asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the £47 million limit for applications under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme was first announced.

The Horticulture Act 1960, under which the first Horticulture Improvement Scheme was made, set a limit of £8¼ million to aggregate grant expenditure. This was increased to £27 million by the Agriculture and Horticulture Act 1964 and to £42 million—with provision for a further increase to £47 million by order—by the Agriculture Act 1970. The Government's intention to make the Horticulture (Increase in Aggregate Amount of Grants) Order 1973, authorising the final increase to £47 million, was announced on 2nd April 1973, when a draft of the order was laid before the House for approval.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many requests for improvement grants under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme had been made to his Department but, not being formally lodged by the termination date, have been disallowed; and what would be the approximate cost of allowing such applications, under this scheme and under the proposed replacement scheme.

About 2,500 applications for grant under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme have been received since the available funds were committed on 6th July. The approximate cost of approving these applications under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme would be £7 million. We cannot estimate the cost of the proposals under the new schemes with their varying grant rates. The time involved in scrutinising each aplication to determine the appropriate rates of grant would be prohibitive. Moreover, we could not tell from the HIS application form whether the proposal would be eligible for grant under the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme or how the applicant would opt if he were eligible both for that scheme and for the Horticulture Capital Grant Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received asking him to reconsider his decision not to allow applications under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme that were being discussed with his Department at the time of the termination of the scheme but had not been formally lodged; and what has been his reply.

So far as they can be distinguished, 23 of the letters about the ending of the Horticulture Improvement Scheme seek special treatment for proposals which were being discussed with my officials but for which no application had been made by 6th July. We have replied that because of lack of funds it will not be possible to approve any application received after 6th July but that growers with applications outstanding will receive priority treatment under the two new schemes to be introduced on 1st January 1974.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the effect of the termination of the availability of grants under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

We have received 167 letters about the effect of the termination of the availability of grants under the Hortculture Improvement Scheme. Of these 142 have come from Members of Parliament and 25 from the National Farmers' Union, growers and the supplying industries. We have sent 165 replies to date.For detailed statements on capital grants for horticulture I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on 24th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), to the reply given on 14th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Tom King)—[Vol. 860, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the level of grants available under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme up to 6th July 1973 would be permissible under EEC Directive 72/159.

No. However, it cannot be assumed that the 40 per cent. rate of grant under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme would have been continued in any successor scheme if EEC Directive 72/159 had not applied.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT the percentage and money value changes in been the average annual percentage increase in productivity in agriculture over the past decade; and what estimate he can make of future increases.

Overall productivity in agriculture is estimated to have risen on average by about 2 per cent. per annum over the last 10 years. I have no estimate of what this increase might be in the future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what easily available statistics he has showing the wage structure of the current veterinary service at a recent convenient date.

The information is as follows :the average retail prices of the 80 important items of food as collected for the purposes of the retail food prices index between July 1970 and the latest date for which prices are available.

The percentage and money value changes in average retail prices between 21st July 1970 and 16th October 1973 are as follows :

asked the Attorney-General how many High Court judges in each of the last 20 years have been requested to carry out and have carried out non-judicial duties in the form of inquiries, commissions and reports or similar tasks.

Including Law Lords and Lords Justices, but excluding

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the percentage salary increases awarded to all secretarial grades of the Civil Service since December 1971.

The secretarial grades in the Civil Service have received two salary increases since December 1971. A central pay increase was awarded on 1st January 1972 which gave an average percentage increase of 7·6 per cent. for the personal secretary grade and of 7·5 per cent. for the senior personal secretary grade. An increase within the limits of stage 2 of the Government's counter-inflation policy was paid on 1st April 1973 which gave an average increase of 7·8 per cent. to personal secretaries and of 6·8 per cent. to senior personal secretaries. Following the anomalies report of the Pay Board, an offer of improved rates of pay to take effect from 7th November 1973 has been made to the Civil Service Alliance.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing for each of the main public service superannuation schemes and that of the House of Commons the percentage of salary contributions paid by employee and employer, the method of funding, together with the current and comparable benefits for a person whose income is £4,500 per year who retires aged 65 years, and provision

asked the Minister of State for Defence what instructions have been issued to the Services regarding the need to modify and cancel military exercises so as to reduce fuel consumption.

Some exercises due to be held this month and next have been cancelled. The exercise programme is being reviewed, with the aim of achieving a balance between maintenance of safety standards and operational efficiency required in support of both our NATO and national commitments, and achievement of the necessary savings in fuel.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he is satisfied that all visions for a widow and two dependent children at death prior to retirement.

The table below provides the requested information for those schemes which provide for a normal retiring age of 60 to 65. Other schemes—for example, police, fire and Armed Services—provide for an earlier retirement age because of the special physical requirements of the work and are thus not really comparable. Also, of course, only a small proportion of Members of Parliament complete the 40 years' service on which the figures are based.the military exercises carried out in Scotland following the Government's appeal to the public to conserve fuel have been essential for defence requirements in view of the quantities of fuel consumed.

Apart from normal Service basic training, which is under continuous review to secure economies in the use of fuel, three specific exercises were carried out in Scotland during this period. The military need for these exercises had been confirmed and all practical economies in the use of fuel were sought.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many houses remain at the disposal of his Department at the former RAF Acklington; whether any of these houses are unoccupied ; and, if so, for how long they have been unoccupied.

142 of the 261 RAF married quarters at Acklington are still controlled by the Ministry of Defence. Only one of these is presently unoccupied; it has been undergoing structural repairs since 11th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement concerning the future of the West Riding county library.

The West Riding county library authority will cease to exist when local government is reorganised. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ripon (Mr. Austick) on 22nd October on the future of the library service—[Vol. 861, c. 409–10.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will ensure that, when local government reorganisation comes into being in April next year, the present schools now catered for by the Carlisle Education Authority will still be allocated sufficient money to enable them to expand.

The Department's Circular 1/73 set out arrangements designed to ensure that the impetus of school building would not be lost during the reorganisation of local government. I have no reason to believe that the schools now catered for by the Carlisle Education Authority will suffer as a result of this reorganisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is prepared to commission and financially assist local education authorities to undertake surveys of lead levels in the blood of school children in their areas; and if she will make a statement.

General responsibility for Government medical policy and the issue of advice on the health of the community rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. His Department has already helped in various ways a number of local authorities which have sought guidance in response to the letter sent by the Chief Medical Officer in December 1971 about lead as a danger to health.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the appropriate age group is currently taking courses leading to first degrees or their equivalent at institutions of further and higher education; and what percentage similarly is taking postgraduate courses leading to diplomas and higher degrees.

In 1972–73 the number of full-time and sandwich home students taking first degree and comparable courses was 10·9 per cent. of the 18–20-year age group and the number taking full-time postgraduate courses was 2·3 per cent. of the 22–23-year age group.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what allowance is to be made in the rate support grant to local authorities to take account of the changes in the contribution structure of the teachers' superannuation scheme; and at what stage in the rate support grant negotiations the local authority representatives were notified of these changes.

As my right hon. Friend said in her statement on 28th November—[Vol. 865 ; c. 427–8]—the Government will be ready to consult the local authorities about the proposal to change the contribution structure. Negotiations for the rate support grant for 1974–75 were completed on 27th November. They could thus take no account of any possible future charge in teachers' superannuation arrangements. The expenditure consequences of any such charges would normally be taken into account for the purposes of any Rate Support Grant (Increase) Order.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish an estimate of the average net amount in money terms of the increase in basic weekly wages or minimum entitlements per wage earner, as a consequence of national collective agreements or statutory wage regulation orders in the periods January to October 1972 and January to October 1973, respectively.

The average amount can be calculated from the figures in Table (a) on page 1187 of the November 1973 Department of Employment Gazette, but an overall average of this kind, in money terms, would not be very meaningful since it would relate to all workers—men, women, boys and girls.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled persons were registered as unemployed at the Smethwick employment exchange at the latest available date.

On 12th November 1973, there were 54 registered disabled people known by Smethwick employment exchange to be unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to reduce the amount of unemployment among blind people in the Southampton area.

We have a staff of officers who specialise full-time on resettling blind people in employment. They are most diligent and dedicated in their search for work opportunities for blind people. New initiatives have been made possible recently through the introduction of a new range of instruments, resulting from a special research project undertaken by the Production Engineering Research Association, designed to widen employment opportunities. Surveys are now being undertaken in selected areas by our blind persons training officers to identify possible new openings locally with the help of this equipment. The Southampton area will be included in these surveys.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the workings of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1964 whereby the hire-purchase companies are entitled to receive information about the purchases of vehicles; and what complaints he has received about this procedure being an invasion of the privacy of the citizen.

The answer to the first part is "Yes"; to the second "None".

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if information supplied to hire-purchase companies under the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1964 about subsequent purchases of vehicles is available to all citizens; what is the estimated cost of providing this service; and if a charge is made for it.

Anyone who shows reasonable cause may be given the name and address of a vehicle's registered keeper. A fee of 25p is charged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the number of prosecutions for harassment of tenants in the Greater London Council area for each of the last three years.

The numbers of prosecutions for harassment of tenants in the Metropolitan Police District for each of the last three full years were as follows :

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the breakdown of the amount of fines made for harassment of tenants at court in the Greater London Council area in the last three years, showing fines up to £5. £10, £15, £20, £25, £50, £100, £200, £300, £400 and over, separately ; and what is the number of people who have been sent to prison for harassment of tenants during this period.

The available information for the last three full years, which relates to the Metropolitan Police District, is as follows :

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been made to assess the relative oil consumption of road haulage and railways in the transport of freight; and if he will make a statement.

There have been a number of studies of fuel consumption by various transport modes. Whether, in particular instances, road or rail freight is the more economical of fuel depends on many factors, not least on what is being transported and where it is going.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he he will now consider proposals that have been put to him for the electrification of the Kentish Town-Barking railway line; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total of all Government funds made available for archaeological work in 1972 and 1973; what is the estimate for 1974; and how this compares with the previous five years.

£452,244 was spent out of Government funds on archaeological rescue excavations in Great Britain during the financial year 1972–73. £813,000 has been provided for 1973–74. It is hoped to increase this in 1974–75. Ex- penditure during the previous five years was as follows :—

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many driving test examiners are employed in the Greater London area; and how many vacancies there are for driving test examiners in that area.

175 and 26.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the suspension of driving tests if petrol rationing is introduced.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce his decision on the Manchester Piccadilly-Victoria underground railway scheme to the House in an oral statement before the Christmas Recess.

I cannot at present add to my answer of 5th December to the hon. Members for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris), Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon) and Manchester, Exchange (Mr. Hatton).—[Vol. 865, c. 1237–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for suspending the laws relating to the accompaniment of learner-drivers by qualified companions, in the event of petrol rationing being introduced.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now say what figure he proposes to prescribe in respect of the new attendance allowance payable to members of local authorities from April next.

Subject to approval by the Pay Board, the maximum amount of the allowance, which is taxable, will be £10 for a period of 24 hours. Local authorities will fix their own figure within this maximum and may pay a smaller sum in respect of approved duties which occupy less than a full day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the number of houses owned by the Crown Agents in the London borough of Wandsworth; how much was paid for these houses; and what rehousing was offered to the tenants who were living in these houses.

Three houses, all in Bedford Hill, S.W.12, and acquired for conversion to hostel accommodation for the Crown Agents' junior staff. The total price paid for them was £82,150. Two houses were unoccupied, and there were three furnished tenancies in existence in the third. The only remaining tenant is expected to leave within a few days. No rehousing has been offered to these tenants by the Crown Agents, nor has any inducement to leave been offered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the nominal and current value, respectively, of the Crown Agents' holding in Keyser Ullman Ltd.; and how much of the holding is held not on behalf of overseas principals but in the Crown Agents' own right.

The nominal value at 25p a share is £143,750 and the current value at a middle market price of 248p per share is £1,426,000. 440,000 shares of the total shareholding of 575,000 are not held on behalf of various overseas principals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds of the Crown Agents, other than their share of stock in First National Finance Corporation and Keyser Ullman Ltd., are to be made available for the rescue operation for London and County Securities.

I understand that the question of such a use of Crown Agents funds has not hitherto been raised.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the terms of the scheme of support for Community products in the crude oil and natural gas sectors which were agreed by the Council of Ministers recently.

The terms of this scheme are given in EEC Council Regulation 3056/73 of 9th November, copies of which are available to Members through the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Community directive that member States should take steps to regulate prices of oil will be implemented in United Kingdom legislation; and if it is intended to be a permanent feature of British law, or of the character of emergency legislation.

Community Directive 238/73 of 24th July requires member States to take powers in the event of difficulties in the supply of crude oil and products to regulate prices. Such temporary powers are contained in the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Bill introduced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 26th November.—[Vol. 865, c. 43–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases he has been made aware of difficulty in enforcing driving disqualification or fines imposed by British courts in respect of offences committed under the Road Traffic Acts by heavy commercial vehicle drivers from abroad.

None, but I am aware that additional difficulties of enforcement may arise in the case of drivers resident abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is the intention of the Metropolitan Police Force to place orders for United States electronic timing and distance measuring equipment; if he is aware that such equipment has been developed in the United Kingdom; and, in particular, if he will investigate the claims of a firm, whose name is in his possession, to be able to produce equipment of improved performance at a lower cost and which could in the long term make savings in the balance of payments.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has recently ordered 27 VASCAR speed monitoring instruments, made in the United States. I understand that no British instrument has been developed which performs the same function, but some firms, including the one referred to by my hon. Friend, have expressed an interest and have been given technical information about police requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to improve the state of visiting facilities in prisons and other places of detention, particularly the provision of adequate lavatory facilities and reasonable refreshments.

Significant improvements were made following a survey of visiting facilities in 1971, and steps were taken to make further improvements after a review earlier this year. We are continuing with improvements at individual establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue instructions to governors and staff of prisons to ensure that steps are taken to see that visiting relatives are informed in advance of the transfer of a prisoner from one establishment to another.

Governors have standing instructions that a prisoner should be given facilities to tell his relatives that he is being moved before he is transferred, or, if this has not been possible, immediately afterwards. Where the relatives have not been told in advance and a visiting order is outstanding, the instructions require governors to make every effort to warn the prospective visitors in time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to require that the same visiting facilities and financial assistance should be made available to both persons remanded in custody and prisoners serving a sentence of three months or less as to convicted prisoners serving longer sentences.

Financial assistance for visits is already available to relatives of persons remanded in custody on the same scale as to those of prisoners serving sentences of more than three months. The provision of similar assistance to relatives of prisoners serving shorter sentences is being considered in the current review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following his current review, he will take steps to ensure that any person given permission to visit a serving prisoner should be granted a free railway travel warrant, and ensure that the same financial assistance should be available for every visit and not only once a month.

The provision of financial assistance for all visits to serving prisoners by relatives who are in receipt of supplementary benefit or whose income is at a similar level is being considered in the current review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations and individuals with whom his Department has held consultations regarding the complaints procedure under Section 49 of the Police Act 1964.

Those taking part in the working group set up by my right hon. Friend for the purpose of consultation on this matter with the police representative bodies are :

• Association of Chief Police Officers.
• Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
• Police Superintendents' Association.
• Police Federation.
• Association of Municipal Corporations.
• County Councils Association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive a further report from the Uganda Resettlement Board.

I understand that, at its meeting this morning, the Uganda Resettlement Board took stock of its work in the 16 months since it was estabilshed. The board noted that there are now only 40 refugee families temporarily accommodated in the one remaining resettlement centre at West Mailing in Kent and that firm arrangements have been made to provide permanent accommodation for those of them who require it in the next few weeks. It therefore decided that the West Mailing centre should be closed not later than the middle of January.The board also reviewed what it has been doing to encourage and assist the provision, through the normal agencies, of support required by Ugandan Asian families in the community, and concluded that, once the remaining refugees in its care have been resettled, the board should be disbanded. It has therefore recommended that the board should formally cease to exist on 31st January 1974, and that the Home Office should implement such of its commitments as the payment of grants as are outstanding after that date. I have informed the chairman, Sir Charles Cunningham, that I agree with the board's assessment of the situation, and that I have decided to accept its recommendation.The Government recognise that some of the refugees living in the community still face difficulties in adjusting to life in this country; local authorities, other Government Departments and voluntary agencies are all being asked to pay particular attention to their needs.I expect to receive a final report of the board's work at the end of the year, and will lay it before Parlament in due course.I take this opportunity to express the Government's warmest thanks to Sir Charles Cunningham and his colleagues on the board for all that they have achieved since the expulsion of so many of our citizens from Uganda last year.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he is satisfied that fire precautions and emergency procedures are adequate in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will hold a fire drill to test them in the near future.

I am satisfied that all necessary steps are being taken to fulfil the recommendations already made by Her Majesty's inspector of factories. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment referred to this in his reply of 7th February, 1973.—[Vol. 850, c. 135.]Houses of Parliament fire staff frequently carry out local fire drills, and further fire drills are held with the Greater London Council fire brigade. A comprehensive fire alarm system for the whole of the Palace of Westminster is in course of installation, and I think that any consideration of extending these fire drills would be more useful when this work has been completed.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will examine the feasibility of the use of dining facilities in the Palace of Westminster by visitors, especially during the long Summer Recess.

I have been asked to reply.This matter has been considered, and I hope to prepare a draft report for early consideration by the Catering Sub-Committee.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a statement regarding the reimbursement of additional postal and telephone expenses incurred by Members of this House or of the House of Lords who are also members of the European Parliament.

In accordance with the resolution passed by the House on 11th June, it is proposed that from 10th December 1973 certain additional postal and telephone expenses incurred on official business by United Kingdom members of the European Parliament may be reimbursed from public funds. These relate to official telephone calls from Westminster to Strasbourg or Luxembourg on United Kingdom parliamentary business ; calls between Strasbourg or Luxembourg and Members' constituencies; and postal expenses incurred in sending correspondence or official publications from the United Kingdom to Strasbourg or Luxembourg.Any other additional postal and telephone expenses likely to be officially incurred by United Kingdom members of the European Parliament are understood to be reimbursable under arrangements provided by the European Parliament. Details of the proposed procedure for making claims under these new arrangements will be notified shortly to the Members concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has recognised the national museums and galleries, being registered as traders in respect of value added tax, as having activities which can be regarded as supplies in the course of business for the purpose of value added tax, and being consequently able to recover input tax irrespective of whether or not they charge for admission; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) on 5th November 1973.—[Vol 863, c. 100.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the annual tax rates on electric-powered goods vehicles compared with petrol- or diesel-driven vehicles; and what consideration he has given to increasing this differential as an incentive for the development of electric-powered vehicles.

The rates are set out in Part II of Schedule 4 to the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971. The rates are consistently lower for electrically propelled goods vehicles than for other goods vehicles, except in the case of electrically-propelled goods vehicles up to 12 cwt., where the rate is the same—£24—as for other goods vehicles. The rates of vehicle excise duty are a budgetary matter ; but I am keeping in mind the various suggestions which have been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimate of the revenue he will receive from the duty on tobacco and drink in the current financial year; and what are the figures for the two previous years.

The Budget estimate was £1,884 million. Net receipts in 1971–72 and 1972–73 were £2,124 million and £2,259 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much revenue to the Exchequer would increase in this financial year if he increased the duty on drink and tobacco by 10 per cent.

About £40 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of revenue to the Exchequer in the current financial year if a reduction of 5p per gallon were made on petrol.

The revenue loss would be about £100 million for a reduction of 5p per gallon in the duty on road fuel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue he will receive from motor vehicle licences in the current financial year ; and what were the figures for the two previous years.

The estimate for 1973–74 is about £520 million. This figure is higher than earlier estimates. The increase of some £30 million reflects a once-for-all speeding up in the cash flow as a result of the introduction of centralised banking arrangements. The receipts for 1972–73 were £477 million and those for 1971–72 were £465 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of a scheme which is intended to produce tax-free gains similar to those which were available on the disposal of certificates of deposit before the enactment of Section 26 of the Finance Act 1973; and if he will take steps to discourage such schemes.

Yes. The scheme which has been brought to our notice involves the deposit of money at interest with a bank or other borrower, and the subsequent sale of the right to uplift the deposit together with the accrued interest. The Inland Revenue is advised that if there is no written document evidencing the deposit, by the transmission of which the right to uplift may be passed, the sale of the right will not come within the charge imposed by Section 26 of the Finance Act 1973.This new scheme appears to have no purpose other than to avoid the provisions of Section 26, and I therefore think it right to give notice that we shall propose in the next Finance Bill provisions to bring within the scope of the tax charge a profit made on the disposal of the right to uplift any money deposited after today in so far as that profit is not already liable to tax.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide home day facilities for difficult pupils along the lines suggested by the Educational Institute of Scotland.

It is primarily for education authorities to decide what provision should be made for difficult pupils. My Department has, however, had a general discussion with the institute on the question of disruptive pupils, and the institute has undertaken to set out its proposals for separate facilities in more detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the pension rights of those teachers, about to retire, who entered the profession over 23 years of age, since their university and professional studies were extended in time owing to war service, 1939–45.

The Education (Scotland) (War Service Superannuation) Act 1939 provided that, in the case of students who, before undertaking war service, were training or had been accepted for training as teachers, the period by which completion of their training was delayed by war service should count as pensionable service. The Act does not apply to the war service of teachers who embarked, on a teaching career after the war, but as announced in the House on 28th November by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, the Government now think it should be possible to work out in the Working Party on Teachers' Superannuation an agreement on the basis that war service in the Armed Forces by a person who entered the profession immediately after the war and who has given continuous service until the minimum retiring age of 60 should be reckonable as to half for pension purposes.As many of the teachers who trained and taught before undertaking war service paid contributions in respect of that service, some basis will have to be found for assessing the contributions for postwar entrants if unacceptable anomalies are not to be created. The Government hope that the working party will be able to find a formula which will cover the majority of teachers affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of family doctors in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region for each of the past five years, and the numbers of vacancies for each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that orders to managers of social services offices use wide discretion in the granting of heating allowance to pensioners applying for them.

The Supplementary Benefits Commission has discretionary power to increase the benefit otherwise payable where there are exceptional circumstances, such as a need for extra heating. The commission has laid down specific criteria for the award of extra heating additions, but has instructed local officers to apply these criteria with sympathy and understanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will give a definitive answer to the pension case of Mr. W. J. Tatham which was first drawn to his attention by letter on 5th July 1973.

A decision was given on 6th December 1973, and I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to provide hostels and services for homeless alcoholics.

I issued a circular in May outlining proposals to expand community services for alcoholics including a transitional scheme for capital and revenue grants to voluntary bodies providing hostels for homeless alcoholics and those requiring a period of support away from their normal environment.

Following are the figures :Some funds have been made available also for the development of advisory services for homeless alcoholics. In addition, hospital treatment facilities are being improved and expanded.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the differences between the present United Kingdom scheme of generalised tariff preferences and the improved EEC scheme proposed by the EEC Commission.

The generalised preference scheme of the enlarged Community provides that for a certain number of industrial products preferential access is limited by quotas and there are restrictions—"butoirs"—on the share of these quotas that can be taken up by any individual beneficiary under the scheme. The United Kingdom scheme relies on a general safeguard provision and does not, therefore, include duty-free quota arrangements. The United Kingdom scheme has a wider coverage of agricultural products but excludes textiles.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the United Kingdom share of 22 per cent. of EEC tariff quotas under the proposed EEC generalised preference scheme ; and if this would represent any change in volume from the tariff quotas granted by the United Kingdom under its own generalised preference scheme.

The 22 per cent. share of tariff quotas to be allocated to the United Kingdom is based on an accepted EEC formula which takes account of levels of external trade, gross national product and population in the member States. The United Kingdom scheme does not have tariff quotas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will oppose the proposed EEC tariff of 3·2 per cent. on shrimps and prawns imported into the United Kingdom from Asian Commonwealth countries, which at present enjoy a nil percentage tariff under Commonwealth preference;(2) what representations he has received from Asian Commonwealth countries about the EEC proposals to modify the effects of the replacement of Commonwealth preference by the first stage of a transition to the EEC common external tariff on 1st January 1974; and what action he proposes to take;(3) if he will oppose any increase in the United Kingdom tariff on tobacco from Asian Commonwealth countries as proposed by the EEC.

Commonwealth countries in Asia have made clear to the Community their interests in individual items of trade, with particular reference to the generalised preference scheme of the enlarged Community. We have supported these representations. The Community will, as a first step, include a number of items of particular interest to Commonwealth countries in Asia in the Community's generalised preference scheme for 1974. I expect shrimps and prawns and tobacco to be covered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate research into methods

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now direct a cut-back in television trans- of increasing the spread of technology in the workshop, especially taking into account the needs of the smaller firms.

This question is kept under continuous review in the Department. Problems of technology transfer vary from industry to industry, and studies are put in hand as problems are identified in specific sectors. In addition, the small firms information centres recently set up throughout the country provide guidance and help firms make contact with sources of technical advice in the Department's industrial research establishments and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that the present fall in house prices has embarrassed holders of second mortgages; and whether he will make inquiries to indicate the extent of the problem and possible alleviation.

I have received no evidence of this. I am sure that those offering to lend money on the security of second mortgages are fully aware of all the risks which they may run.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the British combined exports and re-exports of crude oil and petroleum products to Holland and Belgium, respectively, for the months of October and November during the current and preceding year.

Information for November 1973 will be available on 31st December 1973. Following is the other information :mission to three hours a day in order to conserve energy for the priority needs of industry and essential services.

All means of achieving economy in the use of energy are kept under constant review. The CEGB informs me that a limitation on television transmissions would most likely result in peaks in electricity consumption during the hours transmission was permitted, which could create operational problems for the generating boards and outweigh any possible advantages.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to give priority in steel supplies to offshore developments relating to oil and gas.

No. The British Steel Corporation is well aware of the importance of offshore oil and gas development and is already doing all it can to see that the necessary steel is suppiled.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what facilities are being planned for supplementary petrol coupons for political parties.

I am considering this point.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to prevent businesses owning

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will hold urgent discussions with the vehicle manufacturing industry to consider design modifications which could reduce petrol consumption, in particular the new Vapipe exhaust system developed by the National Engineering Laboratory; and if he will make a statement.

The motor manufacturers were made aware of what the Vapipe system has to offer, both from the standpoint of exhaust pollution and fuel consumption, at a demonstration held at secondhand motor vehicles for sale from obtaining a ration book in respect of each vehicle, in view of the potential black market this would create should petrol rationing be introduced.

Businesses owning secondhand cars have to license cars before ration books will be issued. The stamp on the log book would reveal to any prospective purchaser this fact and potential purchasers should know that no second ration book will be issued for a car.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what facilities are being planned for extra petrol coupons for disabled drivers who do not work and for those persons who drive disabled persons to work and on other essential purposes.

Supplementary allowances could be applied for in such cases if petrol rationing were introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average price of imported raw wool for each of the years 1968 to 1973.

Following is the information:the National Engineering Laboratory in June of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to improve supplies of diesel oil to farmers in eastern Derbyshire.

My Department, with the collaboration of the oil industry, is arranging matters so that farmers generally should receive adequate supplies of diesel oil to meet their essential needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the shortfall in diesel oil supplies to farmers in eastern Derbyshire at the most recent available date.

Information is not available concerning deliveries of diesel oil to the farming industry on a geographical basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the organisations which will be classified as essential users of petrol in the event of rationing being introduced into Great Britain.

We have already announced priority business allocations. Applications for supplementary allowances would be dealt with on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he is proposing to make to enable surgeons on call to receive an extra allocation of petrol under the petrol rationing scheme.

If petrol rationing was introduced supplementary allocation would be available if necessary for surgeons as well as basic and business allowances and applications would be given priority consideration. Hospitals would be able to apply for supplementary allowances on behalf of surgeons who could not manage on their basic or business allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient oil available to meet the immediate needs of the Humber fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement.

The fishing industry is on the priority list and I have no reason to think that the steps which have been taken by my Department in conjunction with the oil industry to ensure the availability of adequate supplies of oil in the United Kingdom to meet the needs of the Humber fishing fleet will not be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Humberside fishing industry about the future supply of fuel oil for the Humberside fishing industry.

I have had no such discussions with the Humberside fishing industry but officials are keeping closely in touch with the industry about its future fuel requirements in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received any reports from his Department of fishing vessels being delayed from sailing from the Humber because of the present oil shortage, and if he will make a statement.

I have received no reports of any such delays.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the number of applications put before the Price Commission for price increases during stage 2; and how many of them were not dealt with within the statutory number of days.

This is a matter for the Price Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now direct the cut-back in urban, road, and motorway lighting to be increased from 10 per cent. to 50 per cent. in order to conserve energy for the priority needs of industry and essential services.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue instructions for all street lighting to be switched off at midnight for the duration of the fuel crisis.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friends to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 5th December.—[Vol. 865, c. 1262–77.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list his powers to cause an investigation into the shareholdings and transactions of the London and County Securities Limited group over the past two years; and if he will initiate action with especial reference to dealings by directors, banks, insurance companies and pension funds.

My powers of investigation into shareholdings are contained in Section 172 of the Companies Act 1948 and Section 32 of the Companies Act 1967. At present I have no information which would warrant the exercise of these powers in relation to the London and County Securities Group. The Stock Exchange is carrying out an inquiry into dealings in the shares of this group.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest information he has regarding the proposal to install a treatment plant for effluent from Maendy Quarry; whether he has tendered advice; and what is the latest position in the matter.

I understand that the question of a treatment plant is still under discussion between the company and the authorities concerned. I have tendered no advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has received as to the placing of quantities of earth on the grassed suface of Maendy Quarry, Pontypridd; and whether such earth was a contribution towards the prevention of pollution at this quarry.

I understand that a 12-inch layer of topsoil is being deposited on the site and will be seeded next spring. Provision will be made for suitable surface drainage.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many home helps are employed by each local authority; what is the number of whole-time equivalents; what numbers per 1,000 population over 65 years of age these figures represent; what steps he is taking to enable local authorities to increase this service for the elderly and disabled; and if he will make a statement.

The following figures reflect the position shown by local authorities as at 30th September 1972.them guidelines envisaging a substantial increase in the service. Already a very large proportion of the service is being provided for elderly people many of whom are also disabled.