asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement about reform of the common agricultural policy.

The Commission has now included a number of its recommendations on the improvement of the common agricultural policy in its price proposals, and for the moment discussion in the Council on the improvement of the CAP is likely to concentrate on those aspects. This discussion will be resumed at the meeting on 11th and 12th February. Other aspects of these improvements will be considered after the common prices have been settled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agreement has been reached about beef prices in the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

No agreement has yet been reached on the level of the 1974–75 guide price for beef.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now state the increase in the price of the sub-group containing bread and cake since June 1970.

Between 16th June 1970 and 11th December 1973, the latest date for which information is available, the

SAMPLE DEADWEIGHT CATTLE PRICES IN UNITED KINGDOM (p per lb.)
					January 1973	January 1974*	Percentage Change Per cent.
Steers	…	…	…	…	31·33	31·88	+1·8
Heifers	…	…	…	…	30·18	30·59	+1·4
* 3 weeks only. Prices quoted Kidney Knobs channel fat out.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rise in the price of lentils during the latest convenient period; to what factors he attributes such a rise; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this situation.

During the 12 months ending 17th January 1974 the landed price of lentils has risen from £142 to £365 per ton, because world demand has outstripped available supplies. Since all our supplies of lentils are imported, their prices on first sale in the United Kingdom cannot be controlled, but I am satisfied that the price code provides adequate controls when the lentils move into distribution.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage increase between January 1973 and January 1974 in the deadweight cattle price and the retail price of beef, respectively.

The following table shows the percentage changes in deadweight clean cattle prices between January 1973 and 1974 and retail beef prices between January 1973 and December 1973, the latest date for which the information is available. The retail prices are those collected for the purposes of the Retail Food Price Index. Deadweight cattle prices are those collected by the MLC for the purposes of its weekly Market Survey.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage by which the price of food has risen and the percentage by which family expenditure upon food has increased since June 1970.

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Carter) and others. As to the second part, information collected for the National Food Survey shows that average weekly expenditure on food increased by 31·7 per cent. between the second quarter of 1970 and the third quarter of 1973.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the number of beef cattle in the country at the latest available date compares with the number two years earlier.

At the September 1973 sample livestock inquiry the national beef breeding herd had increased by 24·7 per cent. since the corresponding date two years earlier.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposals which he will be putting to the EEC for its price review.

It is for the Commission to make proposals on EEC farm prices to the Council, and it did so on 21st January. A preliminary discussion was held at that time, and the United Kingdom will play a full part in the more substantive discussion which will take place at the Council meeting on 11th and 12th February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive from the Price Commission the result of its special investigation into egg prices.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive a report from the Price Commission in about four months' time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the percentage rise in the price of cattle feeding stuffs since January 1973.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the percentage rise in the price of cattle feedstuffs during the past year, to the latest convenient date.

The increase in the average price of cattle and calf compound feeding stuffs in Great Britain since January 1973 was about 40 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current tonnage of beef held by intervention agencies throughout the EEC; and how this compares with the corresponding figure six and 12 months ago.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 25th January—[Vol. 867, c. 361–2.]—to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the volume of the current United Kingdom crop of dried grass; how this compares with the figure five and 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement on current discussions within the EEC to encourage dried grass production.

Estimates of production of dried grass in the United Kingdom are not available, but production in England and Wales is given below:—

	000 tons
1962	71
1967	71
1972	119

The Commission's proposals are under consideration by the Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action to prevent the destruction of the carrot crop of south-west Lancashire by migratory wild geese.

Yes, Sir. After consulting the Wild Fowl Trust my officials have sent detailed advice by letter to farmers in the area on appropriate methods of control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he possesses of any upward trend in the incidence of sheep worrying by dogs; and whether he will set up an interdepartmental committee to consider the present licensing arrangements for dogs.

The latest evidence is that the number of sheep killed and injured by dogs showed a steady decline from 8,473 in 1970 to 6,266 in 1972, but I would continue to urge all those responsible for dogs in the countryside to keep them under proper control.My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is considering whether there should be an interdepartmental review of problems concerning dogs, and this could include the present licensing arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the consultative procedures within the EEC that have to be undertaken by the Government before any increased subvention can be made to the milk fund; and to what extent any such increase is subject to Treaty limitations.

No specific procedures or limitations have been laid down on these two points.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to announce the result of his discussions with the Civil Service Department and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants in respect of recruitment for the State Veterinary Service.

The discussions with the Civil Service Department and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants on various matters affecting recruitment to the professional grades of the State Veterinary Service are continuing. As regards the effect of pay on recruitment, any settlement of the pay of veterinary officers must await a settlement for the Science Group to which their pay is linked, as explained more fully in my right hon. Friend's reply of 22nd January—[Vol. 867, c. 266]—to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of cows in calf which have been slaughtered during the last three months for which figures are available.

There are no statistics which show the numbers of cows in calf going for slaughter. Extensive inquiries at abattoirs and markets in the last few days have indicated no widespread increase in the proportion of slaughtered cows which are in calf.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether aids for the private storage of beef are to be introduced under the EEC régime for beef.

Yes. The Community is introducing a limited system of tendering for such storage aids to supplement measures to help strengthen Community beef markets. The closing date for offers is 11 a.m., Thursday 7th February. For the United Kingdom, the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce will be administering the arrangements and is announcing details today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the taxpayer of increasing the retirement pension for a single individual and a married couple, respectively, to £10 and £16, if the contributions were not increased.

£825 million in Great Britain without allowing for accompanying changes in benefits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he is aware that a man with a wife and three children under 11 years of age, whose weekly wage is £25 per week, has £6·36 more spending power in the first weeks of unemployment than when at work; and if he will take steps to rectify this situation;(2) if he will take steps to rectify the situation whereby a man with a wife and three children under 11 years of age whose weekly wage is £30 has £4·81 more spending power in the first 11 weeks of unemployment than when at work.

This sort of situation can arise only at certain periods in the tax year and then only where the man has been in continuous employment at the stated level since the preceding 5th April. On the second part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the written reply to him of 17th January last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his plans to introduce taxation of development gains on the disposal of land, as announced on 17th December 1973, will extend to land sold in the United Kingdom by non-residents.

The normal capital gains tax rules will apply including the special provisions for non-resident companies and trusts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been, for each year since 1945, the level of gross company United Kingdom trading profits; the level of these profits net of corporation tax or its preceding equivalent at current prices; the level of these profits net of tax at 1945 prices, and the percentage annual change in these profits at 1945 prices; and what are the equivalent figures for dividends or interest payments since 1945.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the allocation to applied research for medical science in 1973 or for the latest 12-month period for which figures are available was specifically directed at ways and means of enabling the disabled to lead a fuller life and to make a bigger contribution to the community.

I have been asked to reply.There are no specific allocations of funds for applied medical research. However, in 1972–73 the Health Departments spent approximately one-eighth of their total health research budget on research which could be regarded as being directed towards enabling the disabled to lead a fuller life. This included research into aids and appliances for blind, deaf and limbless disabled people and also the rehabilitation of those who have suffered disabling diseases. In addition, support is provided for social science research intended to find ways of improving the quality of life for the disabled.The Medical Research Council is also carrying out a number of studies on aids for the disabled including work on artificial limbs and mobility aids for the blind and has designated research into the problems of the deaf as an area which requires special encouragement. It is not, however, possible to say what percentage of the total MRC expenditure these studies represent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement regarding redundancies likely to be caused by the proposed rundown of RAF Bawdsey.

There are 90 civilians employed at RAF Bawdsey and, although it is not possible at present to give precise numbers, it is expected that most of them will become redundant in their present posts in mid-1974 when the master radar station there ceases operations. Every effort will be made in conjunction with the Department of Employment to find other work for those whose services have to be terminated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will delay the disposal of HMS "Eagle" and any other of Her Majesty's ships scheduled for disposal to assess their potential as generators of power for industrial ports during the energy shortage.

HMS "Eagle" has been partially de-equipped in preparation for disposal and it would require considerable time and effort to bring her generating machinery back into use. In any event her output is mainly of direct current which would need to be converted to alternating current before it could be put to civil use. Moreover, the contribution which could be made to the requirements of an industrial port would be extremely limited. The same general considerations apply even more forcefully to smaller ships listed for disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present position in relation to the development of the short-range air-to-air missile QC434.

In the light of current assessments of operational needs and the severe pressures on the defence budget, it has been decided not to proceed with the full development of QC434. Instead, a less expensive technology demonstration programme is to be introduced aimed at proving the technology involved in the missile, much of which could find application in a variety of future guided weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of those receiving grants to complete courses at teacher training colleges do not go into the teaching profession.

Normally about 10 per cent. do not enter the maintained primary and secondary schools. Some of these obtain teaching posts in other educational institutions in this country or elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the most recent figures for unemployment in the areas covered by his Department's offices in Macclesfield and Congleton; and how these compare with the figures for October, November and December 1973.

Following is the information:

	Number Unemployed*
	Macclesfield	Congleton
14th January 1974 (Provisional).	498	177
10th December 1973	410	134
12th November 1973	402	138
8th October 1973	483	150
* Not adjusted to take account of seasonal factors.

On 14th January 1974 there were also 4,220 workers in Macclesfield who were temporarily stopped, that is, who had a job but were temporarily suspended from work and were registered in order to claim benefits. There were no temporarily stopped workers in Congleton on the day of the count but about 2,560 workers in the area were temporarily stopped for some other part of the week. On 10th December 1973 there were no temporarily stopped workers registered at either exchange but on 12th November and 8th October there were respectively five and four such workers registered at Macclesfield exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the minutes of work required in Great Britain, France, Germany and the United States of America to buy the following items, namely, 1 kg rump steak, 10 eggs, 1 litre pasteurised milk, 1 kg local bread, 1 kg butter, 1 kg white sugar, 1 kg potatoes, 1 kg apples and 10 oranges, expressed

NUMBER OF MINUTES WORK REQUIRED TO PURCHASE CERTAIN FOOD ITEMS BY MALE MANUAL WORKERS IN MANUFACTURING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES
	October 1972 except where stated
Item	Number or weight	United States of America(1)(2) Minutes	France(3)(4) Minutes	Germany (Federal Republic) Minutes	United Kingdom(5)(6) Minutes
White Wheat Bread	1 Kg.	8	22	15	9
Milk, Pasteurised (bottled)	1 Lt.	5	9	7(7)	7
Butter (table)	1 Kg.	30	114	61	40
Eggs	10	8	26	16	12
Sugar (white granulated)	1 Kg.	5	13	10	7
Potatoes	1 Kg.	3	5	4	4
Apples (eating)	1 Kg.	8	20	11	21
Oranges	1 Kg.	9	24	14	15

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what effect a rise of 8p in the pound in the price of manufactured foods would have on the cost of living and on the official price index, respectively.

A rise of 8p in the pound in the price of food items which are mainly manufactured in the

The following table gives the available information. Comparisons of this type involve very considerable uncertainties. In particular, these arise from variation in systems of remuneration and taxation in the different countries, from the different importance of the individual goods in the national patterns of consumption—which means that general conclusions about the comparative costs of living cannot be drawn from this information—and from differences in quality and type in the goods listed. Detailed definitions are not available.United Kingdom would increase the retail prices index by about 0·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give an estimate of the rise in the cost of living and of the index figure of the introduction of a 5p postal charge.

The introduction of a 5p postal charge would increase the retail prices index by about 0·1 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many strikes took place each month since January 1969; and how many in each case lasted less than one week, one but less than two weeks, two but less than three weeks, three but less than five weeks, five but less than 10 weeks and 10 weeks or longer.

The number of stoppages of work due to industrial disputes beginning each month are published in the Department of Employment Gazette in Table 133 of the regular statistical time series. Information about the duration of these stoppages, which is available only on an annual basis and not in precisely the duration bands requested, follows:

DURATION OF STOPPAGES OF WORK DUE TO INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Stoppages beginning in	Not more than 6 days	Over 6 and not more than 12 days	Over 12 days	Totals
1969	2,486	347	283	3,116
1970	2,922	476	508	3,906
1971	1,604	287	337	2,228
1972	1,629	359	509	2,497

Figures for 1973 on the above basis are expected to be published in the May 1974 issue of the

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage increase in rates and earnings of Glasgow firemen following the implementation of the national award and the further agreement concluded by the Glasgow Corporation.

I cannot at present add to the replies to my hon. Friend the Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) on 15th January 1974.—[Vol. 867, c. 13–14.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for the latest available date by name and total numbers those employees who have settled pay claims within stage 3, and the date of their previous pay increase.

No. The Pay Board issues monthly figures of the number of settlements which it has received and which it has approved with estimates of the numbers of employees covered by these settlements. It is not the practice to name individual settlements.

asked the Minister for Energy what was the price of naphtha on 1st January 1973 and on the most recent date for which a price is available; and what additional quantities of the petrochemical feedstock his Department has been able to procure from refineries abroad.

In answer to a Question by my hon. Friend on 20th December 1973 it was explained that most naphtha is bought on contract and there is wide variation in prices quoted for marginal supplies. The oil and chemical companies, not the Department of Energy, procure petrochemical feedstock.—[Vol. 866, c. 364.]

asked the Minister for Energy with what countries the Government are negotiating agreements for the purchase of crude oil and/or petroleum products in return for the sale of British goods and manufactures.

Apart from the arrangements with Iran which were described by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 28th January, we are negotiating no such agreements.—[Vol. 868, c. 22–5.]

asked the Minister for Energy what was the price per gallon of oil delivered for industrial and domestic heating in December 1972 and on 1st January 1974, respectively; and if he will give a breakdown of the factors that have contributed to the increase.

Apart from the main factor of cost ex-refinery, the final price of heating oil for the consumer depends upon factors such as the geographical zone, delivery charges, discounts and distributors' margins. However, taking for illustration scheduled wholesale prices for bulk deliveries in the Inner Zone—mostly the larger conurbations—the picture for December 1972 as compared with December 1973—the latest available figures—was as follows in terms of pence per gallon:

	December 1972	December 1973
	P	P
Gas Oil	10·33	14·93 to 16·43
Burning Oil (standard grade)	11·42	14·75 to 16·02
Paraffin	12·67	15·62 to 17·87

The increase in prices stemmed primarily from higher crude oil costs imposed by producer countries, but also included elements of higher freight costs, currency fluctuations, and other factors.

asked the Minister for Energy what are his objections to storing liquid natural gas in Wales in small containers on separate sites.

I am advised that this would present a number of problems and I am therefore asking the Chairman of the British Gas Corporation to write to the hon. Member about them.

asked the Minister for Energy how many and what percentage of workers employed in the mining industry live rent-free in houses belonging to the National Coal Board; and what percentage of workers receive rent concessions.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the coordination of the work of relevant Government Departments on research into alternative sources of energy and into less energy-intensive means of production.

The Government have been involved in a range of research programmes into alternative energy sources and energy conservation. However, in the light of new developments the level and type of Government-sponsored research into energy is now being comprehensively reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of Government funds available to Bedfordshire local authorities for housing and, separately, the amount of Government funds available for mortgages.

Both capital expenditure on housing and mortgage lending for house purchase are reckonable expenditures for loans to local authorities from the Public Works Loan Board. Bedfordshire authorities have this year been entitled to borrow from the board up to 40 per cent. of all reckonable expenditures. Local authorities in Bedfordshire as elsewhere are entitled to claim housing subsidies, under the Housing Finance Act 1972 and the relevant provisions of earlier Housing Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received from Newark Chamber of Commerce regarding an early decision on the route of the A46 road in the Newark area; and what reply he has sent.

I wrote about this matter to the hon. Member on 22nd January 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the average length of time taken to reach a planning application appeal decision per annum over the last five years, broken down by the oral and written representation procedure.

Following is the information requested:

		Average time taken in weeks
Year	Number of Appeals decided	Decisions made after an inquiry	Decisions made after written representations
1969	6,192	38	30
1970	5,454	37	31
1971	5,516	39	33
1972	5,916	41	35
1973	10,890	54	36

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the proposals in the paper "Housing Allowances and Inequality", published by the Fabian Society, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will take action on the lines indicated in this report.

I will write to the hon. Member when I have received and studied this publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effects proposed expenditure cuts on road construction will have on schemes in Cheshire, particularly those affecting the boroughs of Macclesfield and Congleton.

It is too early to say yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the London rail study to be completed; and whether it will be published by his Department.

The study should be completed in the late summer; publication will be considered then.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the establishment of a British theatre museum in Somerset House.

Good progress is being made with the conversion of the accommodation in Somerset House. The first phase of restoration work should be completed by late March to allow a temporary exhibition organised by the Churchill Centenary Trust to take place from May to September; a further phase of restoration will then begin, ending in April 1975. The theatre museum is expected to open in the summer of 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that local planning authorities notify every householder of the receipt of planning applications for permission to demolish, erect, extend or otherwise alter any building immediately adjacent to his home.

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the requirements for publicity for planning applications in the light of recommendations made by Mr. George Dobry, QC, in his interm report on the development control system, particularly his proposal that all applications should receive some publicity—perhaps by means of a site notice. Meanwhile, under arrangements set out in Circular No. 71/73, and subject to statutory requirements in particular cases, it is for local planning authorities to consider whether to notify owners or occupiers of neighbouring property or to ask applicants to display a site notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the anticipated completion date for the section of the Bury Easterly bypass linking with the Rawtenstall bypass at Edenfield.

Construction of the southern section of the M66 between the M62 and the A58 at Bury is well under way and is expected to be open to traffic in the spring of 1975. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the outstanding statutory procedures and the availability of funds, construction of the northern section between the A58 and the Edenfield-Rawtenstall bypass could start in autumn this year for completion in late 1976. The programme is, however, currently under review in the light of the cuts in expenditure for 1974–75 announced on 17th December 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much rate support grant was received by Cardiganshire County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council in 1973–74; and what is the amount that will be received in 1974–75 under the terms of the White Paper on the rate support grant.

The total amounts of rate support grants for 1973–74 payable under the Rate Support Grant (Increase) (No. 2) Order are:

			£million
	County Council	District Councils	Total
	£	£	£
Cardigan	6·8	0·6	7·4
Carmarthen	11·8	2·0	13·8
Pembroke	7·3	0·8	8·1
TOTAL	25·9	3·4	29·3

The figures for 1974–75 will depend on the distribution of the resources element, which depends on local authority rate calls, and on the domestic element, details of which have not yet been calculated, as well as on future increase orders; they will reflect the reduction in expenditure due to the transfer from local authorities of responsibility for school health and local health services and the payment of 90 per cent. specific grants for mandatory student awards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet received the report of his Department's study of traffic problems arising out of an accident on the M5 motorway on 5th October 1973; and what action he proposes.

Yes. At 11.25 on 5th October last a tanker containing ethylene oxide overturned between junctions 6 and 7 on the M5 motorway near Worcester. It appeared to be leaking. Ethylene oxide is highly inflammable and any leakage could have led to a major explosion. So this section of the motorway was closed and was not reopened until 22.20. The long time taken to deal with the incident was caused by the need for an expert to come from Southampton before decisions could be taken on how to lift and remove the tanker. Although traffic was diverted on to other routes severe traffic congestion developed over a wide area.The study highlights the need for ready identification of tanker contents, for the emergency services to know immediately what action to take and for expert advice to be readily available if required. The Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances, which advises my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, is already considering a scheme for the marking of vehicles carrying dangerous substances by a code which will indicate the immediate action to be taken in an emergency. In addition, since 1st January last the Chemical Industries' Association has been operating a voluntary scheme for ensuring that round-the-clock advice is available about the containment or disposal of chemicals involved in accidents.It is also clear that local diversionary routes may not be able to cope effectively with all the traffic if a busy motorway is closed for a long time. Drivers must, therefore, be warned well in advance of a closure so that they can avoid the area. Means of doing this are being explored including advance warning signs on motorways and at access points, information at motorway service areas and radio broadcasts. Other matters which are being investigated are improvements of the signing of local diversions, the resources available for clearing damaged vehicles from motorways, the design of large vehicles so as to facilitate lifting them after an accident and ways of giving information about the cause of delay to drivers on motorways. I shall see that any changes that are desirable are made as quickly as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the Australian High Commissioner and the Agent-General for Queensland on the need for assistance following the declaration of a disaster area in Queensland; what action he has taken or will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend sent messages of sympathy to the Governors of Queensland and New South Wales. Our High Commission in Canberra has asked the Australian Government whether any assistance can usefully be provided from United Kingdom resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to end the EEC practice of advertising posts specifying that university graduates are not eligible to apply, as exemplified in a recent advertisement for a post at the Commission's computer centre at a salary of £3,750 to £4,150.

The Commission's practices for recruiting staff are matters wholly within its own control.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the internal situation in Grenada, what are Her Majesty's Government's plans for the transfer of sovereignty on 7th February.

Internal affairs have been the responsibility of the Government of Grenada since Grenada became an Associated State in 1967. In accordance with the Grenada Termination of Association Order 1973 full sovereignty will pass to the constitutional Government of Grenada on 7th February 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if increases in prices at the 1974 EEC agricultural review will require a supplementary EEC budget during 1974;(2) what steps he is taking within the EEC to prevent a repetition of the situation in 1973 when a supplementary budget was presented to the Council for approval at very short notice, which left him no time to make a statement to Parliament before giving his approval.

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom is playing a leading part in discussions within the framework of the Council of Ministers designed to improve financial control in the Community. Decisions already taken by the Commission include the improvement of monitoring of expenditure and an undertaking in principle not to propose a supplementary budget unless this is made necessary by unforeseeable changes in circumstances or by a new decision of the Council during the course of the year. Agricultural prices for 1974–75 will be discussed by the Council of Ministers during February. Whether the price review is likely to lead to a supplementary EEC budget cannot be judged until decisions are taken but this is one of the points to which the United Kingdom Government will be giving close attention during the review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will propose to increase the current limit on expenditure by parliamentary candidates imposed by the Representation of the People Acts.

This would require legislation, and will be considered in the light of whatever recommendation may be made by Mr. Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people, male and female, are at present on remand in custody, in Northern Ireland prisons; how many have been so held for three months or more; and if he will publish details.

On 23rd January 1974 there were 419 male and 26 female untried prisoners in custody. Of these prisoners, 221 males and 13 females had been in custody for three months or longer. Comprehensive details are not readily available, and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many internees or detainees have been released from prisons and camps in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

1,253 people have been released from detention or internment during the period 10th August 1971 to 28th January 1974. This figure includes 65 people whose release under my right hon. Friend's statutory powers of selective release took place on 20th and 21st December last and 18 people released by the Commissioners in the period 22nd December 1973 to 28th January 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what forecast he is making in trends in milk production between now and the end of 1974.

This is now a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement indicating how many telephones have now been installed under the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 with the voluntary help of members of the Post Office engineering staff; and whether any estimate has been made of the amount of additional earnings which PO engineers have forgone in this regard.

This is a matter for the Post Office, which tells me that 1,067 telephones were installed up to 31st March 1973; the number for the year ending 31st March 1974 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what financial assistance he will give to Lanarkshire County Council to develop the area of Uddingston as submitted to him in the town map;(2) what reply he has given to Lanarkshire County Council to its request for financial assistance for the amended plan for Bellshill requested by him.

I have told the county council that comprehensive development grant will be available subject to an assurance that the possibilities of rehabilitation have been fully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to Lanarkshire County Council about the proposed hypermarket in Bellshill.

I have still to receive the report on the public local inquiry. I understand that the reporter will be circulating the factual part of it to parties shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the areas which have been declared a housing treatment area in accordance with the provisions of Part I of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1969, together with the name of the local authority concerned.

The information is not available. Local authorities are not required to inform me when they define and declare housing treatment areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now state what effects the cuts in public expenditure will have on education in Caithness and Sutherland.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 15th January to the hon. Members for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars) and Central Ayrshire (Mr. Lambie).—[Vol. 867, c. 87.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now state what effect the cuts in public expenditure will have upon the building of phase II of the Caithness General Hospital.

Full details of the effects of the reductions in capital expenditure estimates for 1974–75 on health service projects are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will include

					Claimants investigated	Allowances withdrawn or reduced	Estimated gross saving	Estimated net saving after deducting cost of investigations
							£	£
Cohabitation	…	…	…	…	8,286	3,511	998,000	564,000
Fictitious Desertion	…	…	…	…	1,908	81	246,000	150,000

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up a committee to investigate the problem of battered babies and to make recommendations on the lines of the Houghton Committee in regard to adoption.

No. While I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her suggestion, I do not think this would be appropriate at present. We are tackling the problem as a matter of urgency in collaboration with professional bodies and others directly concerned with its management.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are employed in Carlisle by his Department in investigating the personal circumstances of claimants, in such matters as cohabitation; what is the number

The evidence so far received does not indicate that prescription of this disease would be appropriate. The position is however being kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants were investigated for (i) cohabitation and (ii) fictitious desertion during 1973 or the most recent period for which figures are available; how many of each of these two groups had their allowances withdrawn or reduced; what was the resultant gross saving to the Exchequer in this period; and what was the net saving after taking into account the cost of the investigations.

The information for 1972, the latest period for which figures are available, is:of cases of false claims brought to light; and if he will make a statement on his estimate of the value of this work.

Separate statistics are not kept for Carlisle. There are at present 33 special investigators employed in the Northern Region to deal with suspected fraud. About half their time is spent in the investigation of cases of suspected cohabitation or fictitious desertion and they visit Carlisle as cases arise. The estimated saving to public funds for the country as a whole is given in my other reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the additional national insurance pension, single and married, if the national insurance contribution were raised by £1 a week.

If all contributions, including those for married women, were increased by an average of £1 a week, shared equally between employers and employees in the case of class 1 contributors, and on the assumption that there would be an Exchequer supplement of 18 per cent., the additional income would meet the cost of increasing retirement pensions by £3·60 (single) and £5·80 (married). If other national insurance benefits were also increased in proportion, the pension increase would be £2·60 (single) and £4·20 (married).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the anomalies revealed by the three-day working week, he will now appoint a committee to look into these matters with a view to amending legislation; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals have produced their own local leaflets based on "Help with travelling expenses to hospitals for patients and visitors".

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in the case of how many strikes during each month since January 1969 supplementary benefit has been claimed for strikers' families; what percentage this was of total strikes in each of these months; how much supplementary benefit was claimed each month; how many strikers' families were involved each month; and what was the average number of dependants per striker.

I will send the hon. Member the available information as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the deaths which occurred in public swimming baths and pools in 1973.

The full details for England and Wales for the whole of 1973 will not be available for some time. The provisional numbers of deaths from drowning or submersion—accidental and undetermined whether accidental or purposely inflicted—registered in England and Wales in the 10 months ending 31st October 1973 are as follows:

	In swimming pools or baths
Age group	Public	Private	Holiday camps	Not specified
Under 1	—	—	—	—
1–4	—	3	—	1
5–9	8	1	2	3
10–14	3	—	—	9
15–	3	1	3	3
20–	2	1	2	2
25–	1	1	—	4
35–	3	—	—	1
45–	1	—	—	—
55–	—	—	—	—
65 and over	1	—	—	—
All ages	22	7	7	23

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the £5 allowance given to handicapped persons using tricycles, and amend the regulations so as to include new users and others not in receipt of the allowance.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Miss Joan Hall) of 22nd January.—[Vol. 867, c. 252.] I have no plans to reintroduce the allowance for new users.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the effect of the three-day working week upon export orders.

The Department has as yet no quantitative measure of the effect of three-day working on export orders. The indications are that there will be a deteriorating situation so long as industrial action in the mines creates the necessity of a short working week.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average price range of Australian imported wool in 1971, 1972 and 1973 at any convenient date.

Precise information is not available. In December 1971 the cif United Kingdom price of the highest quality regularly quoted grade of Australian wool—merino 70s on a dry-combed basis—averaged 80p per kilo. The lowest quality regularly quoted grade—crossbred 58s on an oil-combed basis—averaged about 64p per kilo. The corresponding figures for December 1972 were 202p and 163p, and for December 1973, 325p and 234p.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement as to the effects on the towns in the Heywood and Royton constituency of the cuts in his Department's expenditure arising out of the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December 1973.

The savings in public expenditure by my Department will have no direct effect on the Heywood and Royton constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will expedite the investigation of the affairs of Lonrho Ltd., in view of the fact that hon. Members of this House are involved.

I am satisfied that the inspectors are carrying out their inquiries with all possible speed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider encouraging investigations into the manufacturing of electrically-propelled airships.

My Department has not received any such proposals from industry, but we should be prepared to examine any that might be submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average price range of imported coffee from (1) Kenya and (2) Brazil in 1971, 1972 and 1973 at any convenient date.

I have been asked to reply.The average prices of all coffee imports from the two countries in question calculated from Her Majesty's Customs and Excise returns are as follows:

	Kenya (per ton)	Brazil (per ton)
	£	£
1971	402	408
1972	455	425
1973 (January to November)	512	586

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken within his Department over the last three years to encourage the more extensive use of the Welsh language.

I have taken positive and wide-ranging steps to encourage more extensive use of the Welsh language. Many of these are described in successive editions of "Cymru: Wales", issued annually by my Department. Among the measures I have taken since the last edition was published has been the major step of setting up the Welsh Language Council to concern itself with the welfare of the Welsh language in all walks of life.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the approximate amount spent by Her Majesty's Government on publishing Welsh forms of official documents in 1973.

I regret that this information is not readily available. To isolate the cost of all the Welsh versions of official documents produced by a variety of Government Departments in 1973 would involve a disproportionate amount of time and expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what help he is prepared to give community councils to finance their activities.

The expenses of a community council which issues a precept to a district council will be taken into account in calculating the amount of resources element of rate support grant payable to the district council.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set up an inquiry into the supply of equipment to disabled people in Wales so as to devise the best system of display and distribution and to consider whether it is more advantageous to display samples in various centres, or in mobile display units, so that a disabled person may receive the most suitable equipment for his or her needs.

No. The establishment of demonstration centres needs to be considered as part of the general review of improving the means of dissemination of information about aids and equipment for the disabled. This is already under consideration by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and myself.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many boundary commissions he proposes for Wales; and if he will publish the names of the members.

The Local Government Act 1972 makes provision for a single Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales. I hope, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, soon to be able to announce the names of the chairman and members.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will indicate the change in central Government aid towards water charges in Wales.

Direct central Government aid towards the cost of water supplies is restricted to grants available under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts and the Local Employment Acts. These grants will continue to be available to the new water authorities after 1st April 1974. Indirect aid has been given in most cases where water undertakings have been run at a loss and deficits made good by subventions or precepts on local authority general rate funds. Such subventions and precepts have been included in the relevant expenditure taken into account in calculating the resources element of rate support grant and, to that extent, water supply costs have been aided by central Government.These calls on general rate funds will cease after 31st March 1974 and as a result the charge to some water consumers will reflect the loss of rate support grant subsidy. The Government have promised to introduce a differential application of the domestic element of rate support grant which would among other things mitigate the effects of this change.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the staff of the Welsh Office are employed (a) full time, and (b) part time, in connection with the EEC.

Seven are employed almost full time on work in connection with the EEC. It is not possible to give a number for those employed part time because the EEC impinges widely on the work of my Department and any member of the staff is liable to have to deal with EEC matters as part of his or her work.