asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his talks with the Canadians on SGHW/CANDU and reactor choice.

The possibilities of collaborative arrangements on the CANDU and SGHWR were discussed at my meeting on 11th April with the Canadian Minister for Industry, Trade and Commerce.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set up an Energy Commission as a matter of urgency to consider all aspects of policy planning.

I am not convinced that an Energy Commission of this kind is needed. I shall be ready, however, to strengthen the resources available for advising me on energy matters, if that becomes necessary. In this connection, the hon. Member will recall that I have just arranged for an Energy Technology Support Unit to be set up at Harwell.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the percentage figure by which the price of gas for domestic consumers in Scotland exceeded the average price in England and Wales during the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what was the comparable percentage 5, 10 and 15 years previously, respectively.

The average revenue per therm in Scotland from domestic customers exceeded that in England and Wales by 27·4 per cent. in 1972–73, the excess being mainly attributable to the lower average consumption in Scotland and higher distribution costs arising from population density and geography. The comparable figures for 5, 10 and 15 years earlier were 30 per cent. 27·4 per cent. and 9·4 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information has been obtained by his Department regarding American offshore power systems and their possible use in Great Britain.

The Department is aware of American interest in offshore power stations, but there are no plans at present to have them in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will survey the oil and natural gas potential of the sea adjacent to Northern Ireland.

Responsibility for petroleum exploration within its territorial waters rests with the Northern Ireland Executive. I have no plans at present to commission a survey outside such waters.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the position about plans for private participation in British Nuclear Fuels Limited and Radiochemical Centre Limited.

The previous administration formulated plans which were announced on 24th January 1974. The House would be informed if the Government were to decide that they should be altered.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will account for the slippage in the North Sea gas programme (Frigg Field) and indicate when initial deliveries will now be made and in what quantities.

The British Gas Corporation tells me that the producing companies expect to begin delivery of gas from the United Kingdom part of the Frigg field, as previously planned, in early 1976 and that the corporation's engineering works on land will be ready in time to receive the gas. The precise quantities to be delivered in 1976 will be in accordance with the contract between the corporation and the producers, which is a commercial matter for the parties. The gas is expected to make a useful contribution to gas supplies in the winter of 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will compare the price of gas delivered to industrial and domestic consumers, respectively, in the United Kingdom with those prevailing in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, France and Italy, respectively.

Representative figures for domestic consumers are as follows:

PRICE OF GAS FOR THE DOMESTIC MARKET AS AT 1ST JANUARY 1974
(Consumers of approx. 800 therms a year (20 G.cal))
	p/therm
United Kingdom	10·5
Germany	14·9
Netherlands	7·1
France	17·4
Italy	11·7

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to outline the proposals for the development of the coal finds in the Selby area.

The first phase of exploratory boring and seismic work being carried out in the Selby area by the National Coal Board is due for completion by the end of June 1974. Before definite outline proposals can be made by the board, interpretation and evaluation of the geological evidence must be completed and, if necessary, further exploration carried out. On current indications, the Selby area has a potential to develop into a significant new coalfield and, if proven feasible, the initial development could be a drift mine producing as much as 10 million tons per year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied that, consequent on the Government's decision not to sanction an increase in gas prices, it will be possible to meet increased demand from available supplies.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stirling, Falkirk and Grange-mouth (Mr. Ewing) on 26th March.—[Vol. 871, c. 87–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what action is planned to build up coal stocks to the pre-October 1973 levels.

The National Coal Board is doing everything possible to increase supplies. We expect that industrial coal users, including the iron and steel industry, and coal traders will be able to build normal seasonal stocks by the end of the summer. The Central Electricity Generating Board and South of Scotland Electricity Board, in conjunction with the National Coal Board, will be building power station stocks as far as is possible, having regard to availability of coal and the scope for burning oil during the summer, but it will not be possible to achieve the high pre-October 1973 level of power station stocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the fact that the published price list by the British Steel Corporation at the beginning of April shows increases of between 34·66 per cent. and 39·16 per cent. for universal beams and columns, angle, channels and rolled steel joists, if he will now give a formal general direction to the corporation to comply with the Government's permitted 25 per cent. increase.

No, Sir. The increase in BSC prices was to be an average of 25 per cent. The increase for some products was below this figure and for some above it, and I am satisfied that the average was not exceeded.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what requests he has made to the major trade unions for statements of matters which they regard as their interests; and what replies he has received.

We are continually inviting the trade unions for their views on these and other matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on regional incentives.

One of the Government's first priorities is to achieve a high rate of new investment, particularly in manufacturing industry. No one can say that over the whole post-war period our performance has been satisfactory in this respect. Equally, we must make a sustained effort to eliminate the disparities in employment and development which have built up over the years between Scotland, Wales and the assisted areas of England and other parts of the country. Our broad intention is to continue and develop the financial and other incentives now available for the location of new industry and the expansion of existing industry in the assisted areas.Against this background, we have been considering the system of incentives we have inherited from our predecessors in the Industry Act 1972. This Act gives us wide powers, which we intend to use to the full in promoting investment, the modernisation of industry and regional regeneration. But, as stated in our manifesto, we intend also to bring forward a new Industry Bill to give us the wider powers, for example through planning agreements, that we shall require in order to achieve our purposes. We shall, of course, discuss the proposals fully with those concerned. In the meantime, however, I think it is desirable to make plain our intentions in respect of existing incentives to invest so that industry will have the confidence to go forward with existing and new projects.Thus, industry can be assured that the existing system of regional development grants will be maintained, although within this framework adjustments may, of course, have to be made from time to time. We certainly do not intend to cause the same hiatus in investment as was created by the previous Government from 1970–72, when they abolished the system of investment grants.As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced, we shall maintain the existing arrangements for regional employment premium while considering further possibilities for the future. We shall, therefore, continue the existing rates of payment of regional employment premium beyond September 1974.As for selective assistance in the assisted areas, we intend to build on the system set out in the Industry Act 1972 so that companies in these areas can continue to receive assistance. In appropriate cases we shall be ready to provide assistance in the form of share capital.We shall continue with the system of regional devolution, so that the bulk of cases will be decided in the areas where the projects are to be located.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether his Department makes use of the Price Commission's list of Category One business concerns; and, if so, in what respect.

The statutory purpose of the list is to require the companies on it to provide certain information to the Price Commission and to pre-notify price increases to it. My Department does not at present use the list as such for any other purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps have been taken, as a result of the near-miss incident involving Concorde on 10th August 1972, to prevent similar occurrences.

The incident was reviewed by the air traffic control services concerned, the Airmiss Section of the Civil Aviation Authority and BAC. As a result, certain improvements were made in the arrangements to ensure that the air traffic control services were aware of the characteristics of each Concorde test flight and that Concorde route planning took full account of the pattern of other civil traffic. BAC has now discontinued carrying out flight tests of this kind in regions where there could be any other civil traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will seek to amend the Fair Trading Act so as to extend its powers to trade directory firms.

There are provisions in the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 to regulate demands for payment for unordered directory entries. Any deficiencies in that Act would best be remedied by amending it.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if, in view of price increases of over 10 per cent. in items of sweets and confectionery, she will take steps to ensure compensatory price reductions so that no profit is made out of value added tax by retailers.

If my hon. Friend has any evidence that retailers are profiteering out of VAT, I shall be pleased to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether it is the Government's intention to introduce a subsidy on cheese.

Yes. The Government have decided, subject to parliamentary approval, to pay a subsidy as from 6th May on Cheddar cheese, on the competing United Kingdom territorial varieties, and on Gouda, Edam and certain similar varieties of cheese. I hope to be able to announce the rate of subsidy and other details of the scheme very shortly. I shall be seeking to amend the Prices Bill in order to add cheese to the list of foods that may be subsidised. Estimates will be presented to the House in due course, and in the meantime it will be necessary to have recourse to the Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is satisfied that the subsidy on milk is working effectively, in view of the imposition of milk delivery charges where none existed previously; and if she will make a statement.

I am satisfied that consumers generally are receiving the full benefit of the subsidy on milk. I am aware that some dairymen have imposed delivery charges to meet above-average costs of distribution in certain rural areas. Any reports of unreasonable additional charges will be investigated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she has considered the representations made by the gas central heating industry regarding hire-purchase restrictions; and if she has made any decision on them.

Following an earlier meeting with me representatives of the industry discussed their case with the Department of Industry on 10th April. Once the analysis of this is complete I shall be in a position to announce a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what representations she has received relating to proposals to replace beer engines or traditional hand pumps in licensed premises with metered pumps.

I have received one letter expressing anxiety about such a proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to improve the control of additives and impurities in hydrocarbon fuel oils in order to reduce health hazards.

As soon as parliamentary time permits it is our intention to introduce legislation for the control of pollution, which will include powers to control the sulphur content of oil fuels and the composition of motor fuels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give consideration to the setting up of an inquiry into the care and maintenance of cemeteries and the shortage of burial space in the large cities.

From the information available I do not think such an inquiry is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what statistical sources of information are available to him regarding movements in the price of building land; how frequently they are collated; and how representative a sample they involve in each case.

The principal source of information on private purchases of land in England and Wales with planning permission for housing is the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue; this information is analysed half-yearly and covers some 60 per cent. of all private dwelling plots developed. Full details of the analysis were published in "Economic Trends" No. 244, copies of which are available in the Library. Other sources are the following: the Digest of Building Land Prices published by the Estates Gazette, collated quarterly and covering some 8 per cent. of plots developed; average valuations of new house plots published quarterly by the Nationwide Building Society; and occasional articles in the technical Press.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to control the charges levied by water and sewerage authorities.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Tyler) on 10th April.—[Vol. 872, c. 170.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is prepared to extend the rate rebate provisions to cover water and sewerage rates.

Rate rebates are available in respect of rates levied for local authority services, but by virtue of the Water Act 1973 water and sewerage ceased to be the responsibility of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will allocate additional funds to the new county councils to enable them to carry out such essential sewerage construction as will be necessary to cope with any expansion of the house building programme; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will detail the schemes for new sewerage works notified to his Department, in Hampshire and Dorset; and when he expects to authorise funds for their completion.

Provision of sewerage and sewage disposal facilities is now the responsibility of the new water authorities and they do not normally require my authorisation. The water authorities have been asked to give priority to schemes serving new housing development when deciding their capital works programmes. I am keeping the general position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will receive the deputation of councillors as requested in the letter TFP/ SS/C30.05 of 3rd April from the Chief Executive Officer of Corby District Council to discuss the increase in the rates as the result of the decision referred to in the Department's letter of 14th March.

Together with my right hon. Friend I have already had the opportunity of discussing with deputations from Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton District Council the decision on domestic rate relief, and the effects of the 1974–75 grant settlement generally. We are therefore now well aware of the views of local authorities in Northamptonshire on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, when considering the plans of local planning authorities for land adjoining motorways, he will have regard to the need for land to be zoned for warehousing and distribution, quickly accessible from the motorways.

Any such plans would be considered on their merits in the wider context of land use and transport policies for the area in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to relieve housing associations of the consequence of the rents freeze that it includes a freeze on any increase brought about by the increase in the cost of fuel oil for hot water and central heating, &c.

Provision is made in the Housing Bill for some adjustment to subsidies payable to housing associations to help them meet the effects of the freeze. I am considering whether further measures may be necessary, particularly in relation to service charges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to monitor any coastal air pollution which might arise from the burning of waste by incinerator vessels operating off Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The incineration of certain wastes takes place at sea about 100 miles east of Berwick-upon-Tweed. I am satisfied that this causes no coastal air pollution problem. Local authorities already have powers to undertake monitoring should they wish to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement clarifying the licence requirements for drivers of play-buses, used for pre-school playgroups, in view of difficulty caused by differing requirements in different areas.

I am advised that, if the unladen weight of these vehicles exceeds 3 tons, they are heavy goods vehicles as defined in Section 124 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 and that their drivers must therefore hold the appropriate heavy goods vehicle driver's licence. The only case in which the driver would not need such a licence would be if the vehicle were exempt from vehicle excise duty because it did not use the roads for more than six miles per week in moving between lands in the occupation of the registered owner of the vehicle. I am unaware of any different advice having been given from official sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what his proposals are with regard to the implementation of his Department's plans for the Ipswich southern bypass; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to put alternative routes to the public for comment towards the end of June. Regarding the implementation of plans for this bypass, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 3rd April to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) and the hon. Member for Esher (Mr. Mather).—[Vol. 871, c. 1252.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps designed to alleviate the position of the homeless.

I have already introduced the Housing Bill, announced legislation on security for furnished tenants and published Circular 70/74. All these will help the position of the homeless in the context of the Government's developing housing policies. I am considering, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, what more may need to be done to prevent homelessness and to improve the prospects of those who are homeless.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of parking spaces is to be provided in the new underground car park in the courtyard of the Palace of Westminster; what is the total cost of constructing the car park; and what is the resulting cost per parking space.

There will be about 500 parking spaces and the cost will be a little under £2·5 million excluding landscaping, which is still under consideration. The final cost per car space is estimated to be about £5,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider introducing legislation whereby his Department can ensure that the new county councils reduce costs in proportion to the degree of the streamlining of their administrative functions;(2) if he will issue advice to county councils concerning ways of reducing costs in proportion to the degree of streamlining of their administrative functions.

It is primarily for the new local authorities themselves to consider the staff and other resources they need to employ for the execution of their duties, and the forms of organisation that will be most effective. My right hon. Friend has not proposals in mind for new controls over the internal organisation of local authorities or the cost of such arrangements.Advice on management matters is made available to local authorities in a number of ways, however. For instance, central and local government co-operated in the establishment of an expert committee—the Bains Committee—which published recommendations for an improved approach to the management of local authorities. More detailed management advice is also given by the Local Authorities Management Services and Computer Committee, which is financed by central and local government jointly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will undertake to hold inquiries into the environmental import of coal development before any coal developments in Oxfordshire are commenced.

No coal mining development, other than opencast working by the National Coal Board, which is subject to special procedures under the Opencast Coal Act 1958, may take place without planning permission. If a planning application is made in respect of coal development the holding of any inquiry will be considered in the light of the particular circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she proposes to sanction the application to build a hospital on the Shirley Oaks site, Croydon.

My hon. Friend will be pleased to learn that the South West Thames Regional Health Authority now proposes to withdraw the submission made by the former South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board last year to the London Borough of Croydon for permission to build a hospital on this site.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is aware that radiography students are allowed five weeks' holidays a year whereas physiotherapy students are allowed between six and eight weeks a year; and if she will arrange for a fixed number of weeks holiday for all students.

The period of vacation for radiography and physiotherapy students is at the local discretion of school principals in the light of guidance from the relevant professional bodies and subject to the demands of the syllabus. I see no present need to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what she estimates the recovery rate of sufferers from rabies to be; and what steps she is taking to alert the public to its dangers in view of its advance westwards across Europe.

Cases in this country are very rare and always imported, but where rabies develops it is almost invariably fatal. Because it is contracted from infected animals, control measures are mainly the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In November 1971 my Department introduced vaccination against rabies for all persons at special occupational risk. The notice to travellers prepared by my Department and the Central Office of Information gives advice on precautions which campers, caravanners and others should take.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest available cost of providing a bed in Northampton General Hospital.

£99·48 a week in 1972–73, including specialist medical salaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average charge per week to private patients for a bed in Northampton General Hospital.

£90·30 in 1972–73; £129·50 in 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average amount of time a patient waits for

						Number of Patients
Waiting Times					General Medicine	General Surgery	Gynaecology	Ophthalmology
Under
3 months	…	…	…	…	9	352	136	78
3–6 months	…	…	…	…	4	180	174	125
6–12 months	…	…	…	…	—	85	54	64
1–2 years	…	…	…	…	—	23	4	13
Over 2 years	…	…	…	…	—	3	—	17

						Number of Patients
Waiting Times					Plastic Surgery	Orthopaedics	ENT	Dental Surgery
Under
3 months	…	…	…	…	12	62	163	42
3–6 months	…	…	…	…	23	51	96	5
6–12 months	…	…	…	…	20	26	114	6
1–2 years	…	…	…	…	6	1	1	—
Over 2 years	…	…	…	…	5	1	—	—

Urgent cases are admitted without delay. Otherwise, for general surgery, seven to 13 months; for gynaecology 18 to 24 months; for ear, nose and throat up to 12 months. For general medicine and paediatrics there is generally no waiting time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average amount of time a patients waits for a private bed in Northampton General Hospital.

Three to four weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many private beds are available at Northampton General Hospital.

Twenty-five.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time a patient waits for a bed in a Bolton hospital; and whether any specific complaints, such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, etc., entail a longer wait than the general average.

Waiting times for admission vary according to the specialty, and average figures have little meaning. Patients requiring urgent treatment are admitted without delay.The following were the waiting times by specialties in February 1974 for hospitals in the Bolton area. There is no waiting list for tuberculosis patients; bronchitis is included in general medicine.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds are available in treatment

	Average Daily Number of Available Beds	Average Daily Bed Occupancy	Percentage Occupancy
GENERAL MEDICINE
Bolton Royal Infirmary	22·9	18·5	80·8
Bolton District General Hospital	122·5	98·7	80·6
Wilkinson Hospital	24·0	10·0	41·7
PAEDIATRICS
Bolton District General Hospital	44·9	20·6	45·9
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Hutton Hospital	10·0	8·0	80·0
CHEST DISEASES
Wilkinson Hospital	23·0	5·6	24·3
GERIATRICS
Bolton District General Hospital	52·5	37·7	71·8
Wilkinson	6·0	9·8	163·3
Hulton	116·6	113·6	97·4
Townleys Branch (District General Hospital)	167·0	156·3	93·6
Fall Birch	44·0	43·4	98·6

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest available cost per week of providing a bed in hospitals in Bolton; how this cost is calculated; and what percentage of the cost is attributable to nurses' pay.

Name of Hospital	Type of Hospital		Number of occupied beds	Cost per In-Patient week	Percentage of nursing pay
				£
Bolton District General	Acute	…	426	72·23	22
Bolton District General:
Townleys Branch	Long Stay	…	367	41·96	38
Bolton Royal Infirmary	Acute	…	192	87·10	20
Hulton Hospital Bolton	Mainly Long Stay	…	112	43·90	43
Haslam Maternity Home, Bolton	Maternity	…	11	93·53	49
Havercroft Maternity Home, Bolton	Maternity	…	9	105·91	52
Heaton Maternity Home, Bolton	Maternity	…	9	98·71	53
Wilkinson Hospital, Bolton	TB and Chest	…	32	54·13	39
Fall Birch Hospital, Lostock	Geriatric	…	43	31·73	48
Newlands Nursing Home, Bolton	Acute	…	18	81·40	45
Edmond Potter Hospital, Bolton	Pre-convalescent	…	30	37·56	49
Blair Hospital, Bromley Cross	Pre-convalescent	…	38	43·98	49

The cost per in-patient week is obtained by dividing total hospital expenditure—including medical, nursing, para-medical, hotel and maintenance services and associated expenses—by the number of in-patient weeks at the hospital concerned.In the table the percentage of nursing pay is that attributable to nurses directly employed in the in-patient wards, that is to say, it excludes nursing expenses chargeable to outpatient departments and supporting services such as pathology departments

The figures given show averages for medical beds for the calendar year 1973, as compiled at 31st December 1973:

The latest available costs are those for the financial year ended 31st March 1973, during which year hospitals in Bolton were administered by Bolton and District Hospital Management Committee. The costs per week in these hospitals were:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date it is intended to implement the pay settlement agreed by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.

The operative date of the settlement, as agreed by the Council, is 1st April 1974, and the various health authorities will be implementing it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the standstill on rents, she will take steps to halt any intended rise in the charges for living-in accommodation for the nursing profession.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 9th April.—[Vol. 872, c.95.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date increased charges for meals in hospital staff canteens were last authorised.

Increases for the meals which are supplied at nationally agreed prices were negotiated as part of the normal Whitley Council arrangements on 25th January and notified to hospital authorities on 11th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue a circular to local authorities advising them to consider appointing welfare rights officers.

I would expect all local authority social workers to be aware of the services and benefits which may be available to meet the particular circumstances of those in need. It is my hope that local authorities will seek to improve their arrangements for publicising these, but it is for the authorities to decide what staffing arrangements would best achieve this.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether upon release a prisoner injured during prison service is liable to be disallowed sickness benefit because of his inability to have made the relevant contributions during the period of imprisonment.

If as a result of imprisonment there is a gap in the rele- vant contribution record, sickness benefit may not be payable, or may be payable only at a reduced rate. I shall be writing to my hon. Friend about the case I think he has in mind as soon as I have the full facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the capital allocation for hospitals in the area of the North-West Health Authority in each of the last 25 years; how these figures compare with other similar areas; what is the allocation for the current year; and of this how much money is earmarked for health centres and other non-hospital projects.

The comparative figures asked for are not readily available since the areas of the North Western Health Regional Authority and of the other new health regions do not exactly conform with those of the former hospital regions. For figures of capital expenditure by regional hospital boards and boards of governors up to 1970–71, I refer the hon. Member to Table 2·8 of "Health and Personal Social Service Statistics for England and Wales (with summary tables for Great Britain)" published in 1973 by HMSO.Following are the figures for subsequent years:

			£000s
Year		United Manchester Hospital Boards of Governors	Manchester Regional Hospital Board
1971–72	…	495	11,189
1972–73	…	818	11,870
1973–74
(estimated)	…	1,000	14,300

The provision in the Supply Estimates for 1974–75 for capital expenditure by the new North Western Regional Health Authority is £19,012,000, of which the amount needed for non-hospital expenditure has yet to be determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many and what percentage of applications for full and for partial attendance allowances, respectively, have been granted and refused during each of the months in respect of which such allowances have been available; how many and what percentage of such refusals have been in respect of applicants with physical and mental disabilities, respectively; and what were the age categories of such refusals.

Applications are made simply for the allowance, not for the higher or lower rate, and a breakdown into types of disability is not maintained for rejected cases. The other information is not readily available in the form requested, but I can give my hon. and learned Friend the following information.For adults, between June 1971, when applications for attendance allowance at the higher rate were first accepted, and November 1972, when the first lower rate allowances were awarded, 151,000 claims were made. Of these, some 82,000 (54 per cent.) were granted and 69,000 (46 per cent.) were refused. Since November 1972, 147,000 applications have been made. Of those so far dealt with, some 46,000 (35 per cent.) have been granted at the higher rate; 20,000 (15 per cent.) from those aged 16–64, and 22,000 (16 per cent.) from those aged 65 and over have been granted at the lower rate; altogether, some 16,000 (12 per cent.) applications from those aged 16–64 and 29,000 (22 per cent.) from those aged 65 and over have been refused.For children under 16, between June 1971 and May 1973, when the first lower rate awards were made in respect of them, 35,000 applications were made, of which 24,000 (67 per cent.) were granted at the higher rate and 11,000 (33 per cent.) were refused. Since May 1973, 15,500 applications have been made. Of those so far dealt with, some 4,000 (27 per cent.) have been granted at the higher rate; 9,000 (61 per cent.) have been granted at the lower rate; altogether, 1,800 (12 per cent.) have been refused.The above figures refer solely to initial applications. In about 40,000 cases, applications for review have been made and, of those decided so far, over 20,000 have been successful and 18,000 unsuccessful.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants who have been refused attendance allowances have brought appeals to the commissioners of national insurance during each of the months when such appeal procedure was available to them; how many and what percentage for partial allowances; and how many and what percentage of such failures concerned disabled children of those ages in respect of which statistics are available.

Applications for leave to appeal to the commissioner on a point of law can only be made against decisions of the Attendance Allowance Board given on review. A breakdown into types of cases other than between adults and children is not maintained. but I can give my hon. and learned Friend the following information.For adults, up to 16th April 1974, there have been 565 applications to the commissioner for leave to appeal. Of the 536 cases so far decided by the commissioner, 258 (48 per cent.) have resulted in successful appeals. Of the remainder, 264 (49 per cent.) were not granted leave to appeal—including 58 cases withdrawn with the commissioner's consent—and 14 appeals were dismissed.For children under 16, for the same period, there have been 169 applications to the commissioner for leave to appeal. Of the 157 cases so far decided by the commissioner, 90 (57 per cent.) have resulted in successful appeals. Of the remainder, 64 (40 per cent.) were not granted leave to appeal—including 24 cases withdrawn with the commissioner's consent—and three appeals were dismissed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions he has given to the Attendance Allowance Board regarding the regulation of its procedures.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will announce her Department's plans for redeveloping the Belmont and Henderson Hospitals when the South-West Hospital Management Board has vacated the premises.

As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 8th April, these premises are unlikely to be vacated until late 1975 at the earliest. In the event of the land then being declared surplus to NHS requirements, the usual procedures for disposal of Government land will be put into operation.—[Vol. 872, c. 47–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis; and what percentage of them is women.

Precise figures are not available, but current medical estimates are that rheumatoid arthritis affects at least 850,000 people over 14 in Great Britain, of whom 75 per cent. are women.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how long patients have to wait to see consultants at the Bury General Hospital in general, and in particular with regard to matters relating to osteopathy.

The following figures show the position in the main specialties as at 1st April 1974:

Medical	3–6 weeks
Paediatrics	6 weeks
Surgical	1–4 weeks
Orthopaedics	8–16 weeks
Dental	5 weeks
ENT	6–8 weeks
Ophthalmology	3 weeks
Dermatology	4 weeks

The particular medical conditions to which the hon. Member may be referring would be treated by consultants in the appropriate specialties.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children were suffering from Still's disease at the latest date for which figures are available.

Official statistics are not available, but research studies have suggested an incidence of 0·06 per cent. in schoolchildren.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement with regard to recent fire outbreaks at St. Clement's Hospital, Ipswich; and whether she is satisfied with fire security provisions at this hospital.

There were four minor outbreaks in one ward at St. Clement's Hospital between 24th February and 8th April, involving damage to curtains, bedding and a wardrobe. On the early morning of 15th April, an outbreak caused extensive damage in a 16-bed domitory in the same ward, and this was followed on the next night by two further minor fires, in that ward and another nearby, causing damage to clothing and bedding. In the minor outbreaks the fire was brought under control immediately on discovery. In all cases the alarm was raised and patients were speedily evacuated by ward staff. No one suffered any harm.The police are investigating the series of outbreaks with the full co-operation of the fire brigade and of the health authority's staff.The wards involved are compartmented, have fire-resistant doors, and the curtain materials are fire-resistant. These safety features, which helped confine the outbreaks, are being enhanced by the programme already under way, which provides smoke detection devices in all wards in the hospital. I am satisfied that the arrangements for training staff on action to be taken in case of fire have proved effective and that the local management has taken appropriate action to minimise the danger from any further outbreak to patients in its care.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations she had with religious leaders before announcing that contraceptives would be provided free under the National Health Service.

It was already well known that many responsible bodies, including the Church of England's Board of Social Responsibility, supported the provision of an entirely free service, and I was aware of views expressed in the debates in this House and in another place on the question of charges for family planning supplies during the passage of the National Health Service Re-organisation Bill. Since the Government had to decide whether or not to lay regulations before the House of Commons to introduce a prescription charge in family planning clinics when these came under the reorganised National Health Service on 1st April, it was not possible to consult.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate she has of the numbers of children under 16 years of age who are not being cared for by parents or guardians and not currently in the care of the local authorities.

The hon. Member will be aware of the difficulty of obtaining information of this nature, and I regret that no reliable estimates are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has suggesting that IRA execution gangs are operating in England.

The police have not excluded the possibility that Kenneth Lennon may have been killed by the IRA, but it has not yet been established that anyone has been murdered in England in recent years by a group of the kind referred to by the hon. Lady.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to reappoint the Advisory Council on the Penal System; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I shall in due course be making an announcement about the membership.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what protection through the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act is available to a prisoner when employed with a prison working party.

Prisoners' employment is not insurable under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts but, under arrangements made by the Home Office, any prisoner who is likely to be disabled after discharge as a result of his prison employment is examined by a medical board set up by the Department of Health and Social Security and, on the board's recommendations, may be made payments in lieu of disablement benefit and related increases at the same rates as under the Acts

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to safeguard the rights of citizens in the use of the thoroughfares in town centre developments, particularly in regard to times of access, public meetings and the use of private police forces.

We have no reason to believe that such legislation is necessary but we shall be glad to consider any particular point that my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, bearing in mind the delays involved in publicising recent thefts of works of art, he will suggest to police authorities that they should take immediate action in publicising full details of any loss incurred.

The investigation of thefts is a matter for chief officers of police. I am not aware of any general problem of the kind mentioned by the hon. Member, but if he has any particular instances in mind perhaps he will let me have details.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the events leading up to the establishment of an inquiry into the Lennon affair, the reasons why this inquiry was set up, and the reasons why this specific type of inquiry was thought appropriate;(2) if he will consider moving for a Select Committee to investigate the range of activities of the Special Branch and its methods of operation.

In the light of the statement given by Mr. Lennon to the National Council for Civil Liberties I decided that the first essential was to obtain urgently from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis a full account of the actions of Special Branch and other police officers concerned in this case. I have now received and am considering the commissioner's report, and I shall make a further statement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many

						Persons found guilty
Year				Persons Proceeded against	Total	Conditional discharge	Fine	Average amount of fine
£
1966	…	…	…	3	3	—	3	17
1967	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—
1968	…	…	…	10	7	—	7	18
1969	…	…	…	3	2	1	1	5
1970	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—
1971	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—
1972	…	…	…	2	1	—	1	10

Statistics for 1973 are not yet available.Failure to provide a rent book is an offence against the Landlord and Tenant Act 1962.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place in England under the 1965 Rent Act in respect of harassment of tenants for unlawful eviction of tenants.

The following are the numbers of persons proceeded against in England under the Rent Act 1965 for offences relating to harassment and unawful eviction of tenants:

1966	265
1967	253
1968	234
1969	198
1970	183
1971	130
1972	234

Figures for 1973 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider whether the Metropolitan Police should assume responsibiity for the policing of Heathrow Airport; and if he will make a statement.

Following the escalation of terrorist violence against prosecutions have taken place in Manchester under the Rent Act 1965; and what has been the average fine or sentence in respect of convicted persons other than in cases of failure to provide 3 rent book.

Following is the information:Persons proceeded against at Manchester Magistrates' Court under the Rent Act 1965.civil aviation I have considered with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade the arrangements for policing at Heathrow Airport. This is currently the responsibility of the British Airports Authority Constabulary but in its response to terrorism it has had to be increasingly supported by the greater resources of the Metropolitan Police. I do not consider that these duties can satisfactorily be divided from normal police work. As a result I have agreed that the Metropolitan Police should assume responsibility for all policing at Heathrow. The necessary consultations are in progress and legislation will be introduced in the near future with enabling powers to provide for the transfer of police responsibility at other airports should this become necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what relationship and action is authorised between the Special Branch and the police without requiring ministerial consent; and if he will make a statement.

Special Branch officers are members of police forces and are therefore, like other police officers, subject to the direction of chief officers of police.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he has taken to date to set up a system of veterinary inspection at the point of disembarkation for exported live animals, as recommended by the O'Brien Committee;(2) what progress he has made to date towards the recruitment of a team of inspectors for the live animal export trade, as recommended by the O'Brien Committee;(3) what progress he has made to date towards the introduction of a revised certification system for slaughterhouses as recommended by the O'Brien Committee;(4) what progress he has made to date with the establishment of the export supervisory body recommended by the O'Brien Committee;(5) what progress he has made to date with the establishment of a register of approved livestock exporters, as recommended by the O'Brien Committee.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 11th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead), the hon. Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) and the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Burden).—[Vol. 872, c. 619–20; 238.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what import levies or duties are now being imposed on lamb and beef imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC.

The current rates of duty imposed on lamb and beef imported into the United Kingdom from third countries, under the arrangements in the Treaty of Accession for transition to Community tariffs, are set out in S.I. 1845/73 and S.I. 608/74.The levies on fresh, chilled and frozen beef imports from third countries vary weekly or monthly according to world market conditions. But, for a large proportion of these imports, the levies and duties are offset by accession and monetary compensatory amounts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what foodstuffs imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC are now subject to import levies or duties, and for what purpose.

The United Kingdom has begun to move towards the EEC rates of import levies and duties for most foodstuffs from third countries, in accordance with our obligations under the Treaty of Accession. In the present world food situation the incidence of levies is small. In many cases charges are reduced by the application of monetary compensatory amounts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will promote a publicity campaign to warn the public of the danger of rabies, and the possible consequences of smuggling animals into the United Kingdom.

Information about our rabies import controls is readily available to potential animal importers to this country. We intend to widen the scope of our publicity once the Rabies Bill becomes an Act so that the general public will understand the need for the extended controls and the increased penalties for animal smuggling that are proposed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much beef is now held in storage by the EEC authorities.

I understand from the EEC Commission that the total amount of beef purchased under the permanent intervention arrangements is now about 75,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the purpose of intervention buying of beef for storage.

The system aims at firming up producer prices by taking beef off the market when it is weak. As I said in my statement to the House on 25th March, I have obtained an option not to operate the system in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total United Kingdom capital investment in the fishing industry in 1971, 1972, 1973; what are the projected trends for 1974 and 1975; and which ports are, or will be, the major beneficiaries of past and future investment.

Totals for investment by industry in the catching, distribution and processing of fish, and by harbour authorities and others in infrastructure, could be collected only at disproportionate cost. The following estimates have been made of gross expenditure in the United Kingdom on the two main forms of investment aided at various rates from public funds:

	Estimate of Associated Gross Expenditure on—
Financial year in which aid given	New vessels and improvements	Harbour works
	£m.	£m.
1971–72	11	1
1972–73	21	1
1973–74	25	1
1974–75	23	4

(The figures given for 1974–75 assume aid expenditure at levels for which Vote provision has been sought.)Estimates for later years depend on decisions still to be taken on applications in hand for aid to be given in 1975–76 and subsequently. Investment in vessels cannot, because of their mobility, be related precisely to particular ports. Harbour works have been carried out or are projected at Aberdeen, Bridlington, Brixham, Campbeltown, Eyemouth, Fleetwood, Gairloch, Girvan, Grimsby, Hull, Kilkeel, Kinlochbervie, Lerwick, Lochinver, Lowestoft, Mallaig, Peterhead, Scarborough, Whitby and several smaller ports. Applications for major works at Fraserburgh, Newlyn, North Shields and Portavogie are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the projected demand for fishmeal by the United Kingdom in 1974 and 1975; and what will be the main sources of supply.

The demand for fishmeal which is used almost entirely in animal feeding stuffs varies according to its price and availability in relation to those of other protein materials used for this purpose. It is not practicable, therefore, to forecast the likely demand in 1974 and 1975 but usage in the past three years has been approximately as follows:

'000 tons
	Home-produced	Imported	Total
1971	90	296	386
1972	87	354	441
1973	82	258	340

Most imported supplies normally come from Norway, Denmark, South and South-West Africa, Bermuda and Iceland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further increases in the price of butter and cheese are due to be made in the next three years under the terms of the Treaty of Accession with the EEC.

Future changes in prices of butter and cheese under the terms of the Treaty of Accession are dependent upon decisions by the Council of Ministers on Community prices in the milk sector.

asked the Second Church Estates Commissioner whether he will consult the Church Commissioners with a view to the setting up of a church treasures museum in a suitable redundant church in each diocese of the Church of England.

The commissioners would certainly regard a museum for church treasures as, in principle, a suitable use for a redundant church, and I may say that use as museums is one which they have already recommended to dioceses. It would be the responsibility of the diocese concerned to set up such a museum; the commissioners' responsibility would be confined to the making of a redundancy scheme under Part III of the Pastoral Measure 1968 to give effect to the recommendations of the diocese.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if Dr. Ronald Press will be retiring from the Civil Service at the customary age of 60 years; and if he will then be replaced by a chief scientific adviser.

It is not expected that Dr. Robert Press will retire from the Civil Service before September 1975, but the precise date of his retirement will be a matter for decision nearer that time, along with the subsequent allocation of responsibility within the Cabinet Office for advice on scientific and technological questions.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what sums of money were spent by the Government on advertising during the financial year 1973–74 in the Daily Mail and the Daily Express, respectively.

In the financial year 1973–74, the amounts spent by Govment Departments in the Daily Mail and Daily Express were as follows:

Daily Mail	£408,300
Daily Express (including Scottish Daily Express)	£705,400

These figures do not include direct advertising for staff by individual Government Departments, for which figures are not centrally available.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will take steps to encourage the study of Esperanto by public employees.

Civil servants are given assistance to learn or improve their knowledge of languages which they need for their official duties. Esperanto is not an official language in any country, and in the absence of any international agreement I see no case for giving assistance to public employees to study it.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has decided whether any of the 72 unoccupied houses at Bircham Newton are surplus to requirements; and, if so, if he will make a statement on his plans for their disposal.

A firm decision on the deployment of Royal Air Force units in East Anglia, on which our need to retain the Service married quarters at Bircham Newton depends, must await the outcome of the current defence review. I regret, therefore, that I am not yet able to say whether any of them can be declared surplus to Service requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will initiate discussions with the United States Department of Defence on the study of military applications of the Concorde.

I have no plans to initiate such discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruiting offices are established in the United Kingdom; if he will list where they are; how many are joint Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force offices; and how many are for one Service only.

There are 295 careers information offices in the United Kingdom. This figure is made up as follows:

Single Service Offices
Royal Navy	30
Army	184
Royal Air Force	2
Shared Offices
Royal Navy/Army	7
Royal Navy/Royal Air Force	17
Army/Royal Air Force	21
Tri-Service Offices	7
	295

In view of the large number of offices involved, I am writing to the hon. Member about their locations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any requests have been received for the use of RAF aeroplanes to deliver food to relieve the suffering in Ethiopia.

The only request for use of RAF aeroplanes received so far this year is to assist in flying out a number of ex-Service trucks which are required for food distribution. In response to this request, four Army trucks and a quantity of food supplies for voluntary workers engaged in famine relief were flown out to Ethiopia in RAF Hercules aircraft earlier this month, the extra costs of the flights being met from the overseas aid programme. In addition, four RAF and two further Army trucks will shortly be supplied for the same purpose. The possibility of further Service trucks being released for use in Ethiopia is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assistance he is able to give to the Abbot Hall Museum, Kendal, Westmorland, to enable it to purchase the picture "The Gower Family" by George Romney.

The Government have agreed, subject to the condition below and to seeking the necessary authority from Parliament, to make a special grant of £20,000, in addition to the grant of £90,000 which can be made available from the fund administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum for assistance with purchases by local collections. Both the special grant and the grant from the fund are offered on condition that the gallery can raise the balance of the purchase price of the painting.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the present number of teachers in primary and secondary schools in England and Wales; what is the target number for 1980; and what is his estimate of average class size in each sector by 1980.

About 425,000 in March 1974. Having regard to the continuing fall in the number of births, my right hon. Friend does not think it necessary to plan for more than about 510,000 teachers in the next seven or eight years. The average size of classes in each sector will depend both upon the number of pupils and the distribution of teachers between them—a matter on which the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers has been asked to advise.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in considering the question of student grants, he will also consider reducing the period of review from its present period of three years to that of two, and thereafter yearly.

My right hon. Friend considers that grant levels should be settled for one year at a time.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that some London assistant teachers are now paid less than their counterparts in Scotland, if he will take this into account when considering the report on the London allowance.

It is difficult to compare directly teachers' pay on the two sides of the border. In considering the report of the Pay Board on London allowance the Government will take all relevant factors into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the total sum of money provided by his Department in 1973 to assist research into possible cures for arthritis and rheumatism; and whether he will consider increasing it;(2) whether, in view of the findings of the Industrial Survey Unit of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council that at least 37 million working days are lost every year in Great Britain through rheumatic complaints, research will be sponsored by his Department into cures for these complaints.

It is not possible to isolate a figure for research expenditure on arthritis and rheumatism. The Medical Research Council is continuing to provide support for a wide-ranging programme of research on rheumatic diseases and also for basic biological studies that may throw light on the problems of these conditions. The council recognises the need for research over a broad spectrum and has named specific areas that will receive special consideration for support.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to ensure that under the proposed new Act replacing the Industrial Relations Act 1971 the certificate of status will safeguard the existing rights of headmasters and procedures vis-à-vis employers as now afforded under the 1971 Act

I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill, which will take place tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to amend paragraphs 96 to 98 of the Code of Practice on Industrial Relations.