asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects that the report of the task force, under the chairmanship of Professor Herman Bondi, considering the movement of scientists between the Civil Service, the research councils, the universities and industry will be published; and whether there have already been any such movements, as the result of the task force's activities.

The task force on interchange of scientists will be submitting its report to the Lord Privy Seal in the near future. No decision on publication has yet been taken. The task force has arranged a small number of interchanges between the Civil Service and other employers.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the cost for replacement to an ex-Service man of the 1939–45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star with Clasp, Burma Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal; if he will take steps to replace such war medals at a nominal cost; and if he will make a statement.

Campaign Stars, £1·22–£1·26; Clasp for Africa Star, 12p–15p; Defence and War Medals, 96p–97p. These charges are based on latest production costs.I regret I cannot agree to the replacement of these medals at nominal cost which would necessitate expenditure from public funds.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many retired Service men have been in receipt of a Service pension in each year since 1960.

I am not able to give figures for years before 1964 without disproportionate effort. For the years since then the approximate figures are as follows:—

1964	210,500
1965	211,100
1966	210,600
1967	210,600
1968	214,700
1969	219,100
1970	218,700
1971	220,400
1972	219,600
1973	221,100

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many retired Service men are currently in receipt of a Service pension; and how they are distributed by age, sex, and former service.

The total number of retired Service men currently in receipt of a Service pension is approximately 221,100.As regards distribution by age, sex and former service, the best information available is as follows

R.N.
Under 55	26,000
55 & Over	44,100
Army
55 and Under	35,450
Over 55	68,850
R.A.F.
Under 55	21,200
55 & Over	26,400

There are about 250 women pensioners included in the figures for the Royal Navy; the respective figures for the Army and the Royal Air Force are 980 and 800

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps have been taken by the present Government since they have been in office to improve the position of the Service pensioner.

In 1971 arrangements for the restoration and maintenance of the purchasing power of Service pensions were introduced which constituted a major reform for the benefit of Service pensioners, and the reduction last December in the age at which these increases normally become payable from 60 to 55 is of especial benefit in the case of the Armed Forces where men and women retire on pension at comparatively young ages.In April 1972 the first stage of the review of the Armed Forces occupational pension scheme resulted in substantial improvements in the retirement pensions of those leaving the Armed Forces after that date.In April 1973 the second stage of the review improved provisions in cases of invaliding and death of men and women serving on or after that date, on the lines of similar improvements in other public service schemes.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how long the Royal Air Force houses at Church Lawford, near Rugby, have been empty.

The eight officers' married quarters have been vacant since March 1971. Of the 56 airmen's married quarters most were in use until 1970 and the number then progressively declined. All have been empty since September 1972.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what use is planned for the empty Royal Air Force houses at Church Lawford, near Rugby.

All 64 former RAF married quarters at Church Lawford were transferred to the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment last month with authorisation for their disposal. The form of disposal action envisaged is, therefore, a question for my right hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will enter into negotiations with Rugby Rural Council for the sale or lease of the empty Royal Air Force houses at Church Lawford, near Rugby.

The process of disposal of surplus RAF houses at Church Lawford near Rugby has already been started by the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment. The houses will be offered to the local authorities if they are not required by other Government Departments.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of times in the last 10 years that land has been used for military operations on the large area at Wormwood Scrubs; and the amount of land so used.

The current military use is for 134 days a year. No detailed figures are available for past years. 150 acres of land are available for training.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he has yet reconsidered his decision to move the military stores from Copenacre to Hartlebury; and if he will make a statement.

I do not consider that any factors have been put forward that should lead the Government to alter their decision to move the Royal Navy stores depot from Copenacre to Hartlebury. The matter is currently under discussion between senior Ministry of Defence officials, the Departmental Staff and Trades Union Sides and representatives of the staff at Copenacre.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if, in view of the findings of the Bishop of Bristol's inquiry, a copy of which is in his possession, he will now set up an official public inquiry into the decision to move the Royal Navy stores, Copenacre, to Hartlebury.

No. I have examined the report published by the Bishop of Bristol following his unofficial inquiry in August but I do not consider that there is anything in this report that should lead the Government to alter the decision to move the Royal Navy stores depot from Copenacre to Hartlebury. The matter is currently under discussion between senior Ministry of Defence officials, the National Staff and Trades Union sides and representatives of the staff at Copenacre.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider his refusal to permit 16-year-olds to ride motor cycles, in view of the difficulty experienced by young people getting to their work and to establishments of further education, as these activities involve considerable travelling in rural areas, normally by private transport.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his review of the regulations relating to mental illness and driving licences has been completed; and if he will announce his decision.

Yes. When the new provisions relating to medical examinations of drivers contained in the Road Traffic Bill are available, I shall propose regulations providing that only severe sub-normality and mental deficiency will be absolute bars to the holding of a driving licence. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of policy on the findings of the report on noise issued by the Association of Public Health Inspectors.

The Association of Public Health Inspectors Report for 1972 is a valuable one, indicating as it does public concern about excessive noise. The references to consultation which has taken place with this Department in preparation for the legislation referred to in the Queen's Speech indicate the large measure of agreement which has been reached with the association on how best to deal with particular aspects of the noise problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of persons awaiting driving tests to the most convenient date.

			Amount of Rate Support Grant £ million	Rate Support Grant per head of population £	Rate Support Grant* as a proportion of total rates and rate support grant Percentage
Anglesey:
1969–70	…	…	3·2	54·3	75·2
1970–71	…	…	3·7	62·0	75·2
1971–72	…	…	4·3	70·7	74·2
1972–73	…	…	4·8	79·8	67·5
1973–74	…	…	4·9	80·7	61·7

This information is not available. On 20th October there was a backlog of 610,000 applications for driving tests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons resident in Hull and North Humberside are currently awaiting driving tests; and how long is the wait.

Information in relation to Hull and North Humberside is not readily available. The average waiting period in the Yorkshire traffic area is 20 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with representatives of driving schools concerning contingency plans in the event of the introduction of petrol rationing.

My Department has had a useful exchange of views with a coordinating committee set up by the driving instructors' representatives.

asked the Secretary of of State for the Environment (1) what he estimates to be the level of rate support grant in each of the next five years;(2) what was the amount of rate support grant per head of the population in each of the Welsh counties in each of the past five years;(3) what proportion the rate support grant was of the total rates income in each county in Wales in each of the past five years; and what he expects the proportions to be in each of the next five years.

The information for past years is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Minister for Housing and Construction will visit the London borough of Ealing to assess the growing housing problem in general and the homeless problem in particular, in connection with the London Housing Action Group.

The Action Group on London Housing, which is chaired by my hon. Friend, is currently deciding on a further programme of visits to London boroughs, and I shall certainly invite it to consider the hon. Member's suggestion, subject to the wishes of Ealing Borough Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what have been the average industrial earnings in each year since 1960.

Following is the information available:

FULL-TIME MANUAL WORKERS: UNITED KINGDOM
Average weekly earnings in manufacturing industry
Date	Men 21 Years and over £	Women 18 years and over £
October in each year:
1960	15·16	7·41
1961	15·89	7·71
1962	16·34	8·03
1963	17·29	8·41
1964	18·67	8·95
1965	20·16	9·60
1966	20·78	10·06
1967	21·89	10·54
1968	23·62	11·31
1969	25·54	12·11
1970	28·91	13·98
1971	31·37	15·80
1972	36·20	18·34

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the number of registered unemployed physiotherapists in each year since 1947.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for females in Scotland, both absolutely and in percentage terms, as compared to other areas of the United Kingdom.

Following is the information for 8th October 1973:

	Number of females unemployed	Percentage rate of unemployment for females
Scotland	16,338	2·0
South East	13,885	0·5
East Anglia	1,688	0·7
South West	4,922	1·0
West Midlands	7,324	0·9
East Midlands	3,742	0·7
Yorkshire and Humberside	7,078	1·0
North West	12,481	1·1
North	8,956	1·9
Wales	5,836	1·7
Northern Ireland	7,693	3·9

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a progress report on the British relief programme to drought-stricken areas of Africa.

British relief to the West African countries which were affected by drought consisted of a contribution of £300,000 to the Food and Agriculture Organisation's special Sahelian Zone Trust Fund and our share of the cost of emergency food aid sent to the afflicted areas by the European Economic Community and the World Food Programme. In addition, the Royal Air Force transported about 2,500 tons of food from Dakar to the north-western part of Mali. I was myself able to see something of the problems Mali is facing during a recent visit there.Her Majesty's Government are willing to take part in an international programme of medium- and long-term assistance to the area and attach great importance to its effective co-ordination. The resources available within the British aid programme for bilateral aid to Sahelian countries, however, will continue to be small in view of our commitments elsewhere in the world.With regard to our relief aid to Ethiopia, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to him on Friday 2nd November.—[Vol. 863, c. 17–18.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will visit the Cayman Islands.

My right hon. Friend has no plans for visiting the Cayman Islands at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the United Kingdom's obligation to align with the EEC's Generalised System of Preferences on 1st January 1974, what action he is taking to remedy the exclusion from the Generalised System of Preferences of Hong Kong's textile and footwear exports.

At a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the EEC on 6th November my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made a strong statement on the position of Hong Kong. He said that during the enlargement negotiations in 1971 the Community had agreed to admit Hong Kong to its Generalised System of Preferences, subject to the exclusion of her textiles and footwear exports. Our Chief negotiator at the time had agreed to this arrangement but he had made it clear to the Community that it would be the United Kingdom's continuing concern to avoid discrimination against Hong Kong. The arrangements agreed by our partners in 1971 may have seemed to them not ungenerous. But an important consideration now was that since 1971 the situation had changed to the detriment of Hong Kong and that the Philippines, Thailand and Yugoslavia, all of them serious competitors of Hong Kong, had become beneficiaries under the Community's scheme in respect of cotton textiles. We had examined this matter carefully and had concluded that in present circumstances it was no longer acceptable for discrimination to apply against Hong Kong.As this aspect of the scheme will remain unchanged for 1974 my right hon. Friend has put his colleagues on notice that in the context of next year's review we intend to press resolutely for the inclusion of Hong Kong's textiles and footwear in the scheme from 1975 onwards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the number of dependants of Commonwealth citizens admitted into the United Kingdom per annum since 1965 and provide an annual projected forecast of dependants to be admitted over the next five years.

The numbers of dependants of Commonwealth citizens excluding United Kingdom passport holders admitted for settlement in the years 1965 to 1972 were:

1965	41,214
1966	42,026
1967	52,813
1968	43,879
1969	29,454
1970	22,941
1971	20,282
1972	22,365

It is not possible to give precise annual forecasts for future years. The figure for 1973 is likely to be below that for 1972. We expect a further moderate but distinct fall in 1974 and a declining trend thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the hardship caused by the withdrawal of Government grants for the demolition of air-raid shelters, if he will consider giving an exceptional 12 months' extension of financial support for such demolitions; if he will publicise such a proposal; and if he will make a statement.

In March 1972 12 months' notice was given of the ending of grant for the demolition of air-raid shelters built during the war of 1939–45, and I do not consider that an extension would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the number of fatal, serious, and non-serious accidents as a result of bonfires and fireworks during the Guy Fawkes period.

The information will be available early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has regarding the sale of fireworks in 1974.

My right hon. Friend will await the fireworks accident statistics for 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing legislation, following the High Court judgment in the case of L. F. Stone and Son of Romford, to allow shops to run after-hours promotions.

My right hon. Friend is aware that the present law has been criticised as unnecessarily restrictive. But he cannot foresee an early opportunity for Government legislation on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons from each of the Warsaw Pact countries have received from Her Majesty's Government, and hold, travel documents issued in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 1951; and whether he has any information to indicate how many of these have since received passports from the consulates of their respective countries.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently segregated under Rule 43; whether he will divide the figure by prisons and by the numbers segregated at their own request and those under governor's order; and whether he will state how many have been sentenced to life imprisonment.

In England and Wales on 2nd November 1973 there were 770, of whom 664, including 20 serving sentences of life imprisonment, had been placed under the rule at their own request, and 106, including two serving life imprisonment, for the maintenance of good order and discipline. They were accommodated in the following establishments:—

Establishment	At their own request	Good Order and Discipline
Albany	15	2
	(5 of whom serving life)
Ashford	1	7
Bedford	4	0
Birmingham	35	10
	(2 of whom serving life)
Blundeston	1	1
Bristol	17	5
Brixton	2	1
Brockhill	1	2
Camp Hill	6	1
Canterbury	7	1
Cardiff	10	9
Chelmsford	6	5
Dartmoor	17	0
Dorchester	2	0
Durham	32	0
Eastchurch	1	0
Exeter	13	3
Gartree	6	3
	(1 of whom serving life)
Gloucester	43	1
Haverigg	1	4
Hull	3	1
Lancaster	1	0
Leeds	36	0
Leicester	17	2
Lewes	8	0

Establishment	At their own request	Good Order and Discipline
Lincoln	22	4
Liverpool	41	4
	(1 of whom serving life)
Long Lartin	1	0
Maidstone	3	0
Manchester	36	2
Norwich	4	1
Nottingham	1	0
Oxford	2	2
Parkhurst	28	4
	(4 of whom serving life)	(1 of whom serving life)
Pentonville	2	0
Preston	2	0
Reading	68	0
Risley	14	2
Shepton Mallet	21	0
Shrewsbury	7	0
Stafford	24	0
Styal	2	0
Swansea	14	0
Wakefield	2	4
	(1 of whom serving life)	(1 of whom serving life)
Wandsworth	30	13
Winchester	18	0
Wormwood Scrubs	37	12
	(6 of whom serving life)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration has been given to moving more of the Home Office to Corby, Northamptonshire.

There are no plans for moving more Home Office work to Corby.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of return on capital he insists on before approving projects for central Government expenditure.

For that category of Government projects which produce a financial return on benefits which can be valued, a rate of return of 10 per cent., in real terms, is normally expected, but is not the sole criterion. Approval of individual projects may depend on such factors as the availability of resources, and on costs or benefits which cannot be expressed in financial terms.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why value added tax is levied on unsolicited gifts from Canada to United Kingdom residents in addition to customs duties; and whether he will make a statement.

In principle imported gifts are liable to VAT because the tax applies to goods imported into the country as well as to supplies in the United Kingdom, and there is no general exemption for gifts. There is, however, a strictly limited concession under which unsolicited private gifts of small value sent by post to individuals in this country are admitted free of Customs charges including VAT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Director of the National Fund for Research into Crippling Diseases concerning the effect of value added tax on the cost of equipment bought by charities for the purpose of medical research.

A number of representations were received before the Budget and one letter has been received recently.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will receive a deputation from the National Fund for Research into Crippling Diseases on the effect of value added tax on the cost of equipment bought by charities for medical research.

I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has undertaken into the effect of value added tax in reducing the amount of equipment that charities are able to purchase for the purpose of medical research.

My right hon. Friend reviewed the question of value added tax and charities before the Budget in the light of all the representations which had been received, including those on behalf of charitable trusts sponsoring medical research. Charities have normally borne indirect taxation on the goods that they have purchased and my right hon. Friend has decided to help charities by other fiscal concessions. Taking full account of the changeover to VAT, the cost to the Exchequer of the concessions to charities as a whole made in the last two Budgets is estimated to be of the order of £20 million in 1973–74.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of Government, IRC and public sector investments in June 1970 that have since been disposed of wholly or in part.

I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what would be the additional revenue in the current year of disallowing income tax relief on all interest payments except for the first £1,500 of interest paid for house purchase;(2) what would be the additional revenue in the current year of disallowing income tax relief on all interest pay-

							Returned for Trial	On Remand
H.M. Prison, Belfast	…	…	…	…	…	…	25	22
							(including 3 on murder charges)	(including 3 on murder charges)
H.M. Prison. Maze	…	…	…	…	…	…	11	4
							(including 1 on a murder charge)	(including 1 on a murder charge)
H.M. Prison, Armagh	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	2
Rathgael Training School	…	…	…	…	…	…	3	—
St. Patrick's Training School	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	13
Whiteabbey Training School	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	1
St. Joseph's Training School	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	1
Lisnevin Training School	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	1

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average number of sittings of redundancy tribunals for the most recent month for which figures are available, and in the same month in 1971.

Between August and October 1973 there was an average of nine sittings per month. During the corresponding period in 1971 the average per month was 16.

The information necessary for a precise answer to these questions is not available, and the best Estimate I can give is £40 million-£50 million. Estimates including the restriction of relief on interest paid for house purchase to £1,200 or £1,500 would fall within the same range.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland where persons under the age of 18 years who are awaiting trial on charges of murder or crimes arising out of terrorist activity are at present remanded; and how many are at each establishment.

The position on 2nd November 1973 was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that on 31st October 1972 the average national wage for men was £40 per week and £23 per week for women; and whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of figures giving the comparison of pension and other social security payments with national average wages on 31st October 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

The wage figures quoted are taken from the latest New Earnings Survey, which relates to April 1973 and not to October. The New Earnings Survey covers employees in all occupations in all industries whereas comparison with pension rates is more appropriately made

		Average net earnings of full time male manual workers £ per week		Standard rates of N.I. benefit
				Single person		Married couple
		Single	Married (no children)	Benefit £ per week	Percentage of col. (1)	Benefit £ per week	Percentage of col (2)
		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
October 1969	…	18·15	19·10	4·50	24·8	7·30	38·2
October 1970	…	19·98	21·09	5·00	25·0	8·10	38·4
October 1971	…	22·18	23·22	6·00	27·1	9·70	41·8
October 1972	…	26·31	27·36	6·75	25·7	10·90	39·8
August 1973*	…	28·54	29·61	7·75	27·1	12·50	42·2
* The results of the October 1973 inquiry are not yet available The earnings figure used is the latest available estimate based on the provisional August figure from the monthly index of earnings. The 1973 benefit figures quoted are for retirement pensions and other long-term benefits only.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many women in the following age groups have had abortions since the passing of the Abortion Act; up to the age of 16 years, 17 to 21 years, 22 to 30 years, 31 to 40 years, and over 40 years;

	Under 16	16–19	20–29	30–39	40 and over	Not stated age	All ages
1968 (from 27th April)	553	3,476	10,834	6,640	1,525	613	23,641
1969	1,231	8,935	24,531	15,473	3,374	1,275	54,819
1970	1,822	15,208	39,065	23,727	4,984	1,759	86,565
1971	2,618	22,872	57,900	34,220	6,890	2,277	126,777
1972	3,320	29,050	73,675	42,637	8,711	2,491	159,884
1973* (to 26th September)	2,491	23,080	97,969			1,876	125,416
Total* (to 26th September 1973)	12,035	102,621	452,155			10,291	577,102
* Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of women from overseas countries who have had abortions in this country since the passing of the Abortion Act.

				Country of Usual Residence
				Scotland	Northern Ireland	Irish Republic	Channel Islands and Isle of Man	Outside British Isles
1968 (from 27th April)				65	36	64	48	1,082
1969	…	…	…	173	96	122	96	4,482
1970	…	…	…	309	199	261	154	9,669
1971	…	…	…	524	648	578	215	30,242
1972	…	…	…	835	775	974	295	48,440

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, (1) in view of the fact that the pay of physiotherapists

The numbers of abortions notified as occurring in England and Wales for all women, and by age in nearest available groups, were as follows:

The numbers of abortions notified as occurring in England and Wales for women usually resident elsewhere were as follows:and of members of some other paramedical professions is based on levels of women's pay that the Equal Pay Act 1970 does nothing to remedy, if he will use stage 3 of the pay code to improve these pay levels; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he will consider the exemption of physiotherapists and members of other low-paid para-medical professions from the provisions of stage 3 of the pay code.

Any improvement in the pay of physiotherapists and members of most other health professions employed in the National Health Service is a matter for the Whitley Council in the first place, and I am sure that the Whitley Council will be examining most carefully the provisions of the current pay code before deciding what steps it should take. I am aware that evidence has been provided to the Pay Board by both sides of the Whitley Council about the pay of physiotherapists and many other professions to assist the board in drawing up a report on the problems of pay relativities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why he has refused to permit local health authorities to employ available physiotherapists in the domiciliary care and after-care of persons suffering from illness, or to contribute to voluntary mobile physiotherapy units which have been formed for this purpose;(2) how it is proposed to staff with physiotherapists and members of the other remedial professions the increased number of assessment centres and health centres and the expanded domiciliary services which are planned.

The policy, and that of my prodecessors, has so far been that in the main physiotherapy services should be concentrated in hospitals where each physiotherapist can treat the greatest number of patients, and her skills used most effectively. I know there are increasing demands for a domiciliary service, and the contribution that physiotherapists might make in this field is a matter which is now being looked at again.The hon. Member will be aware that we have also taken steps to give further urgent consideration to problems such as recruitment to physiotherapy and the other remedial professions, and the retention of those serving in them. I recognise the valuable work of the voluntary mobile units, some of which do, I understand, receive financial assistance from local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the Whitley negotiations on a new career structure for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and remedial gymnasts, including the date of their commencement, the reasons for the delay, and the expected date of the report; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that Staff Side proposals for a new grading structure for the remedial professions were submitted to the Management Side of the Professional and Technical Staffs A Whitley Council in November 1970. Subsequent discussions have been concerned with the structure of eight professions in all, including the three remedial professions. I understand that progress in the sub-committees concerned has been uneven, but the hon. Member will appreciate that complex professional and other considerations are involved. The council has given us no indication of when it expects matters to be finalised, but it seems clear that it preferred to use the whole of the sum available within the stage 2 pay limit for general pay improvements for all the professions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the minimum qualifications for entry to training and the length of full-time training of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and remedial gymnasts, respectively.

The minimum qualifications for entry into full-time training, as laid down by the professional bodies concerned and approved by the appropriate registration boards, together with the duration of full-time training, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what conclusions have been reached following consultations between his Department and the Departments of Education and Science and Employment with a view to a comprehensive service for the deaf, following the answer given to the hon. Member for Bolton, West, by the Prime Minister on 1st March 1973.

The consultations are still in progress and are likely to continue to be so for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the weekly family allowance payable to a family with three children as a percentage of the average earnings of adult male manual workers in 1946, the last date on which family allowances were increased, and the latest date for which figures are available.

The percentages are as follows: October 1946, 8·3; October, 1968, (date of increase) 8·3; August 1973 (estimated earnings for latest available date), 4·8.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in the light of the recommendations in the Tunbridge Report on Rehabilitation, what steps are being taken to increase the number of physiotherapists in the National Health Service.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins) on 5th November.—[Vol. 863, c. 78–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of physiotherapists at the latest available date who are employed in each of the National Health Service grades and the salary scales attached to those grades.

The numbers of physiotherapists (whole-time equivalent) employed by hospital authorities in England and Wales at 1st December 1969, together with the current salary scales, are as follows:

Grade	Number employed (WTE)	Salary scale (w.e.f. 1st April 1973) £
Basic	2,304	1,212–1,542
Senior	1,152	1,395–1,803
Superintendent I	173	1,491–1,878
Superintendent II	208	1,617–2,007
Superintendent III	103	1,743–2,223
Superintendent IV	63	1,872–2,499
Superintendent V	24	2,058–2,820
Assistant Superintendent I	141	1,440–1,824
Assistant Superintendent II	81	1,491–1,878
Student Teacher	31	1,314–1,542
Teacher	80	1,971–2,559
Assistant Principal	24	2,004–2,607
Principal I	6	2,307–2,943
Principal II	17	2,436–3,183

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the relative costs of employing a basic grade physiotherapist and obtaining the services of an agency physiotherapist.

I am not aware that agency physiotherapists are employed on any scale by hospital authorities and information about costs is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for cars have been granted to sufferers from respiratory trouble to enable them to drive themselves to work; and how many have been refused in the last 12 months.

At the present time some 300 disabled people with respiratory diseases have cars to enable them to get to work. Following the extension of the vehicle service which my right hon. Friend introduced in February 1972 about a further 300 cars have been issued to severely disabled people with respiratory trouble and some of these may use their vehicles to get to work. In the last 12 months about 17 applicants suffering from this group of diseases have been found ineligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences for the export of cattle and pigs for slaughter were in operation on 12th July 1973; and how many are in operation now.

Forty-four on 12th July 1973 and 10 now. No export licences for live cattle and pigs except for breeding and exhibitions have been issued since 12th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to which countries the export of live food animals is still permitted; and, in each case, when the current licences will expire.

It is not the practice to disclose details of export licences.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on current research and development of fluidised bed combustion for electric power generation in conjunction with electricity generation, district heating, and area storage power schemes.

Research into fluidised bed combustion is continuing to be carried out by the British Coal Utilisation Research Association Ltd. The United States Office of Coal Research is currently the customer for some of this work. The National Coal Board is also keeping in close contact with the research activities in this field now being pursued in the United States. At the same time a company formed jointly by the National Coal Board, the National Research and Development Corporation and British Petroleum Ltd. is seeking to develop promising applications of fluidised combustion to the stage of commercial exploitation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government will now advocate oil pooling arrangements for the European Community and advocate to the Oil Committee that the Council should commend such a policy for the OECD.

The Government are keeping under consideration the activation of the OECD emergency pooling arrangements for Europe; these include the members of the European Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are prepared to take to alleviate the predicament of the Netherlands in the European fuel crisis.

The situation was discussed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with his EEC colleagues on 6th November. A decision was made to keep matters under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Arab boycott administered by Kuwait has affected oil deliveries to, or administered by, the Royal Dutch Shell Company under long-term crude oil supply contracts with Gulf Oil Kuwait in any way that affects United Kingdom interests.

I cannot answer this matter clearly as the Government are urgently seeking to clarify the effects on the United Kingdom of decisions on oil supplies made by the Arab States.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Arab oil boycott affects British and Anglo-Dutch oil companies operating in the Netherlands in the use to which they may put their crude oil and petroleum products.

It is too early to say.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated increase in average daily aircraft movements at Heathrow by 1985 if Maplin is not built.

This is one of the points being examined in the review which the Government are making of the Maplin project. The British Airports Authority has estimated that, without Maplin, Heathrow would need by the mid-1980s to accommodate 40 million passengers a year compared with today's 20 million, and 330,000 air transport movements, which is 25 per cent above today's level.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will discuss fuel conservation plans with British Airways.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether increases in school fees are permissible under the Counter-Inflation (Price and Pay Code) Order 1973 without the express approval of the board.

Subject to general rules about non-profit-making organisations, the Counter-Inflation (Price and Pay Code) (No. 2) Order 1973 applies to the price of educational services. The code thus offers practical guidance for those concerned with fixing school fees. The Price Commission has general powers to restrict increases in prices and charges which are inconsistent with the code. The express approval of the Price Commission for increases is not required except in special cases indicated in the Counter-Inflation (Notification of Increases in Prices and Charges) (No. 3) Order 1973, which are unlikely to be relevant to schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Departmental Committee on Trade Marks under the chairmanship of Mr. H. R. Mathys will be presenting its report; whether he intends it should be published; and whether it will be available before the forthcoming negotiations on a European trade mark law are begun.

The committee expects to present its report by the end of 1973 and I intend that it shall be published. It should be available in good time for the negotiations on the European Trademark, which are unlikely to begin until autumn of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to desist from using advertising in national newspapers which includes photographs of steelworks under threat of closure.

The content of its advertisements is a matter for the corporation's judgment, but I am drawing the matter to the attention of the chairman of the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to encourage shops which sell goods labelled in decimal avoirdupois weights to display conversion charts showing the equivalent in ounces and/or fractions.

This form of weight marking used in conjunction with certain automatic weighing equipment has a limited application. I understand that the principal trading organisation using it has made available explanatory leaflets for its customers and I would certainly hope that any other users would do the same.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Indutry what was the amount of animal foods imported from Spain over the past three months; and if he will itemise the different foods imported.

Table II of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom gives for each month imports of live animals, meat and meat preparations, dairy products and eggs and fish and fish preparations against SITC(R) Division numbers 00, 01, 02 and 03 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under what agreement Her Majesty's Government meet claims arising from sonic bang damage inflicted by French built and operated Concorde aircraft flying supersonically over the Irish Sea; and how many claims for how much money have been involved.

Under the 1962 Treaty, the development aircraft are jointly owned, and each country meets claims arising within its own territory. Concorde 001's test flying on the West Coast route has resulted in 14 claims, for which £1141·76 has been paid in compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the first meeting of the trustees of the Anglo-German Foundation for the study of the problems of industry was held; who is the chairman; and when it is intended to appoint a secretary-general.

The trustees will hold their first full meeting in early December, as soon as the grant of the Royal Charter permits. They will then elect their chairman and make arrangements to appoint their secretary-general.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is a requirement of the Director General of Fair Trading that, in considering monopoly or merger references, he shall in- quire what consultations have taken place with representatives of the trade unions involved with regard to the possible effect on the employment, career opportunities, conditions and pensions entitlement of their members.

There is no formal requirement for such inquiry, but the director can be expected to take all relevant factors into account in his investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to seek powers to implement the Rochdale Inquiry recommendation that there should be a statutory code of regulations for safety on board British ships.

Powers to make regulations exist in Section 19 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970. The Code of Safe Practices for Merchant Seamen mentioned in paragraph 1464 of the Rochdale Report was issued on a voluntary basis in June 1970 and was to be reviewed after a trial period. All sides of the shipping industry are shortly to be invited to take part in this review after which I will consider the extent to which statutory regulations should be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of rate support grant in each of the Welsh counties in the past five years.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his similar Questions today.