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

The following table shows the average retail prices of selected cuts of bacon, as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, on 18th January 1972, the nearest date to 22nd January 1972, when the Treaty of Accession was signed, and 22nd May 1973, the latest date for which information is available:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rise in the price of cheese since 1st January 1973.

The Department of Employment's General Index of Retail Prices shows that on 16th January this year the average price of cheddar cheese was 31·9p per lb. and that on 22nd May, the latest date for which figures are available, the average price was 31·5p per lb.—that is, 0·4p below the average price on 16th January.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices since 6th November 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much food prices have risen since 6th November 1972.

Between 14th November 1972 and 22nd May 1973 the food index rose by 10·9 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices since 1st April 1973.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the latest increases in the price of food.

Between 17th April and 22nd May, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 1·8 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will formulate policies to reduce the retail price of food in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government are currently taking relating to the price of food.

We have already adopted various measures to limit the rise in manufactured food prices. So far as fresh food is concerned, we have always made it plain that we cannot insulate ourselves from world conditions of shortage.

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

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

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the cost of food in each of the last three months.

As compared with the previous month, the Food Index showed an increase of 1·9 per cent. at 20th March, 1·5 per cent. at 17th April, and 1·8 per cent. at 22nd May, the latest date for which information is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking as a result of chemical pollution of farm land by dumping of chemicals in tips and disused mining shafts.

In situations where farm land is affected, specialists of the agricultural Departments are available to advise local authorities in the exercise of their responsibilities under

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rise in the price of lamb since the Treaty of Accession to the EEC was signed.

The following table shows the increases in the average retail price of lamb collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices between 18th January 1972 and 22nd May 1973, the latest date for which information is available:—Section 5(1) of the Deposit of Poisonous Wastes Act 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current rate of levy or import duty on tomatoes.

The full rate of import duty for the period of 16th June to 31st July is 2·1p per lb. There is no levy system for tomatoes and currently there is no Community countervailing duty on imported tomatoes from any source.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the amount spent upon the purchasing of food per head per week during June 1970 and at the most recent period for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his estimates of the average family's weekly expenditure on food in June 1970 and its expenditure today.

On the basis of information collected for the National Food Survey, the average weekly expenditure on food was £2.10·09p per head in the second quarter of 1970 and £2.58·79p per head in the first quarter of 1973.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase of agricultural products in the United Kingdom for each of the past four years; and what is the estimated figure for the current year.

The value of output of agricultural products in each of the last five years is given in Table 20 of the 1973 Annual Review White Paper (Cmnd. 5254). Gross output at current prices increased in 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72 by 7 per cent., 10 per cent. and 7 per cent. respectively and the forecast for 1972–73 indicates a further increase of 11 per cent. No estimate has yet been made for 1973–74.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his decision to allow increases between October and March in the price of meals served by Penns Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield which were referred to him before the establishment of the Price Commission.

As I have already explained to the hon. Member my investigation into this price increase showed that it was within the limits allowed for caterers during phase 1 of our counter-inflation programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current rate of levy or import duty on imports of bacon.

The levy on bacon sides imported into the United Kingdom from countries outside the EEC is this week about £24 per ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will seek to ensure that no levy or import duty will be placed on imports of beef or veal into the United Kingdom after September 1973.

Levies and duty on imports into the United Kingdom are at present suspended as a result of decisions taken earlier this year. The position is due to be reviewed in Brussels next month when the Council of Ministers will have before it reports on the latest supply and price situation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current rate of levy or import duty on fresh pork.

The levy on fresh pig carcases imported into the United Kingdom from countries outside the EEC is at present about £16 per ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what import tax will apply to lamb at the end of the Common Market transitional period.

At the end of the transitional period we shall be applying a 20 per cent. tariff on imports of lamb from third countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the present position and intended time scale in respect of the implementation of the draft EEC directive on the subject of farming in hill, mountain and other difficult areas.

The European Commission is now reviewing its proposals in the light of the discussion in the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. The Council, which agreed in its Resolution of 1st May to adopt a directive on the subject before 1st October, will then consider them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the numbers of acres of land classified for agricultural uses in England and Wales; and how this figure compares with one year and two years previously.

In June 1972 there were 27,231,000 acres of agricultural land excluding common rough grazings in England and Wales. It can be misleading to give changes between one single year and another, but the average yearly reduction over the five years ending in June 1971 was 62,500 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise the issue of reform of the basic principles of the EEC common agricultural policy at the next meeting of EEC Agriculture Ministers.

No. We shall be playing our full part in considering ways in which the CAP can be improved to meet the needs of producers and consumers in the enlarged Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he will now consider seeking to withdraw import duty on butter imported into the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he will consider seeking to withdraw the import duty on cheese.

No. In acceding to the Community we accepted Community arrangements for these commodities, and they require levies on imports from non-Community countries. As a result of our negotiations, however, the average retail price of butter is lower than before these levies were introduced, and that of cheddar cheese virtually unchanged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current levy on oranges entering the United Kingdom.

Oranges are not subject to any levy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what stocks of food are now held by the Intervention Board.

On 15th June the Intervention Board had in store 14,363 tons of butter, of which 1,650 tons had passed the prescribed tests after being two months in store. Of the 11,468 tons of skimmed milk powder offered and put into store by that date, 3,428 tons had been accepted by the board while test results were awaited on 4,647 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he expects the improvement in the provision of wholesale fruit and vegetable markets in London to reduce the wholesaling on-cost for perishable foodstuffs and when.

The new markets at Nine Elms and Heston are due to open early next year. It is difficult to quantify the net effect on distribution costs. The chief benefits to be expected are easier handling and an alleviation of traffic congestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the claims of particular types of bread advertised for slimming purposes to see if these claims are exaggerated.

Claims for food, including bread, advertised for slimming purposes are controlled by the Labelling of Food Regulations 1970. The Food Standards Committee during its current review of the Bread and Flour Regulations is considering whether any amendments are required to these controls as they relate to bread.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that adequate new farm machinery is available to satisfy the industry's demands in the forthcoming year.

In general, and assuming no serious production hold-ups, yes. It is difficult to be more specific as farm machinery covers such a wide range of items, and it is possible that here and there, there could be local difficulties, especially for specialist equipment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the importance to farmers of spray irrigation, he will give directions to river authorities to make representations to water supply undertakings in their areas to restrict the use of water for purposes such as car washing and garden sprinkling, during periods of water shortage.

Whilst we recognise the importance to farmers of spray irrigation, this is a matter for the river authorities and statutory water undertakers who work in close consultation with one another.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to make a statement on progress over the International Sugar Agreement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins), on 26th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the Steering Group which is considering the implementation of the Food Standards Committee Report on the date marking of perishable foods.

A preliminary report from the Steering Group on Food Freshness is expected early in 1974 when it is hoped that its inquiries on date marking will be completed. This will be followed by a final report on food freshness generally at about the end of that year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated amount of seed wheat on which denaturing premia have been paid during the past six months in the United Kingdom and other EEC countries, respectively.

The statistics available do not distinguish between the different uses to which denatured wheat is put; but so far as is known, there have been few claims from seed merchants for denaturing premia on wheat during the past six months, either in the United Kingdom or in other EEC countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to participation by Great Britain in a minimum world food stocks policy.

The Government are examining in the FAO the proposals for action to assure adequate basic food stocks which have been put forward by the Director-General of the organisation, and they will give full consideration to participating in any international arrangements that may be worked out.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total by weight and value of fish from Icelandic boats landed in Great Britain.

In 1972 landings of fresh and frozen fish from Icelandic fishing vessels at British ports totalled 6,200 tons, the value of which was £0·9 million. There is no record of any landings by Icelandic vessels this year so far.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will raise at the next EEC Council meeting the current difficulties being caused to United Kingdom importers of cereals by the operation of the common agricultural policy;(2) what representations he has received about the difficulties caused to the United Kingdom grain trade by the current mode of operation of the common agricultural policy for cereals; and what replies he has sent.

Cereals importers in the United Kingdom, as in many other countries, have been facing difficulties recently. These have largely resulted from the unstable situation on the international grain market caused by past poor harvests, high prices and currency fluctuations.This instability has made it impossible to forecast world prices and the resultant EEC levies and the Commission has therefore restricted to 30 days the period for which cereals levies may be prefixed. The need for a longer period is frequently reviewed, however, and an extension will I hope be agreed when more stable conditions obtain.There will shortly be discussions between the Commission and member States on the possible need for prefixing facilities for the accession compensatory amounts.As far as United Kingdom traders are concerned, the simplified monetary compensatory amount system adopted on 4th June should have eased the problems resulting from currency fluctuations.I am confident that everything possible is being done to assist United Kingdom importers of cereals given the difficult situation on the world market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is in a position to make a statement on the projected reconstruction of the United Kingdom sugar refining industry.

No. Discussions with the refining companies on the possible reorganisation of the industry are still in progress.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice, additional to the use of face masks, his Department is giving to the farming industry to combat the disease known as "Harvest lung"; and if he will make a statement on future policy.

Apart from personal protection, to which the hon. Member refers, advice by my Department is directed towards avoiding unnecessary exposure to airborne dust by seeking to control it at source. This is a factor which my Department's officials have in mind when technical guidance is given in matters such as the design of farm machinery and buildings and the installation of dust extraction equipment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what effects the Icelandic harassment of the British fishing fleet has had upon the availability of supplies to British ports;(2) what effects the Icelandic harassment of the British fishing fleet has had upon the level of fish prices in the United Kingdom;(3) what effect the Icelandic harassment of the British fishing fleet has had to date upon the employment figures of Hull, Grimsby, Fleetwood and Aberdeen.

While the performance of individual vessels has obviously been affected by Icelandic harassment, it is not practicable to isolate its effect on total landings, subject as they are to fluctuations for other reasons; or therefore on the consequential effects which the volume of supplies may have on prices or on employment in fish-using or other industries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on any Common Market proposals or regulations concerning the butterfat content of milk in Great Britain and state what that butterfat content is now and will be in 1974 and 1976; and why changes are necessary in Great Britain.

EEC Regulation No. 1411/71, which was adopted by the Council on 29th June 1971, set a minimum fat content for whole milk of 3·5 per cent. The monthly average butterfat content of ordinary milk as it comes from the cow in England and Wales varies at present between approximately 3·4 and 4·1 per cent., according to the region and the time of the year, with an overall average of round about 3·8 per cent. It is unlikely that there will be any substantial change in these figures in 1974. The United Kingdom accordingly negotiated a derogation from the provisions of regulation No. 1411/71. This derogation is set out in the Treaty of Accession and authorises the supply as whole milk until 31st December 1975 in the United Kingdom of milk with a fat content of less than 3·5 per cent. provided the milk has not been subject to any skimming. After that date, under the terms of the EEC regulations, no whole milk could be sold if it had a fat content of less than 3·5 per cent. There would be nothing whatever to prevent milk with a fat content of over 3·5 per cent. being sold nor need a higher fat content be reduced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the operating subsidies for the fishing industry.

My right hon. Friends and I have carefully considered the future of the operating subsidy for inshore white fish and herring vessels in the light of the economic situation of the inshore industry in the United Kingdom and of the representations which we have received from the organisations concerned. Our conclusion is that the subsidy should not be extended after the present scheme ends on 31st July.The operating subsidy for deep sea vessels is also due to be reviewed and we shall shortly be discussing it with the two trawlers' federations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received relating to the impact of the proposed system of corporation tax on the smaller unquoted company; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on this subject. The arguments were discussed at length in Standing Committee on the Finance Bill on 21st May and I have nothing to add to what was then said by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many coins were produced at the Royal Mint and at Llantrisant, respectively, from 1st January 1973 to the latest convenient date; and what proportion of each of these figures was rejected.

Approximately 414 million normal circulation coins in 54 denominations were produced at the Royal Mint, Llantrisant from 1st January to 31 May 1973. The proportion of rejects was 0·9 per cent. During the same period only 415,000 circulation coins in two denominations were struck at Tower Hill, where the reject rate was 0·08 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further representations he has received regarding the imposition of VAT on building repairs and the effect on the maintenance of buildings of architectural and historic interest and listed buildings; and what replies he has sent.

There have been a number of further representations on this matter. Replies have been sent pointing out that VAT is not a suitable means of promoting specific social aims, however desirable they may be in their own right. To give relief for listed buildings would create anomalies and lead to pressure for relief from VAT for repairs and maintenance of other special classes of buildings and ultimately for all repairs and maintenance on buildings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of his announcement that VAT replaces purchase tax and SET, if he will give an assurance that only goods or services which bore these taxes are now subject to VAT; and if this is not so, if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT those other items which are subject to VAT.

Certainly not. My right hon. Friend has never suggested that the coverage and rates of VAT would be the same as those for SET and purchase tax. The whole point of the changeover was to broaden the tax base and to get rid of the undesirable distortion in the previous indirect tax system.It would require an excessive expenditure of effort to prepare an itemised list of the type requested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention that the sale of a share in goods under the special scheme contained in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise notice No. 712 is to be treated as a supply of goods or as a supply of services.

Since the sale of a share in goods leads to joint ownership, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 5th April. If the hon. Member knows of any case where difficulty has arisen, perhaps he will write to me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals have been made by the Common Market Commission relating to Great Britain's freedom to add new items to the list of zero-rated items of 1st April; and if he will make a statement on the British attitude to these proposals.

The EEC Commission has a duty to make proposals to the Council of Ministers for the harmonisation of indirect taxation. I understand that further proposals are about to be submitted to the Council of Ministers and published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedure is used in the Treasury for scrutinising the EEC budget.

The EEC budget is subject to detailed examination in the Treasury in consultation with other Departments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the 1973 EEC information budget is to be spent in the United Kingdom.

I regret that the information is not available as the Commission records its information expenditure by function rather than by country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to abolishing the road fund licence in areas such as Mid-Wales where public transport systems are inadequate.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that in any future advertisements for British national savings certificates, British-made goods and not imported goods are used as illustrations.

It is the practice to illustrate advertisements for national savings in a way which does not allow their identification with any particular make of product. A recent advertisement may not have wholly met this requirement. The advertisement is being withdrawn from further use as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total volumes of national savings on 1st January 1970 1971, 1972 and 1973.

The total amounts remaining invested in national savings were as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek talks with interested bodies, other than the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry, on the subject of phasing out the regional employment premium.

My right hon. Friend has no plans for talks other than those now in progress with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry. He will of course take note of any statements of views by other bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 12th June to reply to letters sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, from Mr. T. Brett under dates of 9th February, 26th March, 23rd April, 27th April, and 4th May; what was contained in this eventual reply which could not have been sent earlier; and whether he will expedite replies in the future.

These letters, which were received from the hon. Member on 30th March, 9th April and 2nd and 11th May, referred to a matter on which action was being taken by persons and bodies outside the Home Office following a direction by the Court of Appeal, and it took some time to obtain the necessary information for a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 19th June to reply to the communications sent to him in February and April by the hon. Member for West Ham, North concerning Mr. George Copping; what information contained in this letter was not available to be sent to the hon. Member at an earlier date; and whether he will expedite replies in future.

The matters raised by the hon. Member related to an investigation under Section 49 of the Police Act 1964 and entailed further police inquiries which, as was explained in letters sent to him in February and April, inevitably took time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his recent decision to admit two Romanian cyclists to the United Kingdom to obtain higher paid employment represents a change in his policy on admissions.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average prison sentence served by persons released from prison in 1972 after serving life sentences.

The average time served by persons released on licence from sentences of life imprisonment in England and Wales during 1972 was 9·4 years. This figure is no indication of the time likely to be served by any individual life sentence prisoner, since it does not show the range of the sentences served. Nor does it take into account the length of time served by those who have not been released.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is aware of the adverse reaction to his proposal to site a new prison off Whitehall Road, Leeds; whether he will indicate what public inquiry is to be held to ventilate this; and when;(2) what acreage of the green belt the proposal to site a new prison off Whitehall Road, Leeds, infringes upon;(3) whether he will explore the feasibility of rebuilding Armley prison on its present site.

A new local prison is needed to serve the courts in Leeds and surrounding areas. The Home Office has identified a site on the outskirts of the city within which a new prison and associated staff housing might be built, and has sought the preliminary views of the city council, as planning authority, on the possibility of developing the land for this purpose.No detailed study has yet been made of the way in which the site might be used if the proposal went ahead and it is not known at this stage precisely how much land would be needed.If the Home Office decides to make a formal application for planning clearance this will be done in accordance with the normal rules governing proposed development by Government Departments which provide for reference of a disputed application to the Department of the Environment and, if necessary, for the holding of a public inquiry. There will, therefore, be ample opportunity for the local planning authority and local people to put forward their point of view.The feasibility of redevelopment on the existing cramped site at Armley, Leeds, was considered and rejected before the search for an alternative site started.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will examine the possibility of merging the Alkali Inspectorate with the Factories Inspectorate.

May I refer my hon. Friend to the statement about workers' safety and health made by the Under-Secretary of State for Employment on 21st May in reply to the hon. Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now concluded his consideration of the inspector's report on the public inquiry into the proposals for the Lewes Bypass; if it is still his intention that work on this project shall start in the latter half of next year; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend is disposed to keep to the published proposals, but before making the necessary orders he is today inviting representations about a number of modifications which he is prepared to make and about certain other matters which he wishes to consider further.Plans illustrating the modification and other possible alterations will be on deposit locally for the next six weeks. A display of the plans illustrating the modifications has been arranged for 29th and 30th June and 2nd July in the Lewes town hall when representatives of the Department and of the county council will be in attendance to explain the modifications and answer questions.It is expected that this scheme will be ready for a start of work at the turn of the year 1974–75 subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and availability of funds.A number of alternatives for the improvement of South Street, including a tunnel, are being examined and draft proposals will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the cost of installing on a motorway one variable ramp known as a Varigrid.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the cost of installing a fixed ramp as developed by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory for controlling speeds in residential roads.

Not until experimental trials have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now issue a circular advising local highway authorities as to the proper and safe marking and lighting of road works.

A comprehensive guide will be issued shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has now completed his discussions with the local authority associations on the subject of thermal insulation; and if he will make a statement.

The advice which the Department hopes to issue on this subject has now reached the stage of preparation where the local authority associations can be consulted. These consultations will take place soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the earliest anticipated date of completion of the motorway standard road from Thorpe interchange on the A3 to the Egham roundabout; and when the route for this road will be published.

The route of the M25 motorway between the Thorpe interchange on the M3 and Egham was fixed in September 1971. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the additional traffic which will seek to travel on the A308 through Old Windsor in the event of a delay in the completion of the motorway link between Thorpe interchange and the Egham roundabout; and if he will take steps to deal with such traffic bearing in mind particularly the existing pedestrian problems on this road.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the rise or fall in road deaths over the past 25 years, expressed per 1,000 of the population, the number of registered vehicles, and the number of road miles.

Following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether any of the buildings in Barns-bury Road and Copenhagen Street, Islington, inspected by one of the investigators of historic buildings in April 1973, was entered for the purposes of the investigation;(2) whether any owners or their representatives were present at the inspection of houses in Barnsbury Road and Copenhagen Street, Islington by an investigator of historic buildings in April.

No. The exteriors of these buildings were of sufficient interest to justify their being listed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the exact date of the investigation of buildings in Barnsbury Road and Copenhagen Street, Islington, by an investigator of historic buildings.

6th April 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider introducing regulations to regulate the distribution of groundnuts and allied raw materials containing 0·7 parts per million of Aflatoxin particularly in view of the legislative position in other EEC countries.

The upper limit of aflatoxin in food acceptable under the general provisions of our Imported Food Regulations 1968 is already lower than 0·7 parts per million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will receive a deputation from the urban district council of Corby to discuss the problems set out in its letter CEC/WMC/H20.01 dated 20th June 1973 concerning the proposal to postpone the date for beginning the building of the health centre and community hospital in Corby.

I am considering the matter and will write to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the increased incidence of psittacosis, he will consider reimposing the restrictions on the importation of parrots, cockatoos and budgerigars which were lifted in 1967.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 22nd June.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the population of Cardiganshire is over the age of 65 years; and how this figure compares with the United Kingdom average.

It is estimated that at mid-1972 about 17½ per cent. of the population of Cardiganshire were aged 65 and over compared with 13½ per cent. for the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of cases dealt with by unemployment review officers over the last three years were referred for a medical opinion on the claimant's physical condition and also for a psychiatric opinion; to what extent the proportion of referrals differs between unemployment review officers and between regions; and what proportion of cases referred to medical practitioners are confirmed as having some mental or physical disability.

I will send such information as is available to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the length and content of training for unemployment review officers; and whether any standard for qualification is required at the end of training before this type of work can be entered upon.

I will send the information to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the salaries for the chief nursing posts in the reorganised National Health Service at region, area and district level are lower than the equivalent administrative and finance posts, in some cases by £2,000 a year.

Until the posts have been established and experience gained of their operation regard has been had, in fixing the provisional salaries, to the relevant provision of the Price and Pay Code which states that the rate for new work should not be more than the current rate paid for the same or most nearly similar work by the same or other employers. The salaries are, therefore, based in each case on a provisional assessment of the responsibilities of the new posts compared with existing posts.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied that all Government Departments are abiding by the Government's declared aim of encouraging competition.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official talks with General Gowon.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement concerning his recent meeting with General Gowon of Nigeria.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement concerning his official talks with General Gowon of Nigeria.

I welcomed the opportunity to have talks with General Gowon and to give a lunch in his honour on 13th June during his State visit to this country. We had a very friendly and constructive discussion about matters of mutual interest in Africa generally including the problems of Southern Africa and future relations between Africa and the European Economic Community.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of the public speech which he made on 31st May in Cardiff on the economy.

I did so on 1st June.

asked the Prime Miinster whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech at Shotover, Oxfordshire, on 2nd June on economic policy.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton).

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of his latest round of talks with the TUC and the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of his latest talks with the TUC and CBI.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his latest meetings with the TUC and CBI.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will report on his last meeting with the TUC.

As I have told the House, I held further meetings with representatives of the TUC on 13th June and with representatives of the CBI on 18th June. Specific subjects for discussion at subsequent meetings were agreed.

asked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for coordination of policy on research and development issues.

The functions in this respect which were previously discharged by the Lord Privy Seal have been transferred to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will give details of the shooting incident which took place at Newtownhamilton on Thursday 21st June.

At about 4.30 p.m. on 21st June, Private Samuel Johnson and three other members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were off duty and working on a farm near Newtownhamilton. A car containing a number of men stopped near them and, when Private Johnson approached it, shots were fired at him. He was hit three times, and was taken to hospital very seriously ill. I understand that he is now making satisfactory progress.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now review the regulations permitting the carrying of arms for personal protection by members of the UDR owing to the recent attack on members of the regiment at Newtownhamilton on Thursday 21st June.

I explained the regulations to the House on 31st January and I am satisfied that they are appropriate.—[Vol. 849, c. 1508.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much she has allocated for modernisation of pre-1903 primary schools in East Suffolk since June 1970; how much she estimates she will allocate until 1974–75.

The major school building allocations for East Suffolk since 1970–71 include the following amounts for pre-1903 primary schools:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary school classes in East Suffolk contain more than 40 pupils.

In January 1972, the latest date for which information is available, 25.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action will be taken by the Government following the publication of the report to the Paymaster-General on provincial museums and galleries.

The Government welcome the report of the Committee on Provincial Museums and Galleries as a thorough study of a complex problem. The report, which is being published today, is particularly useful at the present stage of the reorganisation of local government and comes at a time when there is increasing public awareness of the value for the national heritage of the collections in local museums and galleries.The Government will give the report and the public discussion which it is hoped will be stimulated very full study in the context of the national resources which can be made available for the arts.The Government have already been able to provide additional resources to meet some of the recommendations. They have increased to £400,000 in the current year the fund administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum to assist purchase by local museums and galleries in England and Wales, and have set up a new fund of £150,000 to be administered by the Science Museum to assist purchases in the technological and scientific fields. Parallel arrangements have been made in Scotland, where two funds of £25,000 each are to be administered by the Royal Scottish Museum. In addition, grants to area museum councils in Great Britain have been increased to £132,500 in 1973–74 in recognition of the important part these councils play in assisting the care and conservation of local collections.The Government will discuss with the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries and others concerned the development of the area museum councils on the lines suggested in the report, taking into account such resources as are likely to be available for the arts as a whole.The Government do not favour the proposed new fund for housing local museums. The essential responsibility for housing their museums must rest the local authorities concerned. But the Government are prepared to consider with them whether some form of central Government assistance, within the arts programme, would be justified in special cases of more than local significance.Questions of pay and grading of staffs must be considered in the context of general counter-inflationary policies.The Government hope that all museum authorities will give the report careful study, and has already indicated in Circular 9/73, issued on 13th June, how museum resources might be reviewed in the area of each authority. Here again they hope that authorities will give particular attention to their requirements for conservation and to what educational and training provisions are needed to meet them. The Government will endeavour to provide within the resources which can be made available help for national museums and galleries to increase their aid to local museums and galleries for care and conservation and for other purposes.The Government hope that education authorities will give particular study to the section of the report and the recommendations on the educational services which museums can perform.The Government recognise that special circumstances exist in Scotland and Wales, as indicated in the report, and will give particular consideration to the development of the musuem services there.

asked the Seretary of State for Employment what is total number of current vacancies within the hotel and catering industry; and what percentage of total current employment unfilled vacancies represent.

On 6th June 1973 there were 32,766 unfilled vacancies in the industry, or about five for every 100 people employed. The vacancy statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many notifiable accidents resulting in burns to the feed and ankles occurred in premises subject to the Foundries (Protective Foot-wear and Gaiters) Regulations 1971 between 1st June 1972 and 1st June 1973; and how this figure compares with annual totals for each of the preceding five years.

The information is not available in the form requested. Following are the number of accidents notified in the three calendar years prior to 1973 which involved burns to the feet, ankles or legs of persons employed in processes now covered by the Foundries (Protective Footwear and Gaiters) Regulations:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the Chief Inspector of Factories signed his certificate of approval for fire resisting structures referred to in Regulation 2 of the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972; and when this certificate was first on sale to the public.

The certificate of approval of specifications for fire resisting structures was signed by the Chief Inspector of Factories on 11th May 1973 and was placed on sale to the public by Her Majesty's Stationery Office on 13th June 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Chief Inspector of Factories, certificate of approval for fire resisting structures referred to in Regulation 2 of the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 was not issued immediately after the regulations were laid before parliament on 3rd July 1972.

The necessary consultations with interested organisations were of a complicated nature concerning the technical details of the specifications for fire resisting structures. The certificate of approval could not be issued until such consultations were completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, if he will, in view of the delay which has occurred in the Chief Inspector of Factories issuing his certificate of approval for fire resisting structures under the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972, further delay the coming into operation of Regulation 10(4) of the said regulations.

No. Regulation 10(4) of the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 is not due to come into operation until 21st June 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the full inspections carried out in 1972 were made by district inspectors.

The number of full or general inspections carried out in