asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present size of the EEC's butter stocks.

The latest available information shows public intervention stocks in the Community of 131,833 metric tons. Privately-owned stocks on which storage aids are paid amount to 138,894 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the EEC intends to carry out the bankable assurances given to Commonwealth sugar exporters at Lancaster House in May 1971.

As I said during the debate on 24th October, I am confident that the Community will provide a secure and continuing market, on fair terms, for the full quantities of sugar which we at present take from the developing members of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the percentage increase in the retail price of home-killed brisket beef, breast of lamb, belly pork, back bacon and cheddar cheese since June 1970 to the latest available date.

The following table shows the percentage increase in average retail prices, as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, between 16th June 1970 and 16th October 1973, the latest date for which information is available:—

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present sum required to purchase food valued at £1 in June 1970.

Based on the movement in the food index between 16th June 1970 and 16th October 1973, the latest date for which information is available, £1–44·8p.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many food price increases have been recorded since 26th July; and what was the increase in the price of bread, butter, cheese, margarine, bacon and meat, respectively, since that date.

Information is not available to answer the first part of the Question. In reply to the second part, the following table shows the changes in average retail prices as collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices between 17th July and 16th October, the latest date for which information is available:

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

Between 14th November 1972 and 16th October 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the prices of fresh foods rose by 31·5 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of a dozen eggs in June 1970; and what is the equivalent price today.

The average price for brown and white standard grade eggs in June 1970 was 18·3p per dozen. The average price now is 42·5p per dozen for white and 43·2p for brown standard eggs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much it would have cost to purchase 1 lb of bacon, 1½ dozen eggs, 1 lb of butter, six large loaves of bread, ½ lb of tea, 1 lb of sugar, 4 lb of beef, 1 lb of sausage, 1 lb of tomatoes and one cabbage in June 1970, using retail recommended price lists; and how this cost compares with October 1973.

The following table, which is based on average retail prices collected for the purposes of the Index of Retail Food Prices, shows the cost on 16th June 1970 and 16th October 1973.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest retail food price trends.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Central (Mr. Thomas Cox) and others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a ministerial television appearance to explain the cause of price rises during the past three years.

My right hon. Friend has explained the reasons for the rise in food prices in both radio and television broadcasts on a number of occasions in recent months and he will continue to take such opportunities in future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effects of the British-Icelandic agreement on the price of fish.

The loss of 30,000 tons or so of catch represents a considerable sacrifice to the distant-water sector of the fishing industry. But the total British landings by all sectors are around 900,000 tons, and this loss is not therefore likely to have a significant effect on prices. Other factors, such as the level of world demand, will have much more influence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to protect East Coast oyster beds from pollution.

River authorities take account of the need to safeguard oyster beds in giving consent to discharges into rivers and coastal waters. Sea fisheries committees also protect shellfish through their byelaws. The Ministry's fisheries laboratories provide much of the advice on which these controls are based.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to alleviate the difficulties of dairy farmers due to rising production costs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking as a result of the representations which he has received from the National Farmers' Union about increased costs of farming.

I would refer hon. Members to my reply of 16th October to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris)-[Vol. 861, c. 94–96.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give urgent assistance to dairy farmers in Derbyshire by increasing the payment for milk, in view of the rising cost of feed.

As I made clear in my statement on 8th October, action will have to await the outcome of the annual review. During the discussions on this which are being brought forward the problems of dairy producers in all parts of the country will be carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Commission with respect to the proposal that dairy farmers should pay a levy on milk delivered to collecting stations.

We had a preliminary discussion of the Commission's proposals at this week's meeting of the Council of Ministers, during which I indicated that the proposed levy on milk delivered to dairies was unacceptable in its present form. On the other hand I said that the proposal for some form of levy on milk products going into intervention might have some merit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals to modify the EEC intervention price mechanism to take advantage of falling world prices as they occur.

Many aspects of the common agricultural policy will no doubt be discussed in the course of the review currently taking place.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if future falls in world food prices may be reflected fully in United Kingdom imported food prices or if these will be limited by price intervention directions in the Common Market.

Consumers would benefit from future falls in the world prices of most of the foods imported into the United Kingdom. The main exceptions are sugar, for which the United Kingdom import price is already below world price levels, and dairy products. For other commodities subject to the common agricultural policy, the prices of imports could fall to EEC levels less the compensatory amounts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the light of the non-availability of funds under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme, what action he will take to maintain investment in horticulture.

As I announced in reply to my hon. Friend the member for Bridgwater (Mr. Tom King) on 14th November, new schemes providing assistance to horticulturists will operate from 1st January 1974. Until then, grants are available for certain facilities under the Farm Capital Grant Scheme and by agricultural investment grants.—[Vol. 864, c. 176–178.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food to what extent the Government are committed as a member of the EEC to raise the guaranteed price for milk and pigs still further in future annual price reviews.

Article 54 of the Acts of Accession and EEC Regulation 749 of 1973 prescribe the method of calculating the maximum levels of increase.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will cancel all import duties or levies on cheese imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now remove all import duties or levies on butter imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC.

No, Sir. In acceding to the Community we accepted Community arrangements for these commodities. As a result of our negotiations, however, the retail price of butter is lower now than before these levies were introduced, and that of cheddar cheese is virtually unchanged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will remove import duties or levies on bacon imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC.

No, Sir. The current levy represents some 4 per cent. of cif import prices and there is every prospect of a nil levy from 1st February next year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money has been paid to traders by the Intervention Board to denature cereals in the United Kingdom in the present year.

£12,198,000 to 31st October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much wheat has been denatured by traders or by the Intervention Board in the United Kingdom in the present year.

The board's latest published statistics show that subsidy claims have been passed for payment in respect of 1,785,315 tons of wheat denatured by traders since 1st February. No wheat is denatured by the board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to obtain further information, as recommended by the Pharmacology Sub-Committee of the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy, about the effect of those preservatives which are used with fresh oranges and other citrus fruits.

It is for manufacturers and users of preservatives who wish to have them included in, or retained in, the permitted list to provide such information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in the interests of lower food prices, he will abolish the Intervention Board.

No Sir. In fact, the activities of the board have had very little effect on food prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to ensure that his policy of the expansion of agricultural production will apply to milk and meat, and that the increase in costs of feeding stuffs of which no account has been taken in a price review will not result in lower production.

These matters will be fully considered in the annual review. Discussions in relation to this are being brought forward and will start next month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he receives advance information from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation about future world food shortages.

The United Kingdom, together with other members of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, receives a monthly report entitled "Early Warning System for Food Shortages". This gives information on production levels and climatic conditions in developing countries, and on the basis of this tries to predict where serious need is likely to arise.

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

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 15th November.—[Vol, 864, c. 207–8.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to improve the United Kingdom's market intelligence service for horticultural producers; and if he will make a statement.

My Department publishes frequent and comprehensive information on the crop situation and on wholesale prices. I am always prepared to consider specific proposals for improvement of these arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from his expert committee as to the respective nutritional and food safety qualities of artificial protein derived from methanol and artificial protein derived from paraffins; and if he will make a statement.

The expert committees considering nutritional, safety and other aspects have not yet advised me on artificial proteins thus derived. Meanwhile I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made during the debate on the Adjournment of 16th May that there is no question at present of microbial proteins based on methanol or on paraffins being used as ingredients of food for human consumption.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much better has been imported from the EEC: and what is the average price per ton.

In the first nine months of 1973, imports of butter from the other member States of the EEC totalled 135·8 thousand tons. The average cif price was £435·7 per ton, £70·8 per ton lower than the average price of butter imported from these sources in the same period of 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of a 13 per cent. bank rate on the expansion of United Kingdom agriculture.

It is not possible to make a meaningful assessment, as the effect will vary from farmer to farmer according to the circumstances of his business and will depend on the length of time that the rate stays at its present level.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will pay an official visit to Hartlepool.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Hartlepool at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received to the effect that pig and poultry producers may be disadvantaged by EEC Directive 72/159.

Producer interests, in particular the National Farmers' Union, have pressed for the restriction on assistance to investment in pig and poultry enterprises to be relaxed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to institute a compensation fund for soft fruit growers whose crops are lost through weather damage.

No. Soft fruit growers, like all other growers and farmers in general, bear the risks of bad weather and reap the rewards of good weather.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost of FEOGA in million units of account in each year from 1964 to 1972; what was the original and what was the revised estimate for 1973; and how much of the 1973 expenditure is attributable to the new member States.

The following table shows the annual cost of FEOGA during the period from 1964 to 1972. It is necessary to show information for the guarantee and guidance sections separately, since guarantee section expenditure before 1970 was recorded by

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of inflation has been domestically generated on a month-by-month basis since January 1972.

It would not be meaningful to try to apportion individual monthly changes in domestic prices to domestic and external factors. In particular, because lags are involved, changes in import prices in a specific month will not be wholly reflected in domestic prices in the same month. However, it is clear from the statistics that domestic causes of inflation were the most important between January 1972 and the standstill in November of that year, and that import prices have been the main factor since then. Between January and November 1972 retail prices rose 6·5 per cent. and import prices, which have a weight of roughly one-fifth in the total, by 7·7 per cent.; between November 1972 and September 1973 retail prices rose 7·4 per cent. and import prices 31·2 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Minister has special responsibility for vetting and co-ordinating the expenditure by Government agencies and Departments of public funds devoted to unprofitable commercial activities.

Each Minister is responsible for expenditure by his Department and its agents: my right hon. Friend has overall responsibility for the management of public expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner, he will take steps to ensure, in cases where the Parliamentary Commissioner has found maladministration by the Inland Revenue and recommended financial compensation, the prompt payment of such compensation.

The Parliamentary Commissioner's recommendations in cases involving the Inland Revenue are in the overwhelming majority of cases implemented by that Department. There are more than 25 million taxpayers; and out of about 360 cases referred to the PCA in which the Inland Revenue was the main Department concerned, in only nine cases has he found that there has been maladministration which has not been remedied. In these cases there were overriding factors which have prevented the Revenue from being able to provide a remedy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take in respect of instances of maladministration by the Inland Revenue, reported upon by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, which have not yet been remedied; and, in particular, if he will have regard to case No. C559/G reported in the Fifth Report of the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Session 1972–73.

I shall shortly be writing to my hon. Friend who referred Case No. C559/G to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. So far as cases generally are concerned, the PCA's recommendations are in the overwhelming majority of cases implemented by the Inland Revenue. Out of about 360 cases—which should be related to more than 25 million taxpayers—in which the Inland Revenue was the main Department concerned, there have been only nine cases where he has found that maladministration occurred which has not been remedied. In these nine cases there were overriding factors which have prevented the Revenue from being able to provide a remedy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now reverse the instruction to the clearing banks to restrict interest payments on small deposits, or, alternatively, arrange to compensate small depositors from public funds for the differential between the rate of interest received by them and the rate now paid to large depositors.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of a 13 per cent. bank rate on industrial investment.

The Government do not expect that the measures which were taken on 13th November to slow down the expansion of money and credit to rates which are compatible with the sustainable growth in the economy will affect industrial investment. British industry is at present highly liquid, and one should not assume that interest rates will necessarily stay at their new levels for long. The latest surveys show investment intentions at record levels.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total balance of payments deficit so far in 1973, excluding invisible earnings.

In the first 10 months of 1973 foreign currency borrowing by the public sector amounted to £905 million, and the reserves rose by £344 million. The deficit on visible trade in the same period was £,587 million, seasonally adjusted—the surplus on invisibles in this period was around £650 million. Information concerning the remaining items of the balance of payments is available for the first six months of the year only, and was published in Economic Trends in September.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the nominal amount of the National Debt outstanding at 31st March in each year since 1964.

The total National Debt outstanding at 31st March each year is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual cost to the Exchequer of tax concessions on company cars, including capital costs and running toss.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average number of firms allocated to each visiting VAT officer.

No estimate of this average has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average length of time a VAT officer is expected to take over a visit to each of the different categories of registered VAT firms.

No estimate of the average length of an officer's visit to the different categories of registered VAT firms has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he concluded that a staff of 8,000 would be sufficient to administer VAT; and if he is still of the same opinion.

The number of staff to administer VAT was assessed by reference to the scope and coverage of the tax and the estimated number of registered traders. The adequacy of staffing complements is kept under continuous review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now ensure that VAT on bad debts is allowed as a deductible input; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the installation of a new specially designed computer to assist with the administration of VAT.

The computer facilities required for the administration of VAT are kept under continuous review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what co-ordination exists between local VAT officers in formulating replies given to queries from firms.

Queries dealt with locally are answered on the basis of instructions issued centrally; issues raised outside the scope of these instructions are referred to headquarters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present estimate of time between visits of LVO staff to firms registered for VAT; and how this compares with the original estimate.

No such estimate has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many educational visits have been made by LVO staff to firms registered for VAT; how many remain to be seen; and when it is anticipated that this exercise will be completed.

So far educational visits have been made to rather more than half of these traders. Educational visits are now being combined with visits related to the operation of the tax and this will continue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of VAT returns have to be returned; and if he will summarise the reasons.

Precise figures are not available. The collection of such figures would have required the uneconomic use of resources. The reasons for sending back returns include omission of required particulars, queries arising on particulars given, and omission of signature.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many VAT assessments have been issued when a correct return had already been submitted and agreed.

Precise figures are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans there are to set up additional local value added tax offices; and how many there are at the present time.

There are 70 local value added tax offices. At present my right hon. Friend has no plans to add to that number.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on behalf of the Staff Side of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise about the need for additional staff to cope with VAT; and what action he proposes.

The Staff Side has submitted a memorandum to the Chairman of Customs and Excise. The staffing for VAT is under review in the light of the experience gained of the administration of the tax and the Staff Side's representations will be taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many inquiries about the administration of VAT have been received by LVOs from those engaged in trade concerned with works of art and antiques and others where special schemes operate.

Records of inquiries to focal VAT offices are filed by reference to individual traders and the figures asked for could only be obtained at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many VAT applications have been received from firms wishing to change from exempt status to full registrations, and vice versa.

These figures are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on discussions he has had within the EEC about the operation of VAT.

My right hon. Friend and I had useful discussions with Monsieur Simonet, the Commissioner responsible for VAT, when he visited London in April. The Commission's proposals for the harmonisation of the structure of VAT have been submitted to the Council and it will consider them after they have been discussed in the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual notices, instructions and amendments have been issued by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to local value added tax offices since 1st April 1973.

Instructions to local VAT offices take many different forms; some are of general and others of limited application. It is impracticable to say how many individual instructions and amendments have been issued. Seven new or revised VAT notices and one amendment leaflet have been published since 1st April 1973 and VAT offices have received copies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what delay is incurred at VAT Central Unit when returns are returned due to inaccuracy.

The extent of the delay depends primarily upon the type of inaccuracy and the speed with which the trader responds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made in the likely shortfall in VAT collections in 1973–74.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to publish revised estimates of the revenue in the course of the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he considers to be an acceptable collection percentage of VAT.

Customs and Excise's aim is to collect the full amount of value added tax due.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will support in the Council of Ministers the proposal of the Commission of the European Communities, contained in Article 14, paragraph A 1(a), of the draft 6th Council directive on harmonisation of taxation, that telecommunications services should be exempt from VAT.

My right hon. Friend will consider carefully this proposal and the draft directive as a whole when it comes before the Council for a final decision following discussion in the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an increment has been paid to the staff of the Inland Revenue in consequence of the introduction of the new corporation tax.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the figures for the money stock, both M1 and M3, at the time when these categories were introduced; what were the figures in January of each succeeding year; and what is the latest figure.

Figures for M1 and M3 were first published, on a quarterly basis, in September 1970. The information requested is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of increase in the money supply (M2 definition) in the latest 12-months' period and in the previous corresponding 12-months' period.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st November 1973, Vol. 864, c. 445], gave the following information:The M2 series, which included 7-day deposit accounts at the clearing banks, is no longer compiled since as banks now offer a much wider range of term deposits this earlier distinction has ceased to be appropriate. The increases in the two definitions now used, M1 and M3, are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT those private companies or undertakings in which the Government have a financial interest, or to which they have made grants; if he will state the amount and percentage of the holding and of the grants, respectively, and under what legislation such was made; what representations he has on the boards or controlling body of such companies; and whether he considers such to be adequate in relation to the amount of public money invested.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st November 1973, Vol. 864, c. 444–5], gave the following information:This Question could only be answered fully at the cost of disproportionate time and effort. However, details are given below of private companies and undertakings in which the Government hold shares and of those companies to which the Government have made substantial grants since June 1970. The answer to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question is "Yes".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many clerical officers have been promoted to executive officers as a consequence of disability to recruit appropriate staff for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

The promotion of clerical officers is part of the normal Civil Service pattern for filling executive officer vacancies. There is no fixed proportion of such vacancies which is earmarked for filling by direct recruitment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the shorfall of staff in each grade of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in each month since 1st April 1973.

The difference between the currently authorised complement of Customs and Excise and the total number of staff in post has been reduced from about 2,000 in April to about 1,500 at present. A breakdown showing the vacancies in each grade would be misleading as it would include posts in the process of being filled by promotion and transfer, posts under review and posts filled by temporary promotion from a lower grade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the basic wage of each grade of staff in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

The salaries and wages of most grades in the Department, along with those of other civil servants, are at present being revised. I shall write to the hon. Member when those of the main categories have been settled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an increment has been paid to the staff of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in consequence of the introduction of VAT.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis a copy of the Assistant Commissioner (Crimes) consolidated instructions, referred to as the Black List, and publish details of this in the OFFICIAL REPORT, or place of copy in the House of Commons Library, and publish the list of Members of Parliament named in these instructions, or notify the Members whose names are included in the report.

This document gives operational guidance to police officers and it ought not to be given currency outside the Metropolitan Police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the population of the area under the control of the London County Council or Greater London Council in 1950 and the number of taxis then licensed: and if he will give the corresponding figures for the years 1960 to 1972.

The numbers of taxis shown in the table relate to the Metropolitan Police District, within which London taxis are licensed.The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from members of the public who have received obscene unsolicited advertising leaflets of the type notified to him by the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire; and if he will formulate proposals for preventing such intrusion into people's private lives.

We have received several complaints about the leaflets to which the hon. Member refers, and a great many about the indiscriminate unsolicited circulation of similar material. Clause 10 of the Cinematograph and Indecent Displays Bill, which has now received its Second Reading, is designed to provide more effective safeguards against this objectionable practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the initial lack of information relating to the implementation of the state of emergency; and whether he will augment these arrangements in future.

My right hon. Friend is ready to consider any point which the hon. Member may bring to his attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will request magistrates to consider the medical, social and sociological grounds of suspicion in cases of child abuse.

Where care proceedings are brought under Part I of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969—whether on grounds of alleged neglect or ill-treatment of the child or otherwise—the local authority has a statutory duty to make investigations and to provide the juvenile court with information on the child's home background, school record, health and character. The Juvenile Court Rules require the court to take this information into consideration, to enable it to deal with the case in the child's best interests.A magistrates' court, before which a parent charged with neglecting or assaulting a child may appear, has power to call for medical and social reports on the accused. In addition, medical evidence and evidence on home conditions are likely to be placed before the court by the prosecution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to give authority to juvenile court magistrates to request psychiatric reports and to recommend that parents attend a treatment centre wherever appropriate.

Under Section 9 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, juvenile courts are provided with information about a child's home surroundings as well as his character, health and school record; they therefore have information available to them about the quality of parental care. My right hon. Friend does not think that it would be right to give juvenile courts jurisdiction over adults or to empower them to request psychiatric reports on, or recommend treatment for, persons who have not been brought before them by due process of law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parents have been accused of murder or manslaughter of their children in each of the past three years; and how many were found guilty.

The numbers of parents proceeded against for the murder or manslaughter of their children—aged under 17—recorded in 1970, 1971 and 1972 were 62, 83 and 85 respectively; of these the numbers found guilty of murder or manslaughter were 42, 57 and 59 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will request magistrates to avoid any delay in hearing cases of child abuse.

I have no reason to think that magistrates are not already fully aware of the importance of avoiding delay in cases where there may be danger to a child, but if the hon. Member wishes to draw any instances of delay to my attention I shall be glad to consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask the Criminal Law Revision Committee to reconsider the law and legal procedures for cases of child abuse.

No. However, the Criminal Law Revision Committee is already reviewing the law on offences against the person generally, and if the hon. Member has specific suggestions relevant to that review perhaps he will let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the result of his inquiries into the increases in the salaries of certain individuals.

I understand that the Pay Board investigated one such increase in salary which received wide publicity and found that it did not breach the stage 2 pay code any more than a number of other payments made under firm pre-standstill commitments involving commission payments, profit-sharing and payment-by-results schemes. However, the Government have been concerned about excessive increases resulting from pre-standstill commitments and have provided in the stage 3 code that such increases should be limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons were working in the woollen and fine worsted industries at the latest available date; and how this compares with the situation in October 1972.

There were 103,200 employees in employment in the industry at September 1973 and 107,600 in October 1972. The figures are provisional.