asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present level of United Kingdom official reserves compared with June 1970.

Converted at par, the reserves rose from £1,163 million at end-June 1970 to £2,422 million at end-June this year or, converted at closing middle market rates, from £1,165 million to £2,716 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount and by what percentage have incomes from property risen since 1970.

It is not clear to what incomes the hon. Gentleman's Question refers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that there is an adequate supply of the 2½ pence coin in circulation.

Very large stocks are maintained, but the extent to which the coin circulates depends on factors quite outside Government control, primarily the degree of use by shopkeepers and others in change-giving.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the difficulty experienced, particularly by the elderly and short-sighted, in distinguishing the 1p and ½ p coins, if he will for future issues instruct the Mint to introduce a larger ½ p coin with a hole through the centre to make it more easily identifiable.

The new coinage has been in circulation a little over two years. A change at this stage would, in my view, lead to considerable confusion, and, with respect to my hon. Friend, I do not think any such change is either justifiable or desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in the standard of living on the basis of real disposable income per head between the fourth quarter of 1964 and the second quarter of 1970, and between the second quarter of 1970 and the latest available quarter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in the standard of living on the basis of real disposable income per head between the fourth quarter of 1964 and the second quarter of 1970, between the second quarter of 1970 and the latest available quarter.

Between the fourth quarter of 1964 and the second quarter of 1970 the standard of living on the basis of real personal disposable income per head rose by 8½ per cent. or 1½ per cent. a year. Between the second quarter of 1970 and the fourth quarter of 1972 it rose by 12¾ per cent. or 5 per cent. a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received about alleged injustices and anomalies of value added tax, following its introduction.

Many representations have been received but no record has been kept of their number.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider exempting life-saving equipment from value added tax.

No, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the debate on VAT and various safety devices during the Committee stage of the Finance Bill 1972.—[16th May, 1972; Vol. 837, c. 353–392.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, to the latest convenient date, the absolute and percentage cost of collection of value added tax.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 13th March.—[Vol. 852, c. 343.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans for further meetings with the Finance Ministers of the EEC.

We met as a Council of Finance Ministers in Luxembourg on 28th June, and there will be a further Council meeting in October. There may also be an informal meeting of Finance Ministers before then if it would be useful.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many domestic properties were inspected for the purposes of the recent rating revaluation in England and Wales; and how many such properties were so inspected in the parliamentary constituency of Gloucestershire, West.

The figures are not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate staff cost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reintroduce tax reserve certificates.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the present rate of increase in productivity.

Output per head in the index of industrial production industries was 2·1 per cent. higher in the three months to April compared with the previous three months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase in industrial production between October 1964 and June 1970, and between June 1970 and the latest available date.

Between October 1964 and June 1970 the index of industrial production increased by 12·9 per cent. Between June 1970 and April 1973 it increased by 13·2 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present tax threshold for a married man with two young children compared with June 1970.

£1,116 for 1973–74 and £840 for 1970–71.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much national savings have increased since June 1970.

Since June 1970 the total invested in national savings has risen by £1,904 million to £10,404 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he will take on the Page Committee Report on National Savings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he intends to take regarding the recommendations of the Page Committee concerning the status of the trustee savings banks, the future of SAYE, and an index-linked savings bond.

I would refer the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Hampstead (Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg) on 22nd June. On the future of SAYE, my right hon. Friend announced in his Budget Statement proposals for a share savings scheme that will be linked to SAYE.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will simplify as a matter of urgency Customs documentation and procedures for roll-on/roll-off freight at United Kingdom ports.

I do not think there is a case at the present time for changing the facilities for roll-on/roll-off traffic, but the Customs keeps the simplification of documentation and procedures under continuous review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to make known to employers and employees the position relating to income tax liability in respect of payments under the Redundancy Payment Act.

This matter is referred to in both the leaflet "The Employer's Guide to PAYE" issued by the Inland Revenue and the leaflet "The Redundancy Payments Scheme" issued by the Department of Employment. I am not aware of any need for further publicity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussion he has had with the Building Societies Association in regard to the rate of interest likely to be charged to borrowers after 1st August.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the outcome of his talks with the building societies on fixing a new mortgage rate.

I had a meeting on 25th June with representatives of the Building Societies Association to review the progress made in the continuing discussions between Government Departments and the association.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions or guidance he has given to the officers of Customs and Excise in consequence of the publication of the booklet "The Truckers Bible", a copy of which has been made available to him, by an organisation called Release which gives advice for deceiving and bribing Customs officers; and whether he will make a statement.

None is necessary. Customs officers will continue to do their utmost to counter the illegal importation of drugs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the current balance of payments of the United Kingdom in the first five months of 1973.

As announced in the Press release published by the Central Statistical Office and Department of Trade and Industry on 13th June, the current account in those five months showed a deficit of about £330 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the proportion of company shares owned by unit trusts, insurance companies, and pension funds, respectively;(2) what is his estimate of the proportion of company shares owned by individuals in the United Kingdom.

There are at present no comprehensive official estimates of the proportions of company shares owned by the various sectors of the economy. The latest available estimates of the proportion of the total market value of quoted ordinary United Kingdom company shares beneficially owned by each of the groups asked for were given in "The Pattern of Ordinary Share Ownership 1957–1970", by John Moyle, Cambridge University Press. They are:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the privately owned wealth of the United Kingdom was owned by the wealthiest 1 per cent., 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. respectively of the population aged 15 years or over for each of the years since 1945 to the latest available date.

Official estimates of the privately-owned wealth of Great Britain have been made only since 1960. The figures are based on those published in Inland Revenue Statistics. They do not include the wealth of pension funds or of small estates for which no probate is necessary. The percentage figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what undertakings were given at the recent meeting of European Finance Ministers about the United Kingdom joining the Community float.

None. It remains our intention to rejoin as soon as conditions permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will amend the Race Relations Acts to permit the Race Relations Board to act upon its own initiative in seeking to prevent discrimination within the scope of the Race Relations Acts.

We have noted the recommendations of the Race Relations Board, and are keeping this matter under review. At present, however, my right hon. Friend has no plans to bring legislation before Parliament that would extend the board's powers to initiate investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought in respect of violence by husbands against their wives over the last 12 months.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has now received on Command Paper No. 5297, "The Control of Firearms in Great Britain".

We have received large numbers of representations from hon. Members, interested organisations and members of the public. Many representations are still being received and it is too soon to make any assessment of the overall response to the Green Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will invite Members of Parliament who are interested in the matter to a conference with Ministers and their advisers on the Green Paper on firearms.

No. In the Green Paper we have set out the reasons for our proposals in some detail. Comments and representations have already been received by my Department from a great many sources, including hon. Members. Ministers and officials of my Department will, however, remain willing to receive deputations both of hon. Members and others as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long he intends that the Metropolitan Police television installations on the roof of the National Gallery should remain there.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that there are no plans at the present time for the removal of this installation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many buildings in London television cameras have been installed by the police to watch either traffic flow or demonstrations.

There are 15 buildings in London on which television cameras are installed for traffic and pedestrian control purposes and in some cases to assist in crowd control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal charges were brought against members of the police force in each of the past five years.

The information on the number of policemen convicted of criminal offences in each of the past five years, which I gave in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 12th April, is all that is readily available.—[Vol. 854, c. 325.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now studied the documentation sent to him by the hon. Member for Swindon concerning the fire at 9 Lennox Drive, Swindon, on 28th April 1973 and the subsequent remarks of the Chief Fire Officer of Wiltshire related to the use of polyurethane in household furniture, etc.; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes. I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will amend the Race Relations Acts to clarify the position of discrimination by clubs which purport to be open to the public at large for membership.

My right hon. Friend has no present plans to bring amending legislation on this point before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make inquiries into the passport problem of Mr. Sher Mohammed, of Cathcart, who wrote to his Department's Croydon office in April, details of which were sent to him on 23rd June by the hon. Member for Cathcart; and if he will, in view of the special circumstances of the case, arrange for a reply to Mr. Mohammed to be expedited.

A letter was sent to Mr. Mohammed on 3rd July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will propose within the review of the agricultural policy in the EEC that the Community should provide and finance free milk for all schoolchildren and/or retirement pensioners in member countries who wish to take it, in addition to the present limited butter subsidy, as an alternative to its present intervention policies, in view of the fact that they have caused the stockpiling of butter and its disposal, outside the Community, at low prices.

The review of the common agricultural policy should provide an opportunity of examining every possible means of dealing with the problem of surplus milk production. At this stage, however, it would be premature to accept a commitment to this or any other particular proposal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are any commitments in the European Communities Act which prevent the permanent or temporary application of food subsidies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the provisions of the Treaty of Rome which relate to the introduction of further food subsidies in the United Kingdom.

The Act gives effect to our Community obligations including those relating to State aids in Articles 92 to 94 of the Treaty of Rome. Whether food subsidies would be possible under these provisions would depend upon the nature of the subsidy and the view taken by the appropriate Community institutions.

asked the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to deal with the increasing prices of food.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. John Morris) and the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer) on 28th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the EEC draft directive on approximation of laws relating to fertilisers; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 21st May.—[Vol. 857, c. 13–14.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the EEC draft directive on approximation of laws relating to bread.

The proposal for an EEC directive on bread was based mainly on the laws and practices in the original six member States. It has now been withdrawn by the European Commission for re-examination to take account of the enlargement of the Community. There will be full consultation with trade and consumer interests in the United Kingdom on any revised proposals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards EEC draft directive R/872/73 of 2nd April 1973 relating to approximation of laws concerning coffee and tea.

The Government's general policy is to support the harmonisation of laws within the Community and to ensure that in each case full account is taken of the national interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that his Ministry has the facilities and capacity available for the testing of animals for chemical contaminates which might be passed to the food chain.

The necessary facilities and capacity exist in the laboratories of my Department and of the Government Chemist and we are satisfied that they are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the extent to which the volume of imports will change during the current year, having regard to the increase in the overseas trade deficit.

It is not usual practice to publish estimates of this nature. However, continued expansion of the economy is likely to be accompanied by some growth in the volume of imports since many of the industrial materials and machinery necessary for economic growth come from overseas sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the way in which all Government Departments are making the changeover to metricated systems of measurement.

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Redmond) on 14th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further projects he has in mind for taking advantage of the deep-water port of Hunterston and environs in view of the need to absorb unemployment in the area.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland indicated in his memorandum of 30th May 1973, several planning applications have been received in respect of Hunterston, offering a number of valuable projects. The proposed discussions with interested parties, to which my right hon. Friend referred in his memorandum, have now begun, so that decisions can be made which will ensure the optimal use of the site.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a direct reduction plant for pelletising ore at Hunterston has been approved; and whether it is intended to be in the public or private sector.

The British Steel Corporation's 10-year development strategy (Cmnd. 5226) which my right hon. Friend approved in December 1972 includes the probable development at some stage of a direct reduction plant producing pelletised iron at Hunterston. Investment programmes in the private sector of the steel industry do not require my approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a table showing the number of industrial development certificates issued in Scotland in each year since 1965, and show for each year the number of jobs expected from approved developments.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the various Departments and Ministries in promoting exports and providing facilities to exporters.

Yes. The direction and co-ordination of all official services in support of the export activities of United Kingdom firms is the responsibility of the British Overseas Trade Board of which I am President, and on which my Department, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Export Credits Guarantee Department are all represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms of management consultants were registered in 1960, 1965, 1970 and the most recent year for which figures are available.

The information requested is not available since the intended field of operations of a company is not precisely specified at the time of registra-registration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the United Kingdom's imports came from the EFTA in 1964, 1970 and 1972.

10, 13 and 14 respectively, taking the present composition of EFTA.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many summary convictions have been recorded for pollution offences since the Oil in Navigable Waters Act came into force; what is the total amount of fines imposed; and if he will make a statement.

To 31st December 1972 there were 870 convictions for offences committed under the Oil in Navigable Waters Acts 1955, 1963 and 1971, and the total amount of fines imposed was £155,861. Departmental records do not show how many of these convictions resulted from summary proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ships have been prosecuted in British courts in the past 12 months for oil pollution at sea; how many were fined; what was the average fine; and what were the largest and the lowest fines imposed.

Five ships have been prosecuted by the Department in British ports in the past 12 months for oil pollution at sea. All of these prosecutions resulted in convictions. The average fine was £790, the largest being £2,750—comprising a fine of £250 on the master and £2,500 on the owners—and the smallest £50.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what type of fuel is likely to be authorised for Littlebrook D and Killingholme power stations.

I am considering the CEGB's current proposals for new oil-fired power stations at these sites and will announce my decision in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will hold an inquiry into the incident on Friday 29th June, when a PanAm 747 aircraft with engine trouble flew at a dangerously low level over Windsor High School at approximately 14.00 hours.

An engine failed after this aircraft was committed to take off, and the captain correctly decided to climb straight ahead on three engines. As the day was hot and the aircraft was heavy it passed over the Windsor area at a lower altitude than normal, probably in the neighbourhood of 600 ft. The captain advised air traffic control that he was going to clear the built-up area and dump fuel in order to gain height. This operation commenced at a height of

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will compare the nuclear power programmes of the countries in the Common Market.

The most recent comparison of the nuclear power programmes of the Common Market countries is given in the 22nd inquiry by the OECD into the electricity supply industry, published in 1972, from which the following information has been extracted:about 1,000 ft. and continued for 20 minutes. The aircraft was initially cleared to Ockham Beacon at 3,000 ft. and subsequently to Midhurst at 6,000 ft. It then returned to the Heathrow circuit and landed without further incident. In these circumstances, since both crew and aircraft performed as expected there is no necessity for a further inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the proportion of candidates passing the Department of Trade and Industry examinations for first mate ticket for each year since 1970.

72 per cent. in 1971 and 42 per cent. in 1972 compared with 74 per cent. in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Department changed the syllabus for the Merchant Marine examinations; what subsequent representations he has received from the industry on this matter; and if it proposes to make any further changes in the syllabus.

Examinations for foreign-going certificates for masters and mates have been based on a revised syllabus since 1st January 1972. This was discussed fully with the industry well in advance of the date of introduction. No subsequent representations have been received, although some concern has been expressed in discussion at the failure rate in 1972.The syllabus is kept under review and will be updated when necessary, but there are no impending changes. Nautical colleges and the industry are making every effort to ensure that candidates are well prepared for the examinations on the new syllabus.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the Liberian Government to request the co-operation of the owners of the Liberian vessel "Elphia" with the British inquiry into the collision between the "Elphia" and the British vessel "Red Thorn".

Although no formal representations were made to the Liberian Government my officials were in touch with their representatives in London during the inquiries which preceded this formal investigation. The owners of the "Elphia" appear to have acted on legal advice and the Liberian authorities could not require their participation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the circumstances surrounding the grounding of the Liberian vessel "Conoco Britannia" off the mouth of the Humber in British territorial waters and the suitability of the monobuoy which it was attempting to secure to.

A preliminary inquiry into this casualty has already been ordered by my Department and any further action will be decided in the light of its findings. The siting of the mono-buoy was authorised under the Crude Oil Terminals (Humber) Act 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he proposes to bring forward early legislation on mining subsidence damage compensation following his promised state- ment; and when that statement may be expected.

I must ask my hon, Friend to await the statement. I am sorry that I cannot forecast precisely when it will be.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the difficulties facing local authorities and firms with regard to completion of plans to take advantage of regional grants due to expire on 22nd March 1974, he will consider postponing the deadline by 12 months, in order to assist those areas where no other grants are available to attract new industry and to provide more work; and if he will make a statement.

These grants were introduced in March 1972 to give quick encouragement to employment-creating investment. Since then unemployment in the derelict land clearance area has fallen from 31,781 to 18,404 and unfilled vacancies have risen from 6,187 to 15,064. Accordingly I am not convinced of the need to extend the deadline for the payment of grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the EEC formula by which he calculates that present Government aid to capital projects in intermediate areas amounts to 4 per cent. of their total cost; and by the same formula what the comparable percentage is for present Government aid to capital projects in development areas as a proportion of their total cost.

The 4 per cent. figure refers to standard aids—that is, regional development grants—in intermediate areas. These are paid at the rate of 20 per cent. on investment in buildings only, which the European Commission is assuming represents 20 per cent. of the total investment. On the Commission's basis of calculation, therefore, the value of these aids represents only 4 per cent. of total project cost.The corresponding figure for development areas is 18 per cent. and for special development areas 20 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what percentage exports to the EEC, the United States of America and Japan, respectively, have changed since 1st January 1973.

For the five months January to May 1973 compared with the same period a year ago, exports have increased by 29 per cent., 33 per cent. and 55 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the capacity of companies in Italy, the Federal Republic and the United Kingdom for making large-diameter pipe; and how he proposes to meet North Sea requirements increasingly from local sources.

Of the order of ½ million, 1½ million and 400,000 tonnes per annum respectively. United Kingdom pipe-makers are well aware of the opportunities arising from North Sea oil and gas developments and have been urged to take full account of them in their future planning.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will indicate the statutory provisions governing the ownership of uranium and thorium ores in the United Kingdom; and if he will list those minerals which vest in the Crown.

In Great Britain, gold, silver, petroleum and natural gas are vested in the Crown. Coal is mainly vested in the National Coal Board. All other minerals, including uranim and thorium, are privately owned. On the Continental Shelf, the right to exploit minerals is vested in the Crown except in the case of coal where it vests in the National Coal Board.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on the Government's achievements, on 18th June to the Bexleyheath Women's Advisory Committee.

I did so on 19th June.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the degree of co-ordination between the Scottish Office and the Department of Trade and Industry with regard to the placing of orders for new power stations.

Yes. The two Departments keep in close touch on energy and policy issues, and the Department cencerned takes these fully into account in reaching decisions on new generating stations.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Home Office and the Department of Employment on assessing the number of employment vouchers required by new Commonwealth citizens.

Yes. The Home Office and the Department of Employment work closely together on this aspect of immigration control and I am satisfied with the arrangements for co-ordination between them.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings with the Trades Union Congress and how many with the Confederation of British Industry he has had since June 1970.

I have held 12 meetings with representatives of the CBI and 20 meetings with representatives of the TUC and its committees, and the Scottish TUC. In addition, I have had 15 tripartite meetings with the two bodies together, including five meetings of NEDC. I have also had numerous meetings with individual members of the CBI and the TUC on formal and informal occasions.

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

I have no plans at present to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will invite the Secretary-General of the United Nations to visit the United Kingdom on or about the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

No. Dr. Waldheim is always welcome here but he is likely to be preoccupied with the General Assembly of the United Nations at that time.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements on 18th June.

I had meetings with the Confederation of British Industry and with representatives of the staff side of the National Health Service Administrative and Clerical Staffs' Whitley Council. I also had talks with Mr. Barnard, the Australian Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, and was host at the summer party for members of the Parliamentary Lobby at 10 Downing Street.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to the Foreign Press Association on 20th June on the economy represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the introduction of legislation of retrospective effect.

In general the Government's policy is to avoid retro- spective legislation but account must be taken of the circumstances in each case.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make an announcement about the latest recommendations of the Review Body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration.

The Review Body's third report, which recommends increases in the remuneration of doctors and dentists in the National Health Service, is published today as a Command Paper. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The last increase in doctors' and dentists' remuneration was from 1st April 1972, and the report's recommendations, which the Government are satisfied are consistent with the pay code, are for new rates for the period April 1973 to March 1974. The increases would add about 4½ per cent. to the overall cost of net remuneration in 1972–73. The Government are most grateful to Lord Halsbury and his colleagues for their work in preparing the report and are ready to accept the recommendations.The Government have just received, and are considering separately, supplementary recommendations on the salaries of doctors who will be filling posts in community medicine after National Health Service reorganisation.

asked the Attorney-General if he will specify the details of his offer of security of employment and complete confidentiality to local government officers who may wish to assist the police with their inquiries into cases of alleged corruption in local government, and the powers under which he has made this offer.

I made no such offer. It was indicated to me that some persons were reluctant to volunteer information to the local police, and I said that, if that was so, anyone who preferred to do so might send to me any information which was relevant to the police investigations now in progress. Such information and its source would be restricted to the investigating police and would be used solely for the purpose of their investigation and for any subsequent criminal proceedings.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he proposes to make alternative arrangements for the gunnery ranges in the Lulworth and Tyneham area.

We shall be examining with all concerned the recommendations on the Lulworth gunnery ranges in the report of the Defence Lands Committee under Lord Nugent of Guildford.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many women have been recruited to the Ulster Defence Regiment to date; and whether he will make a statement about UDR recruiting and discharges.

No women have been recruited to the Ulster Defence Regiment pending the current legislation on the subject. Male recruiting has returned to the level which prevailed before the rapid expansion of the winter of 1971–72. In recent months there have been a number of discharges due mainly to our policy of reviewing the record of men who have been poor attenders. The operational effectiveness of the regiment remains high.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the report of the committee under Lord Nugent of Guildford on defence land holdings.

The report of the Defence Lands Committee is being published today. In view of the size and detailed nature of the report a brief explanatory memorandum is being published simultaneously as Cmnd. 5364 in order to focus public attention on the main issues involved. Copies of the report are available in the Vote Office. We are most grateful to Lord Nugent and his colleagues on the committee for this valuable report which includes recommendations of a general nature as well as the examination of some 465 individual sites amounting to some 629,000 acres. We hope to make an announcement on the recommendations in the report later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of funds allocated for research by the Social Science Research Council goes to Scotland; and of this total how much is spent on projects with a Scottish theme.

As my hon. Friend stated in reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 5th February, the proportion of funds allocated in recent years by the Social Science Research Council for research in Scotland varied from 9 to 13 per cent. between 1969–70 and 1971–72. Information for 1972–73 is not yet available. At 31st March 1973 the value of Social Science Research Council projects in progress at Scottish institutions and on Scottish themes was £208,894.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make direct payments in the next three years for research into climatic change.

Research into climatic change is carried out both in the Meteorological Office and in universities. University research is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council from its share of the science budget. It is not my intention to make direct payments for research into meteorology, which is one of the objects set out in its charter, for which the Natural Environment Research Council was established.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what official representations she has received about the needs of the Moss Bank Church of England aided primary school, No. 3314; what inquiries she has undertaken since receipt of such communications; what assurances she has been able to give; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend received an official request from the St. Helens education authority in November 1972 for a minor building project at the Moss Bank School. The usual inquiries about need and costs were made of the authority and Her Majesty's Inspectorate. My right hon. Friend was not able to approve the project for the 1973–74 financial year in view of more urgent needs elsewhere, but she has undertaken to consider the project again in January 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unfilled vacancies are registered in the Leek employment area; and what was the comparable figure a year ago.

On 6th June 1973 there were 315 vacancies—152 for males and 163 for females—remaining unfilled. The corresponding figures for 7th June 1972 were 155–45 for males and 110 for females. The statistics do not measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unfilled

On 6th June 1973 there were 280 vacancies—103 for males and 177 for females—remaining unfilled. The corresponding figures for 7th June 1972 were 114–77 for males and 37 for females. The statistics do not measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the employment exchanges in each special development area and show against each the percentage male unemployment at June 1973, June 1972, June 1971 and June 1970.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th June 1973], circulated the following information:Percentage rates of unemployment can be calculated only for travel-to-work areas. The following table shows the employment exchanges in the special development areas and rates of unemployment for the appropriate travel-to-work areas.