asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his latest discussions with EEC Ministers on a European energy policy.

The Council of Ministers decided at its meeting on 14th–15th January on a Community response to President Nixon's invitation to a meeting of the major oil-consuming countries. It agreed on Community representation at that meeting and set in hand a programme of work to prepare a Community position for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of his contacts with British Nazi organisations, he will refuse accreditation to General Shazli as Egyptian ambassador.

It would be improper for me to discuss the advice given to Her Majesty the Queen on the granting of agrément for a foreign ambassador to the Court of St. James.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made to abolish passports for journeys between countries of the EEC by nationals of those countries.

A passport, travel card or document of identity of some kind is necessary for travel between these countries. There is in fact a considerable measure of acceptance of national identity cards in lieu of passports. The British visitor's passport is accepted in lieu of a full passport for short visits in the countries concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to be able to make a statement on the investigation into the way laws are made and administered in Hong Kong.

Under the Hong Kong Letters Patent 1917 to 1971, the Governor, acting with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council, has power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the colony, and any law to which the Governor has assented may be disallowed by Her Majesty. All important measures enacted by the Hong Kong legislature are subject to scrutiny in London. No investigation into the general law-making process is at present being carried out, but there have been recent changes in Hong Kong laws designed to speed up the administration of justice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest information known to his Department on the assets in Uganda of Ugandans with United Kingdom passports resident in Great Britain.

The recording, within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, of assets reported by United Kingdom passport holders expelled from Uganda continues but is not yet complete.A Ugandan valuation committee is currently engaged in the task of assessing the value of that property as a preliminary to inter-governmental discussions on the questions of compensation for the property of British subjects and of the return of their assets. We would expect such talks to cover the property in Uganda of all United Kingdom passport holders, both Asian and European, whether or not they are resident in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take immediate action to speed traffic and reduce danger on the trunk road in the Lansdowne Road-Shelburn Road area of Cheltenham.

The borough council and others are being consulted about a traffic management scheme which should improve matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will detail the specific aspects of the Building Regulations which he is contemplating revising in the interests of heat conservation in houses.

We are proposing higher standards of thermal insulation for the roofs, walls and exposed floors of dwellings, and that windows shall be taken into account in assessing the thermal insulation of walls.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on new regulations on the thermal insulation of all dwellings and public buildings.

The Government intend to seek new enabling powers in the Health and Safety at Work Bill to be introduced this Session which will enable regulations to be made requiring thermal insulation in new buildings. Proposals for improved thermal insulation shortly to be issued for consultation will under existing powers apply only to new housing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of houses constructed in Exeter during the last eight years, on a year-by-year basis.

The numbers of dwelling completions reported in the Exeter county borough area during the years 1966 to 1972 appear in Local Housing Statistics, on page 26 of issue No. 1 and page 41 of Nos. 5, 9, 13, 17, 21 and 25 respectively. Copies of these publications are in the Library. Corresponding figures for 1965 and for the first nine months of 1973 are 525 and 182.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of house conversions and modernisations carried out in Exeter during the past eight years, on a year by year basis.

Following are the numbers of dwellings in Exeter county borough for which grants were approved:

	improvement grants approved
	for conversions	for other improvements
1965	10	158
1966	15	104
1967	11	98
1968	8	255
1969	7	515
1970	12	526
1971	17	896
1972	52	673
1973 first nine
months	51	429

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the difficulties facing owner-occupiers who are endeavouring to improve their homes under the home improvement provisions of the Housing Act 1969 before June 1974 but are unable to complete the works because of the shortage of material caused by the three-day week and will consequently lose the grant, if he will investigate the situation with a view to making proposals to alleviate the situation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Department's Circular 117/73, a copy of which I have sent him, which was issued last September. In this the Government emphasised that there was no question of extending further the time limit for completion of work to qualify for the higher rate of grant. Any extension would involve legislation, and would in any case have serious public expenditure implications. Applicants completing work after 22nd June will of course qualify for grant at the normal rate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the number of houses which make special provision for the needs of disabled persons that have been proposed and constructed, respectively, by each local authority in England since Section 3(1) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 came into force.

The numbers requested are shown, in regional aggregates, below. Figures for individual authorities are not immediately available but I will be writing to the hon. Member.

NUMBER OF LOCAL AUTHORITY DWELLINGS WITH SPECIAL PROVISION FOR THE NEEDS OF DISABLED PERSONS
29th August 1970 to 30th September 1973
Region	Proposals	Completions
Northern	116	38
Yorkshire and Humberside	92	7
NorthWest	109	27
East Midlands	144	11
West Midlands	76	18
East Anglia	30	1
South East:
Beds-Essex-Herts	47	2
Greater London	329	2
South Eastern Counties	50	3
Southern Counties	220	8
South West	86	21
England	1,299	138

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made on investigations into remedies for noise nuisance on the A2 Dartford diversion ; and if he will make a statement.

The findings of the investigation are still being considered. I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that the London borough of Hillingdon has twice refused to comply with the Government's request to reduce street lighting in the borough, in order to save energy, whether he will take further steps designed to produce this saving.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discustions have taken place between his Department and the Hillingdon Council to achieve a saving of electricity by a reduction of street lighting ; and with what result.

The necessary cuts have been implemented on trunk and metropolitan roads in Hillingdon. I have reminded the council of the need in the public interest to conserve energy, a need which is being observed by the overwhelming majority of lighting authorities throughout the country. Discussions with the council are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to ensure that supplies of building materials such as cement, bricks and plasterboard, the production of which depends on continuous processes, are maintained in adequate quantities for house building.

Arrangements have been made to give continuous supplies of electricity to producers of building materials who operate a continuous process. The Department is in close touch with the industry about the availability of building materials and will give as much guidance and assistance to producers as it can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, during the winter months and during the present street lighting restrictions, he will take steps to require all parked motor vehicles in built-up areas to display parking lights in the hours of darkness.

No.

asked the Minister for Energy whether he will take steps to safeguard all the infrastructure requirements necessary for the North Sea oil industry from the effects of three-day working.

Suppliers who cannot meet essential requirements for the North Sea oil industry in the three days' use of electricity now permitted should submit a case for consideration to the Department of Energy through the appropriate regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry.

asked the Minister for Energy whether he is aware that the export firm, Daniels of Cam, is bringing into service new and more efficient plant ; and whether he will make an energy allocation to this firm to enable it to test and use new and efficient plant at present lying idle.

I am sorry that at the present moment I cannot comply with my hon. Friend's wishes. However I have asked my officials to re-examine the case in the light of the new supply position.

asked the Minister for Energy how many accidents have been recorded in the Scottish sector of the North Sea in each year since oil exploration started in respect of the oil exploration industry ; and how many of these have been fatal.

Deaths and injuries, excluding minor injuries, arising from accidents in that part of the United Kingdom designated area of the North Sea lying to the east of Scotland were as follows:

Year	Deaths	Injuries (excluding minor injuries)
1967	—	1
1968	—	5
1969	1	4
1970	—	5
1971	1	5
1972	1	6
1973	3	12

asked the Minister for Energy how many firms in the county borough of Warley have been exempted from power restrictions ; if he will list the firms which have applied for exemption and been refused ; and if he will make a statement.

I am sorry but this information is not readily available.

asked the Minister for Energy what is the estimated saving in electricity consumption accruing from the closing down of all television at 10.30 p.m. ; and what would be the estimated saving if all daytime television were prohibited.

The estimated saving of electricity from closing down television is: after 10.30 p.m., 1 million units ; all day up to 5 p.m., 2 million units.

asked the Minister for Energy what is the estimated saving in electricity consumption of everyone following the Government's advice to clean his teeth in the dark, stop using electric dish washing machins and switch off refrigerators.

The hon. Member will realise that a large number of even small savings will total to make an appreciable amount of electricity saved. It is essential that, to keep industry on the fullest productive base possible, every type of domestic saving should be massively encouraged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures for wastage and recruitment in the State veterinary service in each of the five years preceding the latest date for which figures are available ; and if he will make a statement.

The numbers of professional officers recruited to and lost from the veterinary field and investigation staff and the Central Veterinary Laboratories in each of the five years 1969 to 1973 are:

	Recruitment	Wastage
1969	33	29
1970	30	15
1971	27	29
1972	19	31
1973	16	26
	125	130

As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 20th December to my hon. Friends the Members for Merton and Morden (Miss Fookes) and Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison).—[Vol. 866, c. 1591.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the percentage increase in the prices of 10 basic foods where these increases have been 80 per cent. and above, since June 1970.

The information is as follows:

Item	Percentage increase in average price
Beet	60·8 to 102·2 according to cut.
Imported lamb	96·1 to 144·4 according to cut.
Pork	69·9 to 85·6 according to cut.
Bacon	83·5 to 102·3 according to cut.
Eggs	114·5 to 161·0 according to grade.
Fish	74·8 to 138·9 according to variety.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the report of the committee on the export of livestock for slaughter which he expects to receive in February.

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish the report in March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that producers will weigh all their pigs, rather than guess at the weights, for the purposes of the EEC pig census.

I am sure that producers will continue to be as conscientious under the new arrangements as they have been under the previous ones.

asked the hon. Member for Chelsea, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, what is the number of tenancies in residential properties in London of which the Church Commissioners are landlords.

At 31st March 1973 the commissioners owned 6,030 units of residential accommodation in the Greater London area within their direct letting control. Some 2,700 further residential properties were let on long leases, the lessees being occupiers or responsible for letting the units of accommodation.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when, arising out of the Hardman Report, he is going to make a further statement about the dispersal of civil servants,

As soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement upon the failure of the British military communications satellite, launched at Cape Kennedy, to go into orbit.

The first British Skynet II satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral (formerly Cape Kennedy), Florida, on 19th January. Twenty-two minutes after lift-off a fault developed in the second stage of the United States Delta launching rocket causing the whole assembly to tumble violently. The third stage then drove the whole assembly in an unknown direction and no further trace has been found. An inquiry into the launching failure has been initiated by NASA. British representatives will participate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will set out the savings to public funds in the course of a full financial year of her decision to withhold the issue of the consultative document based on the Russell Report.

It is not possible to cost the effect of my right hon. Friend's decision in the manner suggested. It is not the document itself which would result in significant expenditure but any measures adopted as the outcome of the consultations it was intended to initiate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will issue a circular to all local authorities emphasising the importance of incorporating adequate fire partitions in all schools, especially those constructed in light steel.

A recent letter—July 1973—from the Department to chief architects of local education authorities reminded authorities of the measures necessary to restrict the spread of fire, including the fire-stopping of hollow construction. All schools, of whatever construction, started since 1971 must conform to the fire precaution standards laid down in the Department's Building Bulletin No. 7, which incorporates requirements for fire partitions between ceiling and roof.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision there is for boarding facilities in secondary schools in the East Midlands and in Northamptonshire, respectively.

In the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire (Holland and Kesteven), Nottinghamshire and Rutland, and the county boroughs within them, there were in January 1973 474 boarders at 12 maintained secondary schools and 492 boarders of secondary age at four direct grant schools ; there were 4,339 boarders, many of them of secondary age, at independent schools in this area. In Northamptonshire there were 141 boarders at two maintained secondary schools and 1,736 at independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the effect of the recent cuts in public expenditure on the expansion plans for Glamorgan Polytechnic ; and whether the details are yet known to the polytechnic authorities.

It is too early to say. The limited building programme for higher and further education for the year commencing 1st July 1974 has not yet been settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to meet representatives of the teachers' unions to discuss the rate of the London weighting allowance.

I hope to meet them in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details borough by borough in the Greater London area of the number of vehicles that have been removed or treated as abandoned during 1973 ; and how these figures compare with the previous five years.

I have been asked to reply.I will write to the hon. Member when information has been obtained from the boroughs.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is now able to announce the decision of the Privy Council in respect of the petition of the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers for a charter.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 21st December last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the capital expenditure projects on roads, education and health which will be affected in the county borough of Warley by his statement on 17th December.

The responsibility for implementing reductions in the roads, education and health expenditure programmes rests with my right hon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the case of the male worker on national average earnings, what were his liabilities to income tax and national insurance contributions and his

		October 1970	October 1971	October 1972	October 1973
Gross weekly earnings (£)	…	30·78	33·88	39·10	44·09
Income tax	…	4·98	5·02	5·59	7·06
National Insurance contributions:—
Flat Rate	…	0·88	0·88	0·88	0·84
Graduated	…	0·82	1·10	1·45	1·77
(a) Net pay as current prices	…	24·10	26·88	31·18	34·42
(b) Net pay as October 1970 prices	…	24·10	24·58	26·43	26·55
(a)—(b)	…	—	2·30	4·75	7·87

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the EEC budget for its Social Fund in 1974 ; how this amount compares with expenditure on the Social Fund in 1973 ; and what has been the United Kingdom share of payments out of the fund.

The new Social Fund budget for 1974 is about £112 million. This compares with expected expenditure of some £78 million in respect of 1973, of which the United Kingdom is likely to receive up to £24 million including about £4 million for Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any further works of art have recently been accepted in lieu of estate duty.

Yes ; seven marble portrait sculptures by Giovanni Battista Foggini have been accepted. The total cost borne by the National Land Fund, after allowing for relief from estate duty and capital gains tax, is £40,000.The Minister for the Arts, after taking advice from the Standing Commission net take-home pay in October 1970 and in each subsequent October ; what were his gross earnings, tax and national insurance deductions, loss of purchasing power due to price inflation since October 1970, and his real disposable income at October 1970 prices, assuming he was married with two children under 11 years of age and paid not-contracted-out insurance contributions.

The figures are:on Museums and Galleries, will in due course announce the destination of these works of art.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he anticipates in payments for debt interest between 1973–74 and 1974–75.

The White Paper on Public Expenditure (Cmnd. 5519) shows a reduction next year in public sector debt interest from £2,950 million to £2,800 million at 1973–74 prices. I have nothing to add to this at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of abortions carried out in Scotland in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

The available information is as follows:

	Number of abortions notified
1969	3,544
1970	5,254
1971	6,332
1972	7,600
1973	7,481

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider increasing the cost of dog licences as a means of reducing the number of unwanted dogs.

No. I am not satisfied that the action proposed by the hon. Member would have the effect that he is seeking.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received on the question of sheep and cattle worrying by dogs.

I have recently received representations from the Crofters Commission about sheep worrying. My Department has from time to time issued Press notices and posters to remind dog owners of their responsibilities in these matters and I am always ready to consider what further action can appropriately be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the Ombudsman's report on Turnhouse Airport.

The report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration was issued on 18th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now reached a decision regarding planning permission sought by Lanarkshire County Council for the new Roman Catholic secondary school in Bellshill.

I have already written to the hon. Member informing him that I have approved the proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now estimate the effects of the latest cuts announced by the Chancellor on school building in Lanarkshire and Scotland.

The reductions in capital expenditure announced by the Chancellor in December do not affect the main school building programme or the programmes for special schools or minor works. Full details are set out in SED Circular No. 888 of 21st December of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. It is for each education authority to work out the effects of these measures on its programmes.Following representations which it made to me, Lanarkshire education authority has been given an additional allocation of £415,000 for its main school building programme for 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the effect on the house building programme when the new economic measures are introduced.

New house building was exempted from the reductions of public expenditure announced on 17th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what, at the latest date, are the figures for house building, public and private, for 1973 ; and what are the comparative figures for 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively.

17,818 and 12,215 houses were completed in the public and private sectors respectively in 1973. The figures for 1970, 1971 and 1972 are published in the Housing Return for Scotland, 31st December 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new houses were built in Scotland in 1973 ; and what percentage this represented of the total for the year 1970.

30,033, which is 70 per cent. of the total for 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by education authorities, the schools for the deaf, the number of children and the latest available pupil/teacher ratio for each school listed, and the average pupil/ teacher ratio for Scotland, and England and Wales, respectively, for schools for the deaf at the latest available date, and the projected figures for the next five years.

	Number of Pupils
	Deaf	Partially Hearing	Number of Teacher	Pupil Teachers Ratio
Education Authority Schools
Aberdeen (Burgh)—Aberdeen School for the Deaf	49	14	11	5·7:1
Dundee—Dundee School for the Deaf	34	18	8	6·5:1
Edinburgh—St. Giles School	—	107	18	5·9:1
Glasgow—
Glasgow School for the Deaf	57	—	9	6·3:1
St. Vincents Roman Catholic School	54	35	16	5·6:1
Parkhouse School	—	49	7	7:1
Dunbarton—Elmwood School	6	12	4	4·5:1
Lanarkshire—
Auchinraith School	56	24	12	6·7:1
Drumpark School	—	7	1	7:1
Renfrewshire—
Garvel School	10	2	4	3:1
Gateside School	8	—	2	4:1
Mary Russell School	—	4	1	4:1
Ayrshire—West Park School	—	59	7	8·4:1
Stirlingshire—Windsor Park School	—	17	4	4·2:1
Clackmannan—Special class attached to Claremont School	—	4	1	4:1
Grand Aided Schools
Edinburgh—Donaldson's School for the Deaf	144	8	27	5·6:1
National pupil/teacher ratios:
Scotland—5·9:1.
England and Wales—6·8:1.
The pupil/teacher ratio for Scotland is not expected to change substantially within the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students are in training in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary School of Physiotherapists in the present session, and how many were training in 1971 and 1972 ; how many new students were enrolled in 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively ; and what was the number of suitable applicants refused admission in respect of each of the above years.

The numbers at the beginning of the academic year were 55 in 1971, 59 in 1972 and 62 in 1973 ; the number of new students enrolled was 24 in 1971, 21 in 1972, and 22 in 1973 ; and the number of applicants with suitable qualifications refused admission was 16 in 1971, 18 in 1972 and 20 in 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students of physiotherapy are presently in training at Jordanhill College.

Jordanhill College does not provide training in physiotherapy, but six qualified physiotherapists

The information is as follows:are at present taking a course in teaching being provided for the professions supplementary to medicine.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to regional hospital boards in respect of the implementation of the recommendations of the Salmon Report.

In January 1969 regional hospital boards were asked to start the process of introducing the Salmon senior nursing structure for nursing staffs in groups in their regions. The boards were given advice, based on experience of pilot schemes, on drawing up schemes and on consulting the nursing, medical, and administrative staffs involved.Where difficulties have arisen, the boards concerned have since been given informal guidance over particular problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which hospital boards of management have not implemented the Salmon Report ;

Only 13 out of 65 hospital boards of management have not yet implemented the Salmon senior nursing structure. These are:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the grant limit a mature student can obtain from the Miners' Welfare National Educational Fund before his or her State grants are affected.

Students are allowed to retain, without reduction of their grants from public funds, the first £100 of personal income from any source, including other grants. If a mature student has financial commitments entered into before the start of the course, further allowances may be made against personal income.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now fix a date for the public inquiry into the proposal of Mr. A. W. Henry to erect five holiday chalets in Dunbeath, Caithness.

A public inquiry into this appeal is to be held on 25th February 1974 in the County Offices, Wick.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many copies of the leaflet "Help with travelling expenses to hospitals for patients and visitors" have been ordered by hospitals, and how many by social security offices since it was published in May 1973.

78,000 have been ordered, mainly by hospitals, but also by a few voluntary organisations. The main purpose of the leaflet was, however, to serve as a basis for locally produced material. My Department's local offices do not use this leaflet but make the same information available in other ways.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual expenditure in total and per head of population on research into mental illness in the United Kingdom ; and what are the comparable figures in other EEC countries and in the United States of America, in so far as they are available from international sources.

I have been asked to reply.In 1972–73 the Medical Research Council's expenditure on research into all forms of mental illness was £2·263 million which represents about 4p per head of the population. Further research supported by public funds is carried out under the auspices of the Health Departments, hospital boards, universities and medical schools but its overall cost is not readily identifiable. Useful support is also provided by several voluntary agencies. The information sought in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider introducing legislation to prohibit the sale of individual cigarettes.

We have no such legislation in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider introducing legislation to prohibit the retailing of cigarettes in packets of less than 20.

If the hon. Member is implying that such a measure is desirable to reduce the volume of cigarette smoking, it is doubtful if this would be its effect. We have no such legislation in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set up an inquiry to investigate how sports promotions by tobacco manufacturers affect the sale of cigarettes.

This subject has been examined by officials over a period of years. There is no evidence of a direct connection between sports promotions and total sales of cigarettes and I see little value in setting up such an inquiry now.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a statement giving full details of the persons and organisations with whom he had discussions before introducing the three-day working week.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. friend the Prime Minister explained to the House on 9th January why discussions did not take place with the Trades Union Congress on the evening before the three-day working week was announced, but before the restrictions came into operation discussions were held with the Electricity Council, the Confederation of British Industry, the Retail Consortium, the Trades Union Congress and the Associated British Chambers of Commerce.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will carry out an immediate inquiry into the affairs of the Tephsan Second Housing Association Limited, under the Companies Acts. in view of its failure to publish accounts.

I have been asked to reply.I take it that my hon. Friend's Question refers to the Jephson Second Housing Association Limited which is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 and not under the Companies Acts. The latest audited annual return made by the Jephson Second Housing Association Limited was for the year ended 30th September 1972. In August 1973 the society sought and obtained the consent of the Registrar of Friendly Societies to make up its annual return to 31st March in each year which means that the next return will cover the extended period during 31st March 1974. The association is required to furnish a return relating to this 18-month period by 30th June 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what effect the announced cuts in public expenditure will have on the proposed major expansion of East Glamorgan Hospital.

The major expansion plans for this hospital are still at an early stage and it is too soon to forecast how far they will be affected by the cuts in public expenditure.The two building schemes costing over £1 million which have just started on the site will not be affected.