asked the Minister of State for Defence, how many gallons of fuel oil have been used by the Beira Patrol in the last 12 months.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a Question from my hon. Friend the member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) on 14th December—[Vol. 866, c. 206–7.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the purpose of the visit of the First Sea Lord to Chile earlier in December; and if he will make a statement.

The First Sea Lord's visit to Chile was planned last February as one of a number of visits to South American countries. Such visits form part of the regular contacts between navies which are a feature of our relations with many countries.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what facilities his Department intends to keep in Scapa Flow.

There is the Royal Naval oil fuel depot at Lyness for which a continuing requirement is foreseen. Part of the depot is being leased to a consortium of oil companies which intend using it for oil rig support.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the extent of current Government co-operation in the undersea excavation of the "Mary Rose" off South-sea; if he is taking steps to increase that co-operation; and whether he will make a statement.

The Royal Navy provides limited assistance to the "Mary Rose" (1967) Committee. This does not involve direct expenditure from defence funds and includes the offer of the use of Royal Navy divers provided any work they do is of benefit to their training and the issue of a local notice to mariners prohibiting anchoring and trawling in the area of the wreck and keeping watch for unauthorised diving on the site. Additionally, we have agreed to forgo to the committee any items of naval property which it may recover from the wreck for conservation and display at Southsea Castle Museum.So far as the future is concerned, we are in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry about arrangements for buoying the wreck site when it has been designated as a restricted area under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many Westland Wasp helicopters have now been delivered to South Africa; and how many are on order.

Three Westland Wasp helicopters have now been delivered to South Africa, and the remaining four are to follow shortly. The helicopters are being supplied in accordance with our legal obligations, which were defined by Law Officers in the White Paper of February 1971. I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 26th January 1971 and 22nd February 1971, respectively, and to the statement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 13th December.—[Vol. 810, c. 321–340; Vol. 812, c. 34–42; Vol. 828, c. 37.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all items still to be delivered under outstanding orders for military equipment for the South African armed services.

No. In general, it has been the policy of successive Governments not to publish details of orders for defence equipment. With regard to exports of defence equipment to South Africa in particular, I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 22nd February 1971 and 13th December 1971, respectively.—[Vol. 812, c. 34–42; Vol 828, c. 37.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will locate the proposed centre for oil drilling technology in Scotland.

The Petroleum Industry Training Board has the responsibility for preparing plans for the proposed centre including its location. The decision on location will be taken in the light of consultations between the board and the industry and the education services.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are currently the numbers of civil servants in the Pay Board and the Price Commission, respectively.

I have been asked to reply.Out of a total staff-in-post figure at 30th November 1973 of 952, the number of civil servants on loan to the Pay Board and Price Commission were 245 and 289, respectively, with an additional 80 in the Common Services Unit.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had regarding the establishment of advanced underwater training facilities in Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the result of his recent meet- ing with the speech therapists; and whether he was able to inform them of progress in the implementation of the Quirk Report.

I assured the college representatives that their views would be carefully considered. I also confirmed that I hope to make a statement on the Quirk Report as soon as possible and that formal consultations between the profession and the four Departments concerned could then begin.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the Government's policies relating to the recommendations of the Quirk Report on speech therapists.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 17th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects local health authority staff to have firm information about their future prospects of transfer to the new National Health Service on 1st April 1974.

It is already clear that the prospects on transfer will be as good as, or, in some cases, better than, at present. The maintenance of existing services and the development of the unified service will provide enhanced career prospects generally. As the new authorities develop their management arrangements the opportunities will become clearer for these and other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has about research indicating that flowers in water in vases may cause disease in hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

Observations from a study in the United States that potentially pathogenic bacteria can be carried in the water in flower vases have been reported in the British medical Press. These have been noted with interest, and confirm the general principle, already well established, that standing water and damp areas can be hazardous to patients with diminished resistance in high risk areas of hospitals. I know of no similar research in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if chiropody is to be included in the services provided by the National Health Service after its reorganisation on 1st April 1974.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recommendations he has received from the National Whitley Council regarding the remuneration of chiropodists; and when these were received in his Department.

The Joint Secretaries of the Whitley Council advised my Department on 17th July that agreement had been reached in detail on a settlement for several professions including chiropodists effective from 1st April 1973. Following the approval of the Pay Board revised salaries were notified to employing authorities on 12th September 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what communications he has had with the County Councils Association since July regarding the training and remuneration of chiropodists.

None. Such communications would presumably be addressed to the Management Side of the Whitley Council on which the association is represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what training courses and facilities are available for professional chiropodists; and how many are currently on such courses.

The Chiropodists Board set up under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960 recognises four schools in England, of which two are in London, one in Birmingham and one in Salford, at which the qualifications required for State registration may be obtained. At 31st December 1972. 383 students were in training.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to secure reciprocity between Great Britain and Japan for the recognition of results from animal trials in pharmacological research to enable the necessary clinical trials which follow to commence without delay.

I understand that the Committee on Safety of Medicines is willing to accept evidence of pharmacological and other studies in animals, undertaken overseas, provided there is evidence that the studies have been properly conducted and that the investigators have the necessary qualifications and experience.My noble Friend the Minister of State raised this matter with the Japanese authorities during his visit last year, and the matter has been pursued on a number of occasions since then, but I regret to say that the position, at present, remains that their Ministry of Health and Welfare is not willing to accept the result of animal studies conducted overseas, and continues to require certain studies to be undertaken in Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will authorise the Committee on Safety of Medicines to accept the evidence of clinical trials in drugs which have taken place overseas in the licensing of new drugs if it can be satisfied upon the validity of such trials.

The Committee on Safety of Medicines has accepted and will continue to accept evidence of clinical trials conducted overseas when it is satisfied with the conduct and competence of the trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions to all drug companies supplying the National Health Service in accordance with Section 96 of the Medicines Act 1968 that data sheets must appear with all advertisements printed in controlled circulation journals issued free to doctors.

Under Section 96 of the Medicines Act a pharmaceutical company is required to send a data sheet where it advertises its product by direct mail or by oral representations to practitioners. It appears, however, that in general products advertised in controlled circulation journals are the subject of data sheets. I have recently consulted the Medicines Commission about the desirability of regulations about products advertised solely in controlled circulation journals. It has advised me that no immediate action is necessary but that it proposes to keep the matter under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the incidence of cholestic jaundice which may have arisen in patients for whom Ilosone has been prescribed and ensure that the provisions of Section 96 of the Medicines Act 1968 are followed in all advertising for drugs which have been the subject of yellow warning leaflets from the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

In June this year the Committee on Safety of Medicines notified medical practitioners of the results of its investigation of reports of jaundice associated with the use of erythromycin, all but one of which were related to the use of erythromycin estolate ("Ilosone"). This matter is being kept under review as part of the committee's on-going investigations into reports of adverse reactions associated with the use of medicinal products. The data sheet for Ilosone does in fact contain a warning about reports of jaundice. I am, however, considering the general question of warnings in advertisements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence for clinical trials of new drugs which have not been studied fully and have not passed the Committee on Safety of Drugs to be given to those volunteering to act as human guinea pigs.

I do not consider that such legislation is necessary. The supply of drugs for clinical trials on patients is subject to the Medicines Act 1968, and the Committee on Safety of Medicines is consulted on applications for clinical trial certificates. In general, the provisions of the Act do not apply to the supply of drugs to be used in human pharmacology studies, by or on behalf of the manufacturer, on healthy volunteers in a laboratory or research establishment. Such studies are normally conducted in accordance with the recommendations of a committee under the chairmanship of Professor Sir Charles Stuart-Harris, a copy of whose report to the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the use by local authorities of their powers under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 has resulted in an increase in the total number of cases in which help with telephone charges has been given.

During the year ending 31st March last in England and Wales and 31st December in Scotland, authorities gave help with telephone installations or rental charges in 31,624 cases. These figures include an unknown number of elderly persons in England and Wales not within the ambit of the 1970 Act. Figures in respect of earlier years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give (a) the most recent figures of the numbers of recipients of supplementary benefits whose benefit is reduced because of the earnings of a dependent child, and (b) how many have had this benefit reduced by under 50p, 50p to 99p, £1 to £1·99, £2 to £2·99, £3 to £3·99, £4 to £4·99 and £5 or over.

I regret that the information is not available as the statistical records kept do not distinguish between the earnings of children and those of wives and other dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will arrange for members of Rotary Clubs, who provide transport for blind and physically handicapped people, to have additional petrol ration coupons for this purpose.

I have been asked to reply.People who provide this voluntary service may apply for a supplementary allowance if it should become necessary to introduce petrol rationing. Such applications would, of course, receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between all Government Departments in assessing the appropriate reduction in demand for energy supplies in Government service.

Yes, Sir. All Departments have been instructed to reduce their consumption of electricity in accordance with the various orders made under the Emergency Regulations and the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on the comments which he invited from the joint Cancer Research Campaign, the Medical Research Council and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Co-ordinating Committee for Cancer Research, following the publication of Lord Zuckerman's report on cancer research.

I give below a note on the progress with projects identified

ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON CANCER RESEARCH IN THE AREAS SUGGESTED BY THE JOINT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR CANCER RESEARCH
(The figures in brackets give the rough estimates of cost assumed by the Joint Co-ordinating Committee. In the case of (a)1 and (b)1 the organisations concerned had agreed to the expansion indicated before the JCC made its proposals).
(a)Proposals involving additional recurrent expenditure
1. Extra chairs in clinical oncology (£81,000 per annum).
As noted by the JCC the Cancer Research Campaign had agreed to fund three additional chairs.
2. NHS Consultant Posts (£90,000 per annum).
Clinical Training Posts (£27,000 per annum).
Extra posts will be provided by the National Health Service.
3. (a) Senior Non-Clinical posts and supporting staff	…	…	…	…	(£284,000 per annum).
(b) Non-clinical training posts	…	…	…	…
(c) Travelling fellowships	…	…	…	…
(d) Staff for clinical trials	…	…	…	…
Some posts under (a) may appropriately be provided by health departments in a hospital context as part of a regional development programme. Others will be provided by the MRC who expect to commit an extra £30,000 in 1974–75 and up to £50,000 per annum in succeeding years on these items.

asked the Prime Minister if he will transfer to one Minister responsibility for the proper disciplining of all Government-funded projects.

All Government expenditure on projects, whether in the public or the private sectors, is considered within the public expenditure reviews for which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has overall responsibility.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will invite an equal number of Members of Parliament to be present on future occasions when he invites representatives of the National Union of Mineworkers Executive to No. 10 Downing Street for discussion on the appropriate increases to be paid to mine workers.

No. The question of what are the appropriate increases to be paid to mineworkers in stage 3 is a matter for negotiation between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers, subject to the approval of the Pay Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the disclosure of Government policy and actions to the Press before official announcements, in view of the details supplied to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, covering Press reports of his ministerial appointments on Sunday 2nd December.

No. As I told the hon. Member in my letter to him of 7th December, I completely reject the accusations made by him about purported leaks of information to the Press.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit Scotland.

I have at present no firm plans for an official visit to Scotland.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on European-American relations at the inauguration of the Spaak Foundation on 3rd December.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on European-American relations at the inauguration of the Spaak Foundation on 3rd December.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on European-American relations at the inauguration of the Paul Henri Spaak Foundation on 3rd December.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech at Brussels on 3rd December on European policies.

I did so on 5th December.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider inviting the EEC Heads of State to convene the next summit meeting in Edinburgh.

At their meeting in Copenhagen on 14th to 15th of December the Heads of State or Government of the European Community decided that it will be for the country providing the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers to convene the more frequent summit meetings which they agreed should be held. In the first six months of 1974 that country will be Germany.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the EEC summit talks in Copenhagen.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made earlier today.

asked the Prime Minister when he last travelled to an official engagement by British Rail.

On 15th February this year, when I travelled to Birmingham to open the National Exhibition Centre.

asked the Prime Minister if he will transfer Departmental interest in all commodity markets to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all grants and subsidies which will be reduced or abolished after 1st January 1974 as a result of EEC membership, showing the amounts involved in the most convenient form.

The following changes in the Farm Capital Grants Scheme will take effect from 1st January 1974:

Abolition of grants for egg and poultry enterprises.

Restrictions on grant aid for pig enterprises.

A reduction in the general rate of grant for field drainage from 60 per cent. to a rate of not more than 55 per cent. and not less than 25 per cent.

Any estimate of reductions would be necessarily very tentative at this stage. The full amount will not be reached until the financial year 1975–76 at the earliest when the total might amount to between £3 million and £4 million.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to make a statement on the report of the committee which recently investigated problems in the State Veterinary Service; and if he will make copies of the report available to Members.

Discussion of various factors affecting career management of my veterinary staff are now in progress with the Civil Service Department and the appropriate staff association on the basis of a recent study by an informal working party set up at official level by my Ministry's establishment department. There is no formal report of a kind which it would be appropriate for me to make available to hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinary officers have left, and how many have joined, the State Veterinary Service since 1st January 1969; and if he will give the ages of these officers.

The numbers of professional staff recruited to and lost from the veterinary field service, the veterinary laboratories and the veterinary investigation centres since 1st January 1969 are given below in age groups.

Age group	Number recruited	Number Left
20–24	2	1
25–29	40	8
30–34	31	8
35–39	21	11
40–44	9	7
45–49	11	3
50–54	8	13
55–59	1	6
60 and over	—	69
	123	126*
* Includes 6 officers transferred from the State Veterinary Service to ADAS management posts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of foods and feeding stuffs previously imported under Commonwealth preference on which a levy will be due from 1st January 1974, showing in each case the country of origin.

I shall answer this Question as soon as the information is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a complete list of all United Kingdom imports of foods and feeding stuffs on which levies are applied at present as a result of EEC membership, and a complete list of all foods on which levies will become due as from 1st January 1974 as a result of EEC membership, showing in each case the amount of levy due.

I shall answer this Question as soon as the information is available.

asked the Attorney-General why it is not possible to obtain transcripts of judgments in the Chancery Division of the High Court as long as two months after their passing; and if he will take steps to remedy the situation.

I am not aware that this is the case. If the hon. Member will provide me with details of particular cases of delay I will arrange to have them investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her policy, under the newly announced arrangements for the administration of the charging scheme at the national museums and galleries, towards the trustees of these institutions at their discretion allowing free entrance to holders of membership cards of the International Council of Museums and the national Association of Art Critics.

As has been previously announced, the Government are prepared to admit free holders of the cultural identity card issued by the Council of Europe. Members of ICOM and many others can avail themselves of this arrangement. I am afraid I cannot extend the concession further.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in what proportions the proceeds from admission tickets to the group of three museums, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Geological Museum, are to be allocated as between the three museums constituting the group.

Initially each of the museums will retain its own takings, but this can be reviewed if it produces inequitable results.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is prepared to make a special grant to assist the British Museum in purchasing the John Robert Cozens sketch books, which were sold at Sotheby's recently for £120,000.

If any public collection decides to apply for a special purchase grant, this will be considered under the usual arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will arrange to publish the report of the working party on school transport.

The report of the working party on school transport is being published today. It proposes new arrangements for the provision of school transport and the introduction of a system of charging for its use. I shall be seeking the views of the local authority associations in due course. The Government are not committed to the recommendations in the report, and, in considering them, both they and local authorities will need to take account of the economic situation and the implications for expenditure on school transport.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now issue a new circular to local authorities calling their attention to their responsibility for assessing the case for the reopening of viable railway stations in the changed economic circumstances.

No. Local authorities are already aware of their rights and responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money is spent annually on maintaining and restoring British canals.

Expenditure by the British Waterways Board on maintaining its waterways amounted to about £5 million in 1972. I do not have equivalent information relating to independent waterways.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to make it mandatory on all traffic authorities in the United Kingdom to place signs indicating the effect of a "no waiting" order.

It is mandatory now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents involving foreign drivers have occurred on the A17 between the borough of King's Lynn and the parish of Walpole Cross Keys in the last 10 years.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents involving damage to private property have occurred on the A17 between the borough of King's Lynn and the parish of Walpole Cross Keys in the last 10 years.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to give existing tenants of farms owned by Government Departments and statutory bodies the first option to purchase their holdings when they are placed on the market.

I see no reason to disturb or extend the current arrangement that surplus Government and nationalised industry land not required by local authorities is placed on the open market.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates to be the effect on the efficiency of the internal combustion engine of a reduction of lead in gasoline to 0·64 grams.

None, provided the quality of petrol is maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will advise local authorities with access to computer facilities to amend their valuation lists in accordance with his Department's Circular 140/73 by using the computer to produce a new amended valuation list, because of the cost of amending it by hand.

A computer printout is acceptable, provided that legal requirements in relation to valuation lists are met. Local authorities wishing to use computer facilities should first get into touch with their local valuation office for advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will revoke Regulation 7(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1973 which carries a power of arrest without warrant.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he proposes to continue the Beira Patrol in the next 12 months.

The Beira Patrol is continuing in discharge of our obligations under Security Council Resolution No. 221. I cannot predict how the situation will evolve in the next 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government, as expressed at the United Nations towards the sale of arms to South Africa, with special reference to the sale by Great Britain of Westland Wasp helicopters to South Africa.

Our general policy has been explained on a number of occasions at the United Nations as well as in this House. As regards the sale of helicopters, [would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement of 22nd February 1971 [Vol. 812, c. 34] when he told the House that we would, in accordance with our legal obligations, issue export licences for Westland Wasp helicopters if requested by the South Africans. My right hon. Friend the then Minister of State confirmed on 13th December 1971 [Vol. 828 Col. 37.] that a contract for the sale of seven Westland Wasp helicopters to South Africa had been signed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek assurances from the South African Government that Westland Wasp helicopters exported to South Africa will not be used for internal suppression, for operations in Rhodesia in defence of the illegal Smith régime or in support of the Portuguese Government in Mozambique: and whether he will make a statement.

No. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 26th January 1971 [Vol. 810, c. 324–5.] we already have South African Government assurances that they will not use any items of maritime equipment supplied to them for purposes other than the protection of the sea routes. If the South Africans breached this assurance we should at once refuse further supplies of equipment or spares. The Westland Wasp helicopter is designed and equipped for martime defence and not for the uses described by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the numbers of Commonwealth visitors and students into the United Kingdom who have failed to return from Great Britain in each year from 1964 to 1973; and what total number still remain in Great Britain.

The numbers of Commonwealth citizens admitted as visitors and students in the years 1964 to 1973 who have had their conditions of stay removed for such reasons as marriage, dependence or the fact that exemption from control had been established are—

1964	—
1965	193
1966	899
1967	1,540
1968	2,426
1969	3,012
1970	4,356
1971	10,619
1972	9,912
1973 (Jan.-Sept.)	6,385

The trend of the figures is accounted for by the fact that before 1965 conditions of stay were not imposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make the chairmanship of the Horserace Betting Levy Board a full-time appointment.

My right hon. Friend sees no need for this at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will withdraw the Local Government (Petty Sessional &c.) Order 1973 and substitute for it a similar order which will not include the enforced amalgamation of the Aberystwyth, Talybony and Llanbadarn Fawr petty sessional benches in north Cardiganshire.

No. My right hon. Friend has given careful consideration to this amalgamation and is satisfied that it is in the best interests of the area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been made for speeding on the A17 between the borough of King's Lynn and the parish of Walpole Cross Keys in the last 10 years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the estimated depreciation of the purchasing value of Members of Parliament's salaries since the date of the last adjustment up until the latest stated date, taking into account the expenses incurred in carrying out their duties, such as secretarial salaries, travel, living away from home and other necessary expenses.

It is estimated that the purchasing power of a Member of Parliament's basic salary, and of allowances at their limits, has fallen by 14·2 per cent. between January 1972 and October 1973, the latest date available. This estimate is made on the basis of the change in the General Index of Retail Prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average value added tax repayment delay for all claimants in general, and for manufacturing industry in particular; and if he is satisfied with these periods.

For the great majority of valid claims repayment is being made within two weeks of their receipt. Some extension of this timetable is inevitable when queries arise. Separate information about claims made by the manufacturing industry is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at current prices of raw materials, what is the relative cost in the United Kingdom of heat from coal, oil and natural gas, respectively.

I have been asked to reply.I regret that it is impossible to give an answer to this Question which will not be misleading. The cost of heat depends on many factors, such as the type of consuming appliance, the size and pattern of demand, the grade of fuel used, the efficiency of the appliance or plant, and the geographical location. The fuel industries can advise consumers on their own particular circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the 253 applications for Housing Executive loans which were under consideration on 20th November 1973 were still outstanding at the most recent convenient date.

Two hundred and forty-nine at 14th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the amount of improvement and modernisation that still remains to be done to older council houses, he will extend the final date for the operation of the financial provisions of the Housing Act 1971; and if he will make a statement.

No. The higher levels of grant under the 1971 Act were for a limited period and for the specific purpose of stimulating improvement in the development areas and intermediate areas of Great Britain. That purpose has been achieved and a massive increase in improvement work has resulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions his officials have had with Edinburgh Corporation about implementing the transportation plan recommended by outside consultants; and what account was taken of the Government's policy towards public transport as outlined in Commnad Paper No. 5366.

My Department is keeping in touch with Edinburgh Corporation during the corporation's consideration of the consultants' recommendations, but as the corporation has not yet reached conclusions implementation has not yet been discussed. Command Paper No. 5366 was published after the final report of the Edinburgh study, but Edinburgh Corporation will no doubt take it into account in reaching their conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic gearbox, and electrically-propelled invalid tricycles, respectively, which were on issue in Scotland on 30th September 1973.

The numbers were, respectively, 1,225, 455 and 47.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what proportions the proceeds of admission tickets to the group of two museums, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, are to be allocated as between the two museums constituting the group.

The Supply Estimates for 1973–74 for the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland—which include the Scottish National Portrait Gallery—were prepared on the assumption that half of the estimated receipts from charges for admission to the building which they share would be appropriated in aid of each institution's Vote. Following the Government's decision to allow individual institutions to retain the net receipts from admission charges for agreed purposes of their own, I have asked the two institutions to consider whether any different allocation of the net receipts from admission charges to this building would be preferable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, giving the mileage in respect of each, those trunk motorways or lengths of motorway in preparation, firmly programmed and under construction, and those motorways or lengths of motorway in use, respectively, as at 31st October.

Following is the additional information since my reply to my hon. Friend on 3rd May—[Vol. 855, c. 352–4]:

Under Construction (formerly "firmly programmed")
		Miles
M80	Glasgow-Stirling:
	Bankhead-North Broomage	3·81
M8/A8 Glasgow-Greenock trunk road (motorway section):
	Bishopton By-pass, Stage II	3·82

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, showing the mileage in respect of each, those local authority motorways or lengths of motorway in use and under construction; motorway schemes confirmed by the Secretary of State; and those made by the local authority and submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation, respectively, on 31st October.

Since my reply to my hon. Friend on 3rd May—[Vol. 855, c. 354]—construction has started on the Glasgow Renfrew Motorway (Stage I, 1·89 miles); and the scheme for the Monkland Motorway (Stage II, 3·46 miles) has been confirmed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost of keeping a patient for a week in Maud Hospital and in Turriff Hospital as compared with Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The average weekly in-patient cost at Maud Hospital in 1972–73 was £23·49; at Turriff

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current shortage of nursing staff in Aberdeen; and what effect it is having on available beds.

There are 125 trained and 35 auxiliary nurses short of the notional establishment in the Aberdeen general hospitals group. No bed closures are contemplated.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what were the dates an durations of the visits made by officers of his Department to five experimental cable television stations now in being, respectively; and how many officers were involved in each visit.

Accompanied by two officers directly concerned with the experiments I took part in the official opening at:

(1) Greenwich on 3rd July 1972. The visit occupied about three hours in the evening.

(2) Bristol on 17th–18th May. The opening took place in the evening: the service began on 18th May with a breakfast-time television programme.

(3) Sheffield on 29th–30th August. The opening took place in the evening.

(4) Swindon on 11th September. The visit occupied about four hours.

The fifth experiment has not yet begun.Occasional visits have been made to the Greenwich experiment by one official for periods of about two hours including a visit on 22nd November 1972.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will place in the Library copies of the requirements specified in the terms of his licence to each of the five experimental cable television stations now in being.

A copy of the licence issued to Greenwich Cablecasts Limited, the terms of which have been applied to the experimental cable stations now operating, was placed in the Library in response to a Question from the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead) on 19th July 1972.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will place in the Library copies of the advance programme schedules provided as a condition of his licence by the five experimental cable television stations now in being.

I am arranging for copies of the advanced programme schedules for four of the five experimental stations to be placed in the Library. The fifth experiment has not yet started.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what were the dates and durations of discussions by his Department with Bristol Channel to ensure that programmes meet satisfactorily the requirement specified in his licence, and where these discussions took place.

Formal discussion with representatives of Rediffusion Radio Holdings Limited took place at my Department on 7th November 1972 on the requirements of my licence in relation to the general conduct of the experimental service including matters appertaining to programme content. There is no record of the duration of the meeting. Detailed questions relating to programme matters have since been, and continue to be, dealt with in telephone conversation or correspondence as appropriate.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will list the programmes referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Bristol, South on 10th December (HANSARD, column 50); what were dates of transmission; and by whom they were viewed.

I have seen the inaugural programmes prepared by the four companies so far licensed. The Greenwich programmes comprised about an hour's material, including a panoramic tour of the locality, interviews with local personalities, "What is Cablevision?" and "The People of Bebington Street". During an official's visit on 22nd November 1972 a recorded interview with members of the South-East Action Committee on employment and housing problems in the locality followed by a 35-minute programme of discussions with the local officials of the St. John Ambulance Brigade commemorating the organisation's seventieth anniversary were viewed. The inaugural programmes at Bristol included a composite programme of excerpts from forthcoming programmes. There was also a 45-minute programme "Friday Breakfast" giving a preview of news, weekend events and entertainment. The Sheffield presentation included two 25-minute programmes "City on the Move—Where to?" and "Sheffield Clean Air City". The Swindon presentation included excerpts from forthcoming programmes.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will consider publishing a Green Paper outlining Government thinking on the future development of cable television.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will take steps to improve the general radio services to shipping in the North Sea at the same time as he provides special services for oil.

This is a matter for the Post Office, which tells me that it is implementng a general programme of improvement of services to shipping in the North Sea. If the right hon. Member has any specific query the Post Office will be pleased to provide him with the relevant information.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take immediate steps to impose a 30 m.p.h. speed limit on all heavy commercial vehicles in order to conserve fuel Stocks still further and to avoid the hazards created by large lorries crowding small cars on the roads.

I do not accept that there would in fact be any fuel saving if a 30 m.p.h. speed limit were to be imposed on heavy commercial vehicles. Most of the roads in this country are not flat and even in the run up to a small incline these vehicles could be involved in more gear changing if they were restricted to 30 m.p.h. and this, in turn, would lead to increased use of fuel.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further representations he has received concerning the effect of the shortage of petrol on local authority services for the handicapped and the elderly; what action he is taking, in view of the facts which have recently been sent to him by the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe; and if he will make a statement on the latest position.

I have no knowledge of further representations. Local authorities, in common with other sectors of the community, are subject to the 10 per cent. cut-back in their supplies of motor fuel. It is for them to determine their own priorities for operating their services within that constraint. I feel sure that all local authorities will have the fullest regard to the needs of the handicapped and the elderly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the event of petrol rationing, he will consider including social workers in the priority class.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what facilities, in the event of petrol rationing, are being made for local authority social workers.

In such event local authorities would be given priority and this would include social service workers in their employ.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the report of the inquiry into the sinking of the "Pisces" submersible; and if he will make a statement.

We have so far received only a part of the report. My hon. Friend hopes to make a statement after he has received and studied the remainder.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the main suppliers of newsprint about the effect on them of the current fuel situation; if he will seek to ensure that the paper mills receive the necessary supplies of fuel; and if he will make a statement.

I am currently having discussions with the United Kingdom newsprint manufacturers and will consider what action may be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the supply of fuel to boat owners and for the transport of fuel supplies to their craft; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that most boats operate on marine diesel oil which, under present plans, will not be subject to rationing by coupon if such a scheme has to be introduced. It is expected that reasonable supplies of this fuel should continue to be available to boat owners. As regards those boats which operate on motor fuels, a decision as to fuel allocation will be taken at the time in the light of the availability of supplies. A boat owner to whom the use of a boat is essential for his business or transport will be able to apply to the regional petroleum officer for an allocation of fuel for such purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken in response to the request from the Merseyside Chamber of Commerce and Industry representing 50,000 workers on Merseyside to ease restrictions on packaging, so that food supplies can be distributed.

I am giving urgent consideration to this request.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the value of exports of electronic equipment to South Africa in each of the past three years and of all outstanding orders for such equipment.

Following is the information on exports^*:

	£ million
1970	17·3
1971	24·2
1972	21·2
Jan./Oct.
1973	19·4
* Standard International Trade Classification (Revised) groups and sub-groups 724.0, 726.2. 729.3, 729.52, 729.7, 729.93, 729.95 part of 714.3 and part of 714.92.

Information on outstanding orders is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the amount of electricity that will be saved by the new restriction on television programmes; and what percentage this represents of normal electricity consumption at the relevant time.

I estimate that the saving of electricity arising from the switching off of television sets at 10.30 p.m. amounts to 1 million units a day, which is equivalent to 2 per cent. of the normal usage during the last 1½ hours of the day. In the present critical situation it is important that every possible saving of electricity should be found and I urge everyone to exercise the utmost economy in its use.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he has made for British airlines to use the new Charles de Gaulle Airport for services between London and Paris when it is commissioned in 1974.

I am happy to say that both British Airways European Division and British Caledonian Airways will transfer services to the new Charles de Gaulle Airport at Paris when it comes into operation in March 1974. British Caledonian will transfer all its services presently operating into le Bourget and British Airways will, with its partners Air France, move a proportion of its existing services from Orly. I would like to express my thanks to the French authorities for enabling both the British scheduled airlines to take part in this new venture.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement of the effect upon the Welsh economy of the latest restrictions on the use of electricity.

It is not possible to make precise assessments at this stage. Wales, like the rest of the United Kingdom, will be much affected by these restrictions, which are designed to ensure the maintenance of essential power supplies.