asked the Secretary of State for Employment what new legislation he intends to introduce in regard to health and safety at work.

We are giving urgent consideration to the question of introducing legislation based on the main recommendations of the Robens Committee on Safety and Health at Work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many instances of conciliation have been carried out by the Department of Employment in the last available 12-month period, and in each of the five previous periods.

The Department conciliated in 866 disputes in 1973. Figures for each year from 1968 were: 412, 516, 647, 650 and 716 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases of alleged unfair dismissal have been dealt with under the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act.

12,283 complaints of unfair dismissal had been dealt with or withdrawn up to the quarter ending in September 1973. Later figures for cases dealt with are not yet available, but, up to the end of February 1974, 17,878 complaints had been received by conciliation officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places in Government training centres there were in June 1970 and at the latest available date.

There were about 10,100 operational places at Government training centres on 10th June 1970 and about 13,900 on 31st January 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a comparison of the cost of concessionary benefits in the coal mining industry with the average for all other manufacturing industry.

In October 1973, the latest date for which we have information, the average weekly value of allowances in kind in coalmining was £2·64. Comparable figures are not readily available for manufacturing industries. However, the 1968 survey of labour costs showed that payments in kind amounted to 0·07 per cent. of the total labour costs for operatives. Applying this percentage to the average weekly earnings of £41·52 in October 1973 gives a figure of about 3p per week.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total cost of the settlement of the miners' recent wage claim, including all arrangements made for the provision of fringe benefits; and if he will itemise these costs.

The cost of the settlement between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers for the mineworkers' group, calculated in accordance with paragraph 123 of the pay code, is £108·5 million. This includes the cost of all items in the agreement except those relating to the cost of living safeguard and retirement and death in service benefits. I do not have an itemised breakdown of costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on employment prospects in Sunderland.

As regards the immediate prospect, the lifting of the electricity restrictions has already led to a swift resumption of work in Sunderland. I am not able to make any firm prediction about future long-term prospects.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men have been unemployed for six months or over in South Shields at the latest available date; and how many of these fall in the comparable age brackets under 30, 30 to 50, and over 50, respectively.

During the recent emergency situation it has not been possible to compile the normal detailed analysis by age and length of time unemployed. On 9th July 1973, the most recent date for which the figures are available, 1.008 males in South Shields were unemployed for over 26 weeks. Of these, 174 were aged under 30, 263 were aged 30 to 49 and 571 were 50 and over.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will refer the salary of nurses and teachers for consideration by the Pay Board as far as the relativities of their salaries is concerned following Command Paper No. 5535.

Owing to what we consider to be the deficiencies of the Pay Board procedure we are not proposing to make

CATERING COURSES AT GOVERNMENT TRAINING CENTRES
	1971		1972		1973
	Men	Women	Men	Women	Men	Women
Numbers who completed training	50	12	48	6	34	9
Numbers who entered catering employment after training	54		48		41
Separate figures for the number of men and women who entered employment are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will refer the wages and conditions of nurses to the Relativities Board.

No Sir. The Government have no plans to establish machinery on the lines proposed in the Pay Board's report on relativities.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of workpeople engaged in the manufacture of footwear in north-east Lancashire for each of the five years ended 31st December 1973 and his forecast for the next five years.

Estimates of the numbers employed in areas of Great

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he intends to take in regard to the law on picketing.

The Government are considering this matter in the context of projected legislation to replace the Industrial Relations Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of catering courses undertaken in Government training centres for each year since 1971, giving a breakdown of the number of male and female workers passing through the centres and details of the numbers who obtained work in the trade on completion of their training.

The information is as follows:Britain are compiled for June each year. The latest available figures relate to June 1972. My Department does not publish forecasts of the future level of employment. Following is the information for June 1968 to June 1972:

Estimated number of employees in employment in Footwear in North-East Lancashire
June 1968	…	…	7,600
June 1969	…	…	7,600
June 1970	…	…	7,400
June 1971 (a)	…	…	7,400
(b)	…	…	7,200
June 1972	…	…	6,800

The figures for June 1971 (b) and 1972 are from the new annual censuses of employment and are not strictly comparable with those for 1971 (a) and earlier dates which are based on counts of national insurance cards.

asked the Secretary of State for employment if he will give the percentage of able-bodied men in full-time employment who are earning less than £25·30 in the London area and less than £23 in other parts of Great Britain.

In April 1973, the gross week earnings of about 6·9 per cent. of men in full-time employment in Greater London were less than £25. In the remainder of Great Britain, about 8·2 per cent. earned less than £24 and about 4·7 per cent. had earned less than £22. The corresponding percentage earning less than £23 is not available. These results of the 1973 new earnings survey relate to the gross earnings including overtime pay, bonuses etc before PAYE and national insurance deductions of men aged 21 and over whose pay for the survey reference period in April was not affected by absence.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the average earnings of all male manual workers, including agricultural workers, in each of the years 1960, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

The results of the new earnings survey included the following estimates of the average gross weekly earnings, including overtime and bonus payments, of all fulltime manual men—aged 21 and over—whose pay for the respective survey reference periods was not affected by absence.

April 1970	…	…	…	£26·8
April 1971	…	…	…	£29·4
April 1972	…	…	…	£32·8
April 1973	…	…	…	£38·1

Comparable figures are not available for 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures he has agreed with the National Dock Labour Board for the increase in the number of registered dock workers, port by port, the limitations he has placed upon recruitment, the conditions he has laid down to redress the age balance, and the provision he has made for the introduction of an apprenticeship scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The National Dock Labour Board has the statutory responsibility for recruitment of dock workers. It is therefore for the board to decide the numbers to be recruited and the conditions which should govern this. I understand that the industry's national joint council is considering a training scheme for young entrants.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will take steps to enable industrial tribunals to make interim awards to successful applicants for compensation for unfair dismissal who have not obtained alternative employment by the time their cases come to be heard.

My right hon. Friend will consider this and other suggestions for improving the unfair dismissals provisions for possible inclusion in the new legislation on industrial relations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for industrial injury benefit have been refused during each of the last five years, on the ground that the injury was sustained abroad in the service of an employer resident in this country.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will take steps to ease the earnings rule affecting retirement pensioners.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Money) on 15th March.—[Vol. 870, c. 15]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action it is intended to take in respect of the recommendations of the Quirk Report on the speech therapy services.

The speech therapy services in England will be unified under my Department and organised under the new area health authorities from 1st April this year as recommended in the report. The four Government Departments concerned will be discussing action on the remaining recommendations with professional and staff interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to pay benefits to workpeople employed at the Spencer Works, Llanwern, Newport, Monmouthshire, following the recent industrial dispute at the plant.

Workers who lost employment during the stoppage of work were disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit. I understand that appeals against disqualification have been lodged. Claims for supplementary benefit from persons affected by the stoppage are being dealt with under normal rules by local offices of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost of supplementary benefits paid to strikers and to their families in the last available 12-month period, and in each of the seven preceding periods of 12 months.

The figures are as follows:

TOTAL COST OF SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFITS PAID TO STRIKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE YEARS 1966–1973
Year		Strikers	Strikers Families	Total
		£	£	£
1966	…	1,454	126,134	127,588
1967	…	1,770	375,330	377,100
1968	…	749	333,722	334,471
1969	…	1,401	747,141	748,542
1970	…	2,191	1,445,912	1,448,103
1971	…	5,434	4,309,149	4,314,583
1972	…	181,447	8,380,124	8,561,571
1973	…	2,950	729,302	732,252

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost of supplementary benefits paid to miners on strike, and to the families of miners on strike, during the recent dispute in the coal mining industry.

Complete information is not yet available; the amounts provisionally recorded by 12th March were £44,000 and £4·1 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many personal visits have been made by persons requiring advice or payment in connection with national insurance benefits or supplementary benefits at existing local offices at Windsor and Maidenhead for the last complete year for which figures are available.

During the 12 months to 26th February 1974 there were 12,032 national insurance benefits and 338 supplementary benefits callers at Windsor; and at Maidenhead the figures were 22,209 and 3,195 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will announce her intention in relation to the provision of cars for the disabled and grants for those who are able to drive or be driven by others in order to maintain themselves in work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of her study of the Sharp Report on invacars, she will make a statement on Government policy towards three-wheeled vehicles for the disabled.

I would ask the hon. Members to await the publication of Lady Sharp's report on 25th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will consult with the Manchester Health Executive in relation to the need for general practice or health centre facilities in respect of the Moston area of Manchester.

The day-to-day administration of the family practitioner services in Manchester is the responsibility of the Manchester Executive Council in consultation with the local professional committees. Following a meeting with representatives of patients from the Moston area on 20th February the executive council will shortly consider a report on general medical services in that area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what priority she attaches to the provision of new health centres in the present public expenditure restrictions.

Health centres are an important aspect of the development of primary health care and I have asked local health authorities to press ahead with selected schemes for 1974–75 to ensure that the momentum of health centre development is maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she intends to introduce legislation to amend the existing abortion law in the light of the Lane Committee's report.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Ford) on 15th March.—[Vol. 870, c. 12.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many wage-stopped supplementary benefit claimants have had their benefit restricted by the wage stop regulations for two years or more.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of supplementary benefit claimants whose income is reduced through the wage stop after adjustments have been made in connection with the new national joint council agreement for light labourers.

I will send my hon. Friend the information as soon as it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give a breakdown of the incidence of the wage-stop by the administrative regions of her Department.

Following is the information in regard to unemployed, temporarily sick and other recipients of supplementary benefit on 29th January 1974, the latest date for which information is available:

Region	Number of recipients of benefit limited by wage stop
Northern	1,057
Yorkshire	888
East-Midlands and East Anglia	482
London North	287
London South	419
London West	150
South-Western	333
West-Midlands	631
North-Western (Manchester)	796
North-Western (Merseyside)	1,458
Wales	517
Scotland	2,579
Great Britain Total	9,597

This information was obtained before effect could be given to the Supplementary Benefits Commission's review, from 7th November 1973, of cases in which the wage stop was applied to unemployed labourers by reference to the wage rates applicable to manual workers employed by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish a table showing standard rate State retirement pensions as a percentage of average manual earnings over each of the past five years in the United Kingdom, and in each of the nine EEC member States and Sweden.

I regret that the information for other countries is not available in the form requested. Details for the United Kingdom are as follows:

Date		Retirement pension as a percentage of *average manual earnings
†October 1969	…	20·1
October 1970	…	17·8
October 1971	…	19·4
October 1972	…	18·8
October 1973	…	18·9
†The comparison is with the pension rate introduced in November 1969.
* Gross average earnings of adult, male, full-time, manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries, as determined by the Department of Employment's regular October inquiry, compared with the standard flat rate retirement pension for a single person.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will propose backdating the payment of the proposed retirement pension increases to the date when the initial announcement is made.

I am afraid that I cannot undertake to do as my hon. Friend suggests, but I would ask him to await next week's announcement of our full proposals for this year's pension increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will suspend the increased meal prices for National Health Service hospital nurses due to come into effect on 1st April.

No. I accept that increases in meal charges cause concern but the increases in question will apply to all hospital staff and were negotiated some time ago through the Whitley Council machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to alter the arrangements for the payment of rent by her local offices in respect of tenants receiving social security benefits so as to substitute direct payment to local authorities.

No. The Supplementary Benefits Commission already has discretion to make payments of supplementary benefit to third parties, including local authorities, in appropriate cases and my right hon. Friend has no plans for changing these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will reconsider the purchasing policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to wire-guided missiles in order to place such orders with British firms.

Our present purchasing policy for wire-guided missiles, as for Service equipment generally, is to place orders with British firms, unless there is some overriding operational or economic advantage in making a particular purchase overseas. The main wire-guided system currently in use by our Army is the British Swingfire system.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proportion of industry has now returned to a full five-day week.

An indication of the extent of the resumption of normal working is that the total number of employees temporarily stopped fell to about 0.2 million during the week ended 16th March, a reduction of 1 million compared with the previous week.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what was the estimated surplus or shortfall in availability of scrap in relation to optimum requirements by the British Steel Corporation in each financial period 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72 and 1972–73;(2) what is the estimated optimum demand for scrap stock projected by the British Steel Corporation for 1974–75, 1975–76 and 1976–77, and what is the projected consumption of scrap stock for each of these periods.

These are matters for the British Steel Corporation. I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proportion of waste glass is used in glass fibre manufacture, as a reflective medium in surface coatings, in abrasives, in road surfacing and in construction materials.

I regret that this information is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will introduce legislation to enable glass manufacturers to adopt a common specification which would make it feasible to use more cullet in glass manufacture.

If the glass industry is able to develop a standard composition approved by the British Standards Institution there is no reason why it should not be generally adopted, without the need for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, of the basic materials used in the production of glass derived from abroad, if he will specify the chemicals involved, the quantities used by United Kingdom manufacturers and the countries from which they are derived.

The basic items are indigenous. It is esimated that less than 2 per cent. of the remaining materials are imported—principally alumina, magnesia, boric oxide and silverware according to the type of glass—coming primarily from Canada, Australia, Norway, Finland and the United States of America.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his policy with regard to State involvement in large private companies; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing at this stage to add to what I said in my speech in the House on 13th March.—[Vol. 870, c. 201–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the concern of the British bearing industry at the prospect of the Japanese bearing industry establishing bearing manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom with aid from Her Majesty's Government, if he will take steps to protect the British bearing industry from unfair Japanese competition.

Any plant set up by Japanese manufacturers to make ball bearings in this country will operate subject to all the normal rules governing industrial activity here. In addition, the Japanese company concerned is prepared to give me certain assurances about the manner in which it proposes to operate here, for example, on the British manufactured content of the bearings to be produced, the proportion of exports and reductions in imports and location in an assisted area.As regards competition from Japanese imports, I have no reason to believe that the Japanese industry will not continue to behave with moderation as it did during 1972 and 1973.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what consideration he has given to the Report on the Dispersal of Government Offices by Sir Henry Hardman; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave my hon. and right hon. Friends, the Members for Goole (Dr. Marshall) and Middlesbrough (Mr. Bottomley) on 15th and 18th March.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he will be in a position to make a statement on the pay claim of scientists in the Civil Service; and if he intends to await a report by the Pay Board before taking action.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what action he is proposing to take regarding the decline in the financial status of Government scientists relative to their colleagues and counterparts in the administrative and executive groups of the Civil Service.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) and others yesterday.—[Vol. 870, c. 658–61.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated average weekly cost of concessionary coal to miners

The National Coal Board estimates that the average cost to the board of concessionary fuel per serving miner, including the provision of cash in lieu of smokeless fuel, is £2·35 per week.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he estimates that the Llanberis pump storage scheme will be completed and operational.

The Central Electricity Generating Board plans to complete the commissioning of this station during the financial year 1980–81.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is proposing to take in the interest of fuel conservation to raise the standards of thermal insulation laid down for factory roofs under the Thermal Insulation of Industrial Buildings Act 1957; and whether he also intends to take steps to extend these standards to include the walls as well as the roofs of factories.

I am considering what changes should be made in factory insulation standards but it will be some time before I shall be able to come to a conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many personnel serving in his Department are directly concerned with matters relating to fuel conservation, including the thermal insulation of both dwellings and factories, so far as concerns the entire structure of roofs and walls.

Most staff engaged on policy work are concerned to some extent with energy conservation issues, which are an important part of the responsibilities of my Department. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Scotland and Wales also have responsibilities for thermal insulation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if his attention has been drawn to a report of the United States Atomic Energy Commission regarding the new dangers and hazards arising from the production, handling and storage of plutonium 239; and if he will undertake an investigation of the possible hazards of lung cancer to workers, scientists and the community based on the new information made available in this report.

I am not aware of any recent report of the United States Atomic Energy Commission which deals with new dangers and hazards from plutonium 239. My hon. Friend may, however, be referring to the petition made to the USAEC by a private group called the Natural Resources Defense Council. The potential hazards from plutonium as with other radioactive materials are subject to continuing research and investigation by national and international organisations. The results of this research and other experience are kept under review by those bodies responsible for advising on standards in radiological protection, such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection and, in this country, the Medical Research Council and the National Radiological Protection Board. It is my understanding that the report made by the Natural Resources Defense Council does not contain any new information, but it is being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration has been given by his Department to the energy savings made possible by the installation at power stations of sealed recirculatory cooling systems, and the use of the heat regained to generate further electricity.

The Central Electricity Generating Board is responsible for the design of power stations and has a statutory responsibility to investigate methods of using waste heat. I am sure that the board would welcome details of any specific scheme the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade to which Department has been assigned responsibility for dealing with aircraft noise matters.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has assigned that responsibility to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the Government's policy towards the growth of international producer cartels involving oil, phosphates, bauxite or iron ore; and what steps the Government propose to take to protect consumer industries in the United Kingdom against prices fixed in concert by producers.

I have been asked to reply.Government policy in respect of oil was announced in the Gracious Speech. Similarly, in the case of other minerals the Government would participate fully in any international discussions with producer and consumer countries. We welcome the forthcoming special session of the United Nations aimed at establishing arrangements which will be in the interests of all.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what current restrictions affect the import and export of eggs between France and the United Kingdom; and what proposals he has to produce complete reciprocity in this trade.

I have been asked to reply.Eggs traded within the EEC are required to conform to the EEC egg marketing regulations. In addition, it is understood that France prohibits the importation of eggs from any country which does not forbid the use of arsenical, antimonial and oestrogenic substances for the feeding and rearing of poultry. The use of such additives in the production of eggs is not at present permitted by the EEC Directive 70/524, but possible amendments have been proposed by the United Kingdom in the light of our own practices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of productive woodland were planted in the United Kingdom in 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970 and 1973.

The following is the information for Great Britain:

Year to 30th September		New Planting and Restocking (Acres)
1955	…	90,000
1960	…	98,600
1965	…	86,600
Year to 31st March
1970	…	103,200
1973	…	117,800

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps will be taken to increase the size and efficiency of the United Kingdom forestry industry.

We are considering the conclusions reached on the recent review of forestry policy after consultations with the interests concerned, and will be making a further announcement in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure immediate improvement in cash returns to pig producers including the abolition of monetary compensation amounts currently payable on pigmeat imported from the EEC.

I have nothing to add to the replies I gave to Questions from the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 15th March.—[Vol. 870, c. 5–6.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the National Farmers' Union regarding the difficulties facing pig farmers; and what reply he has sent.

Since taking office I have had discussions with the President and other representatives of the National Farmers' Union on a number of subjects including the problems facing pig producers. The representatives of the National Farmers' Union have impressed upon me their view that early assistance should be given to pig producers. I am urgently considering the position of the pig industry taking full account of these representations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will enter into immediate negotiations to reduce or abolish the monetary compensation amounts on pigmeat entering this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action to obtain an adjustment of the monetary compensatory accounts within the EEC to improve the competitive position of British pig producers.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 15th March.—[Vol. 870, c. 6.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will immediately review the ban on ware potato exports from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on his estimate of the effect of the ban on the interests of potato producers

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's speech on the Loyal Address. The ban on exports of ware potatoes should have little effect on the interests of potato producers generally, although producers in some areas, who would have sold for export, may receive somewhat lower prices on the home market.—[Vol. 870, c. 394.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the present levels of profitability for British beef producers and the increase in costs they have had to bear; and what his policy will be at the next meeting of the Common Market Council of Ministers on agricultural matters.

The levels of profitability and extent of cost increases for British beef producers vary widely according to the methods of production. Precise assessments would depend upon individual circumstances. My right hon. Friend's aim at the next meeting of the EEC Council of Agriculture Ministers will be to ensure that the beef sector receives returns sufficient to maintain expansion of production.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total cost per place allocated by his Department to pupils attending direct grant schools in England and Wales for 1972–73, or in the latest available period.

An annual capitation grant of £79 is at present payable by the Department in respect of each pupil aged 11–19, together with a further £84 in respect of each pupil in the sixth form; on average these grants amount to about £100 a pupil. The total grant paid during the financial year 1973–74 will be about £10 million. In addition the Department expects to pay about £1·9 million towards the cost of tuition fees for day pupils whose parents cannot afford the full fee; averaged over all the pupils this amounts to just under £2 a pupil.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to ensure that all estate agents join a recognised professional association, with a view to reducing the risk of unethical property business by some estate agents.

I have been asked to reply.I have no immediate plans to introduce legislation to control estate agency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement regarding his recent talks with the Football Association and other bodies regarding the incidents at the game between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest on 9th March 1974.

I discussed this and other recent incidents with the Football Association today; meanwhile, I would like to take this early opportunity to express my disgust at this type of outrageous behaviour, which must be eradicated in the interest of public safety. I would also express the Government's admiration for the manner in which the police handled an extremely difficult task.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a White Paper on the recycling of waste materials.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to do so but will be considering, with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, the way in which the recycling of waste can be encouraged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the loss of revenue to the Restormel and North Cornwall district councils, respectively, in 1974 caused by the freeze on council house rents; and how he proposes to compensate these two councils for this loss in revenue.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question should be sought from the local authorities, which alone can make detailed estimates. As to the second part, the amount of Government assistance through housing subsidies will depend upon each authority's entitlement to such subsidies and the state of its housing revenue account; up to 80 per cent. of the shortfall of expected rent income may be met by such assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce the route for the M23 extension from Pease Pottage to Brighton.

Studies are at present proceeding on the need for improving the A23 trunk road between Bolney and Briehton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will refuse his consent to the proposal before him for the closure of the Cambrian Coast railway line between Machynlleth and Pwllheli.

I am considering this matter in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the extent of the report he has asked for on the recent M1 accidents; and when he expects to be able to publish the results.

The report will deal with all relevant aspects of the multiple accidents on 13th March north of Watford Gap. I shall make a statement as soon as possible after the report is completed. I cannot yet say when this will be.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the inquiry into the recent Ml accidents covers weather conditions and the extent of warnings given to the motoring public.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the report on the recent M1 accidents when published gives specific details of the improvements which have been made to the relevant section of the motorway since the last major disaster.

Yes, so far as they are relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give priority to the provision of the new computerised fog warning lights on the Northamptonshire section of the M1 before expending any further money on motorway lighting.

I am looking into the programmes for installing the advisory speed restriction signs and overhead lighting on the motorway.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the inquiry into the recent MI. accident is charged with putting forward practical recommendations designed to prevent the repetition of such incidents.

One aspect of the report will be to identify what further steps, if any, can be taken to increase the safety of the motorway.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it remains the policy of his Department, as stated in December 1968, that development on the site at Highcliffe Castle, Hampshire, will continue to be safeguarded.

Highcliffe Castle is still listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest. Listed building consent must therefore be obtained before the building can be demolished or before alterations or extensions which will affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest can be carried out.It is for the local planning authority to consider any application for planning permission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects are detained without any intended trial in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia.

I shall confine my reply to British subjects who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has received from the Herring Industry Board about fishing limits as a preliminary to negotiations at the Law of the Sea Conference; and if he will make a statement on the Government's reaction.

I have received no communication from the Herring Industry Board about what United Kingdom policy on fishing limits should be at the Law of the Sea Conference. The Government have under current study all aspects of our policy at the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions have been issued to the British Ambassador in Chile with regard to the granting of political asylum to foreigners in the embassy in Santiago.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions have been issued to the British Ambassador in Chile about offering asylum to former supporters of the Allende Government.

Standing instructions to all of Her Majesty's ambassadors abroad are that all applications for asylum should be referred to my right hon. Friend as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contracts exist between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Chile.

None. The contracts for warships for the Chilean Navy are between the Chilean Government and the shipbuilders concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

We shall be giving early attention to the question of ratification of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparation Her Majesty's Government are making for the World Population Conference in Bucharest in August.

The United Kingdom contribution to the World Population Conference is being prepared through the normal interdepartmental machinery. As a member of the United Nations Population Commission the United Kingdom is also playing an active part in the international preparations and will, in addition, take part in the European regional meeting from 29th May to 1st June, arranged by the secretary-general of the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he will take to deal with the remaining problem of split families among Ugandan Asian refugees.

I am anxious on grounds both of humanity and of restoring self-supporting family units to clear up this problem. I have, therefore, decided to admit for settlement the husbands of women who hold United Kingdom passports, if they were ordinarily resident in Uganda at the time of the expulsion and the wives settle or have settled in this country. I have also decided to allow young people over 21, who are or have very recently been studying overseas, to enter to join a parent who holds a United Kingdom passport and who was ordinarily resident in Uganda at the time of the expulsion. Application should be made to the nearest British overseas representative for an entry certificate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the total cost of the Exchequer subsidy required to reduce the retail price index by 1 per cent.

One way of obtaining a broad estimate of the cost of reducing the retail price index by 1 per cent. is to work on the basis that the cost approximates to 1 per cent. of consumers' expenditure, which gives a figure in the range of £400 million-£500 million. But this range could be wide of the mark for any specific subsidy scheme, depending upon the nature of the subsidy plan, its distribution over different goods and services, and other factors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will charge a road fund licence fee on all caravans which are towed on the public highway.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of nationalising all development land in the United Kingdom, specifying separate estimates for England, Scotland and Wales.

I have been asked to reply.I cannot anticipate the effect of future legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will be able to announce the site for the new Police College in Northern Ireland.

The choice of a site for the new Police College is for the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. I understand that 55 sites have been inspected and a number of feasibility studies are still being carried out. As soon as it has reports on those studies, the authority will be able to consider the final choice of a site.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the poll cards sent out to the electors of North Antrim bore the letters OHMS while those sent out in North Down did not bear similar letters.

I understand that the poll cards sent to electors in North Down were a recent print, and the Chief Electoral Officer, because of his independent office, had given instructions that they should not bear the letters OHMS. Elsewhere in Northern Ireland there were some poll cards in stock bearing these letters and, because of the paper shortage, the Chief Electoral Officer decided that these should be used.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, why a number of Northern Ireland voters who applied for postal votes were refused because they were informed that their names were not on the electoral list when in fact their names were included on the list.

The Chief Electoral Officer is at present investigating complaints from people who allege that they had been informed that their names were not on the electoral list when in fact they were. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind the Chief Electoral Officer will be pleased to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why voters in Glynn, County Antrim, received poll cards at the recent election which were in fact poll cards for an election held on 30th May 1973.

The Chief Electoral Officer has told me that the poll cards in question were not issued for the recent General Election by his staff; he is inquiring further into the matter and I will inform the hon. Member of the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take urgent steps to rectify errors and omissions in the current electoral lists in Northern Ireland.

The Chief Electoral Officer, as Registration Officer, is constrained by the provisions of the Representation of the People Act as to the action he can take with regard to correcting a published Register of Electors. Briefly, any alteration can only be made if an entry in the electors' lists was omitted from the register; or if a decision on a claim or objections has not been given effect to; or if the age on which a person attains voting age has been inadvertently omitted. Within these limitations the Chief Electoral Officer will take any necessary action.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will set up an immediate inquiry into fuel and food prices in Scotland.

Rising prices pose a serious problem to the whole of the United Kingdom and the Government have already demonstrated the high priority they are giving to measures of assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many paid appointments come under his patronage, giving details of salaries and present incumbents.

I am responsible, or jointly responsible with other Ministers, for making over 400 paid appointments, and the detailed information on salaries and membership which the hon. Member has requested is not readily available in comprehensive form. If the hon. Member will let me know of any category in which he is particularly interested I will try to assist him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the public posts in Scotland presently vacant and for which he has the responsibility for making appointments.

The main executive bodies to which I make paid appointments are the two Scottish Electricity Boards, the Scottish Transport Group, the Highlands and Islands Development Board, the Scottish Special Housing Association and the five new town development corporations. The membership of these bodies is fully taken up, except in the case of Glenrothes New Town Development Corporation where the present membership of nine is one below the maximum permitted by statute.There are more than 400 other bodies to which I make appointments and if my hon. Friend will let me know of any further category in which he is particularly interested I shall be glad to try to be of assistance.

PUBLIC SECTOR* COMPLETIONS
Local Authority			1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967
Roxburgh County	…	…	8	2	11	17	5	6	19	66
Selkirk County	…	…	6	—	—	1	—	4	—	—
Peebles County	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	23	—
Hawick	…	…	56	39	73	47	102	156	120	216
Jedburgh	…	…	—	—	13	5	3	—	40	58
Kelso	…	…	—	6	12	4	30	58	56	107
Melrose	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Galashiels	…	…	79	47	31	27	40	136	16	—
Selkirk	…	…	11	43	3	32	—	38	103	48
Innerleithen	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	37
Peebles	…	…	—	—	12	20	—	24	28	102
			160	137	155	153	180	422	405	634

Local Authority			1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	Totals
Roxburgh County	…	…	42	64	30	48	17	39	374
Selkirk County	…	…	9	13	1	—	—	—	34
Peebles County	…	…	2	2	6	—	1	9	43
Hawick	…	…	80	104	125	167	108	—	1,393
Jedburgh	…	…	42	90	164	—	—	—	415
Kelso	…	…	79	17	111	—	51	34	565
Melrose	…	…	38	—	—	—	—	20	58
Galashiels	…	…	14	227	262	27	94	86	1,086
Selkirk	…	…	136	64	10	39	9	22	558
Innerleithen	…	…	—	—	—	51	—	—	88
Peebles	…	…	—	21	—	—	72	21	300
			442	602	709	332	352	231	4,914
* Local Authorities, Scottish Special Housing Association, Government Departments and other Housing Associations.