asked the Minister of State for Defence what increase has been made in defence expenditure since June 1970 and for each of the following years; what is the expenditure as a percentage of the gross national product: and what proposals he has to promote a reduction in expediture by attacking wasteful spending and in the negotiations on mutual and balanced force talks.

For the first of his points I would refer the hon. Member to Table 2B of Cmnd. 5178. This shows that, after allowing for the small increase between that White Paper and the actual Defence Estimates for the current year, defence expenditure, at constant prices, rose by about 5 per cent. between 1969–70 and 1973–74. The comparable increase for all public expenditure programmes is about 20 per cent. Over the period defence expenditure has represented between 5½ per cent. and 5½ per cent. of GNP.It is the continuing objective of the Ministry of Defence to seek the best value for money for the defence programme. As to the last part of the Question, I have nothing to add to what I said in the defence debate on 10th May. [Vol. 856, c. 759.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what role he has played in the Mutual Balanced Force Reduction talks in promoting discussion on nuclear as well as conventional arms reductions.

Preliminary discussions on questions of procedure, in which Her Majesty's Government played a full part, have been completed and substantive talks will begin in Vienna on 30th October. The question of which forces and armaments will be discussed will be determined during the substantive negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he will lay before Parliament the first report from the Pay Board.

The report has today been laid before Parliament and copies are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much flour, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(2) how much cereals, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(3) how much biscuits, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(4) how much cakes, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(5) how much meat, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest con- venient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(6) how much bacon, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(7) how much fish, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(8) how much better, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(9) how much margarine, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(10) how much cheese, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(11) how much tea, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(12) how much coffee, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(13) how much cocoa, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in October 1950, June 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much bread, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in November 1950, July 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;(2) how many eggs, on the basis of the General Index of Retail Prices, could have been bought by the retirement pension for a married couple in November 1950, July 1970 and on the latest convenient date, assuming that the whole pension was so spent;

The method of calculation of the General Index of

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present estimated cost of building the new National Library on the proposed Bloomsbury site; and how much of this Retail Prices does not generally involve the calculation of average prices and it is therefore not possible to calculate the physical quantities which could be purchased. The following figures are obtained by calculating the ratio of an index, on October 1950 = 100, of the retirement pension for a married couple, to the index, on October 1950 = 100, of the prices of the relevant items.sum relates to the rehousing of people whose homes will be demolished under the present scheme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 21st March 1973. At this stage I have nothing to add to it.—[Vol. 853, c. 85.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the alternative sites proposed by Camden Borough Council for the National Library, in view of the fact that Bloomsbury is a conservation area.

The only alternative site which has so far been suggested by the London borough of Camden was railway land to the north of Kings Cross. This was rejected for the reasons already stated in my answer to a similar Question from the hon. Member on 17th November 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total area of completed unlet office space in central London, the amount which is being built, and the amount for which planning permission has been given but building of which has not yet started.

I regret that the information is not available for central London. The following shows the position in Inner London—the former LCC area—as at 31st March 1972, the latest date for which details are available:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for the emergency telephones on the M62 between Chain Bar and Ainley Top to be equipped with either hoods or cowls to enable motorists to make calls to the RAC and the AA.

No, for the reasons given in my reply today to another Question from the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the telephones on the recently opened sections of the M62 are not equipped with hoods or cowls.

Hoods or cowls which can be used conveniently—including by dis- abled drivers—do not necessarily improve the clarity of conversation and do not protect the user from adverse weather. The relative infrequency of emergency calls does not justify the cost of telephone kiosks which would meet these points.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many projects have been completed under the Operation Eyesore Scheme in the Cheadle rural district.

The Department has approved 11 projects estimated to cost £34, 739. I have no information about the number completed: no grant claims have yet been received from the council. Approvals ceased after 10th May 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance to all local authorities to fit safety devices on all windows over the second storey in high-rise appartment blocks.

Guidance on the safety of windows was given by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in Design Bulletin 13—Safety in the home, pages 23 and 24, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.The design of windows and rooflights in relation to their cleansing and safety is the subject of a code of practice published by the British Standards Institute in 1969 (C.P. 153 Part I 1969). This is intended to provide advice to designers and manufacturers but is not mandatory. The Department generally endorses the recommendation.I am considering the possibility of commissioning an investigation into the problems encountered in the operation of windows in high rise flats and I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the total mileage of British Rail is electrified; and how this figure compares with other leading Common Market countries.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what quantity of electric power is required to operate the present electrification of British Railways; and what is the percentage of the total obtained from the national grid.

British Rail are charged for just over 400 MW a year, all from the national grid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up an inquiry into the supply and demand of quarrying resources with the object of decreasing quarrying within the national parks.

No.Studies of future supply and demand for aggregates—sand and gravel, limestone, igneous rock and sandstone—are already under way and include an assessment of the nation's resources of these materials. In addition, the Institute of Geological Sciences has been commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry to undertake an exploration programme aimed at providing preliminary information on areas of potential mineralisation in Great Britain. These programmes will give the Government more comprehensive information than is at present available on the extent of the country's mineral resources for use in long-term economic and land use planning, and will assist the consideration of future proposals for mineral working in national parks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will permit loan charges on cost above yardstick to be allowed for subsidy purposes to avoid the burden being placed on local ratepayers.

Special market allowances can now be given, where appropriate, for individual housing schemes in addition to the basic yardstick. Such allowances are reckonable for subsidy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement about his review of the production and publication of Ordnance Survey maps to the scale 1: 2, 500.

I understand that the hon. Member has in mind the map series at 2½ inches to the mile (1: 25,000). The review is still in progress and my right hon. and learned Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has issued this circular to local authorities about overspill estates.

Not yet, the Department is carefully considering the views expressed by the local authority associations at a recent meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the dates when the alkali inspector carried out his duties at the St. Helens Chemical Works in each of the last two years and up to the latest convenient date for which records are known.

Griffiths: I will furnish this information as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for the Alkali Inspectorate to inspect the monitoring system at Leckers Chemicals, Sutton, St. Helens.

Such inspections are carried out by the district alkali inspector in the course of his regular visits to the works. If the hon. Member will write to me about any particular aspect of this matter on which he would like further information, I will make inquiries and write to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take additional steps to ensure that the improved benefits relating to overseas service under the Pensions (Increase) Acts are made known to those, particularly widows, entitled to receive them.

I have made arrangements to give wide publicity to the availability of benefits under the Pensions (Increase) Acts by circulating information to governments abroad and to pensioners' representatives in this country. I am also seeing if improvements can be made

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to paragraph 30 of the Green Paper on the Control of Firearms in Great Britain, in each of the last five years, 1968 to 1972, inclusive, (a) how many permits granting applications for permission to hold "prohibited weapons" were signed by the Secretary of State personally, (b) how many such permits were signed by another Minister, personally, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, and (c) how many such permits were signed by a civil servant, and of what grade within the Civil Service, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.

The grant, renewal or refusal of my right hon. Friend's authority under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 is notified to the applicant in all cases—whether or not the application has been considered by a Minister personally—by a letter signed by an officer of the Home Office, of the grade of executive officer or above.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to paragraph 30 of the Green Paper on the Control of Firearms in Great Britain, in each of the last five years, 1968 to 1972 inclusive, (a) how many applications for permission to hold "prohibited weapons" were received by his Department, and (b) how many such applications were granted.

The power to grant such authorities for England and Wales was transferred to my right hon. Friend in November 1968. Following is the information for the years 1969–72:

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how many homes in the Mid-Wales area are able to receive colour television programmes.

The BBC tells me that 32,000 people living in Mid-Wales are able to receive all three colour television programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures of herring caught at Shetland this year; how this compares with last year; and what evidence there is of an increase in foreign effort.

The latest available figures indicate catches of 23,612 crans by United Kingdom vessels in Shetland waters during the period from 1st January to 30th June 1973, as compared with 23,842 crans for the similar period in 1972. It should be noted, however, that herring fishing in the North Sea was banned from 1st April to 15th June 1972 and from 1st February to 15th June in 1973. Comparable figures for foreign catches are not available but on the basis of sightings in the area there is no reason to believe that there has been any increased foreign effort there so far.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to paragraph 30 of the Green Paper on the Control of Firearms in Great Britain, in each of the last five years, 1968 to 1972, inclusive, (a) how many permits granting applications for permission to hold "prohibited weapons" were signed by the Secretary of State personally, (b) how many such permits were signed by another Minister personally, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, and (c) how many such permits were signed by a civil servant, and of what grade within the Civil Service, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.

The grant, renewal or refusal of my authority under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 is notified to the applicant in all cases—whether or not the application has been considered by a Minister personally—by a letter signed by an officer of my Department, of the grade of higher executive officer or above.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the extent of Scottish self-sufficiency in major foodstuffs, as reflected by Scottish production and Scottish patterns of consumption.

As there is no control or monitoring of movements of most foodstuffs between Scotland and England it is not possible to give accurate

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to paragraph 30 of the Green Paper on the Control of Firearms in Great Britain, in each of the last five years 1968 to 1972, inclusive, (a) how many applications for permission to hold "prohibited weapons" were received by his Department, and (b) how many such applications were granted.

Following is the available information:figures of the extent of Scottish self-sufficiency. Some foodstuffs consumed in Scotland, such as sugar, tropical fruits, rice, tea, coffee and cocoa, etc., are wholly imported. Self-sufficiency for a number of home produced foodstuffs is shown below based on Scottish production estimates and consumption patterns indicated by the National Food Survey. Imported inputs, for example, of fertilisers and feedingstuffs contribute to Scottish production.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the level of charges imposed by the London Rubber Company for its products; and what policy he intends to adopt regarding contracts he expects to place with this company following the coming into operation of the National Health Service Reorganisation Bill.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 12th July.—[Vol. 859, c. 430–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the virtual absence of competition in the supply of contraceptives, he will take steps to nationalise the appropriate concerns.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, for each quarter year period since September 1972, how many unemployed supplementary benefit claimants were granted a limited four-week award at the outset of their claim; how many of these renewed their claim after four weeks, and how many of the latter had their renewal claim rejected; and how many initially subject to the

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary benefit claimants to whom the four-week rule was applied in the period 14th October 1968–17th December 1968 and in each succeeding quarter year renewed their claims; and of these how many were refused an extension of benefit.

The information available relates only to the period from 24th September 1969, and is as follows:—four-week rule appealed against the decision to withdraw benefit after four weeks, and how many of these appeals were successful.

Regarding the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 6th July Following are the figures requested about appeals, related to the periods for which these statistics were kept:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary benefit claimants to whom the four-week rule had been applied during the period 23rd September 1970 to 15th December 1970 and in each

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has taken note of recent criticism directed against the plastic framed spectacles supplied by the National Health Service; and whether, for reasons of safety and durability, he will consider reintroducing metal frames.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the plastics-fronted frame with metal curl sides which was made available for children free of charge with effect from 1st April last year: I am aware from the Press that there is at present some criticism of the frame, and my Department is looking into this. Metal frames, also available free of charge, are more durable and therefore more suitable for young children.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the report of the independent inquiry into the circumstances of the bankruptcy of Rolls-Royce will be made public; and if he will make a statement.

Following is the information:

I am considering this matter and hope to announce my decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what immediate financial assistance is being made available to miners and mining communities as a consequence of British membership of the EEC.

In addition to the general economic advantages conferred by membership of the Community, the British coal industry will benefit from the various special schemes run by the ECSC. These include a contribution, in the form of readaptation grants, towards the costs of our own redundancy scheme and access to the money which the Community makes available for research and to Community loans for such purposes as housing, investment and reconversion programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which aircraft projects are under consideration by the Transport Aircraft Requirements Committee; what are the names of committee members; and how often the committee has met during the past 12 months.

It has not been found necessary for this committee to meet since October 1971. I am still considering the best form for future consultation arrangements in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research is being undertaken into aero-engines using fuels other than fuel oil derivatives; and if he will make a statement.

Some research has been done on the use of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and methane, for aircraft engines. This has not revealed major problems in the engine combustion area but there are many difficulties still to be resolved associated with the handling, storage, safety and economic aspects.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now seek powers to make it illegal to send out invoices for entries in trade directories when no such request has been made.

I am aware that solicitations for entries in certain trade directories continue to give rise to complaints, and I am considering whether further steps should be taken to deal with this matter. But it is not yet clear that there is a need for new legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of talks between officials of his Department and the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers with regard to the status of members of the institution.

I met the President and immediate past President of the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers together with the Chairman and Secretary of the Council of Engineering Institutions on 10th July. After a full discussion of the implications at home and in Europe, I have asked for a timetable to clear outstanding action on this difficult problem by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what licences he has given to the Candecca Company for oil exploration in West Lothian;(2) what discussions he had with West Lothian County Council before granting licences to Candecca for oil exploration in West Lothian;(3) what tendering procedures he adopted in relation to oil exploration in West Lothian;(4) what assurances he asked from the Candecca Company before granting licences for oil exploration in West Lothian.

Two exploration licences have been granted permitting Candecca Resources Ltd. to carry out seismic surveys and shallow drilling in areas of central Scotland; the boundaries are described in announcements published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes today. Procedures for the issue of these licences do not include arrangements for tendering, nor prior consultation with local authorities, but are explicitly subject to the licensees obtaining all necessary planning consent. The licences are also subject to the standard conditions set out in model clauses contained in the Petroleum (Production) Regulations 1966 as amended by the Petroleum (Production) (Amendment) Regulations 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he satisfies himself about the financial structure of applicant companies before granting licences to search for oil.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number of drilling programmes to be completed under the third and fourth round of exploration and production licences for North Sea oil and gas and the companies involved, together with the estimates of costs.

85 licensees in the third and fourth round have outstanding obligations to drill a total of 167 wells in the North Sea at a cost which is likely to exceed £200 million. The list of companies involved is lengthy and I will write to the hon. Member about this.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will lay before Parliament the report of the Price Commission.

The report has today been laid before Parliament and copies are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to make further references to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the total turnover of agricultural and horticultural co-operative societies in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and what was the total number and membership of registered societies.

The information, which is derived from "Agricultural Co-operation in the United Kingdom Summary of Statistics" published by the Plunkett Foundation for Co-operative Studies, is as follows:

I have decided to refer to the commission the supply of bread and flour, and the supply of frozen foods, other than whole frozen poultry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for grant aid were approved by the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation at the latest date for which information is available; and what was the total cost of the approved schemes and of the council's contribution.

The Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation receives the applications and makes a recommendation on the amount of grant that should be paid by the Ministers. The information on approved applications up to 31st March 1973 is:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the past two years in promoting producer co-operation in the production of cereals, vegetables and other commodities; and if he will make a statement.

During the two years ending 31st March 1972 grants were made to 19 production co-operatives of which five were formed in the period, as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase the resources available to the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation for grants towards expenditure incurred on feasibility studies and the formation of new cooperatives; what was the total amount of such grants from the council at the latest date for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Grants towards expenditure incurred in feasibility studies and formation costs are made by Agriculture Ministers on the recommendation of the Central Council. These grants, together with certain others, are operated within an annual monetary ceiling on approvals. I have no plan to change the arrangement for the current financial year.Grants paid have been as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken, and is taking, to encourage the growth of agricultural and horticultural co-operation in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Since the publication of the Report of the Committee on Contract Farming (Cmnd. 5099) and the Green Paper on Agricultural and Horticultural Marketing (Cmnd. 5121), comments have been received from many of the interests concerned. These have covered a number of matters concerning co-operatives. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agricultural tenancies were terminated in 1972 on the grounds of the death of the original tenant.

Landlords are not required to notify the Ministry when they serve notice to quit on the death of their tenants, and so I have no means of knowing how many tenancies are terminated in this way.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to make a further announcement on his policy on forestry.

I am not yet in a position to say when we shall be able to make an announcement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why English and Danish bacon prices have fallen recently.

The recent reductions in first-hand bacon prices are attributable to the interaction of supply and demand.