Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 15th November 1973

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Common Agricultural Policy

17.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about EEC proposals for reform of the common agricultural policy.

The Commission's report contains a number of complicated technical proposals for improving the common agricultural policy. I am studying these carefully and we shall be having a first discussion of them in the Council of Ministers next week.

Population And Food Supplies

18.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the estimates that have been made of the growth of world population and of world food production for the period up to the year 2000; and what conclusions have been reached, on the basis of such estimates, regarding the provision of food supplies in the United Kingdom in future.

The United Nations has projected that world population will increase between 1970 and 2000 by almost 80 per cent. Authoritative forecasts of world food production in the year 2000 have not been published, but an expansion of production on a similar scale could be achieved at a rate somewhat lower than that experienced over the last 20 years. Although the potential exists in many parts of the world for a substantial increase in agricultural production it will continue to be essential for this country as a major importer of foodstuffs to make the most effective use of our agricultural resources in order to improve our self-sufficiency in those foods which we can grow here.

Food Prices

19.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices since June 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the latest cost-of-living index for food prices compared with June 1970.

Between 16th June 1970 and 18th September 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 40·2 per cent.

20.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage food prices have risen in the last four-week period for which figures are available.

Between 21st August and 18th September the food index rose by 2·1 per cent.

21.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in food prices in the last 12 months.

Between 19th September 1972 and 18th September 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the food index rose by 15.1 per cent.

22.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will state as percentages the increase in the price of beef since June 1970 and the percentage increase in family expenditure on food in general.

The following table shows the percentage increase in average retail prices of representative cuts of beef, as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, between 16th June 1970 and 18th September 1973, the latest date for which information is available.

Beef (home-killed)	Percentage Increase in Average Price
Chuck	+73·3
Sirloin (without bone)	+74·1
Silverside (with bone)^*	+64·4
Backribs (with bone)^*	+76·7
Foreribs (with bone)	+74·3
Brisket (with bone)	+97·8
Rump Steak^*	+62·8
Beef (imported chilled)
Chuck	+90·5
Silverside (without bone)^*	+79·3
Rump steak^*	+69·7
^*or Scottish equivalent

On the basis of information collected for the National Food Survey, the average weekly expenditure per head increased by 27 per cent. between the second quarter of 1970 and the second quarter of 1973.

23.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he deferred increases in bread prices approved by the Price Commission; and if he will make a statement.

A price increase, which will generally add 1p to the price of a loaf from the beginning of next week, has been announced today.

24.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now seek powers to make mandatory the display of the daily agreed maximum price per pound of meat on sale in retail shops.

We are at present considering ways in which meat pricing in retail shops might be made more effective.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the likely effect on the retail cost of food of the changes in tariffs and levies on imported foodstuffs due to take place on 1st January 1974.

These tariff changes have already been taken into account in the estimate that the overall effect of EEC entry on retail food prices will be 2 per cent. a year over the transitional period. This first step towards adopting the common customs tariff involves reductions as well as increases and our tariff against other member States continues to decline. Duties on imports from a number of countries remain unchanged. The tariff rates on imports of some foods from certain Mediterranean countries have not yet been fixed. There will be no change in the variable levy arrangements on 1st January 1974.

Icelandic Fisheries

25.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect of the Anglo-Icelandic fisheries dispute on the British fishing industry.

During the dispute, individual vessels lost fishing time and gear as a result of harassment, but the overall effect was not significant. Under the agreement signed on 14th November the reduction of fishing opportunities may involve the loss of 30,000 tons or so of fish each year, representing 3 per cent. of the total British catch. Operational flexibility will also be reduced as a result of the restrictions on vessels.

27.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total catch off Iceland of the deep sea trawling fleet both in tonnage and money value for the years 1971–72 and 1972–73, respectively; and what has been the effect upon these figures of the Icelandic fisheries dispute.

The total catch off Iceland by British vessels for the 12 months ending 31st August 1972 was 194,041 metric tons and for the equivalent period ending 31st August 1973, 160,714 metric tons. The value of these catches is estimated to be about £22¾ million and £26 million respectively. The major reason for the decline in catch was that stocks were less abundant. The effect of interference in fishing was not significant.

Pest Control

26.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new developments in pest control methods he anticipates being made available to farmers and horticulturists.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a recent departmental report which includes details of the main areas of current research and development activity at our pest infestation control and plant pathology laboratories. Our advisory and scientific services assist in disseminating new techniques, whether from the State or private sectors, immediately their value and safety has been established.

Animals (Export)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many live animals for slaughter have been exported since 13th July.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mrs. Sally Oppenheim) on 16th October.—[Vol. 861, c. 89–90.] More recent information shows that only 1,051 animals were inspected prior to shipment for slaughter in the four weeks ended 27th October, the latest date for which firm figures are available, compared with 4,948 in the corresponding period last year.

PERMITTED USES OF ALDRIN AND DIELDRIN FROM 1ST JANUARY 1974

I ALDRIN ONLY

Use as

Against

Bulb dip or spray

…

Narcissus bulbs

…

Narcissus bulbs fly

Spray or dust

…

Potatoes

…

Wireworm

Spray or dust

…

Hops

…

Hop root weevil

Spray or dust

…

Spring Barley^*

…

Leather jackets

II ALDRIN OR DIELDRIN†

Dust

…

Compost used for potting ornamental Plants

Vine-weevil

Dip (or drench on peat soils only)

Brassicas

…

Cabbage root fly

III DIELDRIN ONLY

Seed dressing

…

Sugar beet seed^*

…

Wireworm

Seed dressing

…

Onion seed

…

Onion fly

seed dressing

…

Seed for French beans, runner beans and spinach

Bean seed fly

^* Certain varieties only.

† (a) Additionally, and subject to certain restrictions, dieldrin by itself or in mixtures with aldrin may be used against cockroaches and tropical species of ants in premises used for storage or processing of food.

(b) Use of aldrin and dieldrin formulations against wheat bulb fly is being phased out and supplies to merchants will have ceased by 1.1.74

Beam Trawling

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with the Belgian authorities the action of Belgian beam trawlers fishing within the six miles limit off the South of England coast.

In view of recent complaints by South Coast fishermen considerable attention has been paid to the Channel by the Fishery Protection Squadron this year, but no Belgian beam trawlers have been found to be fishing inside our six-mile limit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the EEC member countries do not allow inshore beam trawling.

To the best of our knowledge France is the only EEC country that has banned inshore beam trawling. I will, however, confirm this with other member nations and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

Fishery Protection Service

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how

Aldrin And Dieldrin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what uses aldrin and dieldrin may be put from 1st January 1974.

The following is the information requested:many complaints he has received on the activities of the Fishery Protection Service in relation to inshore fishing.

No complaints have been received about the activities of the Fishery Protection Service, but if the hon. Member has a particular incident in mind perhaps he will write to me with details.

National Finance

Value Added Tax

28.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider the question of the imposition of value added tax on school trips and residential courses run by schools.

I am not aware of any new considerations which would justify changing the present position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the increase in revenue of increasing to 20 per cent. the rate of value added tax on jewellery, fur garments and fur headgear.

About £10 million in a full year.

Motor Vehicles (Alternative Power Sources)

29.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the early introduction of substantial fiscal incentives to encourage the manufacture and use of vehicles powered by engines other than the internal combustion engine.

Such vehicles are already relieved from car tax. Electric vehicles also qualify for a reduced rate of vehicle excise duty.

Exchange Rate

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responsibility the Government have for the exchange rate of the £ sterling.

The sterling exchange rate, in common with rates for many other currencies, is in present circumstances determined largely by a complex of market factors.

Productive Capacity

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the growth in the production capacity of the economy in each of the past 10 years.

Estimates of the growth in productive capacity in the economy in any particular past year are subject to appreciable margins of error. Allowances

INCOME
Annual gain (+) or loss (-)
All earned			Single Person	Married couple (no children)	Married couple (two children, under 11)	Married couple (four children, under 11)
£			£p	£p	£p	£p
1,000	…	…	+46·50	+67·50	+161·20	+265·20
2,000	…	…	-3·50	+42·50	+115·74	+166·94
3,000	…	…	-116·00	-57·50	+15·74	+66·94
5,000	…	…	-491·00	-407·50	-334·26	-283·06
10,000	…	…	-1,502·55	-1,401·25	-1,413·25	-1,425·25

Including £2,000 or more investment income
3,000	…	…	-266·00	-207·50	-134·26	-83·06
5,000	…	…	-641·00	-557·50	-484·26	-433·06
10,000	…	…	-1,625·25	-1,551·25	-1,563·25	-1,575·25

The effect of disallowing mortgage interest and life assurance relief above an income of £8,000 a year would depend on the payments made.

have to be made for a number of uncertain factors—for example, for changes in the numbers of those available for work, for changes in the length of the working year, for developments in the capital stock, for changes in the efficiency of use of resources generally. With these qualifications it is the Government's view that the growth in productive capacity has on average over the past decade been about 3–3½ per cent. per annum.

Personal Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the annual gain or loss to, respectively, a single person, childless couple, couple with two children and couple with four children, at different income levels, if the personal allowances were increased to £750 and £1,000 for single and married persons, it income tax were levied at 30 per cent. on the first £500 chargeable income, 35 per cent. on the next £500, and an extra 5 per cent. on each successive £1,000 up to 80 per cent., if family allowances and child tax allowances were replaced by a £2 per week child endowment for all children up to 18 years of age, including the first, if the investment surcharge were levied above £1,000 unearned income, and if mortgage interest and life assurance tax relief were disallowed above an income of £8,000 per year.

On the assumptions stated about tax rates, tax allowances and other allowances the figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average annual change in real personal disposable income per head between October 1964 and June 1970 and between June 1970 and the latest available date.

Monthly figures for real personal disposable income per head are not available. Between the fourth quarter of 1964 and the second quarter of 1970 the rate of change at an annual rate was 1½ per cent. Between the second quarter of 1970 and the second quarter of 1973, the latest period for which information is available, the increase was at an annual rate of 4½ per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking the first quarter of 1964 as 100, what would be the index number for real personal disposable income per head in each of the quarters from 1964 to the latest available date.

The information is given in the table below:

REAL PERSONAL DISPOSABLE INCOME PER HEAD
(1st Quarter 1964 — 100)
1964	1st quarter	100·0
	2nd quarter	100·2
	3rd quarter	101·4
	4th quarter	101·5
1965	1st quarter	101·9
	2nd quarter	101·5
	3rd quarter	102·5
	4th quarter	104·0
1966	1st quarter	107·9
	2nd quarter	103·1
	3rd quarter	102·5
	4th quarter	103·2
1967	1st quarter	102·5
	2nd quarter	105·2
	3rd quarter	107·0
	4th quarter	105·5
1968	1st quarter	108·1
	2nd quarter	105·2
	3rd quarter	105·9
	4th quarter	106·2
1969	1st quarter	106·6
	2nd quarter	105·1
	3rd quarter	106·1
	4th quarter	107·4
1970	1st quarter	106·3
	2nd quarter	110·0
	3rd quarter	111·2
	4th quarter	110·9
1971	1st quarter	110·5
	2nd quarter	110·6
	3rd quarter	112·0
	4th quarter	113·7
1972	1st quarter	114·0
	2nd quarter	119·9
	3rd quarter	118·0
	4th quarter	121·4
1973	1st quarter	122·1
	2nd quarter	124·7
^* Based on seasonally adjusted estimates of real personal disposal income.

Taxation And Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the tax paid by a married couple over 65 years of age with an income of the basic State retirement pension and an investment income of £1,200 per annum in the financial years 1970–71 and 1973–74; and what their net income was in those two years.

The figures are:

	Tax Paid	Net Paid
	£p	£p
1970–71	438·32	1,182·88
1973–74	310·50	1,499·50

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the tax and other deductions paid by a married man with two children aged under 11 years on average earnings, including family allowances, and of his final take-home pay in June 1970 and the latest available date.

Assuming that the man is not contracted out of the Graduated Pension Scheme the figures are:

	June 1970	August 1973
	£p	£p
Estimated average weekly earnings (all full time adult meals)	29·60	42·94
Income tax	4·61	6·72
National Insurance contributions (Flats rate)	0·88	0·88
National Insurance contributions (Graduated)	0·88	1·59
Take-home Pay	23·31	33·75

The figures for take-home pay do not include family allowances (£0·90 per week) but the tax on the family allowance and the family allowance deduction ("clawback") have been taken into account.

Purchase Tax Rebates

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of purchase tax rebate claimed on stocks arising out of the introduction of value added tax.

On 30th October 1973, the last date for which figures are available, the total of purchase tax rebate claimed on stocks held at the time of the introduction of VAT was £206,981,080.

Tax Yield

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the yield from a 1p increase or reduction in the basic rate of tax in 1973–74.

About £200 million in 1973–74.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the yield in 1973–74 from increasing each of the higher rates of tax (a) by 10 per cent. and (b) by 10 percentage points.

£15 million and £27 million, respectively.

Money Supply

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in the money supply, taking the narrow definition of M1, in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available, in each of the EEC countries.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage rise in M1 and M3, respectively, in 1970, 1971, 1972 and in each of the first three quarters of 1973.

Figures for the third calendar quarter of 1973 have not yet been published. Using the percentage increase between the end of the fourth quarter of the previous year and the end of the fourth quarter of the year shown for the annual figures, and the percentage increase between the end of the previous quarter and the end of the quarter shown for the quarterly figures, the information is as follows:

	Percentage increase in M1	Percentage increase in M3
1970	9·4	9·6
1971	10·9	13·0
1972	13·7	25·8
1973—
Q1^*	0·1	5·8
Q2^*	6·5	4·3
^* Based on seasonally-adjusted data.

Investment Income

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of taxpayers has an investment income of over £2,000 per annum.

About 1¾ per cent. of taxpayers have an investment income of over £2,000 per annum.

Industrial Taxation

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the total burden of taxation on industry has been reduced since June 1970, broken down by individual taxes.

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

Nationalised Industries

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards nationalised industries taking holdings in private sector firms and on how these purchases are to be financed.

The Government do not encourage extension of the activities of the nationalised industries, but there may be cases where such a holding may constitute an essential support of their main activities. The financial arrangements would be related to the circumstances of each case.

Trade Balance

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was Great Britain's adverse trade balance, expressed in percentage terms, with the EEC and the rest of the world, respectively, in the first 10 months of 1973.

I have been asked to reply.Estimates of visible trade on a balance of payments basis for part-years are compiled only for total trade and not for individual areas; but consideration is being given to their compilation in respect of trade with the Communities.

Public Debt (External Loans)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing full details, so far as is consistent with practice, of the total of official external loans to the United Kingdom, including both drawings from the IMF and borrowings from overseas central banks outstanding on 25th October 1951, 15th October 1964, 18th June 1970 and the latest available date.

TABLE 1
OFFICIAL LONG-TERM DEBT (AMOUNT OUTSTANDING AT END OF PERIOD)
£ million
							End-September 1951	End-September 1964	End-June 1970	End-June 1973
1. U.S.A.—
Lend-Lease		…	…	…	…	…	216	176	193	149
Line of Credit			…	…	…	…	1,339	1,125	1,235	956
Economic Co-operation Administration						…	120	108	101	69
Mutual Security Agency				…	…	…	—	17	17	12
Export-Import Bank				…	…	…	—	—	209	64
Other		…	…	…	…	…	7	2	1	1
2. Canada—
Line of Credit			…	…	…	…	403	329	361	303
Other		…	…	…	…	…	78	—	—	—
3. Portugal		…	…	…	…	…	81	37	17	2
4. German Fedreal Republic				…	…	…	—	53	70	43
5. Other	…	…	…	…	…	…	177	22	3	2
Total		…	…	…	…	…	2,421	1,868	2,207	1,602
6. Deutsche Bundesbank Loan				…	…	…	—	—	23	—
Grand Total				…	…	…	2,421	1,868	2,230	1,602

TABLE 2
OFFICIAL SHORT AND MEDIUM-TERM DEBT (AMOUNT OUTSTANDING AT END OF PERIOD)
£ million
							End-December 1951	End-September 1964	End-June 1970	End-June 1973
1. IMF	…	…	…	…	…	…	95	—	992	—
2. Other	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	71	469	—
Total		…	…	…	…	…	95	71	1,461	—
General Note:
The sterling value of the debt levels in both tables has been calculated on the basis of par values. e.g. at £1=$2·80 at end-September 1951 and end-September 1964; at £1=$2·40 at end-June 1970: and at £1=$2·89524 at end-June 1973.

Investment

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of Government, IRC and public sector investments

Name of Company
Government Investment:
Power Jets (Research and Development) Ltd.						…	…	…	200,000 £1 Ordinary Shares
									Loans and Loan Stock
IRC Investments:									£
Allied Textile Companies Ltd.				…	…	…	…	…	1,000,000
British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd.					…	…	…	…	25,000,000
British Oxygen Co. Ltd.			…	…	…	…	…	…	2,500,000
Chrysler (UK) Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	150,000
Clarke Chapman-John Thompson Ltd.					…	…	…	…	2,000,000
Davy-Ashmore Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	…	900,000
English Electric Co. Ltd.			…	…	…	…	…	…	7,500,000
Herbert-Ingersoll Ltd.			…	…	…	…	…	…	475,000
Joseph Lucas (Industries) Ltd.				…	…	…	…	…	3,000,000
Plessey Numerical Controls Ltd.				…	…	…	…	…	3,000,000
Qualitex Ltd.	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,000,000
Ransome Hoffman Pollard Ltd.				…	…	…	…	…	3,118,000
Reed Paper Group Ltd.			…	…	…	…	…	…	1,500,000
Reed Paper Group Ltd. and the Bowater Paper Corporation Ltd.									2,000,000

Following is the information:in June 1970 that have since been disposed of wholly or in part.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 9th November 1973; Vol. 863, c. 273], gave the following information:

Name of Company
The Laird Group Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	2,595,000
The Steel Group Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	1,000,000
The Weir Group Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	1,250,000
Whessoe Ltd.	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,500,000
Peter Dixon & Sons Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	175,000
								Loans Convertible into Equity
Marwin (Holdings) Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	£750,000 8 per cent. Convertible Loan.
Ransome Hoffman Pollard Ltd.			…	…	…	…	…	£6,211,004 8 per cent. Convertible Unsecured Loan Stock 1984.
Ransome, Hoffman Pollard Ltd.^*			…	…	…	…	…	£2,700,000 8 per cent. Convertible Unsecured Loan Stock 1984.
								Equity and Preference Shares
Chrysler (UK) Ltd.	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	7,561,140 7 per cent. Cumulative Preferred Ordinary Shares of 20p.
Herbert-Ingersoll Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	38,250 "A" Ordinary Shares of £1.
								36,750 "B" Ordinary Shares of £1.
Ransome Hoffman Pollard Ltd.			…	…	…	…	…	155,000 Ordinary Shares of 25p
Ransome Hoffman Pollard Ltd.^*			…	…	…	…	…	1,200,000 Deferred Ordinary Shares of 25p.
The Laird Group Ltd.		…	…	…	…	…	…	4,900,830 Ordinary Shares of 25p.
The Nuclear Power Group		…	…	…	…	…	…	150,000 Ordinary Shares of £1
Public Sector Investments†
Thomas Cooks.
Atlantic Steam Navigation Co.
Transport Development Group Ltd.
Streetley Co. Ltd.
Tube Investments Ltd.
Bradley's Concrete.
Printar Industries Ltd.
South East Tar Holdings Ltd.
South West Tar Distilleries Ltd.
Plymouth Tar Distilleries Ltd.
Scottish Tar Distilleries Ltd.
Openshaw and Holme Lane Works.
Rylands Whitecross and Dorman Long Wiremaking Works.
Thurcroft Brickworks.
Belton, Crowle, Bilsthorpe, Campbell and other brickworks.
^* Investments held by Brown Bayley Limited.
† Significant disposals. Total sale price approximately £47 million.

Home Department

Road Traffic Speed Limits (Enforcement)

31.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ascertain how many VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder) devices are now in use by the Essex police; and which other counties are proposing to adopt this new method of detection.

I understand that the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Joint Constabulary have at present three VASCAR instruments in operational use and that most other police forces in England and Wales are considering the purchase of one or more.

Fireworks (Accidents)

30.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of injuries and fires arising out of Guy Fawkes celebrations this year, together with the corresponding figures for 1972.

The 1973 fireworks accident statistics should be available early next year, and will include comparative figures for preceding years. Figures for fires will be available at about the same time.

Charities

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call a round table conference of charitable organisations to initiate a review of the rôle of charity in modern society, with particular reference to the legal definition of charity; and whether he will make a statement.

No; but I understand that the National Council of Social Service has arranged to hold a conference on this subject in January, and my right hon. Friend and I shall be interested to hear the outcome.

Children (Accidental Poisoning)

asked the Secretary of of State for the Home Department what investigation is being carried out into measures that can be taken to prevent injuries to children caused by accidentally swallowing household chemicals; and if he will make a statement.

The Home Office is conducting research into the causes of home accidents, including poisoning accidents, with a view to establishing what further protective measures are necessary. It is also concerned with the preparation of an EEC directive on the labelling of household substances. But the best safeguard is for parents to keep all household chemicals out of the reach of young children.

British Nationality (Applications)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the criteria used by his Department in considering applications for British nationality differ as between applications from aliens and Commonwealth citizens.

A Commonwealth citizen who was ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, and free of conditions, on 1st January 1973 has an entitlement to registration on completion of five year's ordinary residence—and certain citizens of Pakistan have a corresponding entitlement for a transitional period under the Pakistan Act 1973. In other cases the most important in practice of the points of difference between the statutory criteria for registration and naturalisation relates to residential qualifications.

Taxi Trade

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now issue a White Paper giving the Government's conclusions on the Maxwell Stamp Report.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement.

Battered Children

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of known parental assaults on children for each of the last five years.(2) how many children have been killed and how many severely injured by parental assault in each of the last five years.

As to the number of assaults by parents on children, and the number of victims injured, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his Questions on 13th November. I shall be writing shortly to the hon. Member, as I have already undertaken to do, about the number of cases of homicide involving the killing of a child by a parent.

Urban Programme (Lambeth)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the Under-Secretary of State to the London Borough of Lambeth; and what assessment has been made of the need for further aid under the urban programme.

The visit was one of a series which I am making to examine the working of the urban programme and to discuss community relations at a local level. I had useful discussions with representatives of the local authority and also the Lambeth Community Relations Council, and visited a number of projects receiving grant-aid under the urban programme.When the next urban programme circular is issued early next year, Lambeth's proposals will be considered along with bids from other authorities.

Prison Officers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current pay of prison officers on joining the service; and what is the pay structure throughout the service, including fringe benefits and emoluments.

The following table gives the basic pay rates for non-specialist prison officers in England and Wales. Increments are annual, subject, in the case of new entrants, to completion of a minimum probationary period of one year:

	£
Basic grade Officer (weekly)	24·69
	(during probation)
	26·39
	27·20
	28·03
	28·86
	29·68
	30·52
	31·60
	32·84
Senior Officer (weekly)	35·21
	36·21
	37·26
	38·28
Principal officer (weekly)	39·81
	41·02
	42·18
	43·45
Chief Officer II (annual)	2,688·00
Chief Officer I (annual	2,934·00

Enhanced rates or allowances are paid on entry into specialist prison officer grades or for the performance of certain prescribed forms of duty.All these rates are subject to review with effect from 7th November 1973 and will be further reviewed from 1st January 1974.In addition, prison officers are entitled to:

(1) Official accommodation at public expense or, if living out is approved, a rent allowance. This varies according to personal circumstances subject to maxima of £389 a year for chief officers and £5·85 a week for other grades, and a London supplement of up to £1·80 a week for all grades.

(2) A free uniform or allowance of £60 a year.

(3) An allowance varying between £19 and £93 a year payable for service at those establishments which have a measure of isolation.

(4) The benefits of the non-contributory Civil Service Superannuation Scheme, subject to the distinction of an earlier minimum retiring age of 55 and the double-counting of service in excess of of 20 years.

(5) Overtime payments at premium rates for hours in excess of 40 per week.

For superannuation and other pay-related purposes the accommodation and uniform or the allowances in lieu are treated, on an agreed basis, as additions to pay.

In most other respects—for example, annual leave, sick leave, expenses—prison officers are subject to general Civil Service arrangements, with certain modifications.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

European Convention On Human Rights

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to renew their signature on Article 25 in the European Convention on Human Rights.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 24th October to the right hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey).—[Vol. 861, c. 1248–9.]

Eec Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the subjects discussed at the meeting of EEC Executive Commission officials, oil company representtatives and oil experts from EEC member countries in Brussels on 2nd November 1973.

I am not aware of any such discussions having taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether the possibility of EEC member countries sharing some of their oil supplies, to help those suffering severe shortages because of the present cut-off of supplies by Arab countries, has been discussed by the Executive Commission or the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EEC;(2) whether Her Majesty's Government will raise with the Executive Commission or the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EEC the possibility of sharing oil supplies so as to help any member country suffering severe shortage during the present restriction of supply by certain Arab countries;

(3) what requests have been made by the Executive Commission of the EEC to member Governments regarding the possibility of sharing oil supplies while restrictions on these supplies are being imposed by Arab Governments on certain European countries such as Holland.

The Council of Ministers discussed the energy situation on 6th November and decided to keep matters under review. I have nothing to add to that.Neither the EEC Commision nor any Community Government have proposed oil sharing arrangements under EEC auspices.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the subjects for consideration by the Executive Commission of the EEC at its meeting on Wednesday 31st October 1973.

It is not the Commission's practice to publish the agenda of its meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at the request of which member country of the EEC the meeting of the Executive Commission was called on 31st October.

Under the Community treaties the Commission is an autonomous institution, and it is not for member States to request that it hold meetings. The normal practice of the Commission is to hold a regular weekly meeting; this was one of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government made any representations to the Executive Commission of the EEC for its meeting on 31st October; and if he will publish these in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No. But there is regular contact at all times between Ministers and officials of Her Majesty's Government and members and officials of the European Commission on all matters of mutual interest.

Caribbean Development Bank

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Great Britain's contribution to the Caribbean Development Bank.

Britain is a member of the Caribbean Development Bank, and has subscribed the equivalent of US$ 10 million to the bank's equity capital. Half of this was in paid-up shares and half in callable shares. Her Majesty's Government also agreed in 1971 to contribute £2,083,333·33—the sterling equivalent of US$ 5 million—to the bank's Special Development Fund, which had been set up to make or guarantee loans of high developmental priority and on softer terms than would be available in the bank's ordinary operations. This contribution to the special fund is now fully committed to projects, and Her Majesty's Government have agreed to provide £2,030,456·85—the equivalent of a further US$ 5 million—to help replenish the fund.British subscriptions to the bank's equity capital are linked to the value of the United States dollar in September 1969, and the sterling equivalent is subject to adjustment from time to time. Our contributions to the special fund are fixed in sterling at the exchange rate with the United States dollar that prevails at the time contributions are agreed.

Commonwealth Sugar

Q6.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will include amongst the subjects to be discussed at his meeting with M. Pompidou the arrangements for the importation and refining of Commonwealth cane sugar.

My meeting with President Pompidou will provide an opportunity to discuss matters of common interest. There will be no formal agenda, and I do not propose to announce in detail what subjects are likely to be discussed.

Mortgages

Q9.

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint an expert on mortgages to the Central Policy Review Staff.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Greville Janner) on 8th November.—[Vol. 863, c. 1165–6.]

North Sea Oil

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Scottish Office and the Department of Trade and Industry with regard to the planning of North Sea oil developments.

Yes.

Political Parties (Finance)

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek talks with the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Liberal Party to establish an appropriate forum to consider the question of public contributions to the financing of political parties.

As the House will appreciate, the financing of political parties from public funds raises major constitutional questions, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has arranged a meeting with the hon. Member for Hitchin (Mrs. Shirley Williams) and her colleagues to discuss any proposals they may have in mind on this subject. I am sure my right hon. Friend would be willing to meet representatives of the Liberal Party as well.

Coal Mining Areas

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister when he last paid an official visit to a coal mining area.

In March of this year when I visited the scene of the disaster at Lofthouse Colliery.

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to make a visit to a coal mining town in the Midlands.

I have no plans for such a visit at present.

Chile

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to seek to visit Chile.

None.

Farmworkers (Pay)

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers, further to the Agricultural Wages Board's rejection of the farmworkers' claim; what reply he is making; and if he will make a statement.

The union wrote to me on 9th November requesting a meeting. Arrangements are being made for it to discuss this matter with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Eec Countries

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for his visits to any member countries of the European Economic Community in the foreseeable future.

I shall be visiting Brussels on 3rd December to attend a ceremony in honour of the late M. Paul Henri Spaak.On 14th and 15th December I expect to be in Copenhagen for a summit conference of Heads of State or Government of the European Community.

Redundant Church Sites

asked the hon. Member for Chelsea as Second Church Estates Commissioner whether the Church Commissioners will in future undertake to give local authorities first offer of redundant church sites for community purposes, in particular in areas of social stress suffering from shortage of land and inadequate public services and housing.

I have been asked to reply.The Church Commissioners are not in a position to give such an undertaking because they are required to have regard to the interests of the beneficiaries of sales of redundant church sites. These beneficiaries are the dioceses, for pastoral needs, and the Redundant Churches Fund established by law to assist with the preservation of redundant churches of historic or architectural interest vested in the fund. But, subject to the interests of their beneficiaries, they are certainly ready to consider offers received from local authorities.

asked the hon. Member for Chelsea as Second Church Estates Commissioner, why the Church Commissioners were instructed to sell the redundant St. Laurence Church site in Kilburn to the highest bidder by tender instead of offering it by lease or sale at district valuer's price to the London borough of Brent for school or other community provision in a social stress and education priority area.

I have been asked to reply.In selling redundant church sites it is the Church Commissioners' duty to have regard to the interests of the beneficiaries of sale, namely, the dioceses, for pastoral needs and the Redundant Churches Fund established by law to assist with the preservation of redundant churches of historic or architectural interest vested in the fund.Under a scheme confirmed by Order in Council under the Pastoral Measure 1968 the site of the redundant church of St. Laurence, Brondesbury, was vested in the Church Commissioners for sale. Despite public notice no representations were received against this scheme and the commissioners decided to offer the site for sale by tender. Whilst they were not bound to accept the highest tender received, they felt obliged in this case in the interests of their beneficiaries to accept the tender of the National Westminster Bank which exceeded that of the London borough of Brent by a substantial margin.My hon. Friend has since been informed that the purchasers intend to build on the site a hostel for young members of their staff.

Civil Service

Government Publications (Liverpool)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will now agree to the provision of an HMSO bookshop at Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

As I said to the hon. Member on 11th April 1973, there is insufficient demand for Government publications in the Liverpool area to warrant the opening of an Her Majesty's Stationery Office bookshop and mail order department.

Education And Science

Teaching The Deaf

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children who are deaf or have impaired hearing are now awaiting placement in special schools; and what submissions have been made in the past year by local authorities for special schools for the deaf.

In January 1973 there were 132 deaf children in England awaiting places in special schools, 90 of whom were under five years of age; and 258 partially hearing children, of whom 104 were under five.A new school for 90 deaf children of primary age is expected to be in use in the summer of 1975, and a further secondary school for 50 pupils is under consideration for the 1974–75 building programme. Proposals for six special schools for the deaf and two for the partially hearing have been received from local education authorities for inclusion in the list of projects expected to start in 1975–76: one in each group is for the replacement of an existing school. These proposals are being examined.

Primary And Secondary Pupils

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the annual capital and current costs, respectively, of State education for primary and secondary pupils, respectively; and what forecast she can make of such costs in 1981.

The figures are given in the following table:

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IN RESPECT OF MAINTAINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS (EXCLUDING THE UNDER-FIVES)
	£ million
	1972 Survey Prices
	1972–73	1981–82
Capital
Primary pupils	98	115
Secondary pupils	210	75
Current
Primary pupils	530	585
Secondary pupils	666	1,050

Dyslexia

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what contact she has with private organisations which provide assessment and training of dyslexic persons; if she will consider offering them support in the light of the success of their work in training such persons; and if she will make a statement;(2) what is her estimate of the proportion of people suffering from dyslexia; what action she intends taking to help people overcome this problem in the educational field; and if she will make a statement.

I welcome the initiative taken by private organisations which provide assessment or education for people with reading difficulties, but I have not been asked for support. My noble Friend Lord Belstead had a useful exchange of views with the British Dyslexia Association in January; and Her Majesty's inspectors keep in touch with current developments. I am anxious in particular that all children with reading difficulties should receive adequate help, but, as I explained to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 16th October, it would not be profitable to separate so-called dyslexic children from the rest.—[Vol. 861, c. 34.] My right hon. Friend's Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children believes that there is a continuum spanning the whole range of reading difficulties.

Primary Schools (Guisborough)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received regarding the provision of primary schools in Guisborough.

The local education authority has written to the Department and the local Conservative association has sent me a copy of a carefully prepared survey of local needs carried out by the Belmont Primary School Parents' Association. These representations are now under consideration.

Employment

European Social Fund

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the applications for grants from the European Social Fund which have been made by bodies in the United Kingdom, giving in each case the amount requested, the recommendation of the advisory committee on the social fund, and whether the body concerned is a "public authority" or an "entity governed by private law".

The United Kingdom Government have made two applications for assistance from the social fund in 1973. They relate to expenditure incurred by the Department of Employment, and by the Minister of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland. One application, totalling about £31 million, is for half the estimated cost of providing vocational training for, and resettling, people in the assisted areas and for the cost of resettling the disabled throughout the United Kingdom. The advisory committee has recommended that about 80 per cent. of that part of the application relating to the assisted areas—for which the whole sum sought is about £23 million—should be placed with applications meriting first priority. The remaining 20 per cent. has been categorised as second priority. That part of the application relating to the disabled, and the second application, which is for half the estimated cost of retraining and resettling agricultural and textile workers, and amounts to £787,000, have yet to be considered by the advisory committee.

Ambulance Drivers' Dispute (Essex)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will intervene in the current dispute involving ambulance drivers in the Brentwood, Billericay and Basildon areas of Essex; and if he will make a statement.

The industrial action involving ambulance personnel in the Brentwood, Billericay and Basildon areas of Essex is being taken unofficially in support of a national pay claim. As the negotiations on this claim are at present proceeding within the recognised machinery it would not be appropriate for my Department to intervene.

Average Wage (Scotland)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the average wage for female workers in Scotland of 21 years of age and over, and for female workers between the age of 18 and 20 years;(2) what is the average wage for male workers over the age of 21 years in Scotland, and for male workers between the ages of 18 and 20 years;(3) what is the average wage for male workers at 21 years and over and for male workers between 18 and 20 years in Scotland working a normal working week.

I will arrange for the information to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT when the relevant results from the New Earnings Survey become available.

Welders (Bellshill Training Centre)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many welders were trained at the Government Training Centre at Bellshill in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively.

None, but two classes in electric are plate welding and electric pipe welding, each having 12 places, are to be opened early next year.

Training (Lanarkshire)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the waiting time required, from the date of centres in Lanarkshire; and if he will make a statement.

409 people are waiting for courses at the two Government training centres in Lanarkshire—Bellshill and Queenslie. These mainly provide training in engineering and related occupations to which early allocation can be made. As regards other occupations, some additional places have been approved and should become available shortly.

Unemployed Persons (Assessment)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the unemployment figures, as at present compiled, give a true assessment of the number of people out of work who are intending to work or are available to work.

The monthly unemployment figures give the numbers registered for employment at my Department's local offices. A full discussion of these figures was given in the White Paper on Unemployment Statistics (Cmnd. 5157, November 1972). I am satisfied that they provide a reliable indicator of changes in the level of unemployment. As recommended in the White Paper further studies on the characteristics of the unemployed are being made.

Manpower Services Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what appointments he has made to the Manpower Services Commission; what are the salary levels for such members; and if they are part- or whole-time appointments.

I have already announced the appointment of Sir Denis Barnes as chairman of the commission. Sir Denis's remuneration will be £16,000 a year. As regards the other nine members, I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly. The intention is that the chairman will be full-time and the other members part-time.

Industrial Relations Act

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what has been the incidence of strikes, expressed as a per annum average, since the Industrial Relations Act became fully operative, compared with the annual average for the six years preceding its introduction;(2) what has been the loss of working time due to strikes, expressed in terms of the average number of lost days per annum, since the Industrial Relations Act became fully operative; and how this compares with the annual average for the six preceding years.

Following is the information:

STOPPAGES OF WORK DUE TO INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES: UNITED KINGDOM
Period	Stopages beginning in Period Average Per annum	Working days lost stoppages in period Average per annum
Since Industrial relations Act became fully operative (28th February 1972)	2,676^*	10,971,000^*
Perceding	2,605	8,820,000
^* Provisional.

Environment

Bicycles

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the "high riser" type of bicycle conforms to his Department's recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

Following my Department's recent investigations, I do not think that further regulations are necessary.

Provisional Driving Licences

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current average waitng period for the issue of provisional driving licences.

Between six and seven working days.

Driving Tests

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the waiting time required, from the date of application to date of the actual test, for those wishing to take a driving test in the West Midlands traffic area.

Twenty-one weeks (average).

Overspill Estates (Hattersley And Carrbrook)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the future of Hattersley and Carrbrook, Manchester, overspill estates in the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency, following his discussions with the appropriate authorities concerned.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Department's Circular 107/73, "Housing Accommodation Outside a Local Authority's Area", which asks the local authorities concerned to consult together and seek ways of overcoming whatever difficulties may have arisen or might arise. I hope that any difficulties will be resolved in the best interests of the tenants concerned.

Motor Vehicles (Tyres)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will formulate new proposals to reduce the use of over-worn tyres on motor vehicles in view of the increasing infringement of regulations.

No.

Tipper Lorries

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will have discussions with the manufacturers of heavy tipper lorries on the development of a device that would indicate to a driver that his tipper body is up.

I understand that such devices are available and in use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents have taken place involving heavy tipper lorries during the last three years.

This information is not available.

Accommodation Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his most recent estimate of average expenditure on accommodation expressed as a proportion of average earnings.

Average current expenditure on housing by households in the United Kingdom in 1972 was about 10 per cent. of the average household income, according to the Family Expenditure Survey.

Thermal Insulation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention to require an increase of insulation standards to all types of buildings, following the statement of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the House on 24th October with regard to the supplies of oil.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question from the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. David. Price) on 14th November.—[Vol. 864, c. 158.]

Housing Cost Yardsticks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the next review of the housing cost yardsticks, he will tie the yardsticks to a recognised building cost index to allow for inflation.

This suggestion has already been put to me and I shall be considering it, among others, in the continuing review of the yardstick arrangements.

Northern Ireland

Teachers' Salary Council

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the current membership of the Northern Ireland Teachers' Salary Council, and of the Standing Committee on Teachers' Salaries.

Both bodies are being reconstituted, and the names of member are not available.

Teachers (Sick Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions since 1926 the general entitlement of Northern Ireland teachers to full pay during illness has been increased, disregarding the special provisions for tuberculosis and maternity leave.

Between 1926 and 1947 sick leave regulations governing elementary school teachers were amended nine times, and those for secondary school teachers twice, to make general improvements in entitlement. In 1947 a uniform scheme for teachers in all types of schools was introduced. In 1969 a scheme for full-time temporary teachers was added.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the 83 or more teachers who have had service on half pay since 4th January 1973 because of illness would have more generous allowances of full pay under the provisions of the model scheme for any further illnesses occurring during the next four years than they will have under the provisions of the existing regulations in Northern Ireland.

Future entitlement depends on the aggregate of the periods of absence owing to illness which the teacher has already had and on subsequent periods of absence within a four-year period. It is not possible, therefore, to give the information requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the sick pay regulations applicable to the non-teaching employees of the local education authorities in Northern Ireland have been reviewed; what was the purpose of the reviews; and how the increased cost was borne.

It is not possible to give information on the situation before 1967 without disproportionate effort.

In 1968 the Belfast Education Authority adopted the Great Britain scheme of conditions of service of the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Administrative, Professional Technical and Clerical Services. This followed its adoption in 1967 of the National Joint Council salary scales. The employees of other education authorities came under the conditions of service of the Northern Ireland Joint Advisory Board for Local Authorities Services. The additional cost was met by the local education authorities with grant aid from the Ministry of Education.

On 1st October 1973 employees of local education authorities were transferred to education and library boards on the same conditions of service. The Ministry of Education pays grants equal to the boards' approved net expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will cease issuing form CCU3—Dup 23 to those Northern Ireland teachers who are likely to go on to half pay because of illness and to those who return to work after a period of half pay because of illness, and cease requiring the aforesaid teachers to sign an undertaking immediately to notify the Ministry of Education for Northern Ireland of any subsequent absence as a condition of receiving a normal monthly paid salary.

No.

Mortgages

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will undertake a study as to the problems of prospective purchasers in obtaining mortgages in Northern Ireland; and if, having regard to the difficulties of building societies at the present time and to the work which the Housing Executive has done in this field, he will now reconsider the restriction imposed by the executive in lending moneys only to first-time purchasers, and extend it to other persons who can show that they have been unable to get a loan through the usual building society channels.

The operation of the Housing Executive's Home Loans Scheme and the problems of prospective house purchasers in obtaining mortgages are at present under consideration. I am not in a position to give details at this stage.

Civil Disturbances House Purchase Scheme

asked the Secretary of States for Northern Ireland if he will now review the Civil Disturbances House Purchase Scheme, in particular in relation to the valuation of premises, and in the light of talks with the Building Societies Association; and if he will make a statement.

The scheme is at present being reviewed, and discussions with the Building Societies Association are taking place. I am not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT the following information about the purchase of houses under the Civil Disturbances Purchase Scheme: (a) the number of applications made for purchase under the scheme, (b) the number refused, and a breakdown as to the reasons, (c) the number of houses purchased, and (d) the number of applications pending, and a breakdown as to their composition.

The information is as follows:

(a) 1,114 applications from owner-occupiers have been made under the scheme for purchase of houses.

(b) 113 applications have been refused for the following reasons:

(i)104 of the applicants would not have qualified for inclusion on the emergency housing list,

(ii)four had not vacated their houses,

(iii)one house was occupied by a paying tenant,

(iv)four were not owner-occupiers.

(d) 10 applications were withdrawn and 987 are pending as follows:

1. Final purchase formalities	42
2. Awaiting outcome of discussions with Building Societies	20
3. Price offered but not yet accepted	119
4. With valuation office to determine price	214
5. With building inspector to assess damage	168
6. Decision deferred for further information	64
7. Still to be considered by advisory committee	360

Posts And Telecommunication

Cable Television

asked the Minister of Post and Telecommunications if he will make a statement on the progress of the experiment in local cable television authorised by him in Bristol.

Rediffusion Cablevision Limited has been providing its "Bristol Channel" local community television service since 17th May 1973. The pattern of service and the amount of material provided are entirely matters for the company to decide: it is still too early to make any final judgment about the experiment.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what organisations and individuals were consulted before his authorisation of the experiment in local cable television in Bristol.

The BBC, the Independent Broadcasting Authority and the Cable Television Association of Great Britain were consulted before I announced the decision to allow local community television experiments in Greenwich, Bristol, Sheffield, Swindon and Wellingborough. Consultations with individuals and organisations in Bristol have always been matters for my licensee, Rediffusion Cablevision Limited.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the number of staff in his Department monitoring the quality and content of experimental local television programmes in Bristol.

None full-time. One higher executive officer is employed about half time on general questions of cable development—including the quality and

				Profession
Regional Hospital Board		Physiotherapists		Occupational Therapists		Speech Therapists		Remedial Gymnasts		Radiographers
Regional Hospital Board		Establishment	Shortfall	Establishment	Shortfall	Establishment	Shortfall	Establishment	Shortfall	Establishment	Shortfall
Northern	…	32	5½	10	5½	2½	1	2	½	22½	—
North-Eastern		54½	12	26	12	1	—	—	—	54	4½
Eastern	…	79½	29	45½	23	9½	2½	7	2½	55	3
South-Eastern		213½	41	109	14	12	—	4	1	179	5½
Western	…	425½	103	132	47½	36	10½	9	2	396	82

content of the programmes in the five experimental services which I have authorised.

Private Property (Powers Of Entry)

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will review the powers of entry to private property held under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 and seek to revoke all that he considers are not necessary.

No. There is no power of entry to private property under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, except by the consent of the person concerned or under the authority of a search warrant.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will review the powers of entry to private property held under the Post Office Act 1969 and seek to revoke all that he considers are not necessary.

I am satisfied that these powers are no more than are necessary to enable the Post Office and my Department properly to carry out their responsibilities under the Act.

Scotland

Hospitals (Supplementary Professions)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details of establishments and shortfalls, for each regional hospital board area, of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists remedial gymnasts and radiographers.

There are no nationally approved establishments for these grades, but, on the basis of the employing authorities' estimates of their requirements, the current information is as set out below.

Abortions

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of abortions carried out in Scotland for each year from 1968 to 1972 and the latest figures for 1973, distinguishing in each case between those carried out in National Health Service hospitals and those carried out privately.

The number of abortions notified as having been carried out in National Health Service hospitals and approved places since 27th April 1968 are:

	In N.H.S hospital	In approved place
1968(from 27th April)	1,493	44
1969	3,475	69
1970	5,178	76
1971	6,248	84
1972	7,501	99
1973 (to 30th Septmber)^*	5,285	70
^* The 1973 figures are provisional.

Social Services

Ambulance Services

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what contingency arrangements he has made to provide an ambulance service in the event of further industrial action by ambulance men; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that although ambulance men in several local authorities have taken unofficial industrial action they are continuing to provide accident and emergency services in all areas except County Durham. As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Durham

					Year ended
					31st March 1970	31st March 1971	31st March 1972	31st March 1973^*
Number of injury benefit claims (thousands)	…	…	…	…	899	795	710	733
Total sums paid in injury benefit (£ millions)	…	…	…	…	33	33	31	33
^* 53 weeks.

(Mr. Mark Hughes) yesterday.—[Vol. 864, c. 506–8.]—the Durham County Council is maintaining an emergency service with the help of volunteers. My Department is of course keeping the situation under constant and detailed review.

Battered Children

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many requests his Department has received to hold a public inquiry into the death or severe injury of a child subjected to parental assault; how many have been accepted; and how many have been rejected.

During the past two years I have received two formal requests for a public inquiry to be held into the death or severe injury of a child subjected to parental assault. The inquiry concerning Maria Colwell is currently proceeding at Brighton; the inquiry set up by Salop County Council in 1972 into the death of Graham Bagnall was considered in all the circumstances to be the best course in that case. There have in addition been a small number of other requests for cases to be investigated, not necessarily by public inquiry, which have been pursued.

Industrial Injury Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for industrial injury benefit in respect of accidents and prescribed diseases have been made in each of the last four years; and what was the average period for which such benefit was paid and the total sums paid in each such year.

The available figures are:

					Year ended
					31st May 1969	30th May 1970	5th June 1971	3rd June 1972
Estimated average duration in days of spells of injury benefit terminated in year for—
Accidents—
Males	…	…	…	…	26	26	26	26
Female		…	…	…	31	31	32	31
Prescribed diseases—
Males	…	…	…	…	31	33	32	35
Female		…	…	…	41	38	40	45

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures showing the number of new claims for disablement benefit for industrial injuries and prescribed diseases in each of the last three years, and the total

							Year ended
							31st March 1971	31st March 1972	31st March 1973^*
New claims for industrial disablement benefit (thousands)	…	…	…	…	…	…	181	165	160^*
Total sums paid in disablement benefit (£ million)							65	71	78
including sums paid in special hardship allowance	…	…	…	…	…	…	24	26	30
^* 53 weeks.

Statistics of industrial injury benefit claims are included in the Annual Report of the Department and expenditure is included in the annual accounts published as a House of Commons paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures showing the number of provisional and final awards of disablement

INDSTRIAL DISABLEMENT BENEFIT
(Thousands)
								Assessments commencing in year ended 30th September
								1970	1971	1972^*
Gratuities
Accidents:
All assessments		…	…	…	…	…	…	229	203	190
Initial assessments		…	…	…	…	…	…	117	100	93
Reassessments from gratuity				…	…	…	…	97	89	83
Reassessments from pension and other assessments†							…	16	14	14
Prescribed diseases
All assessments	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	9	9	8
Pensions‡
Accidents:
All assessments§		…	…	…	…	…	…	24	21	20
Initial assessments		…	…	…	…	…	…	18	16	14
Reassessments from gratuity and other assessments†§							…	6	6	5
Prescribed diseases:
All assessments§		…	…	…	…	…	…	2	2	2
^* Provisional figures including allowance for late awards etc.
† Including transfers from Northern Ireland etc.
‡ Including pensions in lieu of gratuities.
§ Excluding reassessments from pension.

sum paid in respect of disablement benefit and special hardship allowance, respectively, in each such year.

The information required is:benefits for industrial injuries and prescribed diseases in each of the last three years, showing the percentage disability assessed—(in groups if convenient)—and, in the case of final awards, the number of life assessments.

Statistics of awards are not maintained in the exact form required. The information available is as follows:

INDUSTRIAL DISABLEMENT PENSIONS OR PENSIONS IN LIEU OF GRATUITIES, CURRENT AT GIVEN DATES ANALYSED BY TYPE AND PERCENTAGE ASSESSMENT
(Thousands)
				All assessments	Percentage assessment
				All assessments	1 to 10	11 to 19	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
30th September 1970:
All types	…	…	…	205	28	2	78	47	21	10	6	4	3	1	5
Provisional		…	…	67	20	1	21	12	5	3	2	1	1	—	1
Final (Life)		…	…	136	8	2	55	35	16	7	4	3	2	1	4
Final (Limited term)			…	2	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
30th September 1971:
All types	…	…	…	204	28	2	77	47	21	10	6	4	2	1	5
Provisional		…	…	63	19	1	19	11	5	3	2	1	1	—	1
Final (Life)		…	…	138	8	2	56	36	16	7	4	3	2	1	4
Final (Limited term)			…	2	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
30th September 1972:
All types	…	…	…	202	27	2	76	47	21	10	6	4	2	1	5
Provisional		…	…	60	19	1	18	10	5	3	2	1	1	—	1
Final (Life)		…	…	140	8	2	56	37	16	7	5	3	2	1	4
Final (Limited term)			…	2	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Detailed statistics of industrial disablement benefit have recently been made available in a revised form and published by HMSO in "Social Security Statistics 1972".

Merchant Navy Welfare Board (Hotels)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hotels are maintained in the United Kingdom by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board; what was the financial position of this scheme at the last convenient date compared with a year previously; and what contribution the board made to voluntary societies at those two dates.

Although my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry each has a representative on the Merchant Navy Welfare Board neither Department is answerable for the board's policy or administration. However, I have obtained a copy of the board's annual report for 1972 which contains the information requested by my hon. Friend and am sending it to him.

Smoking

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has a further statement to make on the test marketing by a company of a cigarette containing tobacco substitute.

The company has told me that, as had always been its intention, its test-marketing is limited at this stage to a three-week campaign confined to the Coventry area. I have been assured by the company that it will not proceed to further marketing except within the company and taking into account the views of the Hunter Committee. I welcome this assurance. Indeed I welcome Courtaulds efforts in this field and any other moves towards the development of a less dangerous smoking material provided that this development is undertaken on lines cleared by the Hunter Committee.

Trade And Industry

Coal Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government propose to deal with the problem of loss of manpower in the coal industry.

Through the Coal Industry Act the Government have created an opportunity for establishing a viable industry which must benefit all who work in it. The National Coal Board is now building on this foundation by considering the longer-term future of supply and manpower.

Newsprint

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his assessment regarding the future supply of newsprint in relation to future needs of the newspaper industry; and if he will take steps to encourage the collection of waste paper by local authorities and other means in order to increase available stocks.

I understand that the arrangements which have been made by the newspaper industry to ensure that newspapers receive essential supplies of newsprint are working satisfactorily, and I have no reason at present to think that they will not continue to do so. However, we shall keep the position under review in the light of continuing discussions with the newsprint producers and the newspaper publishers. Local authorities are already encouraged to collect waste paper if they consider it worth while to do so.

Food Prices (Birmingham)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will obtain and publish information as to the number of inquiries and complaints from the general public which have been received during the last three months at the Birmingham regional office of the Price Commission.

This is a matter for the Price Commission, but I understand that during the last three months the West Midland Regional Office of the Price Commission has received 2,113 complaints and inquiries, of which the great majority were from the general public.

Oil Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state for each year since the negotiation of the Teheran and Tripoli agreements the percentage rise in oil prices by Middle East States, in United States of America cents per barrel, the take of host Governments compared with 1961 and the revenue he estimates will be received by the leading Middle East Governments following the latest increases in prices.

Dollars per barrel
			March 1971	March 1972	Percentage change	March 1973	Percentage change on a year earlier	October 1973	Percentage change since March 1973
Arabian light	…	…	2·180	2·479	+14	2·591	+5	5·119	+98
Iran light	…	…	2·170	2·467	+14	2·579	+5	5·091	+98
Kuwait	…	…	2·085	2·373	+14	2·482	+5	4·903	+98
Abu Dhabi, Murban			2·235	2·540	+14	2·654	+5	6·045	+128
Iraq, Basrah	…	…	2·155	2·451	+14	2·562	+5	5·061	+98
Qatar, Dukhan		…	2·280	2·590	+14	2·705	+5	5·834	+115
Libyan	…	…	3·447	3·673	+7	4·024	+10	8·925	+118

Figures for host Governments take in 1961, now and immediately prior to the recent increases are shown in the following table:

U.S. center per barrel
	Government take
	1961	1st October 1973	16th October 1973
Saudi Arabia	76	177	305
Iran	76	175	302
Kuwait	74	171	294
Abu Dhabi	—	182	358
Iraq	77	174	300
Qatar	87	181	315
Libya	63	283	545

The revenue that will be received by Middle East Governments will be dependent upon a number of factors including the levels of production and sales to all markets.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what would be the cost to the United Kingdom of animal oil imports, assuming the 1972 level of imports of crude oil at a market cost of 40 per cent. below posted prices, where posted prices in the Persian Gulf approximated $5·00 BBL, in the Eastern Mediterranean $7·00 BBL, Libyan 40·0–40·09° API $8·925 BBL and Nigerian 34·0–34·09° API $8·30 BBL; and how this cost compares with the position on 1st January 1973.

On the basis of the price assumptions quoted, the annual cost of crude and process oils imported into the United Kingdom from the areas specified would have been of the order of £1,000 million using 1972 quantities. The actual value of such imports in 1972 from these sources was £833 million. These sums do not, of course, represent the total cost of our oil imports.

The following table sets out posted prices of some Middle East crude oils since the Teheran and Tripoli agreements:

Cattle Exports

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cattle were exported live from the United Kingdom during September.

Information is given against SITC(R) 001.1 in Table VI of the September issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics.

Hs146

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance he has given, or is giving, to the development and production of the HS146; and what communication he has had from the EEC on this matter.

As my hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 22nd October—[Vol. 861, c. 687–9.]—the Government have decided to invest £40 million at January 1972 prices in this project. We have informed the Commission about the arrangements and will be willing to explain these further if it requests us to do so.

Consumer Durables (Sales)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the total sales of colour television sets, radios, motor cars, audio systems, washing machines, refrigerators, cookers and vacuum cleaners, respectively, since June 1970 to the latest available date.

The available information is shown in the following table:

SALES BY NUMBER OF CERTAIN CONSUMER DURABLES TO UNITED KINGDOM HOME MARKET^*
Thousands
			Colour Television Sets	Radios†	Audio systems (Record players and radiograms)	Washing Machines	Refrigerators‡	Cookers‡	Vacuum Cleaners	Cars§
Source:			(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(3)	(3)	(5)
1970—Year		…	504	3,254	871	750	1,072	747	1,331	1,127
1971—Year		…	922	4,898	884	888	1,066	811	1,437	1,335
1972—Year		…	1,780	6,369	1,071	1,232	1,079	782	1,726	1,702
1970—2nd half		…	308	1,998	525	386	422	399	681	512
1971—
1st half	…	…	309	2,264	343	388	616	420	585	643
2nd half		…	612	2,635	541	500	450	391	852	692
1972—
1st half	…	…	762	2,810	385	581	633	378	831	893
2nd half		…	1,018	3,558	686	651	446	404	895	809
1973—
1st half	…	…	1,323	2,793	535	736	730	460	982	931
3rd quarter		…	678	1,938	—	—	—	—	—	448
^* Sales include both home manufactured and imported products as estimated from the following sources: (1) British Radio Equipment Manufacturers' Association. (2) Business Monitor series and Overseas Trade Statistics. (3) Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Electric Appliances. (4) Domestic Refrigeration Development Committee. (5) Department of the Environment.
† Excludes car radios.
‡ Electric only.
§ New registrations.

Light Water Reactors

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to obtain a copy of the section deleted from the report of the local licensing hearings into light water reactor safety which commenced in January 1972 in the United States of America.

My Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, who keeps himself informed as necessary, will no doubt obtain such copies or information pertaining thereto if he sees the need to do so.

Animals (Export)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when existing export licences for live animals for slaughter will expire.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when each of the 10 licences for the export of cattle and pigs for slaughter, which were still in operation on 9th November, will expire.

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 9th November—[Vol. 863, c. 281.]—it is not the practice to disclose details of export licences.

Regional Development Grants

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether regional development grants are payable in respect of the following items, and at what rate: new industrial buildings, new agricultural and forestry buildings and works, new ships, new mining works, new scientific research assets, new fuel saving plant, other new plant and machinery, dredging and second-hand plant.

Under Part I of the Industry Act 1972, eligibility depends on the circumstances as well as on the nature of the assets. Grant may be made on new buildings and works on qualifying premises in a development area, an intermediate area, or, in the case of assets provided before 22nd March 1974, a derelict land clearance area.

Qualifying premises are those used wholly or mainly for qualifying activities as defined in the Act, principally manufacturing, mining and construction and including scientific research relating to other qualifying activities. Since agriculture and forestry are not qualifying activities, agricultral and forestry buildings and works do not qualify for grant unless they form part of larger premises in the same occupation used mainly for some other, qualifying, activity.

New mining works in development areas are eligible for grant whether they are provided on qualifying premises or not.

New plant and machinery is eligible for grant when provided for use in development areas either in qualifying premises or in activities described in Order XX of the Standard Industrial Classification—that is, construction activities. Whether a grant may be paid on particular items such as dredging and fuel saving plant or scientific research assets depends on whether they have been provided for use in qualifying premises or construction activities in the development areas.

Previously used plant is ineligible and, in general, so are ships.

The rate of grant is 20 per cent. of the approved capital expenditure, except in the special development areas where the rate is 22 per cent. for assets on qualifying premises and for mining works.

There is a general rule that grants are not payable in respect of items of plant or machinery and mining works costing less than £100 each or in respect of buildings and works, other than mining works, costing less than £1,000.

National Coal Board

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to cease acquiring interests in private industry.

No general direction is necessary. My hon. Friend should be aware that the board has in fact already disposed of some of its non-mining activities.

Investment (Eec Countries)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the firms with parent companies in the Common Market which have invested or which have agreed to invest in the United Kingdom since 1st January 1973 and which have received or have been promised grants from public funds, showing the location or proposed location of such investment.

It is my Department's normal practice at present not to divulge the identity of individual firms receiving financial assistance under the Industry Act 1972. As for the first part of the Question, I am unable to add to earlier replies, but I am writing to my hon. Friend.

Monopolies Commission (Reports)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he has made for keeping under review the carrying out of undertakings given by the parties in relation to matters dealt with in the reports of the Monopolies Commission before the Fair Trading Act 1973 came into force.

I have issued a certificate under paragraph 9 of Schedule 11 to the Fair Trading Act 1973 applying to undertakings given in relation to matters dealt with in the following reports:

(a) Monopoly Reports

The supply of certain industrial and medical gases (published 1957).
The supply of wallpaper (published 1964).
The supply of petrol to retailers in the United Kingdom (published 1965).
The supply and processing of colour film (published 1966).
The supply of household detergents (published 1966).
The supply in Great Britain of films to exhibitors for exhibition in cinemas (published 1966).
The supply of infant milk foods (published 1967).
The supply of man-made cellulosic fibres (published 1968).
The second report on the supply of electric lamps (published 1968).
The supply of clutch mechanisms for road vehicles (published 1968).
The supply of metal containers (published 1970).
The prices of ready-cooked breakfast cereal foods (published 1973).

(b) Merger Reports

The British Motor Corporation Ltd. and the Pressed Steel Co. Ltd. (published 1966).
British Insulated Callender's Cables Ltd. and Pyrotenax Ltd. (published 1967).

I have today furnished a copy of this certificate of the Director General of Fair Trading who thereby assumes the duties specified in Section 88(4) of the Act.

Unit Pricing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for legislation on the subject of unit pricing.

I intend to introduce a Bill on this subject as soon as possible.

Sunderland Shipbuilders

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about Government assistance to Sunderland Shipbuilders.

My Department has offered and Sunderland Shipbuilders have accepted a loan of £9 million under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972. The loan will be for rebuilding and modernising, at a total cost, including capital and working capital, of £22 million, the company's yard at Pallion and making improvements at its other yards at Deptford and North Sands. It will be within the guidelines I laid down in my statement of 23rd July.

Industrial Reorganisation Corporation (Investments)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement about the position of the investments transferred to him from the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.

The list of holdings as at 1st October 1973 is given below. A separate heading shows the investments disposed of during the period since 1st April 1973. No advances against outstanding commitments were made during, this period.

INDUSTRIAL REORGANISATION CORPORATION INVESTMENTS TRANSFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, HOLDING AT 1ST OCTOBER 1973
Loans
British Leyland Motar Corporation Limited					…	£10,000,000 Unsecured Loan
Clarke Chapman-John Thompson Limited				…	…	£3,000,000 Unsecured Loan
Marwin (Holdings) Limited		…	…	…	…	£250,000 Unsecured Loan
Nucler Enterprises Limited			…	…	…	£500,000 Unsecured Loan
Samuel-Osborn & Company Limited				…	…	£1,750,000 Secured Loan
Equity and Preference Shares						Cost
British Nuclear Design &x Construction Ltd.
260,000 Ordinary Shares of £1			…	…	…	£260,000
Brown Bayley Limited
2,400,000 Ordinary Shares of £1			…	…	…	See Note (1)
George Kent Limited
3,017,577 Ordinary Shares of 50p			…	…	…	£6,504,861
1,244,180 Deferred Ordinary Shares of 50p					…
Kearney & Trecker Marwin Limited
300,000 Redeemable Convertible Third Preference Shares of £1	…	…	…	…	…	£300,000 (See Note (2))
Nuclear Enterprises Limited
7,353 "B" Ordinary Shares of £1				…	…	£100,000
Notes:
(1) The following investment is held by Brown Bayley Limited: Brown Bayley Steels Limited, 2,404,000 Shares of 50p—£1,470,453.
(2) Previously Kearney & Trecker Limited.

Changes during the period 1st April to 30th September 1973 Investments disposed of
Loans
Clark Chapman-John Thompson Limited			…	…	£500,000 Unsecured Loan (Part)
Herbert Ingersoll Ltd. (In Receivership)			…	…	£237,500 Unsecured Loan (Part)
Marwin (Holdings Ltd).	…	…	…	…	£500,000 Unsecured Loan (Part)
Loans Convertible into Equity
Marwin (Holdings Ltd).	…	…	…	…	£750,000 8 per cent. Convertible Loan
Rolls-Royce Limited (In Liquidation)			…	…	£8,500,000 Unsecured Convertible Loan (Part)

Equity and Perference Shares

Cost

Herbert Ingersoll Limited (In Receivership): 36,750 "B" Ordinary Shares of £1

£257,250

Wales

Roads

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the schemes for road improvement in Cardiganshire of £50,000 cost upwards for which he is responsible or which needed his consent which are to be completed within the next five years.

The following road schemes in Cardiganshire, each estimated to cost over £50,000, are included in my road programme for trunk road and principal road schemes:FIRM PROGRAMME (TRUNK ROAD SCHEMES)

A44 Improvement at Bwlch, Nant-yr-Arian.
A44 Milestone 15-Milestone 16.
A44 Llanbadarn Road.
A44 Diversion at Llanbadarn Fawr.
A487 Improvement at Rhydfelin Hill.
A487 Improvement at Maesnewydd.
A487 Trenewydd Fawr, Aberaeron-Church Road Junction, Aberarth.
A487 Llanarth Bridge.
A487 Bridge at Melin-y-Garreg.

A487 Llanarth-Llyncelyn X Roads, Stage 1.
A487 Llanrhystud-Blaenpwyf at MS 6.
A487 Ffynnon Diewi Diversion.
A487 Mill Street and Penglais Road, Aberystwyth.

PREPARATION POOL (TRUNK ROAD SCHEMES)

A487 Cardigan Bypass.
A44 Eastern Approaches to Aberystwyth.
A487 Furnace Bridge-Eglwysfach.

FIRM PROGRAMME (PRINCIPAL ROAD SCHEMES)

A4120 Penybont Bridge.
A485 Cwm-yr-Olchfa-Bronant.
A482 Pont-y-Creuddyn to Falcondale.
A482 Ciliau Aeron-Tan-yr-Alit.
A485 Glan Gors-Conhead.

As many as possible of these schemes will be completed within the next five years, but I cannot give a precise forcast.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much per head of population was spent in Cardiganshire and Merionethshire in the last financial year on classified roads.

Information provided by local authorities of expenditure on non-principal roads is no longer subdivided between classified and unclassified roads.The expenditure per head of population on principal roads in Cardiganshire and Merioneth for the financial year 1972–73 was as follows:

County	Per Head of Population
Cardiganshire	£5·93
Merioneth	£16·17

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans are in hand to improve trunk road communications from Newport to the Eastern Valley of Monmouthshire; and if he will make a statement;(2) what plans are in hand to improve trunk road communications from Newport to the Western Valley of Monmouthshire; and if he will make a statement;(3) what plans are in hand to improve trunk road communications from Newport to the Sirhowy Valley of Monmouthshire; and if he will make a statement.

Two major improvement schemes to the A4042, which links Newport to the Eastern Valley of Monmouthshire, are in my trunk road preparation pool. They are the Pontypool Western Bypass and the Llantarnam Bypass. The Sirhowy Valley and the Western Valley of Monmouthshire are linked to Newport by principal roads, which are the responsibility of the local highway authority.

Rabbit Eradication

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will undertake to look into the desirability of reintroducing the grant aid to rabbit eradication societies in areas where rabbits appear to have developed an immunity to myxomatosis.

No. We are adhering to the principle of occupier responsibility for control of rabbits whether or not they are susceptible to myxomatosis.

Welsh Language Council

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now announce the membership of the Welsh Language Council.

I am pleased to announce that in addition to the chairman, Mr. Ben Jones, the following have accepted my invitation to become members of the Welsh Language Council:

Sir Goronwy Daniel—Principal, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; former Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office.

Lord Davies of Llandinam—Civil Engineer; Chairman, Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services.

Mr. W. Emrys Evans, Dinas Powis—South Wales Director, Midland Bank.

Mr. Trevor Fishlock, Pontyclun—author and journalist; Times correspondent on Welsh affairs.

Professor Idris LI. Foster, Carneddi, Bangor—Professor of Celtic Studies, Jesus College. Oxford.

Mr. R. E. Griffith, Aberystwyth—former Director, Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

Mr. Carwyn James—Lecturer in Welsh, Trinity College, Carmarthen.

Mr. E. Aneurin Jones—Headmaster, Lam-peter Secondary School.

Mr. Emyr Currie-Jones, Cardiff—Solicitor; Chairman-elect, South Glamorgan County Council; Member, Welsh Language Advisory Translation Panel.

Mrs. Helen E. Latham, Newport—Chairman, National Council for the Elderly in Wales; Area Chairman for South Wales, Abbeyfield Society.

Councillor W. C. Philpin, Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire—Farmer; Member, Pembrokeshire County Council; Chairman. Pembrokeshire Education Committee, Chairman, Environment aad Cultural Panel, Welsh Council.

Mr. J. E. Hugh Rees, Swansea—Chartered Surveyor, former Member of Parliament, Swansea West; Member of the Bowen Committee on Bilingual Traffic Signs.

Mrs. Ann Saer, Cardiff—Lecturer in Sociology, Llandaff College of Education (Home Economics).

Volume 864: debated on Thursday 15 November 1973

Written Answers To Questions

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Common Agricultural Policy

Population And Food Supplies

Food Prices

Icelandic Fisheries

Pest Control

Animals (Export)

Beam Trawling

Fishery Protection Service

Aldrin And Dieldrin

National Finance

Value Added Tax

Motor Vehicles (Alternative Power Sources)

Exchange Rate

Productive Capacity

Personal Incomes

Taxation And Incomes

Purchase Tax Rebates

Tax Yield

Money Supply

Investment Income

Industrial Taxation

Nationalised Industries

Trade Balance

Public Debt (External Loans)

Investment

Home Department

Road Traffic Speed Limits (Enforcement)

Fireworks (Accidents)

Charities

Children (Accidental Poisoning)

British Nationality (Applications)

Taxi Trade

Battered Children

Urban Programme (Lambeth)

Prison Officers

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

European Convention On Human Rights

Eec Commission

Caribbean Development Bank

Commonwealth Sugar

Mortgages

North Sea Oil

Political Parties (Finance)

Coal Mining Areas

Chile

Farmworkers (Pay)

Eec Countries

Redundant Church Sites

Civil Service

Government Publications (Liverpool)

Education And Science

Teaching The Deaf

Primary And Secondary Pupils

Dyslexia

Primary Schools (Guisborough)

Employment

European Social Fund

Ambulance Drivers' Dispute (Essex)

Average Wage (Scotland)

Welders (Bellshill Training Centre)

Training (Lanarkshire)

Unemployed Persons (Assessment)

Manpower Services Commission

Industrial Relations Act

Environment

Bicycles

Provisional Driving Licences

Driving Tests

Overspill Estates (Hattersley And Carrbrook)

Motor Vehicles (Tyres)

Tipper Lorries

Accommodation Expenditure

Thermal Insulation

Housing Cost Yardsticks

Northern Ireland

Teachers' Salary Council