asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the extent of the subsidy and of revenue from taxation paid towards the running costs of each Scottish Special Housing Association house in 1968–69 and in 1972–73, respectively; and what is his forecast of the corresponding figures for 1974–75 and 1977–78, respectively.

The average amount of housing subsidy paid for each Scottish Special Housing Association house was £36 in 1968–69 and £77 in 1972–73. In 1974–75 it is likely to be about £58. No realistic forecast can be made for 1977–78.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he is giving to local authorities on better housing insulation; and what he estimates to be the likely additional cost of carrying out his recommendations.

My right hon. Friend will shortly be consulting interested bodies on proposals for improving the thermal insulation standards prescribed in the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations. The cost will depend on the standards finally agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present shortage of teaching staff in secondary schools in Renfrewshire; and if he will make a statement.

On the basis of standards proposed in my Department's recent Report on Secondary School Staffing for attainment over the next few years, I estimate the present shortage in Renfrewshire at about 200 teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many telephones for the elderly or handicapped have been installed by local authorities in Scotland in the years 1971, 1972 and 1973 to the latest date for which information is available.

Three hundred and twenty-four people had been assisted financially by local authorities in Scotland to obtain or retain a telephone up to 31st December 1972. Year-by-year figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average waiting time between application for planning permission for a site for a school and the notification of the decision to the local authority; and if he will make a statement.

An average would be misleading, since circumstances differ widely. Some applications relate to land already zoned for school purposes and raise no new issues. Others require the amendment of a development plan and are controversial.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for home prices, new and old; and what are the comparative figures for June 1970.

The best information available to me indicates that the average price of a new house mortgaged by a building society in Scotland in the first half of 1973 was £7,843 and of an existing house £7,830. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Development informed the hon. Member on 2nd May, the figures for the second half of 1970 were £5,504 and £4,962 respectively.—[Vol. 855, c. 1234–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average price of a new house in the private sector in Scotland in (a) June 1970 and (b) at the nearest convenient date.

On the basis of the Building Societies Association's 5 per cent. sample survey, £5,355 for the first half of 1970, and £7,843 for the first half of 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women died within three months of legal abortion operations performed in the county of Lanark and the rest of Scotland, respectively, in each year for the

Place of Operation					Case	Year	Cause of death
Lanark County	…	…	…	…	1	1972	Ulceration of caecum
Rest of Scotland	…	…	…	…	1	1965	Therapeutic abortion
					2	1969	Paralytic ileus
					3	1971	Tetanus
					4	1971	Hypertension
					5	1971	Mental depression
					6	1972	Mental depression

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of places in day care centres provided by each local authority in Scotland, and show what these numbers represent per 1,000 population in each area.

Provision by local authorities at 31st December 1972 is shown in the following table; in addition, 230 places were provided by voluntary bodies. The total provision of 709 places represented 013 places per thousand population.

DAY CARE CENTRES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
Local authority	Places	Number of places per 1,000 population
Counties
Aberdeen and Kincardine	—	—
Angus	—	—
Argyll	6	0·10
Ayr	12	0·05
Banff	—	—
Berwick	15	0·73
Bute	—	—
Caithness	14	0·50
Clackmannan	15	0·33
Dumfries	—	—
Dunbarton	—	—
East Lothian	—	—
Fife	—	—
Inverness	11	0·20
Kirkcudbright	—	—
Lanark	—	—
Midlothian, East Lothian and Peebles	—	—

Complete information is not available over 10 years, nor does the available information necessarily relate to a three-month period. From death certificates and notifications under the Abortion Act 1967, however, it is known that legal abortion was associated with the following deaths between 1965 and 1972:

Local authority	Places	Number of places per 1,000 population
Counties
Moray and Nairn	—	—
Orkney	—	—
Perth and Kinross	—	—
Renfrew	140	0·79
Ross and Cromarty	18	0·30
Roxburgh	—	—
Selkirk	—	—
Stirling	—	—
Sutherland	—	—
West Lothian	27	0·25
Wigtown	—	—
Zetland	—	—
Cities
Aberdeen	36	0·20
Dundee	—	—
Edinburgh	72	0·16
Glasgow	—	—
Burghs
Airdrie	—	—
Arbroath	—	—
Ayr	12	0·25
Clydebank	16	0·33
Coatbridge	8	0·16
Dumbarton	—	—
Dumfries	6	0·21
Dunfermline	—	—
East Kilbride	12	0·18
Falkirk	12	0·32
Greenock and Port Glasgow	24	0·26
Hamilton	—	—
Inverness	—	—
Kilmarnock	15	0·30
Kirkcaldy	—	—
Motherwell and Wishaw	—	—
Paisley	—	—
Perth	—	—
Rutherglen	—	—
Stirling	8	0·27
Totals	479	0·09

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had in connection with the decision whether to renew the rights of individual petition under the European Convention on Human Rights.

As the hon. and learned Member will now be aware, we intend to renew our acceptance of Article 25 of the convention for a further two years. The matter was one for the Government alone to decide. The question of consultations did not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether Her Majesty's Government will now ratify the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave the right hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 17th October.—[Vol. 861, c. 183.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last had discussions with the Governments of the EEC countries on the future of oil supplies.

At the EEC Council of Ministers meeting on 4th December, there was an extensive exchange of views on the Community's current energy problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he will not discuss with the Common Market countries the possibility of sanctions against all exports from the countries of the Nine to all Arab countries until such time as the oil embargo is lifted.

A discussion of such matters would not contribute to the search for a peace settlement in the Middle East or to a restoration of oil production in Arab countries. The need is to work for a lasting solution of the Middle East problem, and this is what we are doing.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the effects on the standard of living in the United Kingdom and in the West in general brought about by the action of Arab countries in restricting oil supplies, whether he will move to condemn these countries for their conduct in the United Nations.

No, Sir. Our policy is to work for a lasting solution of the Middle East problem and this is what we are doing.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has now made to Syria on the question of Israeli prisoners there.

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 28th November, we have been in touch with the Syrian authorities on a number of occasions. They still maintain that certain steps must be taken by Israel before they will release lists—[Vol. 865, c. 371–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consular assistance has been provided for the two British subjects, Paul Mason and Robert Curtis, who were convicted of espionage on 6th December in Yugoslavia.

Mr. Mason and Mr. Curtis were visited by embassy staff on 30th October, 9th November and 12th November. The embassy assisted them in arranging legal representation and a member of staff attended the trial between 4th and 6th December. The embassy has been in touch with the Yugoslav authorities throughout and facilitated the parents' access to the two men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to control the provisions relating to invalid carriage parking in areas controlled by residents' permit schemes.

No. It is better to leave this for local decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to identify the 2,000 acres of land within the metropolitan green belt which it is proposed to use for housing purposes.

No. The Standing Conference on London and South-East Regional Planning, which is undertaking the search for this land, has not yet finished its task.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the increased amount of investment which he proposes to make available for the Southern Region of British Rail for the improvement of commuter services under the revised programme announced on 28th November.

There is no separate investment allocation for the Southern Region. It is for the Railways Board to make proposals for the allocation of the funds available to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to give a decision on the plans which are before him for the central area development of Ilford in the borough of Redbridge.

The proposals for Ilford town centre are in the form of a non-statutory plan which does not require the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to establishing an experimental housing action area in South Shields; and whether any decision has been reached.

The possible scope for housing action areas in South Shields was one of the number of matters I discussed with the council on my recent visit. I welcomed the council's willingness to consider preparing for the forthcoming housing legislation. But no formal decision could, of course, be reached in advance of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with the London Boroughs Association on future house building in inner and outer London boroughs; and if he will make a statement.

None, but my Department is in constant touch with the individual London boroughs about their housing programmes while the Action Group on London Housing under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State also keeps the situation under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if research has been undertaken by the Building Research Station or Transport and Road Research Laboratory into the effects of vibration, caused by heavy goods vehicles, on older and historic buildings with regard to both superficial and structural deterioration and damage to foundations; and what were the conclusions.

Yes; vehicles with heavy axle loadings do contribute to damage to old and historic buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to introduce new regulations for the control of noise levels of heavy lorries and other motor vehicles; what decible levels he intends to apply for each category of vehicle; and how these levels compare with existing regulations and with the recommendations of the Wilson Committee on Noise.

Yes. I intend to reduce limits in line with the revision which the Council of Ministers of the EEC has decided shall be carried out before 1st October 1974. Details are under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many fatal and non-fatal injuries were recorded in the last year for which figures are available as having been caused by loads or part loads shifting or falling off lorries; and how many prosecutions were instituted for dangerous loading.

This information is not available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the inconvenience suffered by applicants for driving licences in the Orpington area as a result of the closure of the local driving test centre; and what arrangements he proposes to make for the institution of a new local centre.

Yes. I am sorry that the local centre has had to be closed temporarily due to redevelopment works by the local authority. Proposals to facilitate reopening are being discussed with the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current waiting period for the taking of driving tests in the Orpington area.

The nearest test centre is at Sidcup, where the waiting period is 29 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the public anxiety that the scheme of the Alton Rural District Council to extend main drainage to the parish of Four Marks, due to begin in 1974, has been deferred following central Government policy, he will make a statement on this matter.

My right hon. and learned Friend sympathises with the desire of my hon. Friend's constituents to see this extension carried out. But he commends the rural district council's response to the Government's initiative, which in the wider interest was aimed at reducing excessive demands on the construction industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the application of the British Steel Corporation to develop a fluorspar crushing plant in Weardale; and if he will make a statement.

In a letter dated 16th April my right hon. and learned Friend invited the British Steel Corporation to consider further, in consultation with Durham County Council so far as may be necessary, the possibility of an alternative location for the proposed plant. I understand that consultations between the corporation and the council are continuing. Consideration of the matter will be resumed as soon as a report is received on the results of those investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in the case of members of new local authorities after 1st April 1974 who are in receipt of retirement pensions, the receipt of attendance allowance will in some cases affect the amount of retirement pension;(2) if members of new local authorities after 1st April 1974 will be able to claim a tax allowance for expenses such as telephone rental and postage;(3) if the new allowances for members of local authorities after 1st April 1974 will be subject to pay as you earn income tax deductions, and in some cases to national insurance deductions.

I am consulting my right hon. Friends on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the effect of recent legislation on charges for water power generation; and if he will make a statement.

The Water Act 1973 will give the new water authorities, from 1st April 1974, wide powers to determine the basis of charges for the use of water. A steering group has been set up by my right hon. and learned Friend to study the economic and financial policies of the authorities. The group expects to report next year on charging policy, and its report will be published. After its recommendations have been discussed with the National Water Council in the light of any representations by interested bodies, it is intended that advice should be given to the water authorities with a view to securing the application of consistent principles throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates is the total cost of local authority expenditure for the year ending with the date of local government reorganisation next April; how this figure compares with the five previous years; and how much of the current year's expenditure he estimates has been initiated by local authorities which will lose their independent financial status under reorganisation.

The total relevant current expenditure on rate fund services in England and Wales in 1973–74 is estimated in the Rate Support Grant (Increase) (No. 2) Order 1973 as £5,613 million. The corresponding estimates in previous years were as follows:

Year	Relevant Exenditure £ millions
1968–69	2,783
1969–70	3,144
1970–71	3,593
1971–72	4,116
1972–73	4,735

The financial status of nearly every local authority will change as a result of reorganisation; no estimates have been made of the 1973–74 expenditure of any particular class of authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on the Operation Eyesore projects not completed or started in Hull because of the summer water shortage in the city.

I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. and learned Friend to the hon. Member on 12th November and 14th November 1973.—[Vol 864, c. 28 and 151.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that, as a result of the Local Government Act 1972, citizens of the Irish Republic will for the first time be qualified to become members of local councils; what discretion he has under the Act; and whether he will take steps to change this.

I have been asked to reply.The Local Government Act 1972 makes no changes in the right of citizens of the Irish Republic to become members of local authorities, nor does it give to my right hon. Friend any discretion in this matter. It recognises a position which has existed for many years and my right hon. Friend has no plans for legislation to amend it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many telephones for the elderly or handicapped have been installed by his Department in Scotland in the years 1971, 1972 and 1973 to the latest date for which information is available.

In the years ending August 1971, 1972 and 1973 the Supplementary Benefits Commission has helped with installation and/or rental charges in Scotland in four, two and nil cases respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are his Department's criteria for the installation of telephones for the elderly and handicapped.

The criteria adopted by the Supplementary Benefits Commission for helping with the cost of telephone installations are that the claimant lives alone, is housebound and relies entirely on the telephone as the means of contact in emergency, so that he would be dangerously isolated without one.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many autistic children there are registered in Carlisle and Cumbria, respectively, on the last convenient date.

There is no requirement for the registration of autistic children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the approximate average cost to the Health Service of a (i) heart, (ii) liver, and (iii) kidney transplant operation.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that the existence and work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board is widely known among all staff within his Department who may come in contact with the victims of crime.

Local social security offices have been made aware in general terms of the existence and work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. I am considering whether anything more needs to be done to ensure that claimants for

LIVE AND STILL BIRTHS IN ENGLAND AND WALES IN 1972
Numbers and percentages of births in hospital and at home
	Number born in N.H.S. hospitals	Per cent.	Number born in other hospitals	Per cent.	Total number born in all hospitals	Per cent.	Domiciliary births	Per cent.
England and Wales*	658,121	89·6	13,344	1·8	671,465	91·4	62,774	8·6
England only	619,522	89·3	13,078	1·9	632,600	91·2	61,152	8·8
Wales only	38,599	95·3	266	0·7	38,865	96·0	1,622	4·0
* Numbers where mothers are resident outside England and Wales included in totals above	514		76		590		35

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of stay in hospital for women having their babies in hospital.

The main length of stay in hospital for women having their babies in National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales in 1972 was 7·5 days. The mean length of stay following the delivery was six days for these women.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women had their babies in hospital in the years 1967 to date, respectively; and how many were in hospital for more than 72 hours in each year.

The information requested is as follows:

Year	Live and still births in hospital	Percentage of women delivered in N.H.S. hospitals who stayed 4 or more nights
1967	657,136	77
1968	670,221	76
1969	676,254	74
1970	687,748	72
1971	706,409	70
1972	671,465	69

The information refers to England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the proportion and number of women who have home confinements as opposed to women who have their babies in hospital.

The following schedule of live and still births in England and Wales gives numbers and percentages of those born in National Health Service hospitals other hospitals and domiciliary births:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that discrimination against women in social security legislation does not occur; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's policy on this subject is embodied in the Social Security Act 1973, which received lengthy and detailed consideration last Session and which marks a major advance in pension rights for women as well as for men.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will reexamine the basic concept of dependency in the light of the latest evidence on the number of women who must be regarded as the breadwinners in their families: and if he will make a statement.

No. The Government's policy on this subject is embodied in the Social Security Act 1973, which was enacted less than five months ago.

asked the Secretary of State or Social Services what is his estimate of the number of professional audiologists currently in private practice who will be put out of business as a consequence of his decision to issue behind-the-ear hearing aids through the National Health Service.

I can make no estimate of this nature but I expect that there will continue to be considerable scope for private practice to flourish.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many professional audiologists currently in private practice will be offered contractual employment in the NHS by his Department as a consequence of his decision to issue behind-the-ear hearing aids through the National Health Service.

There are no plans for offering professional audiologists currently in private practice contractual employment in the National Health Service. I am sure that National Health Service authorities will be glad to recruit any dispensers whose qualifications match those required for National Health Service

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of professionally qualified audiologists currently employed by his Department; and to what extent this number will be increased to accommodate the additional task of supplying behind-the-ear hearing aids by the National Health Service.

At 30th September 1972, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of physiological measurement technicians (audiology) inclusive of training grades employed by hospital authorities in the National Health Service in Great Britain was 376 in whole-time equivalent terms. The planned introduction over a five-year period of a head-worn hearing aid for adults is estimated to call for about a doubling of the present numbers of technical staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a complete list of behind-the-ear hearing aids approved by his Department for issue by the National Health Service, and their respective manufacturers.

My Department has so far approved two behind-the-ear hearing aids for general issue through the National Health Service. One, model OL67 manufactured by Oticon Ltd., in Denmark, is currently supplied to schoolchildren. The other, which will be the first of this type to be issued to adults, will be available next year and will also be manufactured by Oticon Ltd., but in a development area in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of approved garages in the GLC area which undertake repair work on invalid cars.

Emergency repairs and minor repairs costing up to £6 may be undertaken by any garage. For major repair work there are 15 garages, of which four do not undertake a full range of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of replacement invalid cars in the GLC area that can be allocated to disabled people while their cars are being repaired.

421 are currently located in the GLC area. Reserve vehicles may be supplied from areas other than those where the vehicles are normally kept.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present waiting time for the replacement of invalid cars to be supplied to disabled people whose own car is under repair.

The aim is to supply as far as is possible a reserve vehicle in immediate exchange. Reserves cannot however be held to duplicate the whole range of special features provided for individuals. Sometimes, therefore, a temporary exchange will be impossible or at least delayed. The length of delay depends upon the availability of a suitable model and the extent to which it has to be adapted.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present waiting time for repair work to be undertaken to invalid cars in the GLC area.

This depends on the extent of repairs needed and the volume of work on hand at individual approved repairers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects construction of the proposed new general hospital at Goole to begin.

Planning is at an early stage, and it is not yet practicable to set a date for the start of building.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the quantities of bulk malt whisky exported to Japan in 1970, 1971 and 1972.

0·6, 1·3 and 1·4 million proof gallons respectively. This growth has continued into 1973, with 2·98 million proof gallons in the first 10 months. The 1970 figures include exports of bottled malt whisky.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he proposes to take to see that professional driving instruction is maintained throughout the present petrol crisis.

The action taken by the Government in collaboration with the oil industry should ensure that adequate supplies of petrol are currently available to meet the essential needs of all car users, whether business or private. I would, however, expect that all driving schools will play their part in conserving fuel during the present difficult period.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes there have been since 5th November in the route and volume of United Kingdom oil exports.

Provisional figures received indicate that oil exports in November have fallen below the level of previous months. There has been little change in destinations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a statement about the future of the tracked hovercraft site at and below Earith, Huntingdonshire.

The Government are considering their reply to the Select Committee on Science and Technology Report on Tracked Hovercraft Ltd. This will give the Government's views on the future of the track at Earith.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has yet met representatives of the Council of Engineering Institutions to discuss proposals for a Government register of engineers.

I have not specifically discussed the question of a Government register for engineers with the Council of Engineering Institutions but I have indicated the possible need for such a register should my present discussions with the council not reach a satisfactory conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue an immediate directive to motor dealers, telling them to discontinue the practice of offering large amounts of petrol as a "free gift" upon purchase of new or second-hand cars.

Under the provisions of the Motor Fuel (Restriction of Supplies) Order 1973 motor fuel must be supplied directly into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. It would, however, not be unreasonable for a motor dealer to sell a motor vehicle with a quantity of petrol already in the fuel tank. In such event, the terms under which the fuel is provided would be a commercial matter between the parties concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now publish the results of his Department's survey of the ownership of petrol stations.

The results of the survey have been passed to the Director General of Fair Trading, who is now responsible for supervising the undertakings given by the oil companies following the Monopolies Commission's report. I understand that he expects to publish the survey results in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to propose a renewal of the emergency regulations to supplement his powers under the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department made a statement today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the implementation of the resolution of 12th July has had on the number of food animals being shipped overseas for slaughter.

The only export licences issued since 12th July have been for animals intended for purposes of breeding or exhibition.Since 12th July no sheep or pigs have been shipped for slaughter. Cattle have been exported to the Continent for slaughter under licences issued prior to that date, but the number has declined from 30,156 in the three months ending 12th July to 8,528 in the three months following. Shipments for slaughter are at present running at about 250 per week.Overland transit of live animals from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland is not subject to export licensing control, and these animals now comprise about three-quarters of all recorded exports of live animals from the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give the total amount of money allocated for school building in the West Riding of Yorkshire for each of the past four years.

The amounts allocated are as follows:

1970–71	£12·1m.
1971–72	£11·4m.
1972–73	£13·8m.
1973–74	£12·2m.

The figures are at 1973 prices, and for building starts in the years indicated. Those for the first three years include £1·6 million, £2·3 million and £2·9 million respectively from the special building programme for raising the school leaving age. The 1973–74 programme is subject to the effects of the rephasing announced in Circular 12/73.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will set up a committee of inquiry to look into the effect of the closure of rural primary and infant schools upon remote rural areas of outstanding environmental importance such as the Peak Park; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to set up a committee of inquiry into this matter; but she weighs very carefully all the circumstances before reaching a decision on proposals to close rural schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the existing maximum monetary value of student grants, both mandatory and discretionary; and how this value compares

		Index	Index	Index	Index	Rates (£)
		1960	1965	1970	1973	1973
Oxford and Cambridge:
College, Hall or lodgings	…	100	104·2	118·3	146·5	520
London University:
College or Hall	…	100	121·3	137·7	170·5	520
Lodgings	…	100	125·4	142·4	176·3	520
Home	…	100	126·7	140·5	179·7	390
Other Universities:
College or Hall	…	100	121·4	135·7	173·2	485
Lodgings	…	100	128·3	143·4	183·0	485
Home	…	100	132·8	147·3	188·4	390

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied that the method of assessing parental contribution to student grants remains valid, having regard to the erosion in the value of money.

The parental contribution is one of the issues being considered in the current review of student grants. In May of this year, as part of an interim settlement, my right hon. Friend announced reductions in the assessed contributions of parents whose residual income, namely, gross income reduced by certain allowances, was less than £2,000. The level of residual income below which no contribution is due was raised from £1,100 to £1,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the additional cost to public funds if no reduction were made to the grant payable to a girl student on marriage.

A girl student who marries another student or has to live away from the matrimonial home in order to attend her course suffers no reduction in grant on marriage. There are thought to be about 15,000 married women students receiving the special rate of grant. If this were increased to the normal rates, the cost, depending on where the student lived while taking the course, would be between £1½ million and £3 million a year. with the value of student grants in 1965 and 1970, assuming that the value in 1960 equalled 100.

The maximum rates of mandatory grant for September 1973 are set out in the table below and compared in index form with the rates for 1965 and 1970 and the State scholarship rates in 1960, taking these last rates as the base 100. The rates for discretionary grants are determined by the local education authority concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many remedial education centres are provided by each local education authority; how many children from each authority were attending a remedial education centre, full-time and part-time, respectively, at the latest date for which figures are available; what steps she has taken to increase the numbers of such centres as recommended by the report of her Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children; and if she will make a statement.

The detailed information asked for is not available and I have nothing to add to the answer given by my hon. Friend on 12th November.—[Vol. 864, c. 37–38.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many children have been referred to the Dyslexia Institute by local education authorities since it opened in January 1973; and which local education authorities have referred children there;(2) how many teachers have been sent on courses at the Dyslexia Institute by local education authorities since January 1973; and which local education authorities have sent teachers there to be trained in teaching dyslexic children.

I understand that the institute is an independent organisation sponsored by the North Surrey Dyslexia Society. The Department does not have the information asked for, but I am sure the institute would be glad to supply it to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement concerning her plans to increase the numbers of teachers who have received training in the education of children with specific reading difficulties.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to a Question by the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead). I share the hon. Member's concern to effect improvements in this field, and I am awaiting with interest the advice of the committee of inquiry into reading and the use of English. In the meantime, my right hon. Friend is consulting her advisory committee on the supply and training of teachers about priorities for the development of in-service training generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled persons were registered as unemployed in each of the counties of Wales at the latest convenient date.

On 12th November 1973 the numbers of registered disabled people known to be unemployed in each of the counties of Wales were as follows:

County	Number
Anglesey	120
Caernarvonshire	258
Merionethshire	49
Denbighshire	528
Flintshire	267
Montgomeryshire	54
Cardiganshire	119
Carmarthenshire	279
Pembrokeshire	188
Glamorgan	2,367
Monmouthshire	833
Breconshire	78
Radnorshire	18

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he can now say when he proposes to publish a consultative document on the future of sheltered employment for disabled people.

A consultative document about the future of sheltered employment for disabled people is being published today. The document is the third in a series of papers which review our employment policies and services for disabled people and consider how they can best be improved. It sets out the background facts about the present provisions of sheltered employment, describes the problems and suggests possible improvements. The document is intended to form the basis of widespread public discussion on the issues involved and to enable us to obtain the views of the many interested organisations and individuals before my right hon. Friend reaches any conclusions about future policy in this field. Copies of the document are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he encouraged a firm in Wolverhampton, the name of which has been supplied to him, to recruit engineers from India; how many work permits for employment with this firm he has already issued; how many more he expects to issue; and whether it is his policy to give the same facilities to other firms in similar circumstances.

No firm has been encouraged to recruit engineers from India. The firm referred to consulted my Department and was fully informed of the Government's policy of reducing immigration and of the conditions for the granting of work permits. So far, 28 permits have been issued. No other applications have been received from this firm.Permits are issued only for work requiring a professional qualification, skill or experience and where the employment of an overseas worker is necessary. They are not issued if suitable resident labour is available to fill the post offered.The Government keep the number of permits issued under close scrutiny.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that the existence and work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board is widely known among all personnel for whom he is responsible who may come into contact with the victims of crime.

Arrangements have been made by both the board and the Home Office to ensure that information about the scheme is widely available among those likely to come into contact with victims of crime. The current review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides an opportunity to re-examine these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences to kill seals on the Fame Islands have been granted this year; and for what purpose.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Regina versus Smith (Martin), he will introduce legislation to grant a right of appeal from orders of the Crown Court in interlocutory matters relating to trial on indictment when the trial results in an acquittal.

I am considering this matter and shall write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will direct a change in the times of the changeover between drivers of London taxis so that these do not coincide with times of maximum passenger usage.

My right hon. Friend has no power to give such a direction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now advise, under the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act, the making of an Order in Council under Section 4(3) to deal with taxi-cab hirings and under Section 4(2)(a) to deal with cab sharing.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that the present situation warrants such action but he will keep the matter under continuing review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be today's equivalent, allowing for inflation and the general average rise in wages in real terms, for a worker who in 1957 was earning (a) £18·87p, (b) £17·42½p, and (c) £13·54p, respectively.

The rise in average wages and salaries per employee in employment in money terms was 191 per cent. between 1957 and the first quarter of 1973—the latest period available. The equivalents in the first quarter of 1973 would be (a) £54·99, (b) £50·78, (c) £39·46. The increase in the General Index of Retail Prices at the same period was 91 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what point consignments inwards and outwards are recorded for balance of payments purposes.

Exports and imports of goods are in general recorded when they leave and enter the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for 1963, 1968, 1971 and the latest year for which figures are available at 1973 and current prices the net output per employee, the net output per £1 sterling of labour costs, and the annual percentage gain or loss in each of these figures, for the following industries; coal mining, vehicle manufacture, building, and for all manufacturing industries together.

COAL MINING
		1963	1968	1971	1972
At current prices
Net output per person employed (£)	…	1,103	1,397	1,428	1.980
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+4·8	+0·7	+38·7
Net output per £1 of wages and salaries (£)	…	1·48	1·48	1·27	1·32
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+0·1	−4·9	+3·4
At constant 1970 prices
Net output per person employed (Index, 1970=100)	…	87·9	98·4	101·4	82·5
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+2·3	+1·0	−18·6
VEHICLE MANUFACTURE
		1963	1968	1971	1972
At current prices
Net output per person employed (£)	…	1,454	2,002	2,216	2,795
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+6·6	+3·5	+26·1
Net output per £1 of wages and salaries (£)	…	1·67	1·69	1·38	1·50
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+0·3	−6·5	+9·0
A t constant 1970 prices
Net output per person employed (Index, 1970=100)	…	88·1	104·2	102·2	107·0
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+3·4	−0·6	+4·7
ALL MANUFACTURING
		1963	1968	1971	1972
At current prices
Net output per person employed (£)	…	1,361	1,954	2,551	2,918
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+7·5	+9·3	+14·4
Net output per £1 of wages and salaries (£)	…	1·90	1·97	1·88	1·92
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+0·7	−1·5	+1·9
At constant 1970 prices
Net output per person employed (Index, 1970=100)	…	77·8	96·7	103·3	108·5
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+4·4	+2·2	+5·0
CONSTRUCTION
		1963	1968	1971	1972
At current prices
Net output per person employed (£)	…	1,093	1,699	. .	. .
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+9·2	..	..
Net output per £1 of wages and salaries (£)	…	1·45	1·62	..	..
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+2·2	..	..
At constant 1970 prices
Net output per person employed (Index, 1970=100)	…	73·5	94·4	103·5	103·5
Per cent. increase on the previous year shown, at an annual rate	…		+5·1	+3·1	—
Notes:
(1) The current price estimates are derived from the censuses of production for 1963, 1968, 1971 and 1972. The construction industry was not covered in the last two censuses.
(2) The estimates for 1971 and 1972 are provisional, particularly those for 1972. The provisional results for 1972 are expected to be published in a Business Monitor by the end of 1973.
(3) Census of production information does not relate completely to calendar years but partly to firms' own financial years. In particular, the current price estimates for 1968, 1971 and 1972 for coal mining relate to years ending at about the end of March. The effects of the miners' strike in early 1972 will therefore mainly appear in the 1971 estimates.

The following is the information available:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue he will receive from the 10 per cent. car tax in the current financial year.

The estimate given in the Financial Statement and Budget Report is £120 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which accounts of the Crown Agents are audited by the Exchequer and Audit Department; on what authority such audits take place; and on what dates the Treasury invited the Exchequer and Audit Department to undertake such audits in respect of each account.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th December 1973; Vol. 866, c. 119], gave the following information:The Crown Agents Office Fund Accounts have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General since 1869 under Section 33 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1866 and later Section 3 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. The current authority is a Treasury Minute of 1st January 1923 issued under the 1921 Act. This authority was extended by the Treasury on 1st February 1971 to include the audit of the Joint Consolidated Fund and the Joint Miscellaneous Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total amount, to the latest convenient date, contributed by the Community Relations Commission to the Bogside Community Association; and what is the estimated amount to be paid in the remainder of the current financial year, and in 1974–75.

Up to 30th November 1973, grants totalling £2,500 had been approved. £1,300 of this sum has already been paid, and it is expected that the balance will be paid during the remainder of the current financial year. The Community Relations Commission has not yet put forward its recommendations for 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will take urgent action to expand and improve the harbour and facilities at Portavogie, in view of the congested conditions there; and if he will make a statement.

Over the past year Northern Ireland Government engineers have carried out investigations into the engineering feasibility of enlarging Portavogie harbour. The preparation of designs and costs for consideration by the Northern Ireland Ministry of Agriculture and the Fishery Harbour Authority should begin soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the Northern Ireland potato crop.

Though the acreage of the Northern Ireland potato crop has continued to decline in 1973 the yield is higher than in 1972. The keeping quality is good and there should be a small surplus over local requirements. Growers' prices are comparable with those in other parts of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his latest information about the extent of cattle smuggling between Northern Ireland and Eire.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what he is doing about smuggling of animals across the border; and if he will make a statement.

Since there are no financial incentives to smuggle livestock at present, smuggling is no longer taking place on any significant scale. At the moment there is no need for special measures to counteract illegal movements.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Department is responsible for approving schemes of financial assistance recommended by the Community Relations Commission; when the scheme for the Bogside Community Association was approved; what were the stated objectives at the time; and in what respects these objectives have been subsequently changed.

Schemes proposed by the Community Relations Commission are approved by the Ministry of Finance on the recommendation of the Ministry of Community Relations.The grant for the Bogside Community Association was approved on 18th August 1972. The scheme sought to implement the objectives of the Bogside Community Association—the improvement of social and recreational facilities, the improvement of the physical environment, and the discouragement of anti-social behaviour—by helping to finance the staffing of a social development unit. The commission is not aware of any change in objectives.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to consult the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of museum admission charges.

The Northern Ireland Executive is not yet formally in existence, and since museum charges are due to come into effect on 1st January my noble Friend has already been in touch with the Chairman of the Trustees and the Director of the Ulster Museum about their implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will place in the Library a record of the official statements made by the Secretary of State on the question of tripartite talks.

All official statements on this question have already been placed in the Library or published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many houses are under construction in Northern Ireland compared with last year; how many were completed compared with last year; whether he is satisfied with the progress made; and whether he expects the Ministry of Development's objective of 73,500 houses in the period 1970 to 1975 to be achieved.

At 31st October 1973, 13,509 houses were under construction in Northern Ireland compared with 15,524 at the same time last year. In the year ended 31st October 1973, 10,748 houses were completed compared with 12,111 in the preceding year.These figures indicate a decline in the housing programme. The major factor in slowing down progress has been the state of civil unrest in many areas. Over 44,000 houses have been completed since 1st April 1970, but it now seems unlikely that the target figure of 73,500 houses will be achieved in the period 1970 to 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost in travelling expenses and hospitality of the recent Irish conference.

I regret that this information is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the food-producing potential of allotment gardens in Great Britain.

It is not possible to make an estimate of this kind, as so many factors of a varying nature are involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the changes in the common agricultural policy proposed by the EEC Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Written and oral views have been received from a number of organisations representing producers and the food and drink industries as well as from various individuals. These views represent a wide range and variety of opinions.

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