustee, in view of the value of this service to small estates.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper on the Public Trustee Office (Cmnd. 4913) to which, at present, I have nothing to add.

Defence

Dockyard Workers (Amenities)

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a progress report on the work undertaken during the past year to improve the amenities and working conditions for industrial and non-industrial civilian staff and for naval staff in each of the Royal Naval Dockyards; and whether he will make a statement on the steps he is taking towards future improvements particularly for the industrial staff.

The extensive modernisation which is being undertaken at Her Majesty's Dockyards, Portsmouth and Devonport, and the further developments at Rosyth, will improve not only the efficiency of the yards generally but the working conditions, in that the lighting, heating, toilet, messing, clothes stowage and similar facilities being provided in the new workshops and offices will fully match the best modern standards. A number of specific amenity facilities for industrials and non-industrials working afloat and for naval staffs are also included in the development programmes.The main projects completed or underway during the past year have been, at Portsmouth, a new office block, a canteen, a toilet block, new pipeworking and heavy plate shops, and two new afloat support centres; at Devonport, the new covered frigate complex, nuclear submarine docking facilities, new pipe-working and prefabrication workshops and improved amenities for the smithery and the yard services department; at Rosyth, a new canteen.The additional developments which are planned for the next eight years or so include further improvements to workshops, offices and other facilities, and, in particular, a new apprentice training centre at Portsmouth, a nuclear submarine refitting complex at Devonport and a small ship refitting complex at Rosyth.At Chatham some improvements have been made to workshops and other facilities and the need for further modernisation is being considered.

Environment

Grit, Dust And Smoke Emission

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what working parties are now sitting to consider aspects of grit, dust and smoke emission, and in respect of each, when he expects to receive the report.

The information is as follows. First, a working party to advise upon the levels of emission admissible under Section 2 of the Clean Air Act 1968 in relation to incinerators and to furnaces where the material being heated contributes to the emission. Secondly, a working party to review the publication "Chimney Heights", which gives guidance to local authorities in exercising under the Clean Air Acts their statutory powers of control over the heights of new chimneys. The reports of both working parties are expected towards the end of this year.

Housing Subsidies

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the level of Exchequer subsidies towards the cost of local authority housing in England and Wales in 1972–73 under Part I of the Housing Finance Act 1972 and under Part I, Sections 17, 18 and 19, of the Housing Act 1969.

The estimated out-turn for subsidies to local authorities in England and Wales for 1972–73 towards the cost of local authority housing is as follows:

Housing Finance Act 1972
£ million
Residual subsidy87
Transition subsidy7
Operational deficit subsidy7
Rising costs subsidy62
Rent rebate subsidy61
Others1
225
Housing Act 1969, sections 17, 18 and 19 and earlier legislation for improvement grants9
Total234

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the level of Exchequer subsidies towards the cost of local authority housing in Great Britain in 1972–73 under Part I of the Housing Finance Act 1972 and under Part I, Sections 17, 18 and 19. of the Housing Act 1969.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his similar Question today in respect of England and Wales. Part I of the Housing Act 1969 and the Housing Finance Act 1972 do not extend to Scotland.

Fluoridation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the water authorities in England and Wales which add fluoride to the public water supply.

The following water authorities in England add fluoride to the whole or part of their public water supply: —

  • Bedfordshire Water Board (Part)
  • Birmingham County Borough
  • Bradford County Borough (Part)
  • Buckinghamshire Water Board (Part)
  • Durham County Water Board (Part)
  • East Worcestershire Waterworks Company (Part)
  • Huddersfield County Borough (Part)
  • Kesteven Water Board (Part)
  • Lincoln and District Water Board (Part)
  • Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company (Part)
  • North and Mid Cornwall Water Board
  • North East Lincolnshire Water Board
  • North Lindsey Water Board
  • Oxfordshire and District Water Board
  • Rombalds Water Board (Part)
  • Rugby Joint Water Board
  • South Cumberland Water Board
  • South Derbyshire Water Board (Part)
  • South Warwickshire Water Board (Part)
  • Watford Borough Council
  • West Cumberland Water Board (Part).
My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has informed me that the following water authorities in Wales add fluoride to the whole or part of their public water supply:—

  • Anglesey County Council (as water undertaker)
  • Taf Fechan Water Board (Part).
  • Mid Glamorgan Water Board (Part).

In addition, some parts of Wales receive fluoridated water from the Birmingham Aqueduct.

IMPROVEMENT GRANTS APPROVED

No. of Dwellings

For Local Authorities

For Private Owners and Housing Associations

Total

1971

1972

1971

1972

1971

1972

Congleton B1ll7504316150
Macclesfield B251116142118193
Alderly Edge UD47475185265
Bollington UD226262
Disley RD207207
Macclesfield RD357685771

Mortgages (Subsidy)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on the detailed arrangements for the administration of the bridging grant to be paid to each building society.

The grant is available to building societies in Great Britain provided that (a) their investment rate is 6·75 per cent. net for ordinary paid-up shares for a period of not less than three

Improvement Grants

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of standard and discretionary grants paid to owner-occupiers and other private owners, respectively, in the financial year 1972–73 under Part I of the Housing Act 1969.

Figures are available only to the end of February and do not distinguish between tenures. Grants paid to all private owners in England and Wales in the 12 months ending 28th February 1973 were as follows:—

£ million
Discretionary grants63·6
Standard and Special9·3
Total72·9

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many house improvement grants were approved both to local authorities and to private owners in each local government administrative area, for which figures are available, in the Macclesfield parliamentary constituency in the years 1971 and 1972.

b) their mortgage lending rate for the majority of annuity mortgagors is not more than 9·5 per cent. gross for the relevant three-month grant period. If a building society satisfies these criteria, grant is payable in respect of any individual mortgagor—or co-ownership society—who, under the society's normal procedural rules, and arising out of an investment rate of 6·75 per cent. net, would normally be required to pay between 10 per cent. and 10·25 per cent. gross—or the equivalent rate if he is an

option mortgagor—but instead is required to pay not less than 0·5 per cent. below the rate which he would otherwise have been required to pay, or the equivalent rate if he is an option mortgagor. The grant is payable for any type of mortgage—including endowment mortgages— for a period of three months from the date on which the grant-aided mortgage lending rate becomes due under the mortgagor's contract provided that the period does not start before 5 th April 1973 or after 1st September 1973. The grant will be calculated at 0·5 per cent., on the outstanding mortgage balance of a qualifying mortgagor.

Grant will not be payable for new mortgages in excess of £13,000 or for existing mortgages where the outstanding mortgage balance is in excess of £13,000; for new mortgages for second homes; for existing or new further advances on the same dwellings except for extension or improvement; and for mortgages for dwellings wholly let, under construction for sale, or for business or other properties including some residentiial accommodation.

Car Seat Belts

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the present use of car seat belts; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are particularly concerned to cut down the toll of deaths and serious injuries on the roads which could be avoided by the use of seat belts. We therefore intend to make immediate inquiries into the means of intensifying the use of seat belts, including the desirability or otherwise of compulsion.We shall as a first step be consulting the various interested bodies, in particular the police, the medical profession, the car and seat belt manufacturers and the motoring organisations. Before any final decision is taken, a full report will be made to Parliament on the results of these consultations and on the Government's provisional conclusions.

Driving Licences (Eec Directive)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will state his policy towards the EEC draft directive on the harmonisation of driving licence legislation following his consultations with motoring and other organisations.

Minimum ages for drivers:

It would be directly contrary to road safety interests to have age restrictions which encouraged young people to start their motoring on the most dangerous machines. The present minimum age of 17 for both motorcycles and cars should be maintained. Moreover, 16 should remain the minimum age for driving invalid carriages.

Vehicle groupings:

The draft directive would for example allow anybody who passed a test on a goods vehicle with a permissible maximum weight of 36 tonnes to drive the heaviest draw-bar trailer combination.

Driving Standards:

No provision is made to secure a common standard for the practical driving test.

Medical examinations:

The proposed examinations (5 million a year in Great Britain) would involve a use of resources which could not be justified by any consequential improvement in road safety.

New drivers:

The proposed restrictions would be of doubtful value and difficult to administer.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles And Madagascar

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of British expatriates in each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar, for each year over the last five years to the most recent convenient date;(2) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the amount of new United Kingdom investment for each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar, for each of the last five years to the most recent convenient date;(3) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the population for each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar, in each of the last five years to the most recent convenient date;(4) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the gross national product of each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar, for each of the last five years to the most recent convenient date;(5) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the approximate value of United Kingdom accumulated investments for each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar, at the most recent convenient date.

Total StrengthCommercial Representatives
(1st April)UK-basedLocally engagedUK-basedLocally engaged
Algeria1973122723
1972112823
1971122823
1970132523
1969122023
Arab Republic of Egypt1973358921
1972348131
1971338421
1970368331
1969359031
Botswana197312251
197212261
197112251
197012171
196912171
Cameroon197313361
197213361
197113341
197013301
196912301
Ethiopia1973196021
1972186021
1971196431
1970207431
1969187131
Gambia19738171
19728181
19718171
19708191
19698191
Ghana197334555
197237556
197137546
197042616
196938716
Ivory Coast197371622
197271721
197181611
197081611
196981611
Kenya19733914043
19724213948
19714113348
19704716148
19695216248

I regret that the information requested is not readily available and the cost of obtaining it would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the total strengths of British missions and the numbers of commercial representatives stationed in each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar, in each of the previous five years to the most recent convenient date.

Total Strength

Commercial Representatives

(1st April)

UK-based

Locally engaged

UK-based

Locally engaged

Lesotho19739221
197210221
197111221
197011241
196912231
Liberia19735161
19724161
19714161
19704131
19694131
Libya1973133632
1972296363
1971306173
1970336273
1969287454
Madagascar19734141
19724141
19714141
19704141
19693141
Malawi197323442
197219442
197126562
197026602
196926602
Mauritius1973113221
1972113221
1971113221
1970123121
1969123121
Morocco1973144932
1972125342
1971175242
1970184842
1969205242
Nigeria19737014492
197268139102
197169141102
197080169102
196987192102
Portuguese Territories in Africa.1973102212
1972102212
1971102212
1970102312
1969102312
Rhodesia19691026
Senegal1973112511
1972112511
1971112611
1970112611
1969112611
SeychellesNo diplomatic representation
Sierra Leone1973154721
1972154721
1971154721
1970194721
1969174721
Somali Democratic Republic.197392711
197292711
197192711
197092411
196982411
South Africa197360145136
197257143137
197159148157
197057141156
196958143156
Sudan1973164131
1972174531
1971174531
1970175331
1969175331

Total Strength

Commercial Representatives

(1st April)

UK-based

Locally engaged

UK-based

Locally engaged

Swaziland 197311221
197211231
197111211
197011231
196912231
Tanzania197317372
197217382
197118382
197019452
196915562
Togo19733141
19723141
19713161
19703171
19693161
Tunisia1973102711
1972102711
1971102311
1970102611
1969102911
Uganda197331642
1972315922
1971315722
1970346522
1969336522
Zaire1973276132
1972275832
1971275831
1970274631
1969304631
Zambia1973255241
1972245341
1971285351
1970285651
1969285651

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a table showing the annual aid expenditures of the United Kingdom and the EEC, respectively, for each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Mada-

TABLE 1
UNITED KINGDOM
TOTAL OFFICIAL AID DISBURSEMENTS (NET) TO AFRICA (incl. MAURITIUS, SEYCHELLES AND MADAGASCAR
Millions US Dollars
19671968196919701971Totals
Algeria+0·010·070·070·15
Libya0·020·020·050·010·010·11
Morocco0·020·100·070·040·050·28
Tunisia0·01+0·010·170·050·24
Egypt+CR 0·240·070·23CR 1·34CR 1·28
Angola
Botswana15·2113·6611·446·4510·4457·20
Burundi0·020·010·02++0·05
Cameroon0·330·630·580·800·612·95
Central African Rep.0·120·050·120·060·060·41
Chad0·040·020·010·080·060·21
Comoro
Congo (Brazz.)0·020·020·010·010·06
Zaire Rep0·090·130·010·140·210·58
Dahomey0·040·020·050·050·070·23
Ethiopia0·360·530·771·112·445·21
Gabon0·200·010·010·030·300·55

gascar, in each of the previous five years to the most recent convenient date.

The information is given in the two tables below. Member States' bilateral aid provided by individual member States is not covered, as it is additional to aid given by the European Economic Community.

Millions US Dollars

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

Totals

Gambia2·422·832·160·861·269·53
Ghana0·8714·3013·0212·4415·9756·60
Guinea ++++++
Ivory Coast0·040·050·140·080·090·40
Kenya20·6123·9223·2923·5319·15110·50
Lesotho10·9810·338·881·537·3939·11
Liberia0·120·070·110·070·110·48
Madagascar0·020·120·100·150·130·52
Malawi23·0718·1116·0717·2413·5488·03
Mali0·01++0·010·020·04
Mauritania++++
Mauritius4·529·12 4·243·733·7025·31
Niger0·010·070·030·030·110·25
Nigeria 13·3411·938·2221·5710·1065·16
Rhodesia0·200·250·350·380·361·54
Rwanda0·030·020·020·010·030·11
Senegal 0·050·050·120·160·140·52
Seychelles2·162·421·233·987·7117·50
Sierra Leone2·091·141·561·491·647·92
Somalia +0·100·300·490·451·34
Terr. Afars and Issas
St Helena and deps.1·070·890·961·011·245·17
Suban 1·760·131·400·910·935·13
Swaziland8·897·209·013·66CR 0·8127·95
Tanzania2·753·651·642·953·8714·86
Togo 0·030·040·050·050·080·25
Uganda13·248·578·2110·147·8748·03
Upper Volta++0·01+0·010·02
Zambia 40·1325·1913·225·2412·6696·44
Other and unallocated0·062·502·243·740·098·63
E.A.C.S.O.10·203·502·120·276·8822·97
Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland0·580·630·030·041·28
alawi and Zambia0·910·12CR 0·07CR 0·06CR 0·360·54
Unspecified AfricaCR 0·22+0·390·100·180·45
Grand Totals176·42162·19132·26125·04127·62723·53

TABLE 2
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
Algeria2·621·641·233·795·0914·37
Libya
Morocco0·050·05
Tunisia1·271·821·054·14
Egypt1·945·767·70
Angola
Botswana0·430·43
Burundi1·481·872·182·984·4612·97
Cameroon9·6510·735·5718·6117·8262·38
Central African Rep.3·744·084·233·352·4017·80
Chad4·767·708·356·155·8532·81
Comoro0·530·180·021·080·662·47
Congo (Brazz.)4·052·932·233·704·1317·04
Zaire Rep4·794·399·0214·0620·1652·42
Dahomey5·526·173·164·813·9423·60
Ethiopia
Gabon2·361·694·725·796·3620·92
Gambia
Ghana0·020·090·11
Guinea 0·270·27
Ivory Coast7·288·8910·1112·267·5346·16
Kenya0·540·54
Lesotho0·080·090·17
Liberia0·020·02
Madagascar11·0611·3312·5212·2812·3559·54
Malawi0·030·03
Mali5·035·374·736·996·6128·73
Mauritania3·465·374·081·813·1017·82
Mauritius0·140·14

Millions US Dollars

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

Totals

Niger5·395·394·176·367·9029·21
Nigeria0·481·461·94
Reunion2·612·503·272·201·8012·38
Rwanda 1·732·482·352·913·2812·75
Senegal 9·137·794·3810·0223·2554·75
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia 1·812·166·023·254·0317·27
Terr. Afars and Issas0·03+0·220·930·451·63
St. Helena and deps.
Sudan·1·270·632·284·18
Swaziland0·240·24
Tanzania
Togo2·701·725·105·815·1420·47
Uganda
UpperVolta2·695·417·386·1410·7932·41
Zambia0·170·17
Other and unallocated0·430·380·811·62
E.A.C.S.O.
Grand Totals92·85100·44108·39140·25169·72611·65

Home Department

Legal Aid

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in each of the last five years how many acquitted defendants who were in receipt of legal aid were nevertheless required to make some contribution to costs; what percentage this is in each year of the total of acquitted defendants who received legal aid; what was the average contribution to costs in such cases; and what was the range of contributions.

Legal Costs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Costs of Criminal Cases Act in order that acquitted defendants shall normally receive full costs, subject only to a residual judicial discretion in cases of purely technical acquittals or where the defendant has been the author of his own misfortune.

My right hon. Friend is having consultations on whether some further guidance might be given to the courts on these matters. He has no proposals for legislation on them.

Police Prosecutions

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider legislation to introduce within English courts the role of procurator fiscal or an equivalent or similar role as an intermediary between police prosecutions and the courts.

National Finance Value Added Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the definition of the words "young child" given in Customs and Excise Value Added Tax notice No. 78A, with particular reference to the criterion used for deciding what is "not suitable for older persons".

Customs and Excise Notice No. 78A refers to purchase tax, not VAT. However, as with the relief from purchase tax, a "young child" for the purpose of the VAT relief has been taken to be a child up to the 14th birthday.Clothing may be considered suitable for older persons, and hence chargeable with VAT, if the type of retail outlet through which it is sold indicates that it is intended for wear by such persons, if it is got up for sale to such persons, or if by its measurements it is suitable for wear by older persons of average size.

of the number of claims for purchase tax and revenue duty rebates by VAT registered traders.

No such estimate has been made, as there is no obligation on any trader to make a claim.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he did not zero rate child-minding services for VAT purposes; and if he will reconsider his decision in the light of the widespread abuses revealed by the recent Advisory Centre for Education report regarding illegal child-minding practices.

Customs and Excise Public Notice No. 701 shows the provision of care in day nurseries and play groups approved under the Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948 to be exempted from VAT. The suggestion reported in the Press that registered child minders are at a fiscal disadvantage under VAT compared with other child minders is misconceived.

Northern Ireland

Food Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement about cereal prices in Northern Ireland since 1st February 1973; and whether he expects any change to take place before 1st August.

The production of cereals in Northern Ireland is relatively small and very little of the 1972 crop remains on farms. On 1st February 1973, the recorded market price of locally grown barley was £40·84 per ton. In mid-April, the small quantity on offer was selling at £38·23 per ton. Little or no wheat or oats is grown for sale.Prices within the United Kingdom are supported by the Cereals Deficiency Payments Scheme, which provides guaranteed average prices for the crops harvested in 1972 and 1973, and by the common agricultural policy for cereals, which includes import levies and intervention arrangements.It is not possible to forecast with any precision the movement in grain prices between now and 1st August because of the many unpredictable factors that could affect world market prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the increase in the price of meat in Northern Ireland since 1st January 1972; and what estimate he can give of changes in food prices there in 1973 as a result of Common Market entry and of the lower rate of exchange for the £ sterling.

Retail meat prices in Northern Ireland are not recorded separately from those in the rest of the United Kingdom. However, the average auction price of fat cattle in Northern Ireland has increased from £12·04 per live cwt. in the week ending 8th January 1972 to £18·77 per live cwt. in the week ending 14th April 1973. Over the same period the average auction price of fat sheep has increased from 20·98p per lb. to 34·10p per lb. and the Pigs Marketing Board producer price from £2·57 per score deadweight to £3·56 per score deadweight.It is not possible to make a precise estimate of the effect on food prices in Northern Ireland in 1973 of entry to the EEC and a lower rate of exchange of the £ sterling, but the effect is unlikely to be significantly different from that on food prices in the United Kingdom as a whole.

Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are in receipt of retirement pensions in Northern Ireland, after qualifying in respect of National Insurance contributions paid elsewhere in the United Kingdom; and what is the total sum of money paid annually in respect of these pensions.

Under the reciprocal arrangements which exist between the national insurance systems in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, contributions paid in one area count in the other. It is not possible to differentiate between pensions payable by virtue of contributions paid in Great Britain, in Northern Ireland or in both areas.

Legal Aid

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will extend to Northern Ireland the provisions of the Legal Advice and Assistance Act 1972.

Some points have still to be resolved with interested parties. The intention is to expand the Legal Aid and Advice Scheme already operating in Northern Ireland so as to bring it broadly into line with the services now available in the rest of the United Kingdom under the Legal Advice and Assistance Act 1972.

Scotland

Private Housing (Grants)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of grants paid to owner-occupiers and other private owners, respectively, in the financial year 1972–73 under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1948.

In the financial year 1972–73, Scottish local authorities paid about £8·25 million in improvement grants and standard grants to owner-occupiers, and about £1·6 million to other owners, for the improvement of private houses.

Explosives (Criminal Use)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many criminal cases brought in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date involved the use of explosives by criminals concerned.

Information identifying cases involving explosives is not available.

Mugging

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many cases of mugging were reported in the cities and towns of Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date;(2) how many cases of mugging were reported in the landward areas of Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date;(3) how many cases of mugging were reported in each of the constabulary areas of Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date;(4) in how many cases of mugging reported in Scotland in each of the past five years actions were brought against suspected offenders; and what proportion of the prosecutions was successful;(5) what was the average age, and what were the extreme ages, of offenders successfully prosecuted in cases of mugging reported in Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date;(6) what was the minimum and what was the maximum sentence imposed in successful prosecutions brought in cases of mugging in Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date;(7) in how many cases of mugging reported in Scotland during the past five years to the nearest convenient date offensive weapons were used in perpetration of the crime;(8) in how many successful prosecutions brought for mugging in Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date the offences were perpetrated by first offenders;(9) in how many cases of mugging reported in Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date victims were killed, seriously injured or injured;(10) what was the predominant age range of victims of those prosecuted in cases of mugging reported in Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date;

(11) what was the percentage of females attacked in all cases of mugging reported in Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date.

The information is not available, since there is no legal definition of the term "mugging ". As generally understood, "mugging"

ROBBERY AND ASSULTS WITH INTENT TO ROB CASES MADE KNOWN TO THE POLICE
Police Area19671968196919701971
Aberdeen 2225362739
Dundee5764728376
Edinburgh174176214242197
Glasgow 1,0811,2181,0941,3561,483
Angus16412
Argyll151
Ayr 5131306464
Berwick, Roxburgh and Selkirk 17411
Northern 111
Dumfries 34234
Dunbartonshire 3035426146
Fife 151061919
Inverness 5741627
Lanark 103114126110165
Lothians and Peebles1423252119
Perth and Kinross 11910911
Renfrew and Bute 628911398134
Ross and Sutherland1
Scottish NE Counties 22312
Stirling and Clackmannan1111221831
1,6441,8321,8042,1382,333
ROBBERY AND ASSAULTS WITH INTENT TO ROB PERSONS PROCEEDED AGAINST
YearTotal persons proceeded againstTotal persons convictedPercentage conviction
196738029075·9
196847036477·4
196946436478·4
197055444680·5
197153443982·1
ROBBERY AND ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO ROB AGE OF PERSONS CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY
YearUnder 1717–2021–2910–4950 and overTotal
19676110393321290
1968122100100402364
196913610495254364
197015716889302446
1971111*160123414439
* Not comparable to previous years in view of the introduction on 15th April 1971 of alternative methods of dealing with children under Part III of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.
ROBBERY AND ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO ROB PERSONS WITH NO KNOWN PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
YearTotal number convicted Total with no known previous convictions Percentage
19672905117·6
1968 3646317·3
1969 3647219·8
1970 4469320·8
1971 4398719·8

falls within the crimes of robbery and assault with intent to rob, although those offences cover circumstances which would not be described as "mugging ".

The following tables give for the years 1967–71 figures relating to crimes of robbery and assault with intent to rob made known to the police. Figures for 1972 are not yet available.

In view of concern about the incidence of "mugging" I recently asked Scottish chief constables for a report—defining "mugging" for the purpose as robberies by two or more youths on people walking alone in the open or in public places. Their reports do not suggest any significant recent increase in the incidence of such offences. If incidents occur in a locality, extra police cover is provided to deal with the problem.

Housing Subsidies

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the level of Exchequer subsidies towards the cost of local authority housing in Scotland in 1972–73 under Part I of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972, under Sections 13 and 14 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1968 and Sections 31 and 32 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1969.

The estimated subsidy payments to local authorities in the financial year to 31st March 1973 are as follows: —

Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972
£m.
Residual subsidy20·0
Rent rebate subsidy0·6
20·6
Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968
Housing (Scotland) Act 1969
Improvements and conversions0·5
21·1
As the Scottish local authority financial year runs to 15th May, these figures do not include a full year's subsidy payments. The estimated total of payments to Scottish local authorities in respect of their financial year to 15th May 1973 is nearly £50 million.

Obscene Publications Acts (Prosecutions)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions were brought in Scotland, in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date, under the Obscene Publications Acts; and what proportion was successful.

None. The Obscene Publications Acts do not apply to Scotland. The number of prosecutions relating to indecent advertisements and obscene publications brought under the relevant statutory provisions or under common law, is as follows: —

Persons Disposed of
YearSheriff CourtPolice and Burgh CourtTotal Found Guilty
1967928
19689713
1969213
1970324
19715813

Trade And Industry

Regional Policy (Eec Regulations)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list EEC regulations and directives relating to regional policy, together with draft regulations and directives on the same subject.

There are at present no EEC regulations or directives on regional policy in force. A number of draft regulations has in recent years been put forward but only one is still under active consideration. This is a proposed Council regulation requiring that certain information on major regional aid cases in Community central areas should be reported to the Commission (R2783/72). The Commission will, however, be making new proposals on regional policy later this year.

Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles And Madagascar

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the sterling value of imports and exports between the United Kingdom and each country in the continent of Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar, in each of the previous five years to the most recent convenient date.

Information is given in Table 9 of Volume I of the Annual Statements of Trade for 1968 and 1969, Table 1 of Volume IV of the Annual Statements of Trade for 1970 and 1971 and Tables II and V of the December 1972 issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom. The figures in the annual statement for 1968 and 1969 do not take account of revised estimates for imports and exports by parcel post; however the amounts are very small.

Concorde

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a table of the estimates of development costs of Concorde from 1969 with the date of the publication of such estimates.

The following is the information:

Dale of Publication£m
21st May 1969730
26th January 1970730
28th October 1970825
10th May 1971885
4th May 1972970

Newsprint

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the supply position of newsprint; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Bishop) on 30th April.