asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will discontinue the practice of storage of food by the Intervention Board designed to hold up prices.

No, in so far as the buying and storage of food is part of the system of Community support still operating in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on what assumptions about the future price of fuel oil he has based his proposed subsidies for horticultural growers;(2) what plans he has for discussions with the National Farmers' Union about the need for a subsidy on fuel oil for horticulturists in the glasshouse sector after the end of 1974;(3) what consideration he gave to a different rate of subsidy for gas oil than for other heating oils used by glasshouse growers; and why he decided against such a different rate;(4) why the rate of subsidy for fuel oil for horticultural growers is to be 4p per gallon for the second half of the year as opposed to 6p per gallon for the first half.

It has been implicitly assumed that there will be no significant fall in oil prices before the end of the year. The subsidy is designed to assist growers to adapt to the circumstances arising from the recent increases in fuel oil prices and for this reason has been set at a reducing rate to finish on 31st December 1974. We have no plans to discuss an extension beyond this date. The subsidy is intended to offset part of the increases in oil prices since September 1973 and these increases were about the same for all types of heating oil.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list the average prices currently paid in the United Kingdom. Holland, France and Germany by horticultural growers for 3500 sec oil, gas oil and natural gas, respectively, after allowing for any subsidy.

Current prices per gallon to growers in the United Kingdom—net of the repayable excise duty of 1p and the proposed subsidy, to be paid retrospectively, of 6p—are 10–11p for 3500 sec oil and 15–16p for gas oil. Growers' usage of natural gas is insignificant. Comparable figures cannot be given for France, Germany and the Netherlands because the details of their subsidies have not yet been settled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to improving the current system for giving price data and market intelligence on horticultural produce in the Community; and if he will make a statement.

Information about conditions on European markets is available in a number of official European governmental and other publications and we have no plans to supplement these with separate Ministry reports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take immediate steps to prevent damage to British producers from the arrival of subsidised German and Danish beef on the British market in big quantities for less than lop per lb.; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware that limited quantities of beef are arriving from EEC counries at low prices. These cheap supplies consist mainly of cow beef cuts which go for processing and should not have any significant effect on the United Kingdom fresh meat market. However. I am watching the position carefully and have no intention of seeing this market disrupted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level and price of beef imports from the EEC; what is the expected trend in this trade over the next six months and whether the subsidised price of such imports renders them liable to consideration under domestic anti-dumping legislation.

Figures showing the current situation of imports of beef into the United Kingdom from other EEC member States are not yet available and forecasts are not published. The question of anti-dumping legislation does not arise. Payments on these imports are made under Community legislation which also Provides for any necessary adjustments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the tonnage of beef imported into the United Kingdom from other Community countries in the latest two months for which statistics are available; and what was the corresponding figure for the same period in 1973.

The latest available information is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimate of the average loss per pig currently being suffered by the pig farmers.

Pig producers' costs and returns vary. Meaningful estimates of the sort requested are not therefore possible. However, as a result of the special subsidy now being paid on pigs, producers' returns were in April generally higher than they had been previously this year. Moreover there have recently been some reductions in feeding stuff prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current estimate for breeding cattle, pigs and calves slaughtered since 1st January 1974.

From 1st January to the week ending 13th April, the latest date for which statistics are available, the estimated United Kingdom slaughterings are: cows and bulls, 280,000; sows and boars, 169,000; calves, 79,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with the National Farmers' Unions regarding the state of the beef market.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Merioneth (Mr. Thomas) and Melton (Mr. Latham) on 11th April —[Vol. 872, c. 242–4]. My right hon. Friend proposes to open talks very shortly with the interests concerned on the longterm future of the agricultural industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the future of grant and loan assistance for inshore fishermen.

I regret that it has not yet been possible to make this statement but it will be done as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is his latest estimate of the percentage change between the annual cost to public funds of the salaries of persons recruited by members of the present Government as political policy advisers from outwith the Civil Service, including the policy group under Dr. Donoughue, and the corresponding figure in January 1974.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Tuesday 30th April—[Vol. 872, c. 427.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the importance of hydrography for maritime trade, pollution avoidance and seabed resource exploitation, in the context of his expenditure review, he has considered any new methods of funding the naval Hydrographic Service to enable it to continue its rôle in support of the national economy; and, if so, what conclusions he has come it.

As my right hon. Friend announced on 21st March 1974—[Vol. 870, c. 153–4]—it is our intention to complete the Defence Review later in the year. The Hydrographic Service, the importance of which, in support of the national economy, is fully recognised, is being examined as part of that review, but I cannot at this stage add to the information already given to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the contract for the annual erection of scaffolding for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo was last advertised for tender.

I understand that the contract is the responsibility of the Edinburgh City Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what statutory authority the military police have powers to prevent civilians from using public highways.

Military policemen do not have such statutory authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide, where necessary, the essential communication and other typewriter systems required by severely handicapped children to receive adequate educational opportunities; if he will take steps to ensure that these facilities are provided as soon as it is educationally desirable in the child s best interest; and if he will make a statement.

The provision of equipment for the education of handi capped children is a matter primarily for local education authorities. Careful assessment of a severely handicapped child's needs is necessary, including his or her ability to use sophisticated equipment. Preparation for handling it may be required; and consultation with the social services department or area health authority would be appropriate if the equipment were needed also for noneducational purposes. Subject to these points, I am satisfied that every effort is made by LEAs to provide special educational equipment as soon as they believe it is in a child's best interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what policy he has for the full implementation of recommendations of the report on the youth service—the Albemarle Report—Command Paper No. 9291 1960.

The principal recommendations of the Albemarle Report were accepted by the Government of the day in 1960 and the development of the youth service in the ensuing decade followed the general pattern proposed in the report. Recent years have seen considerable diversification of the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the operation of the youth service in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The provision by local education authorities and voluntary organisations reflects local needs and is, therefore, diverse in nature. I welcome the progress which has been made in developing a growing range of services, and am considering what further help or guidance may be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date he will announce the amount of money to be allocated to the youth service capital expenditure programme for 1974–75.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce the allocations to local education authorities very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the number of Ugandan Asian refugees with academic qualifications and professional experience who have sought employment in the teaching profession.

About 190 have applied to the Department for qualified teacher status. I have no information on which to base an estimate of the number who have sought employment as teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how his recent statement on the Government's policy towards independent schools will financially affect Pocklington School, which is a direct grant school.

My right hon. Friend has not yet made a statement of Government policy towards either independent or direct grant schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made towards deciding whether there will be a leaving date of 30th June for summer-leaving pupils at school.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive shortly the outstanding reply from the bodies consulted by his Department about the possibility of introducing an earlier summer leaving date.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce the amount of money available for the 1974–75 programme of community centres.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce the allocations to local education authorities very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is now able to announce his future proposals for student grants.

My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement later this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the increasing school population of the expanding town of Mildenhall and the inadequacy of the present Church of England aided primary school, he will reinstate in the voluntary school programme for 1974–75, or at the latest 1975–76, phases II and III of the remodelling of the present building.

These two phases together form a major school improvement project. It will be for the Suffolk education authority to consider whether it wishes to submit it for inclusion in a major building programme at some future date when a primary school improvement programme is resumed. I cannot yet say when this will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has made any estimate of damage caused to schools by vandalism in the years 1966 to 1973, inclusive.

No. The maintenance and security of school premises is primarily a matter for local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish his Department's findings on the exercise "Absence from School" the count of which was taken on Thursday 17th January 1974; and if he will make a statement.

We are now analysing the returns from our inquiry into attendance at schools on 17th January, but this represents only a part of our investigation into unjustified absence from school. It will be later this year before we know the outcome of this investigation, and we have not yet taken any decisions about publication of the statistical returns or other findings.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will introduce legislation to renationalise ancillary undertakings previously owned by the National Coal Board which were sold off to private enterprise since 1970.

My right hon. Friend will consider at the appropriate time what action is needed to fulfil our commitment towards such undertakings

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will specify, in view of the statement made by him in his Budget speech that the proposed increases in electricity prices will mean price increases to domestic consumers averaging about 30 per cent. on bills reaching most of them from the beginning of August, the estimated number and percentage of consumers who will suffer increases above 50 per cent. and above 70 per cent., respectively.

The electricity price increases will average about 30 per cent. and for most consumers the first bills at the new rates should be sent out folfollowing their meter reading falling in the three months beginning on 1st August. It is estimated that less than 5 per cent. of consumers will have increases in their bills exceeding 50 per cent. and virtually none will have increases exceeding 70 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table for the years 1966–1973, inclusive, showing the number of (a) standard grants and (b) improvement grants made by local authorities in those years.

In 1973, 39,992 standard, 127,969 discretionary improvement and 16,245 conversion grants were paid to private owners by local authorities in England and Wales. Returns of discretionary grants paid were not collected in 1966, but the other figures for 1966 and 1967 appear in Table 33 of Housing Statistics No. 24, and for 1968 to 1972 in Table 29(b) of Housing and Construction Statistics No. 7. Copies are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement on his discussions with the Building Societies Association.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) and himself on Tuesday 30th April 1974 on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what average percentage increases have occurred in water rates since 1st April 1973 in (a) the Greater London area; and (b) Merseyside.

The percentages, by water undertakers as they were in 1973–74, are:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future scale and dates of payments of improvement grants in the light of the latest evidence of recent shortages of building labour and materials.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Accrington (Mr. Davidson) on 30th April.—[Vol. 872. c. 440–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in his review of improvement grants, he will take into account the backlog of building work which makes it impossible for some contracts to be completed by 24th June 1974.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Accrington (Mr. Davidson) on 30th April.—[Vol. 872, c. 440–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals against rating valuations for the year 1973–74 are still outstanding in respect of the London borough of Islington.

1,862 on 31st March 1974, the latest date for which a figure is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to make recommendations in respect of appointments to the office of local commissioner in accordance with Section 23(4) of the Local Government Act 1974.

I hope to do so within the next few weeks, after I have consulted the body representing authorities subject to investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when members of the public and hon. Members of this House may refer questions of alleged maladministration in local government, both in Greater London and outside, to the new local government ombudsman.

The procedure applies to maladministration which is alleged to have occurred on or after 1st April 1974. The names of the local commissioners, their areas of responsibility and the addresses of their offices will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the terms of reference for Mr. George Dobry, QC, permit him, in formulating his final report, to examine the basis of the planning system as a whole with a view to recommending alternative systems, or only to recommend administrative improvements to the present system;(2) when he expects to receive a final report on the machinery of development control from Mr. George Dobry, QC.

The terms of reference for Mr. Dobry's final report, which I expect by the end of the year, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents have been reported as having occurred on the Al trunk road in the vicinity of Darrington crossroads, West Yorkshire, since 26th June 1973; and what were the effects in terms of personal injury.

There were three injury accidents from 26th June 1973 to 1st April 1974, resulting in two serious and two slight casualties, all at the crossroads junction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he intends to introduce to protect tenants of licensed premises from attempts to obtain excessive rent increases; and, in particular, what changes he proposes in current legislation restricting rent rises in the commercial sector.

Under the Counter-Inflation (Business Rents) Order 1973 rents of licensed premises are frozen at the levels payable on 5th November, 1972 in the same way as other business rents. Future policy on business rents is under consideration and my right hon. Friend will make an announcement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what, from their deposited accounts, was the total amount paid by trade unions in political subscriptions for the most recent year for which figures are available.

The latest available figures relate to 1972, when members of trade unions paid a total of £1,431,000 in contributions to their union's political fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why job shops have not been set up at the following shopping centres in Birmingham: King-standing, Perry Barr, and Birmingham, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial disputes during 1971, 1972 and 1973

Shop premises are an essential part of the new-style service, but when they become available they frequently do not have the right amount of space, or are not associated with the right amount of office accommodation for Jobcentre purposes. Difficulty has also been experienced in obtaining sites in shopping centres because of the reluctance of developers to lease shops for non-retail purposes and the resistance of town planners to agree change from shop to office use within the terms of the Town and Country Planning Acts. Negotiations are proceding for a shop in Corporation Street, Birmingham, for a Jobcentre dealing with commercial employment. It is not proposed to provide a Jobcentre in Perry Barr but an active search is underway for suitable premises in nearby Kingstanding and Great Barr, and premises are under consideration at Newtown.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of industrial disputes during each of the last 10 years had wages as the immediate apparent principal cause; and what proportion of the total number of days lost was accounted for by such disputes.

Following is the information:had as their immediate apparent principal cause the Industrial Relations Act 1971; and how many days were lost as a result.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the likely redundancies notified to him as a result of the decision of the London Brick Company to close down brickyards purchased in 1973 from the National Coal Board at Whittlesey; and if he will take steps to alleviate the situation.

No information on likely redundancies at the Whittlesea brickyards has been given to me. Much will depend on the timing of the closures and the subsequent reopening of No. 2 yard, but it is expected that most of the workpeople affected will be offered reemployment either there or at the new Kings Dyke yard. My Department will give every assistance to those who require other employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of industrial disputes, both including and excluding coal mining, during each of the last 10 years and during the current year to date; and what proportion of these was unofficial.

Following is the available information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest total figures for the number of cases dealt with under the unfair dismissal provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, 1971.

In the period from 28th February 1972 to 29th March 1974 conciliation officers of my Department received 18,977 complaints of unfair dismissal referred by industrial tribunals and 1,071 requests for help under Section 146(4) of the Industrial Relations Act. The latest statistics available on completed cases relate to the period between 28th February 1972 and 31st December 1973; of the 14,565 cases dealt with in this period 3,568 were successful through conciliation and 2,096 at a tribunal hearing.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males, females, boys and girls, respectively, have registered as unemployed in the county of Dyfed during April 1974.

Figures of unemployment relate to those on the register at a given date and not for totals who have registered during a period. On 8th April, 1974, 4,202 males and 1,147 females were unemployed in the employment office areas which broadly correspond to Dyfed. Following the reorganisation of the employment services separate figures for adults and young people will now only be available for January and July each year when detailed age analyses are compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males, females, boys and girls, respectively, have registered as unemployed in Ceredigion during 1974.

Figures of unemployment relate to those on the register at a given date and not for totals who have registered during a period. On 8th April 1974, 929 males and 252 females were unemployed in the employment office areas which broadly correspond to Ceredigion, and on 14th January 1974 the comparable figures were 766 males and 137 females. Following the reorganisation of the employment services separate figures for adults and young people will now only be available for January and July each year when detailed age analyses are compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the criteria which led him to exercise his discretion to overrule the Pay Board in the cases of Shetland cargo services' employees and Hull freezer trawler employees; and what plans he has to submit his decisions in these cases to scrutiny by Parliament.

The case of the Shetland firm is under consideration.The consent to improve pay for crews of freezer trawlers based on Hull and Grimsby is related to the disparity which had arisen in their wages compared to those paid to crews of fresh fish trawlers which had resulted in freezer trawlers not being manned. In consequence there was a risk that supplies of fish would be reduced to the extent that prices would rise.In giving a consent my right hon. Friend is required to publish particulars in the

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males, females, boys and girls, respectively, signed the register as wholly unemployed at each of the employment exchanges in the Merseyside area in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and up to the latest convenient date for which his Department has details; and what steps he is taking, in co-operation with other Government Departments, to reduce unemployment in this area.

Following the reorganisation of the employment services separate figures for adults and young people will now only be available for January and July each year when detailed age analyses are compiled. The numbers unemployed are counted on a selected day each month and the most recent figures are for 8th April 1974. The following table shows information for April of each year requested. We are looking carefully at the needs of Merseyside and other areas with unacceptably high rates of unemployment with a view to considering whether any further measures are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the estimated 100,000 political prisoners held by the Government of South Vietnam, he will stop all aid to the Thieu Government.

Our modest programme of aid to South Vietnam is designed to help the South Vietnamese people.The cessation of our aid would be unlikely to lead to progress over the release of civilian prisoners held by each side in Vietnam. This can only come from negotiations between the Vietnamese parties themselves, as provided in the Vietnam Agreement of 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the fact that the Paris Agreement on Vietnam recognises the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Vietnam (PRG) and the Saigon Government of General Thieu as equal parties, he will extend to the PRG similar diplomatic status to that already granted to General Thieu's Government.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said in the House on 1st May.—[Vol. 872, c. 1131.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from bodies and individuals in this country against the accreditation of General Said Shazli as Egyptian Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Since the present Government assumed office, we have received 17 letters from bodies and individual members of the public and 10 letters from Members of Parliament about General Shazli.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to reinstate and compensate illegal immigrants who would be entitled to benefit from his amnesty but have been deported.

Illegal entrants who would have benefited from the decision my right hon. Friend announced on 11th April will be allowed to return. They will need to obtain entry clearances first. No compensation will be payable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons who had entered this country illegally before 1st January 1973 have so far applied for their position to be regularised, as a result of his announcement on 1lth April.

Ninety up to 27th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been notified to him of wives domiciled in the United Kingdom seeking the admission of their husbands to the United Kingdom.

Husbands seeking entry to this country must apply overseas for entry clearances. I regret we do not have figures for the number of cases in which women resident in this country have approached the Home Office about the admission of their husbands, or the number of husbands who have applied for entry clearances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether, in view of the concern felt in the current conduct of the Special Branch and the concern felt by the public in the handling by the Special Branch of matters connected with the carrying out by Members of Parliament of their parliamentary duties, he will establish an investigation into this matter;(2) whether, in view of the concern felt in the current conduct of the Special Branch and the concern felt by the public in the handling by the Special Branch of matters connected with the legitimate activities of trade unionists engaged in trade disputes, he will establish an investigation into this matter;(3) whether, in view of the concern felt in the current conduct of the Special Branch and the concern felt by the public in the handling by the Special Branch of matters connected with matters unconnected with the Irish problem, he will establish an investigation into this matter, and advise on how complainants may apply to give evidence, both oral and in writing.

I have received some representations about the alleged activities of Special Branch officers. I am considering these representations but I have no intention at present of setting up an inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many young persons between 14 and 17 years of age have appeared before the courts in the Greater London area on more than one occasion since the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 before custodial sentences for burglary have been imposed;(2) how many young persons between 14 and 17 years of age have appeared before the courts in England on more than one occasion since the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 before custodial sentences for burglary have been imposed;(3) how many young persons between 14 and 17 years of age have appeared before the courts in the Medway towns on more than one occasion since the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 before custodial sentences for burglary have been imposed.

I have written to the hon. Member and shall arrange to provide such information as is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any statistics available to show whether or not there is an increase in burglaries and break-ins during school holidays.

I regret that such information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will carry out an urgent review into the current system of faiground safety in the United Kingdom.

This is already in hand. The model byelaws relating to fairground safety are being revised and a comprehensive code of practice dealing with structural, mechanical and electrical safety, and with fire precautions, is being prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police are engaged in the Metropolitan service today compared with those so engaged five and 10 years ago, respectively; and what are the relative rates of violent crime during the same period.

On 31st March 1974 the total strength of the Metropolitan Police was 20,926. Corresponding numbers for 1964 and 1969 were 18,562 and 20,705, respectively.The answer to the second part of the Question is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of foreign-born women who have been admitted to the United Kingdom in each year since 1969 who have been married to British citizens or men with British rights of residence.

Following are the numbers of foreign women accepted for settlement by virtue of marriage: 1969, 4,951; 1970, 4,497; 1971, 6,130; 1972, 5,319; 1973, 5,500 (estimated).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the evidence submitted at the trial of James Humphreys and others of allegations that the police had arrangements with James Humphreys and the admitted and proven connections between ex-Commander Drury and Humphreys, he will now cause a further investigation to be made into all aspects of this case.

I have nothing to add to the answers which I gave to my hon. Friend's Questions on 28th March and 3rd April concerning the allegations about Mr. Humphreys' relationship with Commander Drury. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the investigation under Section 49 of the Police Act 1964 into more recent allegations of an improper relationship between Mr. Humphreys and other police officers is still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to introduce legislation following the Erroll Report on the licensing laws.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take concerning the implementation of the recommendations of the Erroll Committee on liquor licensing.

My right hon. Friend cannot say at present when legislation on this subject may be brought forward.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the three tables regarding persons committed to prison in default of payment of a fine which were attached

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Newbury may expect a reply to his letter of 26th March 1974 relating to a request from Miss Susan C. K. Bloxham to be allowed to stay in the country when her present visitor's permit expires.

I replied to the hon. Member on 29th April.

The three tables, which relate to persons discharged from prisons in England and Wales, are set out below.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement about his policy on public ownership in the motor industry.

I have at present nothing to add to what I said in the debate on the Address about my intentions to implement the policy laid down in the Labour Party manifesto.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which European countries the war widow's pension is subject to income tax.

I understand the war widow's pension is taxable in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which European countries the widow's pension is subject to income tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his policy that the Bank of England should require the commercial banks to restore their conventional ratio of shareholders' funds to deposits of 8 per cent.

The question of banking ratios is a matter between the Bank of England and the commercial banks. There is no statutory requirement for the banks to observe particular balance sheet ratios.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the expected receipts of income tax in a full year from persons over 65 years of age in respect of income between £810 and £1,000 in respect of single persons and between £1,170 and £1,250 in respect of married couples.

The estimated tax yield for 1974–75 from those persons over 65

I understand that the widow's pension is subject to tax in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the names and addresses of the district valuers and valuation officers now responsible for areas within the Goole parliamentary constituency.

The following are the district valuers/valuation officers now concerned:years of age with total icomes between the limits specified is about £15 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the starting level for the higher rates of income tax would now be if it were at the same equivalent level, taking into account the fall in the purchasing power of the £ sterling, as was established for the surtax rate at £5,000 in 1961–62.

For a single man with only earned income the starting point for surtax in 1961–62 was a gross income of £5,000. The equivalent at March 1974, taking account of the rise in prices, was £10,050.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current receipts in a full year from the first £100 of a child's taxable income for all children and for children over the age of 16 years but still in full-time education. respectively.

It is regretted that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish a table comparing the index of consumer prices with the index of total post-tax income from employment—that is, after all income taxes and national insurance deductions and excluding employers' contributions to national insurance and other superannuation funds—for the years 1960 to 1973, with 1970 equalling 100;(2) if he will publish a table showing total income from employment, less income tax and national insurance contributions deducted from wages and salaries, and excluding employers' contributions to national insurance, etc., and other superannuation funds, as a percentage of national income from 1960 to 1973.

Taxes paid by individuals are assessed on the basis of their total income, and there is no satisfactory basis for allocating them separately to different forms of income.Figures of total post-tax wages and salaries or income from employment are thus not available. Comparisons of the kind the hon. Member may have in mind can be made in respect of an individual receiving earned income only, provided that his family circumstances affecting his tax position are specified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what formal requests have been received from either the TUC or individual trade unions for changes in the law affecting the taxation of union provident funds during the last three years.

In its Economic Review for 1974, which was published in March, the TUC urged the continuation of the tax relief on investment income applied to provident funds. I am not aware what representations were made to the preceding administration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to fill the vacancy of the Government's repre sentative on the board of the British Petroleum Company.

I shall make an announcement at an appropriate time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the present rent freeze, the 1973 revaluation of properties for rating purposes will continue to be used by the Inland Revenue in calculating the amount of income tax payable by individuals whose employers provide them with living accommodation at less than normal rent, and if he will make a statement.

pursuant to his reply, [OFFICIAL REPORT, 1st May 1974; Vol. 872], gave the following information:The rating assessment figures provide the appropriate yardstick by which to measure the benefit in these cases, and I do not think that the introduction of the rent freeze affects this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to prohibit building societies from nominating solicitors and insurance companies to borrowers.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd May 1974; Vol. 872], gave the following information:Building societies, so far as I am aware, do not nominate solicitors to act for a borrower, although many borrowers choose to use the solicitor whom a society itself instructs on its own behalf. I understand that the practice of nominating insurance companies for borrowers is a matter which is being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading, who intends to discuss it with the building societies.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether, in view of the Price Commission's failure to answer correspondence from hon. Members within one month, she will dismiss the chairman of that body.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will have discussions with the Association of British Chambers of Commerce regarding the effect on user industries of a decision by a chemical company to desist from the sale of polypropylene and polystyrene in the United Kingdom market owing to decisions of the Price Commission.

The Association of British Chambers of Commerce has written to me about the matter the hon. Member mentions and I am giving it careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she plans to introduce legislation to compel licensed premises to replace beer engines, or traditional hand pumps, with metered pumps; and if she will make a statement.

I have no powers under the Weights and Measures Act 1963 to introduce legislation on beer engines and traditional hand pumps, be-because they are not measuring instruments. I have no plans to introduce any legislation which would prevent the use of these devices for dispensing beer.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will now announce further details of the cheese subsidy scheme.

The scheme which I announced in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 29th April will cover cheeses of the varieties listed below. Subject to parliamentary approval, the subsidy will be paid to United Kingdom manufacturers and importers of eligible cheeses at a rate of £105 per ton. The cost of this subsidy in the current financial year is estimated at £30 million, and in a full year at £33 million. The scheme will he administered on my behalf by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the total quantity and value of butter sold off outside the European Economic Community by EEC countries at prices lower than those prevailing in this country; and if she will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The statistics available do not provide the information requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if lie is aware of the uncertainty which has arisen over the application of the freeze on rents to houses owned by the Western Heritable Company in Glasgow where rent agreements apply to the majority of tenancies; and if he will make a new order to clarify the position in such cases.

I understand that the company has decided, despite the Counter-Inflation (Residential Rents—Private Sector) (Scotland) Order 1974, to attempt to recover the first instalment of rent increase under rent agreements which it concluded with tenants before the introduction of the standstill. The intention of the order is clear and its terms reflect provisions in earlier rent legislation. It is for the courts to determine any question as to the application.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that rent allowances will be paid to tenants on the basis of the rents actually charged by landlords in cases where doubt has arisen about whether the rent freeze applies, and to make further provision for allowances to be repaid to the local authority if rents are subsequently reduced.

The provisions of the rent allowance scheme contained in the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 are already sufficiently flexible to permit local authorities to make arrangements such as those suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the freeze on rents applies in cases where rent agreements were made before 8th March providing for increased rents to be charged after 8th March; and if he will make a statement.

The intention of the Counter-Inflation (Residential Rents—Private Sector) (Scotland) Order 1974 was to impose a standstill on private rents from 8th March to 31st December 1974 and to prohibit any increase, other than an increase to take account of any increase in rates or of the cost of any improvement, in the rent under any tenancy of a dwelling-house to which the order applies in respect of that period. It is for the courts to determine any question as to the application of the order.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what type of patient the Henderson Hospital receives.

The Henderson Hospital is a specialised unit for the treatment within a therapeutic community of patients with personality disorders. The hospital accepts informal patients of both sexes over the age of 18 years, and the majority are under 30 years of age.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if a representative from her Department will visit the Henderson Hospital and report upon its condition.

There are no plans for representatives of the Department to visit this hospital at present. A visit was made by the Hospital Advisory Service last year, and its report is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will happen to the land when the South-West Thames Regional Health Authority vacates the Belmont and Henderson Hospital in 18 months' time.