asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make funds available for the water scheme for Hoy and Graemsay.

When final details of the scheme have been settled I will consider its claims in the light of the funds available for water schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what restrictions are placed upon the granting of discretionary improvement grants.

The conditions which govern the granting of discretionary improvement grants are set out in Sections 27 to 38 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Housing (Scotland) Act 1969, the Housing Act 1971, the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 and the Housing (Amendment) Act 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now announce his decision on whether to extend the time limit for the higher rate of improvement grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in his consideration of extending expiry dates for home improvement grants, he will take into account cases where unavoidable delays are caused by shortage of materials.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 18th March to my hon. Friend the Member

HOUSES COMPLETED
Region			1969	1970	1971	1972	1973
Glasgow and West Central:
Public sector	…	…	15,474	15,502	14,813	10,401	9,683
Private sector	…	…	3,557	3,187	4,827	4,941	4,359
Totals	…	…	19,031	18,689	19,640	15,342	14,042

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of children in (a) Scotland and (b) Moray and Nairn enjoy nursery school education; and what plans he has to provide more nursery school places in (a) Scotland and (b) Moray and Nairn.

In January 1973, 9·4 per cent. of the total 3- and 4-year old child population in Scotland attended education authority nursery schools or classes. I cannot give the corresponding percentage for Moray and Nairn since population figures by individual age groups are only available on an all-Scotland basis. Plans submitted by education authorities for schemes to be started in the two years from October 1974 make provision for around 17,000 extra places in nursery schools and classes. In Moray and Nairn the authority plans to provide 200 additional places, allowing for the attendance of 360 children on a part-time basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the following figures for each region of Scotland: (1) the number of dwellings built in each of the public and private sectors in each of the last five years; and (2) the average cost of new dwellings in each of the pub-lice and private sectors at the latest date for which figures are available.

The numbers of houses completed in each economic planning sub-region in Scotland are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the following figures for each region of Scotland: (1) the total number of dwellings at the latest date for which figures are available, (2) the number of dwellings which do not conform to the standard of fitness for human habitation as outlined in the Housing Act 1969, and (3) the number of dwellings cleared as slums in each of the last five years.

Sub-Region for Economic Planning		Stock of dwellings 1974	Houses below the tolerable standard*(December 1970)	Houses cleared as below the tolerable standard or closed or demolished under planning, highway, education or other Statutory Powers
				1969	1970	1971	1972	1973
1. Glasgow/West Central	…	847,000	104,000	12,299	12,396	15,397	11,604	10,888
2. Falkirk/Stirling	…	98,500	4,000	507	351	331	322	207
3. Edinburgh/East Central	…	373,500	31,000	2,050	2,125	2,583	2,191	1,409
4. Tayside	…	171,000	26,000	1,887	1,102	1,112	3,640	3,291
5. Borders	…	40,500	5,000	97	181	244	99	175
6. South-West	…	54,000	4,000	134	210	162	88	13
7. North-East	…	165,000	35,000	588	774	528	373	336
8. Highlands and Islands	…	107,000	19,000	285	206	197	201	160
Scotland	…	1,856,500	228,000†	17,847	17,345	20,554	18,518	16,479
* "Tolerable standard" as defined in the Housing (Scotland) Act 1969.
† Figures relate to December 1970, as published in the Report by a Sub-Committee of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee entitled "Planning for Housing Needs; pointers towards a comprehensive approach", published by HMSO in 1972. The total number of such houses in Scotland as a whole is currently estimated to be about 180,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been classified as sub-standard in Paisley.

About 4,000 houses in Paisley do not meet the tolerable standard as defined in Section 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy for dealing with teacher shortages in Scottish schools; and what effect he estimates his policy will have on schools in South Ayrshire.

The increasing supply in recent years of both primary and secondary teachers is likely to continue, and there should be enough teachers generally to enable education authorities, including Ayrshire, to reach improved staffing standards proposed for attainment within the next few years. There are at present serious shortages in secondary schools in a few areas and in some subjects. These shortages will, however, not be so great next session as a result of the large number of new teachers emerging from the colleges of education.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many

The estimates which can be made from available information are given in the following table:telephones have been provided by local authorities to disabled and chronically sick persons in Scotland; and if he will give a list of the local authorities and the numbers of telephones provided by each.

324 people had been assisted financially by local authorities in Scotland to obtain or retain a telephone up to 31st December 1972, the latest date for which complete information is available. The numbers assisted by each local authority up to that date are given below:

Counties	Persons Assisted
Aberdeen and Kincardine	7
Angus	3
Argyll	2
Ayr	10
Banff	2
Berwick	—
Bute	—
Caithness	—
Clackmannan	—
Dumfries	—
Dunbarton	12
Fife	4
Inverness	1
Kirkcudbright	1
Lanark	40
Midlothian, East Lothian and Peebles	8
Moray and Nairn	1
Orkney	—
Perth and Kinross	2
Renfrew	3
Ross and Cromarty	2
Roxburgh	—
Selkirk	1

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied, in connection with his statutory responsibilities, with arrangements made by Paisley Corporation for the provision of residential accommodation for the elderly at Craw Road, Paisley; and if he will cause an inquiry to be made regarding the premises and services provided there.

An inquiry does not appear to be necessary, but I am glad to say that Paisley Town Council is considering the replacement of this accommodation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to enable the British horticultural industry to meet the increased costs of necessary fuels and petrochemical products.

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given on 21st March to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk).—[Vol. 870, c. 138.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to announce the outcome of his discussions with leaders of the horticulture industry about the problems which the industry faces due to the increase in the price of oil.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21st March to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker).—[Vol. 870, c. 137.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated addition to the United Kingdom agricultural industry's annual costs arising from the scale of water charges to be levied after 12th April.

Increases in water charges arising from the scales to be introduced by the new water authorities will be taken into account as one of the cost items at the 1975 Annual Review. At this stage it is not possible to assess precisely the additional cost to the farming industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assurances have been sought and given concerning the export to. Great Britain of carcase meat and meat products from areas of France now infected by foot and mouth disease.

There are standing licence conditions governing the import of meat from France. In addition we sought and have been given an assurance that no animal originating from the four affected departments of France and two adjacent ones would be slaughtered for the production of meat for export to Great Britain. The Director of the French Veterinary Services has also given instructions that no meat originating from these six departments should be given the EEC inspection mark. This will prevent such meat and any meat products which might present a risk from leaving France for another member State.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present incidence of fuel taxes within the EEC in its effect on competition in horticultural products; what talks he has had on this topic at recent metings of the Common Market Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

We are satisfied that, as British horticultural producers are entitled to a full rebate of duty on heavy hydrocarbon oils used for heating production buildings, they are not affected adversely by varying rates of taxes on fuel in other EEC member countries. My right hon. Friend accordingly saw no reason to raise the question of fuel taxes at the recent meeting of the Council of Ministers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the report of the Committee on the Export of Animals for Slaughter; and if he will make a statement.

The Report of the Committee on the Export of Animals for Slaughter has been published today (Cmnd 5566). I am sure the House would wish to join me in thanking Lord O'Brien and the members of his committee for their thorough and impartial approach to these problems.The main conclusion in the report is that a permanent ban on the export of live animals for slaughter is unjustified on either welfare or economic grounds; and that the most effective means of safeguarding the welfare of all animals entering the livestock trade within the EEC lies in the implementation of common European welfare regulations covering transport and slaughter conditions.The Government will examine the report very carefully and will invite the views of the interests concerned and other member States in the European Community on the proposals. For the time being, the issue of licences to export cattle, sheep and pigs overseas for purposes other than for breeding or exhibition will continue to be suspended. I will make a further statement to the House as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is now the total pension of a widow, aged 32 years, of a civil servant with nine years' service receiving pensionable pay of £3,000 per annum, whose death in April 1970 was attributable; and by how much her pension has been increased since it was awarded.

Assuming Scale II of the Civil Service Injury Warrants 1952 and 1965 applied, the widow of an established civil servant with no children killed on duty in April 1970 would have received a pension of £500. Since the widow had no children that pension would not hitherto have been increased while she was under age 40. As a result of the removal of the age bar under Section 3(3) of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1974, however, it would be increased by more than one-third on 1st December 1974.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants have had no salary increase in the period since Members' salaries were last increased.

All Civil Service grades have had pay increases since January 1972. A very few individuals may, because of their particular circumstances or terms of appointment, have remained in receipt of the same pay.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement about recent changes in the rules relating to advances of salary available to civil servants who have to move their homes when they are transferred to a new place of work.

Negotiations have recently been concluded with the Staff Side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council on modifications to the rules relating to reimbursement of expenses incurred by non-industrial civil servants on transfer in the public interest to a different place of work. The changes are designed to meet more effectively the expenses which may be incurred by an officer who is obliged to move home following a transfer and to take into account criticisms of the previous terms which were made in the Hardman Report on the dispersal of Government work from London (Cmnd 5322). It has been decided to extend the existing scheme for granting an advance of salary for house purchase, in cases where this is shown to be necessary to enable someone to buy a house, so as to permit an advance of up to six months' pay—plus £500 for those transferred into London—in place of the previous limit of four months' pay—plus £500 for those transferred to London. There is an overall limit of £3,500—£4,000 for those transferred into London—on the sum which may be advanced.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the current Army newspaper recruitment campaign; and if it was with his authority that the full page advertisement in the Sunday Telegraph of 24th March 1974, which is regarded as offensive by many parents, was published.

The current publicity campaign, including the particular advertisement to which my hon. Friend refers, was authorised some time ago, on the basis of professional advice. We shall certainly bear in mind my hon. Friend's remarks and other reactions in considering future plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the plan to establish an explosives dump in 58 acres of Rendlesham Forest to serve the United States Air Force bases at Woodbridge and Bentwaters is not proceeded with without a public inquiry.

The project is being discussed with the local planning authorities; so the question of a public inquiry does not yet arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence approximately how many gallons of fuel were used by the Armed Forces in 1973, in total and for each of the Services; what was the cost of this fuel; how much he estimates will be spent on fuel in the current year at the new prices; and what steps he will take to save fuel in view of its increased cost.

The approximate quantities and costs of oil fuels which will have been used by the Armed Services during the financial year 1973–74—figures for the calendar year 1973 are not available—are as follows:

	Quantity (million gallons)	Cost (£ million)
Royal Navy	320	24
Army	144	19
Royal Air Force	442	43
TOTAL	906	86

The figure included for all oil products including lubricants in Defence Estimates for the financial year 1974–75 (HC Paper 13) is £89·75 million but this does not reflect price increases since the end of 1973.As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy said on 21st March—[Vol. 870, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the overflying by military aircraft of Bodmin Moor.

Military aircraft are permitted to overfly Bodmin Moor for essential training purposes, subject, in the case of low flying, to restrictions designed to minimise disturbance to those on the ground.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will re-examine the instructions given to troops with regard to countering hostile acts in Northern Ireland, and particularly the responsibility thrown on young soldiers of determining when to open fire.

We all greatly regret that in the difficult conditions prevailing in Northern Ireland the decision when to open fire has in many cases to be taken by the individual soldier. But I think that the present instructions and guidance to troops are as satisfactory as can be devised, having regard both to the conditions in which the troops are operating and to the need to act at all times within the law.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give urgent consideration to restoring the cuts in the building programme imposed by his predecessor, in particular in view of their effect on polytechnics and colleges.

In the 12 months beginning 1st July 1974 I will be ready to authorise the approval of major further and higher education building projects to the total value of about £33 million at 1973 prices. My Department will shortly be discussing with the local education authorities and providing bodies concerned which projects should be included. The University Grants Committee, which will have £11½ million of this total at its disposal, will similarly be settling the detailed programme for the universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary schools in the Greater London area as a whole, and the ILEA area, are providing part-time schooling; and how this compares with the figures for January 1974 and September 1973.

The local education authorities have said that 118 secondary schools in Greater London, including 32 in Inner London, were providing part-time schooling in the week ending 22nd March 1974. Corresponding figures for January 1974 were 113 and 50 and for September 1973, 16 and 15.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many vacancies for full-time secondary school teachers exist in the Greater London area and ILEA area; and how these figures compare with those for January 1974 and September 1973.

My Department does not collect regular statistics on teacher vacancies. Current reports from local education authorities suggest that there are at present about 400 vacancies for full-time secondary school teachers in Greater London, including about 100 in the ILEA. The situation changes from day to day. Authorities may not use the same criteria in assessing the number of vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what provision he is making for garages which have increased their business over the last year and yet have been given petrol allocations based on a percentage of their turnover at a time when demand upon them was a fraction of that now obtaining.

The oil allocation scheme contains an appeals procedure which should be followed by any garage which considers that its allocation of petrol does not properly reflect its current level of sales.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what view the Government take of the EEC proposal for a directive obliging member States to maintain a minimum stock of fuel at electricity undertakings sufficient to maintain electricity supplies for 50 days (reference XVII/ 269/1/73—E COM (73) 2245 final dated 9th January 1974); and if he will make a statement.

Before forming a view we wish to discuss the proposals with the electricity producers.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the part Plymouth is likely to play in the exploitation of Celtic Sea oil.

Exploration drilling in the Celtic Sea has only recently started The extent to which particular ports are used will depend on precisely where drilling and any subsequent development takes place and how far the ports concerned meet the operators' requirements but the advantages offered by Plymouth in this connection are fully appreciated.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take into account the interests of Cornwall in the exploration for, and exploitation of, oil and gas from the western seas, and ensure that the South-West will be included in any United Kingdom Hydrocarbon Corporation.

I very much hope that firms both in Cornwall and elsewhere will take the fullest possible advantage of the opportunities arising from offshore oil and gas activities. As to the last part of the hon. Member's question, the Government will take full account of the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom in reaching decisions on the means they will adopt to ensure maximum benefit to the community from the development of our petroleum resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people remanded in custody in the areas of Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool, Preston, Chorley and Blackburn during the period of the last five years were (i) subsequently acquitted of all charges, (ii) placed on probation, and (iii) fined;(2) how many people were remanded in custody by magistrates in the areas of Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool, Preston, Chorley and Blackburn during each of the last five years.

I regret that this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many legal aid certificates were issued in criminal proceedings by magistrates in Lancaster, Morecambe, Preston, Chorley, Blackpool and Blackburn in the period 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973 to date.

Information is not available in precisely the form asked for. In the calendar years 1971 and 1972 the total number of legal aid orders made in criminal proceedings by the magistrates in the petty sessions areas named was as follows. The statistics for 1973 are not yet complete.

	1971	1972
Lancaster	46	95
Morecambe (and Heysham)	63	73
Preston	827	876
Chorley (Leyland Hundred)	153	178
Blackpool	455	557
Blackburn	608	567

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reallocate the 261 metre medium wave frequency or another suitable frequency to the BBC so that a service of local news capable of being received throughout the North-East can be broadcast.

The Committee on Broadcasting Coverage is expected to report in the summer. My right hon. Friend will then consider any relevant recommendations the committee may make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community and acceptance of the free movement of labour provisions has been followed by an increase in the numbers of EEC nationals admitted for employment.

No. 6,928 residence permits were issued to EEC workers in 1973. In 1972, 13,618 EEC nationals were admitted as work permit holders.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received concerning ferrous scrap prices; and what is the policy of the Government towards the present EEC transitional arrangements for United Kingdom scrap and the prospects of full conformity with European Coal and Steel Community rules after 1st January 1975.

I have not received any representations concerning ferrous scrap prices. The general objectives of Government policy towards EEC and ECSC were described in the speech made on 19th March in this House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the number of public companies engaged in ship repairing in the United Kingdom, and what is their market capitalisation.

The Stock Exchange Fact Book, about to be published, gives the market values of the ordinary shares of the nine quoted companies in the shipbuilding and ship repairing industry on 31st December 1973 at £32 million. Ship repairing is not separately distinguished.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the number of public companies primarily engaged in providing ancillary plant and equipment to shipbuilding and ship repairing firms in the United Kingdom; and what is their market capitalisation.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he in the OFFICIAL REPORT will list producers, of furfuryl alcohol, the quantities produced by each for the home and export markets as a percentage of respective and total United Kingdom production, together with the typical domestic and export prices for comparable quantities;(2) if he is aware of the effect which the shortage of furfuryl alcohol is having upon the foundry industry; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the supply position.

The only United Kingdom producer is Quaker Oats Ltd. which manufactures it from furfural imported from its parent company in the United States. Production is restricted because of a shortage of furfural which is manu- factured from sugar cane waste. Information is not available on United Kingdom production or prices but Quaker Oats Ltd. advises that there are no exports.I am aware of the difficulties the foundry industry is having because of the shortage. I understand from the producers that the quantities available should begin to improve in the middle of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the dismantling of the hover-train project and test site and the progress made by the Hawker Siddeley Company, and others, on the development of the linear motor under contract to Her Majesty's Government.

The Tracked Hovercraft Limited facilities at Earith, including the one mile of usable track, are currently being maintained by the National Research Development Corporation, and no arrangements have been made to dismantle them. A high-level section of track, for which there is no foreseeable future need, will however be demolished shortly.Contracts for assessment and development of linear motors have been placed with the General Electric Company Hirst Research Centre, Brush Electrical Machines Limited—a Hawker Siddeley company—and Linear Motors Limited. Work is proceeding satisfactorily. A research and development programme committee has been set up to co-ordinate and review work on linear motors and other related work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total cost to date of the Exchequer in financial outgoings across the exchanges attributable to the European Economic Community since 1st January 1973.

Transfers effected from sterling to other currencies in respect of the Community budget amounted to £75,325,000 in 1973.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table for the years 1950 to 1973 showing: (a) income from employment as a percentage of national income (before and after tax), (b) trading profits by British industry as a percentage of national income (before and after tax), and (c) taxation (including local authority taxation) as a percentage of national income.

The information available for the period 1950 to 1973 is given in the table below. Taxes paid by individuals and companies are assessed on the basis of their total income, and there is no satisfactory basis for allocating them separately to different forms of income. The figures relate to income from employment and trading profits before tax. As national income excludes stock appreciation and is measured after deducting capital consumption, trading profits have been similarly defined.

PERCENTAGES OP NATIONAL INCOME
Year	Income from Employment*	Trading Profits†	Taxation‡
1950	70·5	12·2	41·6
1951	71·9	13·3	40·9
1952	71·5	13·9	40·0

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE* AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT MARKET PRICES
					1950†	1960	1970	1971	1972
United Kingdom‡			…	…	32·6	32·2	37·7	37·3	38·9
Germany	…	…	…	…	30·2	31·4	35·9	37·1	38·0
France	…	…	…	…	28·3	32·5	36·1	36·7	N.A.
Sweden	…	…	…	…	23·6	31·4	43·1	45·3	46·5
U.S.A.	…	…	…	…	22·2	28·6	33·4	33·7	N.A.
Japan	…	…	…	…	N.A.	18·2	19·2	N.A.	N.A.
* Comprises current and capital expenditure by central government and local authorities (including transfer payments, subsidies and debt interest).
† May not be strictly comparable with later years.
‡ The corresponding figure for 1973 is 39·3.
N.A.=Not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing total public expenditure, including local government expenditure, on the nationalised industries and interest payments, as a percentage of gross domestic product in Great Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, the United States of America and Japan in each of the years 1950, 1960, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

The information is given in the table below and is based on the latest information supplied to OECD by member countries. Figures including the expenditure of nationalised industries are not available. Estimates for 1973 are not yet available for countries other than the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the shares of the gross national product taken by wages and by profits, respectively, in 1939, and in the latest year for which he has figures.

Information for 1939 is not available. Estimates for the years 1938 and 1973 are as follows:

PERCENTAGE SHARES OF THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST
	1938	1973
Income from employment*	54·7	60·2
Income from self employment†	12·5	9·3
Profits of companies and public corporations‡	15·1	13·3
* Wages and salaries, forces' pay, and employers' contributions to national insurance, etc., and pension funds.
† Income from self-employment excluding stock appreciation.
‡ Gross trading profits of companies plus gross trading surplus of public corporations excluding stock appreciation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing an arrangement by which retirement pensioners are entitled to two bottles of duty-free spirits a year in order that they should have the same privilege in that matter as those able to travel abroad and obtain duty-free spirits on return.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total receipts from gaming machine licence duty have been for the period from 1st October 1972 to 30th September 1973 and from 1st October 1973 to the latest date for which figures are available.

This information is published in the betting and gaming monthly revenue statistics released by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and available in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the revenue in the current financial year of treating retirement pensions in the same way as unemployment and sickness benefits by leaving them out of account in computing incomes subject to taxation.

The estimated cost of exempting the national insurance retirement pension from income tax for 1973–74 is about £200 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the revenue in the current financial year of leaving the retirement pension out of account for the basic rate of income tax but not for the higher rates.

The estimated cost of exempting the national insurance retirement pension from basic rate tax for 1973–74 is about £185 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the possibility of giving value added tax zero rating to amateur theatres.

All aspects of taxation are kept under constant review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider exempting the sale of horses from value added tax.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in order to ease the financial problems caused by the introduction of value added tax, he will introduce a zero rating for the live theatre.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what capacity Mr. Wynne Godley is acting as an adviser to his Department; and from what date.

Mr. Godley was one of a number of economists whose views I sought, on a personal basis, when I began work on my Budget. There was no question of his taking an appointment in the Treasury, either permanent or temporary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for the years 1950 to 1973 the average rate of return on net assets in United Kingdom manufacturing industry, analysed as follows: (a) pre-tax rate of return on historic cost net assets, (b) pre-tax rate of return on

RATES OF RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED LARGE QUOTED MANUFACTURING COMPANIES
					Net trading income/Net trading assets*		Net income after deducting all interest charges/Shareholders' interest†
					At historic costs	At replacement costs	Before tax	After tax
1950	…	…	…	…	20·9	19·6	25·9	12·3
1951	…	…	…	…	22·8	21·1	27·9	12·1
1952	…	…	…	…	17·8	15·6	21·4	9·0
1953	…	…	…	…	18·5	15·9	21·7	9·7
1954	…	…	…	…	19·1	16·6	22·6	11·2
1955	…	…	…	…	18·9	16·0	21·9	11·4
1956	…	…	…	…	17·1	14·2	19·8	9·9
1957	…	…	…	…	16·1	13·0	18·5	9·3
1958	…	…	…	…	14·8	11·2	16·9	9·0
1959	…	…	…	…	16·0	13·4	17·9	10·3
1960	…	…	…	…	16·5	14·1	18·1	10·0
1961	…	…	…	…	14·2	11·9	15·3	8·3
1962	…	…	…	…	12·4	10·3	13·6	7·4
1963	…	…	…	…	13·3	11·0	14·6	8·0
1964	…	…	…	…	14·6	12·2	16·3	9·1
1965	…	…	…	…	13·9	11·3	15·3	9·9
1966	…	…	…	…	12·0	9·5	13·3	6·2
1967	…	…	…	…	12·0	9·7	13·7	7·2
1968	…	…	…	…	13·4	10·8	15·9	8·3
1969	…	…	…	…	12·5	9·9	15·1	7·7
1970	…	…	…	…	11·5	8·6	13·6	7·4
1971	…	…	…	…	12·6	9·2	14·8	8·6
1972	…	…	…	…	—	—	17½‡	11‡
* The ratio of net trading income to net trading assets is the ratio of gross trading income less depreciation to the total of tangible net fixed assets, net current assets other than investments, bank overdrafts, loans and dividend provisions. In the first column both depreciation and tangible net fixed assets are at historic costs; in the second column they are at replacement costs.
This analysis prepared by the accountancy staff of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is based on the results of the Department of Industry analysis of the accounts of large manufacturing quoted companies.
† The ratio of net income to shareholders' interest is the ratio of gross income less all interest payments and depreciation at book values to the total of ordinary and preference shares, capital and revenue reserves, tax equalisation and deferred tax reserves and minority interests. The post tax figures are after deducting from net income company tax charged other than deferred tax, and income tax payable on ordinary and preference dividend and adding investment grants.
This is based on the Department of Industry analysis of the accounts of large manufacturing quoted companies operating mainly in the United Kingdom; the population of companies covered by this analysis was revised in 1960, 1964 and 1969.
‡ Based on provisional results for 1972 derived from accounts analysed up to 30th September 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she will propose a further consumer subsidy on milk.

I have been asked to reply.The information available for United Kingdom manufacturing industry is given in the table below.

As indicated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement yesterday, the Government have decided to reduce the maximum retail prices of all grades of milk for liquid consumption by 1p per pint with effect from 21st April. An order implementing this decision is being laid before the House today.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether her proposed legislation on unit pricing will take the form of reintroducing the proposals of the last Government on this subject; and when she expects to introduce the Bill.

I hope to introduce this legislation before the Easter Recess. It will be more comprehensive than that introduced by the last Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many days after the start of the recent national coal strike supplementary benefit payments were first made available to miners and/or miners' dependants.

Following any spell of employment, supplementary benefit generally becomes payable from the day after final wages can be said to have been exhausted; this is usually the first pay day on which wages would again have been due. In the case of the recent mineworkers' dispute, the relevant day was Friday 15th February—five days after the dispute began.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT capital expenditure in each of the last 10 years within the hospital service, showing the total spent on teaching hospitals and the total for all other hospitals.

The information is as follows:

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON HOSPITAL BUILDING WORK (ENGLAND) (INCLUDING FEES AND EQUIPMENT PURCHASED CENTRALLY BUT EXCLUDING ACQUISITION OF LAND AND BUILDINGS) (PRICES OF YEAR)
	Regional Hospital Board	Teaching Hospital	Total
	£ million	£ million	£ million
1963–64	45·2	7·5	52·7
1964–65	53·0	7·6	60·6
1965–66	59·1	8·9	68·0
1966–67	64·6	10·8	75·4
1967–68	74·2	15·7	89·9
1968–69	76·7	18·0	94·7
1969–70	76·6	24·2	100·8
1970–71	89·4	29·8	119·2
1971–72	117·2	34·3	151·5
1972–73	144·9	38·2	183·1

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish figures of the number of families claiming family income supplement in 1973, the total amount of supplement awarded, the total number of families estimated to be eligible to claim the supplement and the cost of advertising the scheme.

During 1973, 170,000 claims for family income supplement were made and at the end of the year it is provisionally estimated that 95,000 families were receiving the benefit; the total amount of benefit awarded was £12 million and the cost of advertising was £150,000.Estimates of the number of families eligible to receive the supplement are based on limited information and are subject to wide margins of error; it is estimated that about one-half of those eligible take up the benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the new construction of the National Health Service involves any changes in the methods of representations and negotiations by consultants in respect to pay and conditions.

The remuneration of National Health Service hospital consultants is subject to review by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body, while other terms and conditions are negotiated on the Joint Negotiating Committee for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff. Consultants are represented through the Central Committee for Hospital Medical Services of the British Medical Association, and the Central Committee for Hospital Dental Services of the British Dental Association. Management interests are represented by the health departments. The reorganisation of the National Health Service does not require any change in this machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what estimate of the future level of traffic at Luton Airport he is using in his review of the need for Maplin.

We must first prepare air traffic forecasts up to 1990 in the light of the situation to which my right hon. Friend referred in his statement of 21st March.—[Vol. 870, c. 1334–40.] Only then can we consider how the likely traffic might be accommodated.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if it is his intention to make some provisions to protect householders living in close proximity to airport terminals who suffer from high noise levels considered to be detrimental to the long-term health interests of such residents.

At airports which have been designated under Section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act 1971, where noise abatement is the direct responsibility of my right hon. Friend, measures to reduce the effect of aircraft noise on the ground are already in force. As part of these measures schemes at Heathrow and Gatwick provide for the payment of grants, within defined areas near the airports, to assist with the insulation of dwellings against aircraft noise. At airports which have not been so designated, noise abatement is primarily a matter for the airport authorities concerned. For example, there are noise insulation grant schemes at Luton and Manchester financed by the local authorities which own and operate those airports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish figures of the value of car parts and components imported from and exported to the other member countries of the EEC for 1973, and for each of the past five years.

Car parts and components are not separately distinguished in the trade statistics; the following figures relate to parts and components for all vehicles:

	Imports*	Exports*
	£ million cif	£ million fob
1969†	39·1	74·5
1970	26·2	68·2
1971	32·0	85·3
1972	54·2	98·0
1973	68·2	123·9
* These figures cover SITC(R) 732.6, 732.81 and part of 732.89. They exclude chassis with engines for vehicles other than cars and, apart from 1969, parts expressly for special purpose vehicles and tractors.
† 1969 figures include parts for special purpose vehicles and tractors. For comparative purposes the value of these parts in 1970 was £26·2 million for imports and £16·0 million for exports.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on behalf of the hospital group engineers in Wales, concerning the appointment of senior works staff; and if he will make a statement on his response.

I have received a letter from the Hon. Secretary, of the National Association of Hospital Group Engineers (Wales). I will be replying directly to the association

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the following figures for each region of Wales: (1) the total number of dwellings at the latest date for which figures are available, (2) the number of dwellings which do not conform with the standard of fitness for human habitation as outlined in the Housing Act 1969, and (3) the number of dwellings cleared as slums in each of the last five years.

Wales is not subdivided for the purpose of these statistics.(1) In December 1973, the latest date for which figures are available, it is estimated that the total number of dwellings in Wales was 990,000.(2) From the results of the 1968 Welsh House Condition Survey the number of dwellings in Wales in 1968 which did not conform to the standards laid down in the Housing Act 1957 was 91,900. It is unlikely that this figure would have been altered substantially by the standards laid down in the Housing Act 1969.(3) The numbers of houses demolished or closed in Wales in each of the last five years are given below:

Year	Numbers of houses demolished or closed in Wales
1969	2,284
1970	2,329
1971	2,594
1972	1,978
1973	2,028

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the following figures for each region of Wales: (1) the number of dwellings built in each of the public and private sectors in each of the last five years, and (2) the average cost of new dewllings in each of the public and private sectors at the latest date for which figures are available.

Wales is not subdivided for the purpose of these statistics.(1) The numbers of dwellings completed in the public and private sectors in each of the last five years are given in the table below:

	Public Sector	Private Sector	Total
1969	7,998	9,306	17,304
1970	6,825	8,648	15,473
1971	5,927	9,174	15,101
1972	4,135	10,635	14,770
1973	3,377	10,957	14,334

(2) The average price of a new dwelling in the private sector in Wales in 1973 was £7,969. The average cost of construction of all dwellings in tenders approved by local authorities in the first half of 1973 in Wales was £4,843.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now consider publishing a Green Paper on how to co-ordinate the industrial, agriculture, tourist and forestry activities of Mid-Wales.

I am considering how best to co-ordinate the activities of the agencies concerned with the development of Mid-Wales and will make my views known as soon as possible.