asked the Minister of State for Defence what future role is intended for the RAF Station, Shawbury.

There is a long-term requirement for RAF Shawbury as a flying station.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what reply he has sent to the letter dated 6th February from the community relations officer in Wolverhampton proposing the use of Army camps for community conferences.

We cannot trace receiving the letter of 6th February and had no knowledge of the inquiry until the community relations officer sent a further letter on 1st May. He mentioned Raleigh Hall, but this is owned by the Department of the Environment and a copy of his letter has been sent to that Department for reply. He has been invited by my Department to elaborate his requirements, so that they may be fully considered.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many military low-flying exercises have taken place over (a) Wales and (b) West Wales in the first four months of 1973; and what percentage this is in both cases of the United Kingdom figure.

During the first quarter of this year, 3,313 low-level training flights were made by military aircraft over Wales. We do not maintain separate figures for West Wales, but this total includes 1,878 flights over the central and south-western section of the Principality. These figures represent 10 per cent. and 6 per cent. of the United Kingdom total respectively. Complete figures for April are not yet available.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the security situation in Northern Ireland.

So long as even a few terrorists pose a threat to the lives and property of the community, the security situation in Northern Ireland is plainly far from satisfactory. But I am satisfied with what is being done by the Army in support of the civil authorities.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the incident at St. James Crescent, Belfast as a result of which two soldiers are already known to be dead.

At about 7.0 p.m. on Sunday 13th May, an anonymous telephone call was received by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The caller, believed to be a girl, claimed that she had seen two gunmen enter the empty match factory in St. James Crescent, Belfast. A patrol was sent to investigate but when they entered the factory a bomb exploded, injuring four soldiers. Corporal Taylor and Private Gaskell died later in hospital and the other two soldiers are still seriously ill.Subsequent investigations by an Army ammunition technical officer suggested that the bomb had contained about 15 lb of explosive, that it had been electrically detonated from an alley at the back of St. James Crescent, and that the ambush had been very carefully prepared.I understand that two persons have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with this incident.

asked the Minister of State for Defence to which foreign Governments he has supplied details of the Nimrod aircraft.

It is primarily the responsibility of the manufacturer, Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd, to supply details of Nimrod to foreign Governments subject to the approval of Her Majesty's Government. It is not Her Majesty's Government's practice to reveal the identity of countries that have received information of this nature.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if the recently announced improved benefits for members of the Armed Forces and their dependants, in cases of invaliding and death attributable to service, will be payable to the next-of-kin of volunteer members of the Armed Services who are debarred from making a claim against the Crown owing to Section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947

The improvements announced in my answer to the hon.

Month					Protestant	Roman Catholic	Other Denominations	Total
February	…	…	…	…	121	10	1	132
March	…	…	…	…	164	1	3	168
April	…	…	…	…	107	7	4	118
May (up to 18th)		…	…	…	77	4	—	81

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that all officers and men of the Ulster Defence Regiment have sufficient personal weapons for ensuring their safety when off duty.

Yes; but if the hon. Member is concerned about a particular case, no doubt he will write to me.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been dismissed, and for what reasons, from the regiment in February, March and April, respectively.

Dismissal is not a term used within the regulations, but the number of men who have been discharged administratively is as follows: February, 96; March, 130; April, 138.Apart from cases where men have left at the end of their current engagement, the categories into which these discharges fall include: failing to fulfil training oblgation; services no longer required; failing to meet medical standards; and conviction by the civil power.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many recruits have been admitted to the Ulster Defence Regiment since January 1973; and how many have resigned in each month since then, divided according to religion.

Four hundred and six recruits have been admitted to the UDR since January 1973.The number of resignations since January 1973 are shown in the table below:

asked the Minister of State for Defence what instruction in police and legal procedure is given to units ordered to Northern Ireland.

Units receive detailed guidance on the legal powers of soldiers acting in aid of the civil authorities, and they are taught the correct procedures for handling and presenting forensic evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will reduce the optional retiring age of Remploy workers to 60 years so that those who, because of their disablement, choose to can retire on pension at that age.

The Remploy disabled workers' pension and life assurance scheme already includes a provision for early retirement; at 55 for men and 50 for women; or, on health grounds earlier still. But the scheme has been in force only since September 1966 and does not yet of itself provide a viable retirement pension. Its main present value lies in the provision of free life assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to improve the unemployment figures in the North West Region; and if he will make a statement.

The North West should continue to benefit from the expansion of the national economy which our policies are designed to promote and from the substantial help to the assisted areas which we are providing under the Industry Act. All the facilities of my Department's employment and training services will continue to be available to help those who are out of work to find new jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the fact that a quarter of the disabled persons in Sunderland are unemployed, what extra provision is being made by Remploy, or other means, to provide employment for these persons.

I fully accept that unemployment in Sunderland is too high, both generally and in respect of disabled people. But the situation has improved gradually over the last year and I hope that the Government's economic measures will effect still further improvement. We intend to make increased provision for those severely disabled people who require sheltered employment. An extension to Remploy's factory in Sunderland, due for completion later this year, will provide 50 additional places. We have also approved in principle plans by the Sunderland local authority to provide facilities for a further 30 severely disabled workers in a new workshop to replace the existing workshop for the blind.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, when he next has discussions with the TUC and the CBI, if he will initiate proposals for further encouraging payment of wages by cheque to low-paid workers, inviting representatives of the banks and insurance companies to such discussions.

The report of the Committee of the National Joint Advisory Council on the Methods of Payment of Wages (July 1972), on which the TUC and CBI were represented, concluded that lower-paid workers generally prefer to be paid in cash. The committee did not recommend any special action by the Government, and none is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the Chairman of the NIRC and with other bodies, such as the Engineering, Employers Federation, regarding amendments to the Industrial Relations Act; to what extent this policy has been affected by the outcome of discussions between Sir John Donaldson and representatives of the EEF; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions with the President of the National Industrial Relations Court, with the Engineering Employers Federation or with other organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment in the Stockport area and the figures for the comparable month in 1970, 1971 and 1972.

In April 1973, there were 2,743 people unemployed in the Stockport employment exchange area. The comparable figures for 1970, 1971 and 1972 were 1,913, 2,531 and 3,513, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment, men, women and juveniles, registered at the Brixton employment exchange, and the figures for the comparable months in 1970, 1971 and 1972.

In April 1973, there were 2,533 men, 420 women and 195 young people unemployed in the area. Following are the figures for 1970, 1971 and 1972:

NUMBERS UNEMPLOYED IN THE BRIXTON EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREA
	Men	Women	Young people
April 1970	2,751	316	116
April 1971	3,512	523	100
April 1972	3,674	606	254

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will conduct research into the effects of private employment agencies on employment practices in road haulage operations.

No, but if the Employment Agencies Bill, which has just passed its various stages in this House, becomes law, any improper conduct by private employment agencies could be controlled by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has plans to pay an official visit to Merseyside, to discuss employment problems in the regions.

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he can now say when he proposes to publish a consultative document on the future of the quota scheme for disabled people.

A consultative document about the future of the quota scheme for disabled people is being published today.The future of the scheme is closely linked with my Department's other activities on behalf of disabled people and this document is the second in a series of papers which together will com- prehensively review our employment policies and services for disabled people and consider how they can best be improved. The document reviews the working of the quota scheme and considers a number of possibilities for the future. But it reaches no conclusions and is intended to form the basis of widespread public discussion of the difficult issues involved and to enable the Secretary of State to obtain the views of the many organisations and individuals interested in this field. The Secretary of State will not make up his mind about the future of the scheme until he has had a chance to consider these views. Personal copies of the document are being sent to all those hon. Members known to be interested in the employment problems of disabled people; and further copies are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to safeguard wholesale chemists against possible losses incurred in relation to their stocks of Librium and Valium made by Roche Products Limited as a result of Statutory Instrument No. 720, Monopolies and Mergers.

No, Sir. The order of 12th April 1973 reducing the manufacturer's price for Librium and Valium does not directly apply to the wholesaler. The price paid to chemist contractors for dispensing these drugs under the National Health Service will not be reduced until 1st June 1973. This will allow wholesale and retail chemists several weeks in which to clear old stocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the increased cost to the health service of issuing 60,000 behind-the-ear aids during the next year in place of the Medresco body-worn hearing aids on the assumption that the cost per aid, if ordered in quantities of 10,000, would be £7·65p.

I am not in a position to provide an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will name the local authorities which have announced plans to set up vasectomy services under the National Health Service (Family Planning) Amendment Act 1972, and those which have not.

This information is not available centrally. However, local health authorities have been informed that I will be asking them for reports regarding vasectomy provided under the Act for the calendar year 1973, and these will indicate which authorities have made arrangements for vasectomy and which have not.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the amount of money which is disregarded when calculating supplementary benefits paid to people over pension age was increased to £1; and what is its present-day value.

The £1 disregard was fixed in November 1966. Its present-day value is 69p.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects to open the adolescent unit at Salterly Grange.

Because of the cost of converting Salterley Grange, the South Western Regional Hospital Board now proposes instead to provide a new unit in Gloucester. The board plans to start building this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of doctors in the Manchester Regional Hospital Board's service, and in the Stockport and Buxton Hospital Group services; and how many vacancies exist at the present time, in each of the services.

The numbers of doctors are 2,110 and 125; the numbers of vacancies, not counting newly authorised consultant posts which have not yet been advertised, are 205 and 9. These figures exclude general practitioners working part-time in hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the disparity of treatment afforded to the relatives of those killed in industrial accidents, where in the course of their employment persons are exposed to the elements of nature, he will consider contributing public funds to a national fund to meet financial needs of the dependants.

The benefits of the Industrial Injuries Scheme are available for the dependants of those who are untunately killed in accidents which arise out of and in the course of their employments. The general question of compensation in respect of death suffered in the course of employment is, however, within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury which was recently set up under the chairmanship of Lord Pearson.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now correct the statement he made in the House on 10th May (c. 690) regarding the basis on which it is proposed that contributors to the reserve pension scheme may defer taking their pension.

Yes. I regret that when the Social Security Bill was being considered on Report, I mistakenly said at one point that reserve scheme contributions would continue to be paid after pensionable age where a person goes on working—[Vol. 856, c. 690]. Under the Bill, such contributions will cease in all cases at the beginning of the income tax year in which the employee attains pensionable age. It would cause substantial complications for the contributions to go on beyond that, on either an optional or compulsory basis, since that is the point at which recognised pensionable employment ceases and it is fundamental to the arrangements that reserve scheme contributions should be payable only as an alternative to such employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department will consider publishing a report on the need for differential brakes on pushed wheelchairs to ease the strain and danger when going downhill; and if he will make a statement.

Attendant-operated brakes with a progressive action are fitted to pushchairs when required.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the reasons why the 9L chair is not at present available, in view of the fact that this chair is recommended by a large number of medical practitioners.

The model 9L is a new lightweight wheelchair for which production is building up. Until this has reached the necessary level, other similar models will continue to be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Vessa L-W chair has been withdrawn; what surveys have been made of the relevant merits of the Vessa L-W and the 8L: and if he will make a statement.

The Vessa L-W wheelchair is a proprietary model available from only one source of supply. It is being superseded in the National Health Service by the model 8L which is available from several sources. The characteristics of the two models are similar.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date he approved the Yorkshire Regional Plan for Community Homes submitted to him on 31st December 1971; when it is due to come into operation; and if he will list those parts of the plan which will increase facilities to deal with juvenile delinquency within the city of Leeds.

The plan, as revised in September 1972, was approved on 22nd February last and, in common with the regional plans for all other areas, came into operation on 1st April. Among the developments for which the plan provides, and which have a bearing on juvenile delinquency, are the increase of facilities for observation and assessment from 384 to 510 places and of short-stay secure accommodation from 30 to 47 places; also, secure accommodation for long-term treatment—of which there is none in this regional planning area at present—is to be provided in a new unit for 20 boys. Community home facilities of this kind, however, are not exclusive to children and young persons who have been found guilty of an offence, nor to the use of any one local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to avoid further delay in the completion of the Somerstown Health Centre in Portsmouth; and whether he will make a statement.

I understand that the Portsmouth City Council has arranged for the outstanding work to be undertaken by its direct labour organisation, which hopes that it will be completed by the end of September next.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he proposes to ensure that there will he adequate representation of the dental profession on the new area hospital boards.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the proposed area health authorities. I would refer him to my answer to the hon. Member for Coat-bridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey) on 3rd April.—[Vol. 854, c. 41–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what statements his Department has published about research policy to guide those seeking grants since the publication of "Portfolio for Health" in 1971; and when the next statement is intended to be made.

A further volume of "Portfolio for Health" will be published in June 1973 and this will include a review of the arrangements made in pursuance of the White Paper Cmnd. 5046 for commissioning and supporting research.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards further nationalisation of public companies.

It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to continue the expansion of the private sector of the economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the present trading relationship between the United Kingdom and Romania has been affected by the United Kingdom's entry to the EEC; and if he will make a statement about future policy implications on this trade of United Kingdom entry to the EEC.

Trade relations between the United Kingdom and Romania are at present conducted within the framework of the long-term trade agreement between the two countries signed in June 1972 and valid until 31st December 1974. The applicable framework in the future will be that of the common commercial policy of the EEC towards the East European countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to whom payments have been made so far under the Industry Act; and, in each case, under which section or sections of the Act.

It is present practice to disclose information about assistance given to individual firms under the Industry Act only with the consent of the firm concerned. I regret, therefore, that the provision of a detailed answer to my hon. and learned Friend's Question would require a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he takes to keep fishing interests informed of those aspects of North Sea oil development for which his Department is responsible: and if he will make a statement.

I give advance notice in all such cases to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, so that those Departments may consult the fishing interests. In addition all operations which could constitute a hazard to navigation are publicised in "Notices to Mariners".

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the EEC trade agreements with Spain, Israel, Malta and Tunisia, to which the United Kingdom must adhere, have been examined in GATT because of the reverse trading preferences in them; and with what result.

These agreements were examined in accordance with normal procedures. No conclusions have been reached by the contracting parties of GATT.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to the future prospects of the carpet industry.

The carpet industry has experienced encouraging growth in recent years and has expanded its exports. It has considerable prospects and I have commissioned a study of the industry's potential markets, in Europe and elsewhere, and of the United Kingdom industry's capacity to realise its potential. The study will be carried out, with the support of the industry, by P.A. Management Consultants Ltd., and is expected to take about six months to complete. I have arranged for a copy of the terms of reference to be put in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set up an independent security review tribunal to investigate from time to time certain incidents involving the security forces in Northern Ireland.

No. I am satisfied that the existing procedure for investigating incidents involving the security forces is fully effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he held with Mr. George Thomson, the European Regional Commissioner, on his recent visit to Northern Ireland.

Mr. George Thomson will be paying his first visit to Northern Ireland as the EEC Commissioner responsible for regional policy on 24th and 25th May. My right hon. Friend hopes to have the opportunity to exchange views with him during his visit on questions germane to Northern Ireland's future economic development.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of National Insurance arrears in the local office areas which include Londonderry, Newry and Strabane; how many prosecutions have been instituted in those areas to effect recovery and with what result; and whether he will make a statement on the general compliance situation.

The amount of arrears cannot be established without disproportionate effort. The number of prosecutions brought during 1972 was as follows:

Londonderry	34
Newry	27
Strabane	6

One of the prosecutions was withdrawn; all the others were successful.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many substantive teachers in grant-aided schools and institutions in Northern Ireland have, since the introduction of direct rule, had their pay reduced to half, or had their pay stopped completely because of illness; and how many such instances have taken place since 4th January 1973, the date on which his Department received a representation on this matter.

No teacher has had his pay completely stopped during the period. The information is as follows:

	Pay reduced to half since 27th March 1972	Pay reduced to half since 4th January 1973
Primary and Secondary Schools	56	24
Special Schools	2	1
Institutions of Further Education	4	—
	62	25

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, in view of his undertaking in the White Paper, he will take steps to bring the terms of sickness pay for career teachers in Northern Ireland into line with those for teachers in England and Wales.

The Ministry of Education in Northern Ireland makes regulations covering arrangements for sick leave for teachers, after consultation with representatives of teachers and employers in the Standing Committee on Teachers' Salaries. I understand that this particular matter is at present being examined by the Teachers' Salary Council which nominates teachers' representatives to the standing committee. Any recommendations which the standing committee may make will, of course, be considered by the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his intention to implement in Northern Ireland such proposals of the Quirk Report on Speech Therapy as are designed to benefit the local community.

The Quirk Report relates to speech therapy services in Great Britain. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science announced on 15th May that the Secretaries of State for Social Services, Scotland and Wales and she had accepted the committee's recommendation that speech therapy services should be unified under the reorganised National Health Service. This recommendation is already reflected in the pattern of reorganisation in Northern Ireland and plans are in train for the establishment of a speech therapy training course in the Province.—[Vol. 856, c. 276.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Northern Ireland Community Relations Commission is entitled to claim funds from the EEC for the support of community relations projects; and what procedures should be followed.

The regional policy of the EEC is still in the formative stage. If it were subsequently decided that EEC funds could be made available to support projects run by bodies such as the Northern Ireland Community Relations Commission any claim would have to be made through the normal departmental channels.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation he has had with political parties in Northern Ireland between the debate on the White Paper and the publication of the Constitution Bill.

During this period my right hon. Friend met representatives of the Ulster Unionist Party, the Alliance Party, the Northern Ireland Labour Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will list the persons or bodies who received advance copies of the Northern Ireland Constitution Bill prior to its presentation to the House of Commons.

No advance copies of the final print of the Bill were released before it became available in the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as soon as possible, and in any case before any decision is taken about their implementation, he will arrange for a public showing of his proposals for the redevelopment of the Duke of York's Barracks. Chelsea.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest available figure for the average price of a house in the Greater London area; and what was the comparable figure for June 1970.

The average price of private dwellings in the area mortgaged with building societies was £11,113 in 1972 and £6,882 in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much and what detail local planning authorities must require in considering applications in outline for new development in conservation areas, having regard to Housing and Local Government Circular 53/67 and the General Development Order 1973.

Ministry of Housing and Local Government Circular 53/67 suggested that authorities should, when outline applications are received for new development in conservation areas, ask for detailed plans and drawings—including elevations showing the new development in its setting. But the circular did not require authorities to ask for them, nor is such a requirement contained in the General Development Order 1973. A later circular (61/68, paragraph 22), which suggested points to which authorities should have special regard, also said that they might wish to apply this advice flexibly in a large conservation area where it might not be necessary to insist on detailed applications in every part of the area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures for council houses sold to tenants since June 1970 in England and in Wales, respectively.

Excluding houses built specifically for sale, local authorities in England sold 75,615 dwellings in the period 1st July 1970 to 31st March 1973; the corresponding figure for Wales was 3,642.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of council house tenants refused permission to buy their own homes since June 1970 in England and in Wales, respectively.

Information is not available on which such an estimate could be made. The number must be substantial. Out of a total of 1,364 local housing authorities in England and Wales, 621 sold dwellings in 1972, 426 in 1971 and 244 in 1970.

asked the Secretary State for the Environment how many council houses are expected to be started in the current year in the city of Plymouth; and what applications he has under consideration for discretionary grants to assist in council house building in the city of Plymouth.

As to the first part of the Question, the hon. Member should seek information from the council.As to the second part, I assume he has in mind additional yardstick allowances which the Department is ready to consider, where appropriate, to take account of local market conditions. No applications from the council for the assessment of such allowances are currently before the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average length of time for registering the transfer of a motor vehicle in a log book in Lancashire; and how this compares with the rest of the United Kingdom and with the period of more than five weeks in the case brought to his attention by the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton.

Straightforward changes of ownership are normally dealt with in a few days. Transfers of records between licensing offices can take longer. I am looking into the case referred to and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to ensure that vehicle transfers are registered in log books at post offices as with dog licences; and television licences; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures for any recent convenient period showing the number of accidents involving vehicles and farm animals on roads.

The information is not available in the form requested, but in 1972 there were 860 accidents involving human injury on rural roads in which the presence of an animal on the road, other than a dog, was reported. Most of these animals are thought to have been farm animals. No information is available about accidents not involving human injury.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals for improving road safety at points where farm animals have to cross public roads.

I have put forward some proposals to the National Farmers' Union, which has welcomed them in principle.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria used to determine whether an underpass or an overpass is provided for the safe passage of farm animals when road improvement schemes or new road proposals are being considered.

Each case is considered on its merits, taking into account any alternative means of access, the cost of paying compensation where appropriate, road safety and the national agricultural interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been received by the Regional Director of the Northern Traffic Area from the National Farmers' Union on behalf of Mr. R. E. Dixon of Upsall Grange Farm whose dairy herd will suffer increased risk twice daily whilst crossing the road as a consequence of the road improvement scheme on the A171 between Upsall roundabout and Crossed Keys Inn; and what reply has been sent.

The National Farmers' Union wrote to the Northern Regional Office on 18th April 1973 requesting that an underpass or overbridge be provided for Mr. Dickson. I understand that it also wrote in similar terms to North Riding County Council, which is the highway authority responsible for the A171. It has been told that the matter is under consideration by the county council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further consultations have taken place between his Department, the Gloucestershire County Council and the Mangotsfield UDC concerning the Bromley Heath Link Road, Downend, Bristol; if he is satisfied with these consultations; if he is aware that the county council has announced its preferred route on a line totally unacceptable to both local residents and the local council; and if he will make a statement.

There was a preliminary meeting last month between the Depart- ment's regional office, the county council and the urban district council. Additional traffic information has been provided by the county council, and further discussions will take place shortly. It is for the county council, as highway authority, to decide the preferred route for the proposed link road, but I understand no such decision has yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the expenditure for repairs, excluding dry rot, and decoration to 10 Downing Street for the years 1965 to 1972, respectively.

The following is the information:

Financial Year	£
1965–66	6,140
1966–67	6,634
1967–68	11,746
1968–69	7,560
1969–70	12,154
1970–71	9,712
1971–72	12,994
1972–73 (provisional)	15,000

These figures are for maintenance and redecoration in both the office accommodation and the official residence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities about enforcing the provisions of the Rent Act 1965 relating to harassment and illegal eviction; and if he will make a statement.

Circular 15/73 has drawn the attention of all local authorities to the increased maximum penalties for harassment and unlawful eviction provided for in Section 30 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972. The circular stresses the importance of acting swiftly and effectively to investigate complaints from tenants and to bring th ose who break the law in this way to justice.The Government wish local authorities to make the maximum use of their powers and to advise tenants to seek injunctions in the courts where appropriate, and intend themselves to take further steps to publicise tenants' rights in this respect.

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

asked the Prime Minister when he will next visit Wales.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to pay a visit to Wales.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is proposing to visit Cardiff and Swansea on 31st May and Pembrokeshire on 1st June.

asked the Prime Minister how many of his staff are employed on public relations; and what is the annual cost.

I have been asked to reply.None. My right hon. Friend has a Press office consisting of 11 staff whose salaries and allowances amount to £44,000 per annum.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will raise with President Pompidou in his forthcoming discussions the treatment of a British subject, Jeremy Cartland, by the French police.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is in Paris now. I have received no full account of his discussions with President Pompidou but I have no reason to believe that he was proposing to raise this matter with the President.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Lord President of the Council to the Cambridge University Conservative Association on Sunday 6th May 1973 on open-ended negotiations between the Government and the unions represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Lord President of the Council on the economy at Cambridge on Sunday 6th May represented Government policy.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8th May in London on economic matters represents Government policy.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is satisfied that it does.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at Kettering on 4th May on food prices represents the policy of the Government.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official visit to Perth on 11th May.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 17th May.—[Vol. 856, c.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with President Pompidou on French nuclear tests.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is still in Paris. It would be premature to comment on his discussions there.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech to the Scottish Conservative Party Conference at Perth, on Saturday 12th May, where he mentioned the subject of devolution.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend did so on 16th May.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for affording hospitality to President Nixon on his forthcoming official visit.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the operation of the scheme to eradicate brucellosis, in the light of the latest information; and if he will make a statement.

Of the estimated 165,000 or so herds in Great Britain containing animals which are testable for brucellosis, 77,000—nearly 47 per cent.—are now participating in the voluntary brucellosis schemes. The participation rate in terms of cattle is even higher, with 55 per cent. of all testable animals now in scheme herds.Apart from Scotland, for which my right hon. Friend has already announced his proposals for eradication in 1974, voluntary scheme progress has been most rapid in Wales. With this in mind, I have decided that compulsory eradication will start in the existing counties of Pembroke, Brecon, Radnor and Anglesey, the remaining parts of Cardigan, Carmarthen, Caernarvon and Montgomery, together with certain adjoining parishes in Denbigh and Glamorgan, in November 1974. In addition, and as a special measure designed to overcome problems relating to common grazings, five parishes in West Glamorgan adjoining the existing eradication area in Carmarthen will become an eradication area on 1st March 1974. Provided satisfactory progress is maintained, it is hoped that the remaining counties in Wales will become subject to compulsory eradication in 1975 or 1976.In England, eradication has already been scheduled to start in the North-West England Extension Area, in West Sussex and in Norfolk and Suffolk on 1st November of this year. I have now decided that eradication can be extended further in East Anglia, where voluntary scheme progress has also been exceptionally good. Eradication will accordingly start in Huntingdon and the Soke of Peterborough, as well as in Cambridge, the Isle of Ely and Essex in November 1974, with the intention of extending into the adjoining counties of Hertford, Bedford and Lincoln (Holland) in November 1975. On the other hand, it will not be possible to start eradication in Surrey and Berkshire in 1974 and I cannot at this stage make any forecast as to when it will be possible to begin eradication in these counties or in other areas of England. I shall, however, review the situation again in the autumn. I would have liked to proceed with compulsory eradication at a faster rate, but the very success of the incentives scheme has brought with it its own problems in the demands it is making on my veterinary staff, and the additional programme of compulsory eradication that I have outlined is the maximum that we can achieve, having regard to my other responsibilities for animal health matters.I must, of course, make it clear that the progress of brucellosis eradication must continue to be subject to any demands on staff caused by further outbreaks of epidemic or exotic disease, the fight against which must always be given priority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the Council of Ministers has agreed to a 1 per cent. increase in prices for cereals and sugar to take effect when the United Kingdom and Italy have joined the EEC currency float.

This decision was part of the general settlement finally agreed by the Council of Ministers. The further increase will not take effect in countries whose currencies have appreciated and it is thus a partial step towards allowing parity changes to be reflected in CAP prices expressed in national currencies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if any instructions are given by Her Majesty's Government to United Kingdom representatives on EEC management committees;(2) who appoints United Kingdom representatives on EEC management committees; and if such representatives are all civil servants.

The United Kingdom representatives on agricultural management committees are officials of the Agricultural Departments and therefore subject to the instructions of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about EEC proposals for methyl violet branding of carcase meat; and what is his policy thereon.

The Joint Consultative Council of the Meat Trades in the United Kingdom has made representations about the health inspection stamp marking of carcases with methyl violet on the grounds that it is unsightly and unacceptable to the consumer. The EEC directive on intra-Community trade in fresh meat requires that meat shall bear an approved health inspection stamp mark either by branding or by methyl violet stamp and regulations are being made to permit the use of such violet colouring in the United Kingdom.The use of methyl violet marking has been a long standing practice in the EEC and as it is not considered to present a health hazard we should not be justified in asking the other member States to make a change.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why an EEC subsidy has been granted to sugar manufacturers and refiners processing raw sugar produced in the French overseas departments.

It was considered appropriate that all refiners of raw cane sugar in the enlarged Community should have available to them the same refining margin. The subsidy is accordingly intended to raise the margin for refiners in the six original member States of the Community who take raw cane sugar produced in the French overseas departments to the level available to the refiners of the raw cane sugar purchased under the Common-wealth Sugar Agreement, which may only be imported into the United Kingdom. It replaces a national subsidy which the French Government were previously authorised by the Community to pay to the French port refineries for the refining of the same sugar.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what organisations he is consulting about the proposed EEC directive about approximation of laws relating to bread.

The following organisations are being consulted:

• County Councils Association.
• Association of Municipal Corporations.
• Urban District Councils' Association.
• Association of Public Analysts.
• British Standards Institution.
• Rural District Councils Association.
• Institute of Trading Standards Administration.
• Insitute of Food Science & Technology.
• Association of Public Health Inspectors.
• Association of Sea & Air Port Health Authorities.
• London Chamber of Commerce Inc.
• United Kingdom Council for Food Science and Technology.
• Counties of Cities Association—Scotland.
• Association of County Councils in Scotland.
• Convention of Royal Burghs of Scotland.
• The Association of Public Analysts of Scotland.
• Wholesale Grocers' Association of Scotland.
• The Scottish Grocers' Federation.
• Co-operative Union Ltd., Scotland.
• Scottish Chamber of Commerce.
• National Farmers Union of Scotland.
• Scottish Trades Union Congress General Council.
• Scottish Association of Manufacturing Confectioners.
• Scottish Flour Millers' Association.
• Scottish Association of Master Bakers.
• Scottish Oatmeal Millers' Association.
• Federation of Wholesale & Multiple Bakers (Scottish Area).
• British Food Manufacturing Industries Research Association.
• British Industrial Biological Research Association.
• Chemical Industries Association.
• Food Manufacturers Federation.
• National Federation of Wholesale Grocers & Provision Merchants.
• Multiple Food Retailers Association.
• National Grocers Federation.
• National Association of Master Bakers Confectioners & Caterers.
• Federation of Bakers.
• National Association of British & Irish Millers.
• Cocoa, Chocolate & Confectionery Alliance. Flour Milling & Baking Research Association.
• British Spice Trade Association.
• Bakery Allied Traders Association.
• National Dried Fruit Trade Association.
• The Association of Dealers in Crystallised Fruits.
• Cake & Biscuit Alliance.
• The British Medical Association.
• Society of Medical Officers of Health.
• National Association for Health.
• Trades Union Congress.
• National Farmers Union.
• Co-operative Union Ltd. (London).
• Good Housekeeping Institute.
• National Consumer Protection.
• Scottish Women's Rural Institutes.
• National Federation of Business & Professional Women's Clubs.
• National Citizens Advice Bureaux Council.
• National Association of Women's Clubs.
• Consumer Standards Advisory Committee.
• Consumers Association.
• The Housewife's Trust.
• London and National Provision Exchange.
• National Federation of Consumer Groups.
• National Council of Women.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he sees no advantage in pressing for the EEC Council to be responsible for disposal of surplus EEC food stocks.

As I said in my Written Answer to the hon. Member on 9th May, there is already provision for reference to the Council if a management committee disagrees by a qualified majority with a particular proposal.—[Vol. 856, c. 119.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the amount of butter held by the United Kingdom intervention board after one week of the higher buying price; and what was the figure for 30th April.

The Intervention Board held 8,236 tons of butter one week after the intervention price increased on 14th May. It previously held 58 tons. The additional 8,178 tons had been stored under the control procedure which enables stocks stored under prescribed arrangements to be offered to the board within two months of entry into store.

asked the Attorney-General what was the cost to public funds in a full financial year of the maintenance and administration of the National Industrial Relations Court and its subordinate tribunals.

In the financial year 1972–73 the cost to public funds of the maintenance and administration of the National Industrial Relations Court was approximately £248,000.During the same period, the cost of the maintenance and administration of the industrial tribunals was approximately £1,350,000.

asked the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of costs inherent in projected legislation to reimburse successful litigants, in all fields of activity, in the courts, with the costs attendant upon their cases; and whether he will make a statement of Government policy in this regard.

I do not know to what projected legislation my hon. Friend is referring. In every case the court has a discretion to award the costs of a successful litigant against the losing party, and, in the case of a successful defendant in criminal matters, for his costs to be met out of central funds. It is not possible to estimate in advance the amount of such costs, which depend upon the facts of each case.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will reconsider her policy in relation to the provision of nursery schools in the Heywood and Royton constituency.

Resources will be available to each local education authority ultimately to make provision in maintained nursery schools and classes for up to 90 per cent. of four-year-olds and 50 per cent. of three-year-olds. Provision on this scale will require substantial building programmes, beginning in 1974–75 and running at the rate of £18·3 million—starts—for the first two years. My right hon. Friend hopes to announce allocations for both years before the end of the summer. She has not asked authorities for details of individual projects; she considers that the determination of priorities within local authority areas should be a matter for the local education authori- ties, which are in the best position to judge local needs and resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many secondary school classes in the Stockport area have 30 pupils and 35 pupils, respectively;(2) how many primary school classes in the Stockport area have above 30 and above 40 pupils, respectively.

The figures for January 1972 are as follows:

MAINTAINED PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Classes "as registered''
Size	Number
31–40	306
41 and over	31

MAINTAINED SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Classes "as taught"
Size	Number
31–35	58
36 and over	14

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of classes in primary schools in Staffordshire has 40 or more pupils; and how this figure compares with each of the past five years.

The proportion of classes with 41 or more pupils was as follows:

January
1972	3·1 per cent.
1971	6·8 per cent.
1970	12·0 per cent.
1969	13·8 per cent.
1968	16·7 per cent.
1967	16·1 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many chairs in general practice are now in existence in English universities; what percentage of all chairs in medicine this represents; and if she will make a statement.

There are three, or about 1 per cent. of all chairs in clinical medicine. In addition, a number of universities in England have departments of general practice. Following discussions with the Health Departments, the University Grants Committee has, in allocating grant for the current quinquennium, encouraged universities to bear in mind the need for more chairs or departments of general practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to contribute to the International Exchange Support Fund for the Khmer Republic during the current financial year.

I have agreed, as last year, to make a contribution of £200,000. An advance will be taken from the Civil Contingencies Fund for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to announce the results of the Government's review of procedure under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921.

The review has now been completed. As the issues involved are complex, the Government's views have been set out in a White Paper, which has been published this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ascertain how many British citizens receive payments via the Cayman Islands; and how this affects the incidence of British taxation.

No estimate can be made of how many British citizens receive payment in the Cayman Islands. If income arising in the Cayman Islands is received in the United Kingdom, it would normally be liable to United Kingdom tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the receipts from income tax paid by pensioners in respect of earnings in excess of the earnings rule limit.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce his decision concerning liability of the 18 Plus organisation to value added tax.

Customs and Excise has told the National Federation of 18 Plus Groups that it is liable to VAT in respect of its subscription income but has invited it to submit any further evidence if it considers it has grounds for relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of tax relief given in each of the last 10 years in respect of life insurance premiums.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st May 1973; Vol. 857, c. 22] gave the following information:

The estimates are:
	£m.
1963–64	64
1964–65	66
1965–66	68
1966–67	70
1967–68	75
1968–69	84
1969–70	100
1970–71	110
1971–72 (provisional)	111
1972–73 (provisional)	121

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any further works of art have recently been accepted in lieu of estate duty under the provisions of Section 34 of the Finance Act 1956.

Yes. A Chinese Chippendale cabinet and two paintings, "La Roche Guyon, 1887" by Auguste Renoir and "Bateaux en Hollande pres de Zaandam" by Claude Monet, have been accepted under these provisions. The total cost to the National Land Fund, after allowing for exemption from estate duty and capital gains tax, is £66,600. The Paymaster-General, after taking advice from the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, will in due course announce the destinations of these works of art.

	1968–69	1969–70	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73
	£	£	£	£	£
Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act 1960	835,349	750,690	947,352	800,653	960,929
Congested Districts (Scotland) Act 1897 (piers and harbours)	65,040	65,638	170,566	301,093	540,321
Transport Act 1968 (rural bus and ferry services)	—	—	59,263	144,583	252,182
	900,389	816,328	1,177,181	1,246,329	1,753,432

In addition, the Highlands and Islands Development Board has given help to a number of small local ferries by way of grants and loans as follows:

	£
1968–69	450
1969–70	2,700
1970–71	4,600
1971–72	1,900
1972–73	4,700

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Scottish residents at the last census was born in England; and how this compares with the previous census.

Statistics of the resident population of Scotland will not be available until later this year. Of the population enumerated in Scotland, that is, those actually present on census night, 5·3 per cent. were born in England. Comparable figures from previous censuses are:

1966 (10 per cent. sample)	4· per cent
1961 census	4¶ per cent

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the census

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total cost of subsidies to transport in the Highlands and Islands in each of the past five years.

Details of the grant and loan assistance for which I am responsible are set out below. These figures do not include grant for unremunerative rail services or other grants for which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible.reports no longer list residents by country of birth within the United Kingdom.

Tables from the 1971 census on residents' country of birth within the United Kingdom will be published as in previous censuses. The county reports already published contain this information for the enumerated population, that is, those actually present on census night.