asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has yet received the report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Board; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to Questions by the hon. Member for Mid-Oxon (Mr. Hurd) and the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester (Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider arranging for interim awards of compensation to be paid to those members of the Armed Forces injured on service in Northern Ireland who have been waiting for such payments for more than six months.

The courts already make interim payments, and it is open to a claimant to apply to the court for an interim payment at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's Forces have been seriously wounded during the past six years in Northern Ireland; of these, how many have made a claim for compensation against the Northern Ireland Office; and what is the number of outstanding claims which have been registered for more than 12 months.

Since 1969, when the Army commenced its operations, out of 1,200 Service men who have received injuries needing hospital treatment, 177 have been placed on the seriously ill list. All of those seriously injured have made claims. The number of these claims which have been outstanding for more than 12 months is 76.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence approximately how many soldiers are drawing rent rebates for their married quarters; and approximately how many are receiving supplementary social security payments.

About 4,500 soldiers are drawing rent rebates in respect of their married accommodation. Soldiers may claim the family income supplement if their income is below the prescribed amount for the size of their family. We do not know how many claim but it is likely to be few.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about future military aircraft requirements.

In common with other aspects of the defence programme, our military aircraft requirements are being examined as part of the current review of defence policy. It is too early to anticipate the outcome of this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now in a position to make a statement about his consideration of the recommendations of the Nugent Report on defence lands.

No. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence told my hon. Friend in his reply to the Question he asked on 1st May, we hope to be in a position to make an announcement reasonably soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government intend to improve the nuclear deterrent; whether by taking, or not taking, any decisions they have now closed any options of doing so; and whether he will make a statement.

All I can say about the Polaris force and future requirements for its improvement is that in common with all our defence forces, every aspect is being closely scrutinised in the current Defence Review. All options remain open.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of maintaining British forces at their present level in Singapore.

Some £15 million, of which the local defence expenditure element is about £12 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to make available information about careers in Her Majesty's Forces in schools throughout the country, and in particular in the Inner London Education Authority area.

Regular visits are made by each of the Services' schools liaison officers to schools throughout the country including schools in the Inner London Education Authority area. The Services also participate in careers conferences and sponsor visits to military establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to the matter of how best to negotiate the future of the Polaris bases in the United Kingdom,

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Hughes) and the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mrs. Ewing) on 9th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will initiate an immediate review of the military assistance which Her Majesty's Government are affording to the Sultan of Oman in his efforts to suppress the rebellion in Dhofar.

The review which I announced on 21st March will consider all our commitments worldwide, including the question of assistance to the Sultan of Oman.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the defence budget is used in defence of Great Britain itself and in fulfilling the NATO commitment, based on the latest available figures.

Over 90 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set up a special working party to study urgently the possibility of using the resources of certain naval dockyards for the production and/or servicing of vessels and equipment required for the exploration and exploitation of offshore oil and gas.

My Department is already in close touch with the Departments of Energy and Industry about proposals to use the resources of naval dockyards for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recruitment for the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Since 1st January 1974 the weekly number of applications to join the UDR has averaged 40 men and 12 women, resulting in a total weekly average of 33 enrolments in the regiment. The total male strength of the UDR has fallen this year by 301 to 7,311 all ranks. The strength of women members has risen over the same period by 125 to 440.Despite the fall in numbers the regiment has continued to meet its operational commitments, but it is obviously desirable that the flow of recruits should improve in order that the demands on part-time members should be relaxed as far as the operational situation allows. The recently formed recruiting team is designed to give the eleven UDR battalions, on which the main onus for local recruiting properly rests, specialist advice and support, and the regiment is continuing by various means to foster its regimental spirit.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will increase the RAF order for the training plane Bull dog.

No. Some 130 Bulldog trainer aircraft are on order for the RAF and 59 of these have already been delivered. This order meets the RAF's needs for a primary trainer as currently forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the subject of the future of the Royal Naval Hydrographic Service.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave the hon. Mem

COMMANDO SERVICE
1948–49	…	Palestine/Libya/Cyprus/Canal Zone	…	Internal security duties.
1949–50	…	Hong Kong	…	Internal security duties.
1950–52	…	Malaya	…	Emergency.
1950–52	…	Korea	…	United Nations Force (attached to USMC).
1953–54	…	Canal Zone	…	Internal security duties.
1955–56	…	Cyprus	…	Internal security duties.
1956	…	Suez	…	Anglo/French landings.
1957–59	…	Cyprus	…	Internal security duties.
1961	…	Kuwait	…	Iraqi crisis.
1962	…	Brunei	…	Assault on Limbang.
1962–66	…	Borneo	…	Indonesian confrontation.
1963–67	…	Aden	…	Internal security duties 42 Commando RM assisted in the withdrawal from Aden
1964	…	Tanganyika	…	Army Mutinies
1964	…	Radfan	…	Specific operation in the Aden campaign
1969–present	…	Northern Ireland	…	Internal security duties Tours of up to 4 months

SEA SERVICE
1947–48	…	Palestine/Mediterranean	…	…	Internal security duties.
1950–53	…	Korea	…	…	United Nations Operations.
1953	…	Falkland Islands	…	…	Deterrent landings.
1956	…	Suez	…	…	Anglo/French landings.
1960–72	…	Persian Gulf	…	…	Internal security duties.
1961	…	Kuwait	…	…	Iraqi crisis.
1962	…	Indonesia	…	…	Confrontation.
1963	…	Bahamas	…	…	Cuban crisis.
1963	…	British Guiana	…	…	Civil disturbances.
1964	…	Tanganyika	…	…	Army Mutinies.
1966	…	Seychelles	…	…	Internal security duties.

Additionally, there have of course been continuing commitments including the role of the Royal Marines on the flanks of the NATO Alliance. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 14th May.—[Vol. 873, c. 385–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to protect the facilities at RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire, now being kept on a care and maintenance basis; and how soon he expects to be able to make a statement on its future use.

The facilities at RAF Syerston are protected by RAF Newton. The ber for Louth (Mr. Archer) on 3rd May 1974.—[Vol. 872, c. 556–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT giving the military operations in which Royal Marine units have served ashore and afloat since the end of World War II.

Since the end of World War II, Royal Marine units have taken part in the following military operations:future use of the station is being reconsidered as part of the present comprehensive review of defence policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether his attention has been drawn to the letter dated 20th June 1973 from Mr. Speaker concerning Service voting; and what steps he intends to take to overhaul the present system of registration for Service voters and their wives.

The introduction of the legislation which is necessary to give effect to the proposals made in Cmnd. 5363 would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The Ministry of Defence is taking all necessary steps to ensure that Service men are aware and take advantage of the existing facilities for Service registration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the figure of total expenditure on Chatham Dockyard during the 11 years 1963 to 1973 inclusive (a)to equip it with nuclear facilities, and (b)to improve the facilities for the repair and/or refit of conventional naval vessels.

The figures are £7.2 million and £4 million, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what area of land in Sherwood Forest is still used for training purposes by Her Majesty's Forces; and how soon he expects to release it for civil use.

At present the Services use 1,260 acres of leased land in the area of Sherwood Forest; 336 acres have been surrendered to the lessors since April 1973 and we intend that a further 1,184 acres shall be progressively returned to them by the end of 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what orders have been given for the HS1182 close support trainer.

A contract for the development and production of the HS1182—now known as the Hawk—which will be the new jet trainer for the RAF, was placed with Hawker Siddeley Aviation early in 1972. Contracts for development and initial production of the Adour engine which will power the aircraft have been placed with Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the Wages Inspectorate.

Yes. The Inspectorate meets its obligations to investigate all complaints alleging breaches of the Wages Council Regulations and inspects each year a proportion of establishments in each of the wages council trades.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the establishment of the Wages Inspectorate, and what is the number in post.

The establishment of the Wages Inspectorate is comprised of the Chief Wages Inspector—with the rank of senior principal—17 senior executive officers, 148 executive and higher executive officers and 88 clerical officers and clerical assistants, a total of 254. At present 242 of these posts are filled.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department will intervene to assist in resolving the ban on overtime operated since 22nd April 1974 by the Civil and Public Services Association.

Discussions between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and the unions involved are continuing and it would not be appropriate for my Department to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what special facilities are available for assisting the after-care services dealing with mental health to provide opportunities of employment for their patients.

The full range of my Department's specialist resettlement services is available to mentally ill and mentally handicapped people who need help in obtaining open or sheltered employment. In particular, disablement resettlement officers work closely with the staff of local authority social services in helping mentally ill and mentally handicapped people to resettle in the community.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the operation of the Fair Wages Resolution 1946; and if he will make a statement.

I realise that the circumstances in which the Fair Wages Resolution was passed by the House of Commons in 1946 were different from those which exist today. The Government would be prepared to discuss these arrangements with the TUC and CBI in the wider context of collective bargaining.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on how many occasions firms covered by wages councils legislation have been found to be in breach of wages councils' regulations; and in how many of these cases prosecutions have ensued.

The following are the numbers of firms covered by wages councils legislation found to have been in breach of the regulations in 1973:Wages Councils Notices—Not posted:11,200 Wages Councils Notices—Inadequate: 1,051

	1973	1972	1971	1970	1969
Industrial and staff canteen undertakings:
Wage	9	7	14	18	15
Time	196	243	280	355	370
Licensed non-residential establishments:
Wage	555	640	646	392	534
Time	2,968	3,370	3,329	2,071	2,871
Licensed residential establishments and licensed restaurants:
Wage	102	111	157	140	109
Time	1,093	1,053	1,237	1,068	1,230
Unlicensed places of refreshment:
Wage	139	169	165	200	236
Time	823	831	950	1,029	1,257

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total number of firms that were found on inspection by the Wages Council Inspectorate to have (a) no notices posted, and (b) inadequate notices posted in each of the following wages councils: (i) industrial and staff canteens, (ii) licensed non-

	1973	1972	1971	1970	1969
Industrial and staff canteen undertakings:
No Notices	510	525	608	656	788
Inadequate Notices	31	30	27	39	56
Licensed non-residential establishments:
No Notices	2,062	1,948	1,895	1,415	1,789
Inadequate Notices	236	245	213	147	285
Licensed residential establishments and licensed restaurants:
No Notices	740	624	723	616	689
Inadequate Notices	72	56	54	46	54
Unlicensed places of refreshment:
No Notices	543	534	634	639	786
Inadequate Notices	32	25	22	29	54

Wages records—Not kept:	2,580
Wages records—Inadequate:	3,084
Time records—Not kept:	19,737
Time records—Inadequate:	3,182
Failure to allow customary holidays:	50
Failure to allow annual holidays:	93
Underpaying wages:	7,524
Underpaying holidays (annual and accrued holiday pay):	3,664

NO employer was prosecuted for a breach of the regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total number of firms in each of the following wages councils that were found not to have kept (a) wage records, and (b) time records, for each of the last five years: (i) industrial and staff canteen undertakings, (ii) licensed non-residential establishments, (iii) licensed residential establishments and licensed restaurants, and (iv) unlicensed places of refreshment.

The numbers of firms in the under noted trades were found not to have kept (a) wage records and (b) time records, in the past five years:residential undertakings, (iii) licensed residential establishments and licensed restaurants, and (iv) unlicensed places of refreshment, for each of the last five years.

The numbers of firms in the under noted trades were found to have no notices posted and to have inadequately posted notices, in the last five years:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of firms inspected by the Wages Councils Inspectorate due to (a) com-plaints and (b) routine visits for each of:he following wages councils: (i) icensed non-residential establishments, ii) licensed residential establishments and

	1973	1972	1971	1970	1969
Licensed non-residential establishments:
Complaint	628	730	622	637	727
Routine	6,515	7,136	6,577	4,057	5,408
Licensed residential establishments licensed restaurants:
Complaint	1,377	1,291	1,160	1,166	1,181
Routine	1,371	1,282	1,558	1,347	1,610
Unlicensed places of refreshment:
Complaint	338	354	326	396	451
Routine	1,375	1,377	1,469	1,653	2,005
Industrial and staff canteens:
Complaint	71	80	101	142	128
Routine	1,568	1,687	1,855	2,014	2,463

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total arrears paid by firms visited on routine inspections in each of the following wages councils: (i) industrial and staff canteens, (ii) licensed non-residential

	1973	1972	1971	1970	1969
	£	£	£	£	£
Industrial and staff canteens	1,649	1,455	1,477	1,312	1,401
Licensed non-residential establishments	43,447	38,150	22,579	22,949	33,294
Licensed residential establishments and licensed restaurants	26,458	17,385	13,848	11,995	13,090
Unlicensed places of refreshment	8,803	4,142	2,888	4,549	5,276

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total arrears paid by firms because of a complaint in each of the following wages council: (i) industrial and staff canteens, (ii) non-residential undertakings,

	1973	1972	1971	1970	1969
	£	£	£	£	£
Industrial and staff canteens	969	1,164	1,187	1,016	679
Licensed non-residential establishments	19,197	19,525	11,346	8,241	14,388
Licensed residential establishments and licensed restaurants	19,294	10,175	7,500	6,630	6,738
Unlicensed places of refreshment	4,640	2,641	1,923	2,398	2,512

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average wage rate and earnings for male and female industrial workers, respectively, sub-divided between adults and licensed restaurants, (m) unlicensed places of refreshments, and (iv) industrial and staff canteens for each of the last five years.

The numbers of inspections undertaken as a result of {a) complaints and (b) routine visits in each of the undernoted trades in the last five years are as follows:establishments, (iii) licensed residential establishments and licensed restaurants, and (iv) unlicensed places of refreshment, for each of the last five years.

The following amounts were paid by firms in the under-noted trades visited on routine inspection in the last five years:

The following amounts were paid by firms in the under noted trades as a result of complaints in the last five years:juveniles; what are the number of hours worked to provide these earnings; and what percentage change this represents over the past five years.

Following is the latest available information about earnings and hours for full-time manual workers

	Average weekly Earnings			Average Hours worked
	October 1968	October 1973	Percentage change	October	October	Percentage change
	1968	1973	(ii) over (i)	1968	1973	(v) over (iv)
	£	£
Men, 21 years and over	23.62	41.52	+75.8	45.8	44.7	-2.4
Women, 18 years and over	11.31	21.15	+87.0	38.2	37.5	-1.8
Youths and boys	10.74	21.60	+101.1	41.3	40.9	-1.0
Girls	7.60	15.21	+100.1	38.8	38.1	-1.8

I regret that insufficient information is available from which to calculate national average wage rates in manufacturing industries but the percentage changes in weekly wage rates are set out below:

	Weekly wage rates Percentage Change
	October 1968—October 1973
Men, 21 years and over	+72.5
Women, 18 years and over	+81.9
Juveniles	+100.4

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made in the equal pay claim made on behalf of women clerical staff at G.K.N. Sankey Limited, Bilston, in which his Department has been concerned.

I understand that, as the result of a recent meeting between the Pay Board and a joint delegation from the company and the Association of Technical and Supervisory Staff, the company is to submit fresh equal pay proposals to the Pay Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered disabled persons are registered as unemployed at Department of Employment offices covering the city of Birmingham.

On 8th April the number of registered disabled people unemployed in each of the employment office areas in the city of Birmingham was as follows:

Aston	…	…	245
Birmingham	…	…	129
Handsworth	…	…	145
Selly Oak	…	…	302
Small Heath	…	…	263
Wash wood Heath	…	…	169
Sutton Cold field	…	…	51

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered disabled persons are registered as unemployed at Department of Employment offices covering the Yardley constituency.

The boundaries of the constituency do not coincide with those of employment office areas. But the constituency is served partly by the employment office at Small Heath and partly by the office at Washwood Heath. On 8th April the number of registered disabled people unemployed in the areas covered by these offices was 263 and 169 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the industrial dispute effecting the warehousing section of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.

The dispute has now been resolved and the warehousemen resumed work on 13th May.

asked the Secretary of of State for Employment what prospects he has to extend opportunities for workers, representatives and shop stewards to undertake modified National Examinations Board Certificate of Supervisory Studies (NEBSS) courses in the principles and practices of supervision, technical and financial aspects of supervision, technical and financial aspects of management, industrial relations and communications, in order to make representatives more effective in their role.

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the Training Services Agency has no specific proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he is having in regard to changing the ratings of the retail price index.

The Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee, on which are represented the CBI, the TUC, producer and consumer organisations and eminent academic economists and statisticians, is currently considering a number of issues, including the treatment of housing costs in the index. In the latter part of last year it recommended the change of the reference base of the index from 16th January 1962=100 to 15th January 1974 = 100.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what statistics his Department maintains relating to industrial disputes in each of the nationalised industries;(2) in what form statistics relating to industrial disputes in the steel industry reach his Department.

Except for the coal mining industry, for which information is supplied by the National Coal Board, the statistics, including those for the steel industry, are based on reports from my local officers and regional manpower advisers. In the public sector these are supplemented as necessary by information obtained from central authorities. The figures are aggregated on an industrial basis according to the United Kingdom Standard Industrial Classification (1968). From 1973 arrangements have been made to identify stoppages in the public sector, distinguishing public corporations, which include but do not separately distinguish nationalised industries. Analyses for 1973 will not be available for some weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much financial help is being given to local authorities and voluntary organisations in respect of providing accommodation facilities for battered wives and children.

Under the urban aid programme approval has been given for grants to two such organisations in London. In Hounslow the grant amounts to £10,315 a year for a minimum of five years, plus £3,450 for initial expenses. The grant to a project in Camden is £9,300, plus associated running costs for a minimum of five years. Twenty-five per cent. of the cost of these grants is borne by the local authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what statistical information she has on the scale of the problem of battered wives and children in Humberside and particularly in Hull.

None, but officers of the Department are in touch with the newly opened Women's Aid Centre in Hull, where women who have been assaulted by their husbands are accommodated with their children.

asked the Secretary of Sate for Social Services whether she has taken note of the problems arising at Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, in connection with the underpayment of technicians concerned with medical physics and physiological measurement; if she will take action to assist in solving these problems; and whether she will make a statement.

The revaluation of the work of medical physics and physiological measurement technicians is primarily a matter for the Whitley Council, but both sides have drawn my attention to their problems in proceeding in the light of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment on 18 th March and I am considering the matter.—[Vol. 870. c. 688–703.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will institute an inquiry into the salary and career structure of physiotherapists in the National Health Service, in order to overcome the problems of recruitment.

The Whitley Council has reached agreement, approved by the Pay Board, on increased pay to operate from 1st April 1974 and this has now been notified to employing authorities. The council has also agreed to discuss other improvements that might be permissible within the context of the Pay Code. My right hon. Friend has written to the Whitley Council about measures that would enable consideration of desirable developments to the role and structure of the professions supplementary to medicine, including physiotherapists, to be pursued.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency physiotherapists; and if she will make a statement;(2) if she will give the proportion of employment time of agency employed physiotherapists as distinct from National Health Service physiotherapists, for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if she intends taking any action to change this trend; and if she will make a statement.

So far as we are aware very few physiotherapists are employed through agencies and the information requested is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many proprietary drugs ruled by the United States Food and Drug Administration to be lacking evidence of effectiveness are still on sale in the United Kingdom; and what is the cost to the National Health Service of these drugs.

The Food and Drugs Administration classification cannot be directly applied to products on the British market in view of differences in nomenclature, composition and claims.A search made in 1970, when the FDA list was published showed that 90 products available here were similar to ones on the list. The cost to the National Health Service of supplying these drugs through chemists was approximately £2,700,000 during 1973. Figures for the cost of supply to hospitals are not available. Of the 90, there are 71 which are combinations of drugs where the efficacy of the constituents was not questioned by the FDA but where specific evidence of the usefulness of the particular combination was lacking. The remaining 19 were rated as inefficacious in themselves; the total cost of supplying these 19 through chemists during the same period was £68,000.At the time the list appeared in 1970, consideration of certain products included in the FDA review had not been completed. In some of these cases the FDA has announced its intention of classifying such products as inefficacious, but a final ruling has not yet been made. These products have not been included in the above figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will conduct an inquiry into the case of the 14–year-old girl, details of which are in her possession, who appeared before the Lewisham Juvenile Court on Thursday 9th May, and who has been in the care of Southwark Borough Council since January 1973 because no place could be found for her at a community home.

The children's regional planning committee consisting of London local authorities, which is responsible by statute for planning the provision of community homes on a regional basis for children in the care of those authorities, has accepted an invitation to meet me on 20th June to discuss, among other things, the arrangements for placing such children. A special inquiry into this individual case where the facts are known would not, in my view, be helpful and I am well aware of the difficulties experienced by the borough council in the case referred to by the hon. and learned Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the decision of her Department to cancel the projected extension of St. George's Training Centre, Plymouth.

No decision has been made by my Department to cancel this project. It was originally programmed by Plymouth CB for 1972–73 but was, I gather, delayed because of questions raised by the previous Government about the high total cost.It is for Devon County Council to decide what priority it attaches to this project for its social services building programme for 1975–76. I will of course consider any such application sympathetically. I am well aware of the strong feeling of many people in the area over this project and the Government have already announced their intention, despite the severe financial restraints, to restore the planned financial target figures set out in "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped".

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what proposals she has for the improvement of services and amenities for the aged in Burton-on-Trent;(2) what proposals she has for the improvement of services and amenities for the aged in the East Staffordshire district excluding Burton-on-Trent.

Local improvements in these areas are the responsibility of the Staffordshire County Council, the West Midland Regional Health Authority and the Staffordshire Area Health Authority. I understand that a three-year plan for the social services throughout the county will be submitted shortly to the appropriate committees of the county council. It is expected that loan sanction will be available this year for a new elderly persons' home of 50 beds at Burton-on-Trent. Hospital services specifically for the aged in East Staffordshire and Burton-on-Trent are provided at Burton District Hospital Centre, where a new 140–bed and 50 day-patient unit is presently under construction at an estimated cost of some £850,000. This should be in use in late 1975 when it will be possible for the area health authority to consider the closure of some older accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many persons in the United Kingdom suffer from stammering;(2) how many speech therapy centers there are in the United Kingdom dealing specifically with problems of adult stammering.

There are no official statistics about the incidence of stammering. A number of speech therapy clinics throughout the country provide facilities for the treatment of this condition. Intensive courses for groups of patients are also arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the pay and conditions of radiographers.

The Whitley Council has reached agreement, approved by the Pay Board, on increased pay to operate from 1st April 1974, and this has now been notified to employing authorities. The council has also agreed to discuss other improvements that might be permissible within the context of the Pay Code. My right hon. Friend has written to the Whitley Council about measures that would enable consideration of desirable developments to the role and structure of the professions supplementary to medicine, including radiographers, to be pursued.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the correspondence she has had with the Secretary of the Society of Radiographers regarding pay and conditions.

The secretary of the society wrote to inform my right hon. Friend that the society had asked the Staff Side of the Whitley Council to consider making a new claim. A pay increase in accordance with stage 3 has recently been agreed effectively from 1st April for radiographers and associated professions supplementary to medicine, and I have replied expressing the Government's concern about the staffing of the health services, observing that the details of the claim are proper to the council itself, and referring to the Government statement on future policy on incomes made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment on 18th March.— [Vol. 870, c. 688–703.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the recognised establishments of radiographers in each of the hospitals of the Nottingham Area Health Authority; what are the numbers at present on strength at each of the hospitals; and what steps are being taken to recruit more radiographers.

There are currently 98 radiographers employed in hospitals in the area of Nottinghamshire AHA(T). Recruitment to meet local need is a matter for the health authority which, 1 understand, would like to employ a further 14, including seven in the North and four in the South Nottingham Districts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency radiographers, respectively; and if she will make a statement.

Comprehensive information is not available in the form requested. Comparison of the cost of employing agency radiographers and National Health Service radiographers is affected by such variable factors as the charge made by the particular agency, the point which the National Health Service radiographer has reached in the salary scale and the elements of cost other than salary for the National Health Service radiographer.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give the proportion of employment time of agency-employed radiographers, as distinct from National Health Service radiographers, for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if she intends taking any action to change this trend; and if she will make a statement.

Information in the form requested is not available centrally, but a special survey showed that a whole-time equivalent of 185 agency radiographers were employed at 30th April 1973 as against a total of 4,933 radiographers in post at 30th September 1973, representing 3.6 per cent of the total of these two figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the numbers of agency nurses employed in hospitals in the Greater London area; and if she will list the hospitals where these nurses are employed.

3,122 agency nurses and midwives—in whole-time equivalent terms—at 30th September 1973, the latest date for which returns are centrally available, at the following hospitals:

• St Bartholomews EC1
• St Mark's EC1
• London, Whitechapel
• London, Mile End
• Royal Free, Grays Inn Road
• Royal Free, Liverpool Road
• Hampstead General
• New End, Hampstead
• Coppetts Wood, Muswell Hill
• Queen Mary's Maternity, Hampstead
• University College WC1
• St Pancras NW1
• Middlesex W1
• Hospital for Women, Soho Square
• Athlone House, N6
• Charing Cross, Fulham
• West London, Hammersmith
• St George's, Hyde Park Corner
• St George's, Tooting
• Atkinson Morley, Wimbledon
• Westminster
• Queen Mary's Roehampton
• St Mary's Paddington
• St Mary's Harrow Road
• Paddington Green Children's
• Samaritan Hospital for Women
• Western Ophthalmic Hospital
• Chepstow Lodge Annexe, W2
• Guy's
• Evelina Children's Hospital, SE1
• Dunoran Home, Bromley
• New Cross
• King's College, Denmark Hill
• Belgrave for Children, SW9
• Dulwich
• St Francis', East Dulwich
• St Giles', Camberwell
• St Thomas', SE1
• Royal Waterloo
• Grosvenor for Women, SW1
• Lambeth
• South-Western, SW9
• Hammersmith
• St Helena's, NW2
• Sick Children, Gt. Ormond St
• National Hospital for Nervous Diseases
• Royal National Throat Nose and E1-r
• Moorfields Eye
• Maudsley, Denmark Hill
• Brompton
• National Heart
• Royal National Orthopaedic Wl
• Royal National Orthopaedic, Stanmore
• St. Peter's, WC2
• St. Paul's, WC2
• St. Philip's, WC2
• Shaftesbury, WC2
• Royal Marsden, Fulham Road
• Royal Marsden, Sutton
• Queen Charlotte's
• Chelsea Hospital for Women
• Eastman Dental
• Victoria Maternity, Barnet
• Winifred House, Barnet
• Uxbridge and District Cottage
• Hayes Cottage
• Hillingdon
• Mount Pleasant, Southall
• Wembley
• Northwood, Pinner and District
• Mount Vernon, Northwood
• Harefield
• Teddington Memorial
• King Edward Memorial, Ealing
• King Edward Memorial, South Ealing
• West Middlesex, Isleworth
• Chiswick Maternity
• South Middlesex, Isleworth
• Dame Gertrude Young, Ealing
• Central Middlesex, Park Royal
• Whittington, Highgate Hill
• St. Charles', North Kensington
• Marlborough Day, NW8
• Harrow
• Northwick Park
• Highlands, Winchmore Hill
• Chase Farm, Enfield
• Enfield War Memorial
• St. Michaels, Enfield
• North Middlesex, N18
• Prince of Wales General, Tottenham
• St. Arm's General, Tottenham
• Metropolitan, Kingsland Road
• Bethnal Green
• St. Leonards, N1
• St. Matthews, N1
• London Jewish, Stepney Green
• Hackney
• Eastern, Homerton
• St. Andrew's, E3
• Poplar
• St. Mary's, Plaistow
• East Ham Memorial
• Queen Mary's, Stratford
• Plaistow
• West Ham Chest Clinic
• Whipps Cross
• Langthorne, Ell
• Wanstead
• Jubilee, Woodford Green
• Chingford
• Harts, Woodford Green
• King George, Ilford
• Dagenham
• Chadwell Heath
• Barking
• Oldchurch, Romford
• Rush Green, Romford
• Victoria, Romford
• St. George's, Hornchurch
• Harold Wood
• Lewisham
• Hither Green
• Grove Park
• Brook General, SE18
• St. Nicholas', Plumstead
• British for Mothers and Babies, Woolwich
• Queen Mary's, Sidcup
• Orpington
• Farnborough
• Bromley
• Beckenham
• South London for Women and Children,
• Clapham Common St. James', Balham
• Birchlands Jewish, Wandsworth Common
• Bolingbroke, Wandsworth Common
• Tooting Bee
• St. Stephen's, Chelsea
• St. Luke's, Chelsea
• Western, Seagrave Road, Fulham
• St. Mary Abbots, Kensington
• Croydon General
• Mayday, Thornton Heath
• Purley and District War Memorial
• Waddon
• Royal Eye, Surbiton
• Kingston
• Claremont, Surbiton
• Tolworth
• Barnes
• Grove Road, Richmond
• Carshalton, Beddington and Warlington
• Cheam
• Cumberland, Mitcham
• St. Helier, Carshalton
• Nelson, Merton
• Sutton
• Wandle Valley, Mitcham
• Wilson, Mitcham
• Wimbledon
• Queen Mary's, Carshalton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of waiting lists for the admission of non-emergency cases to the Macclesfield West Park Hospital and Macclesfield Infirmary; and to what extent these lists have been reduced in the last five years.

Averages are misleading as waiting times for admission vary according to the circumstances of individual cases. However, the numbers on the waiting lists for the two hospitals on the dates shown were as follows:

Year	Macclesfield West Park Hospital	Macclesfield Infirmary
31st December 1969	92	874
31st December 1970	122	918
31st December 1971	112	810
December 31st 1972	118	921
31st December 1973	261	794
31st March 1974	276	640

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of people on hospital waiting lists in the area covered by the East Cheshire Area Health Authority; what percentage this is per 1,000 population; and how this compares with the national average.

On 31st December 1973, 1,490 people were awaiting admission to hospitals in the present Macclesfield district of the Cheshire Area Health Authority. This represented 8.82 per 1,000 population and compared with a national figure of 10.95.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the waiting times for appointments for patients at the out-patients departments at each of the hospitals of the Nottingham Area Health Authority; and what steps are being taken to obviate lengthy periods of waiting for patients.

Waiting time for new non-urgent out-patient appointments varies, according to specialty, from one week to three months. In the orthopaedic surgery and the ear, nose and throat specialties at the Nottingham General Hospital and in the orthopaedic surgery and gynaecology specialties at the Not-

		Waiting Time (as at 31st March 1974)
		Up to 3 months	3–6 months	6–12 months	Over 12 months
Workshop and Retford District
General Surgery	…	111	54	64	52
Orthopaedics	…	68	48	55	29
Gynaecology	…	200	92	51	38
Mansfield and Newark District	…
General Surgery	…	175	127	95	161
Orthopaedic	…	272	235	241	174
E.N.T.	…	193	127	204	108
Gynaecology	…	326	162	106	18
Ophthalmology	…	66	16	2	5
Dental Surgery	…	12	26	19	32
South Nottingham District	…
General Surgery	…	216	153	93	80
Orthopaedics	…	18	6	1	45
E.N.T.	…	216	266	247	282
Dental Surgery	…	52	67	81	127
Ophthalmic Surgery	…	81	107	108	165
Gynaecology	…	303	198	161	15
North Nottingham District	…
General Surgery	…	255	78	26	14
Orthopaedics	…	86	41	61	24
Plastic Surgery	…	105	116	169	1,150
Thoracic Surgery	…	24	2	1	—
Gynaecology	…	221	26	11	30

Waiting times for operations in the two southern districts of Nottingham will improve as additional facilities now being developed are brought into use. In Workshop and Ret ford additional orthopaedic and surgical beds will be brought into use shortly.In Mansfield and Newark attempts have been made to reduce waiting times by the allocation of special beds and theatre time to short-stay surgery.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the waiting periods for operations in the various specialities of each of the hospitals of the Nottingham Area Health Authority; and what steps are being taken to reduce waiting periods.

Waiting periods for operations in various specialities in the four health districts comprising Nottingham AHA(T) are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of those who attend drug addiction treatment centers stays voluntarily for the full course.

Patients attending drug treatment centers do so voluntarily; the length of individual treatment varies and is the responsibility of the consultant psychiatrist in charge. Information is not available on the number of patients who discontinue treatment against the advice of the consultant.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated shortage of trained nurses in National Health Service hospitals; and how many wards or hospital departments are closed because of such shortages.

No realistic estimate of the overall shortage of trained nurses in National Health Service hospitals is available. Individual health authorities are themselves responsible for assessing the nurse staffing requirements of the hospitals they administer and for setting the standards they apply for this purpose.

Hospital				Nursing Establishment	Nursing Staff in post (Whole time equivalent)
1. Workshop and Retford District
Victoria Hospital	…	…	…	180	126
Kilton Hospital	…	…	…	170	153
Carlton Hospital	…	…	…	38	35
Retford Hospital	…	…	…	35	34
2. Mansfield and Newark District
Kings Mill Hospital	…	…	…	315	263
Mansfield General Hospital	…	…	…	133	128
Victoria Hospital	…	…	…	149	135
Ransom Hospital	…	…	…	65	60
Newstead Hospital	…	…	…	83	73
Langwith Lodge Diabetic Unit	…	…	…	12	12
Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital	…	…	…	94	89
Forest Hospital	…	…	…	57	52
Debdale Hall Hospital	…	…	…	25	19
Balderton Hospital	…	…	…	200	200
Newark General Hospital	…	…	…	78	73
Newark Hawtonville Hospital	…	…	…	90	90
Berry Hill Rehabilitation Centre	…	…	…	1	1
Nurse Education (including learners) and nursing administration				257	271
3. North Nottingham District
Nottingham City Hospital	…	…	…	875	920
Firs Maternity Hospital	…	…	…	55	48
Ellerslie House	…	…	…	15	9
Basford Hospital	…	…	…	68	62
Sherwood Hospital	…	…	…	314	235
Westdale Hospital	…	…	…	30	30
St. Annes Hospital	…	…	…	46	47
St. Francis Hospital	…	…	…	99	90
Mapperley Hospital	…	…	…	301	267
The Coppice Hospital	…	…	…	50	44
4. South Nottingham District
Nottingham General Hospital (including Ruddington Hall)				460	467
The Cedars	…	…	…	57	55
Nottingham Eye Hospital	…	…	…	35	36
Highbury Hospital	…	…	…	130	134
Childrens Hospital	…	…	…	95	84
Womens Hospital (including Adbolton)	…	…	…	128	124
Saxondale Hospital	…	…	…	214	209
Education including learners	…	…	…	404	391
Administration	…	…	…	11	9

Recruitment of nursing staff is a matter for the area health authority but

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the recognised establishments of nurses in each of the hospitals of the Nottingham Area Health Authority; what are the numbers at present on strength at each of the hospitals; and what steps are being taken to recruit more nurses.

Recognised nursing establishments and numbers of nurses in post —including students and pupils—on 1st April 1974 at hospitals in the area of the Nottinghamshire AHA(T) are:I understand that campaigns are in progress to recruit more nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations she has received from the Royal College of Nursing, and individual members, regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if she will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating nurses' pay;if she is prepared to meet a deputation from the Royal College of Nursing to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way conditions, prospects and recruitment to the nursing profession are examined; and if she will make a statement;(2)what representations she has received from the Royal College of Nursing regarding the declining morale in the nursing profession; what steps she intends taking to improve morale; and if she will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend informed the House in reply to a Question from the right hon. and learned Member for Surrey, East (Sir G. Howe) on 14th May—[Vol. 873, c. 1108–14.]— she saw a deputation from the Royal College of Nursing and promised them to meet the Staff Side of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council in three weeks' time to answer their request for an independent inquiry into nurses' pay.The delay by the previous Government in announcing a decision on the Briggs Report had seriously affected morale and the Royal College warmly welcomed the Government's decision to accept its main recommendations. My right hon. Friend has promised a further statement on timing as soon as possible.The Royal College also drew attention to a number of other factors affecting morale including increased intensity of pressure of work and working conditions. My right hon. Friend has asked officers of the Department to review urgently what steps can be taken to alleviate the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of nurses she will give to area health authorities.

My Department is continuing to provide background support to the recruitment activities of National Health Service employing authorities by publicity campaigns in the national Press and cinemas, production of posters, brochures and films and provision of exhibition material. The total number— in whole-time equivalent terms—of nursing and midwifery staff in the National Health Service in England rose by nearly 5,000 in the year ended 30th September 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency nurses; and if she will make a statement.

Comprehensive information is not available in the form requested. Comparison of the cost of employing an agency nurse and a National Health Service nurse is affected by such variable factors as the charge made by the particular agency, the point that the National Health Service nurse has reached on the salary scale and the elements of cost other than salary for the National Health Service nurse.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the shortage of nurses she will take the appropriate steps to bring nurses back into the National Health Service from service with private agencies; and if she will make a statement.

Nurses choose agency work for a variety of reasons. I am considering how and to what extent these might be met by direct employment in the National Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give the proportion of employment time of agency employed nurses as distinct from National Health Service nurses, for the following years: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if she intends taking any action to change this trend; and if she will make a statement.

The following table relates to National Health Service hospitals in England: Agency nurses and midwives as a percentage of total qualified nurses and midwives (in whole-time equivalent terms) at 30th September

1965	…	…	…	…	1·2
1967	…	…	…	…	1·2
1969	…	…	…	…	1·8
1971	…	…	…	…	2·5
1973	…	…	…	…	3·1

I am currently reviewing the use of agency nurses in the National Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many places are available in training centers for handicapped people in the Chorley constituency; and what is the number of people actually attending such centre and the number awaiting admission.

There are two adult training centres for adult mentally handicapped people in the constituency, with a nominal total of 105 places. There are at present 138 trainees attending the centres and 20 are on the waiting list.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations she has received from the Society of Radiographers and individual radiographers regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if she will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating radiographers' pay;(2)what representations she has received from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and individual physiotherapists regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if she will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating physiotherapists' pay;(3)what representations she has received from the Association of Occupational Therapists and individual occupational therapists regarding the system of Whitley Council negotiations; and if she will examine possible alternatives to this system for negotiating occupational therapists' pay.

We have received formal representations from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and are aware of concern within the other professions about the working of the council in which they are represented. We have also received a number of similar representations from individual members of these professions. The National Health Service Whitley Councils were set up by voluntary agreement between staff and management; changes may be proposed in the councils by either side, but my right hon. Friend is willing to consider any proposals the Staff Side may wish to discuss with her.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she is prepared to meet a deputation from the Society of Radiographers to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way conditions, prospects and recruitment to the radiography profession are examined; and if she will make a statement;(2)if she is prepared to meet a deputation from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way conditions, prospects and recruitment to the physiotherapy profession are examined; and if she will make a statement;(3)if she is prepared to meet a deputation from the Association of Occupational Therapists to discuss their grievances regarding the way in which their pay is fixed, and the way conditions, prospects and recruitment to the occupational therapist profession are examined; and if she will make a statement.

If the Staff Side on which all these professional bodies are represented would like to meet me I should be glad to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations she has received from the Society of Radiographers regarding the declining morale in the profession; what steps she intends taking to improve morale; and if she will make a statement;(2) what representations she has received from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists regarding the declining morale in the profession; what steps she intends taking to improve morale; and if she will make a statement:

We have received formal representations from the Society of Radiographers and are aware of a similar concern within the other professions, and my right hon. Friend has written to the Chairman of the Staff Side of the Whitley Council on which these bodies are represented about measures that would enable consideration of desirable developments in their role and structure to be pursued.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of radiographers she is now considering;(2)in view of the shortage of radiographers, what central guidance on methods of bringing radiographers back into the National Health Service from service with private agencies she will give to areas health authorities;(3)what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of physiotherapists she will give to area health authorities.(4)in view of the shortage of physiotherapists, what central guidance on methods of bringing physiotherapists back into the National Health Service from service with private agencies she will give to area health authorities;(5)what central guidance on methods of stimulating recruitment of occupational therapists she will give to area health authorities.(6)in view of the shortage of occupational therapists what central guidance on methods of bringing occupational therapists back into the National Health Service from service with private agencies she will give to area health authorities.

We are pursuing a number of possibilities for these and other professions, related both to new recruits and to the attraction of qualified staff back into National Health Service employment. In particular we are reviewing the current methods of advertising for a range of National Health Service careers, and are considering how facilities for staff who can work only part-time might be improved.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what efforts are being made to provide long-stay accommodation in the area of Nottingham Area Health Authority for the chronically sick who need such accommodation but who cannot be accommodated in general medical wards where they might occupy acute medical beds, and who are of such an age that they cannot be accommodated in units designed for the young chronically sick or in geriatric wards.

Other than chronically sick children, to whom I assume my hon. Friend is not referring, I would regard units for the younger disabled as generally meeting the needs of patients up to age 64.The Nottingham Area Health Authority at present has one unit for the younger disabled at King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield. I am informed that the need for further provision is being actively considered but there are difficulties in selecting suitable sites.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she will give the comparative cost per hour, per eight hours, per normal working week, per weekend, for employing National Health Service and agency occupational therapists; and if she will make a statement;(2) if she will give the proportion of employment time of agency employed occupational therapists as distinct from National Health Service occupational therapists for the following years; 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973; if she intends taking any action to change this trend; and if she will make a statement.

I am not aware of any employment by the National Health Service of agency occupational therapists.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many drugs currently in use in Great Britain have been ruled ineffective by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

In 1970, the United States Food and Drug Administration published a list of products which it had decided "lack substantial evidence of effectiveness". The products are described by their American proprietary names, and their effectiveness was considered in relation to the claims made for them in the United States of America, so that a direct comparison with British products is not completely straightforward.At the time the Committee on Safety of Drugs was able to identify 90 products available here which were similar to products on the Food and Drug Administration list. Of these, some 71 are combinations of drugs which were included on the list because of lack of evidence of the usefulness of the particular combination rather than because of doubts about the efficacy of the individual constituents.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for the improvement of hospital facilities serving the Nottinghamshire area.

Major improvements in hospital facilities are already under construction at Nottingham, Mansfield, Balderton, Worksop, Retford and Kilton. Planning for further improvement of services in the Nottinghamshire area is the responsibility of the Nottinghamshire Area Health Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people, in the last 12 months for which figures are available, who were discharged from hospital after treatment for mental illness and referred to social services departments for social work support have received no such support owing to shortage of staff, what percentage were readmitted to hospital within one month and six months of discharge, respectively; and if she will make a statement.

This information is not available. In the relatively new and developing local authority social service departments in England, resources may not be available to meet all demands and co-operation between the health and local authorities over discharge arrangements is essential. The co-ordination arrangements which have been introduced as part of the health service reorganisation should help to facilitate this.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will replace Ministry of Health Circular 22/59 with a directive under Section 12 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.

This was done in Circulars 100/74 and 19/74 issued respectively by the Welsh Office and by my Department on 29th March and 23rd April this year. I am sending my hon. Friend copies.

Evans asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time for the issue of an electric wheelchair from her Department's appliance centre at Ealing.

Standard attendant-controlled power-assisted pushchairs are available from stock and can be issued as soon as suitable storage and an electrical charging point have been arranged. The supply of indoor electrically-propelled chairs is at present subject to a delay of about 15 weeks because of production difficulties. Ealing Appliance Centre is in the same position as others; waiting lists are centrally controlled.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many extra medical officers would be required at her Department's offices in Blackpool to cater for the extension of the invalid vehicle service as proposed by Lady Sharp; if she has initiated the training of extra officers in advance of publishing her detailed proposals for the service in order that the administrative delays will be minimised; and if she will make a statement.

Estimates of any additional staff required could only be made in the light of decisions on the future of the vehicle service, about which consultations with organisations representing the disabled are proceeding. There can be no question of initiating training in advance of those decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she anticipates the component required to repair the invalid vehicle used by Mrs. Ross, 35 Hampsfell Drive, Morecambe, will be available.

The invalid three-wheeler on issue to Mrs. Ross was returned to her last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made in the Kilmarnock and Paisley offices of the Department of Health and Social Security to ensure that the increases in benefits due in the week beginning 22nd July are paid; and if she will make a statement.

Uprating work at all local offices, including those at Kilmarnock and Paisley, has been affected by staff association action, but negotiations are continuing and I hope that the difficulties will soon be resolved. Any arrears of benefit which may arise will be paid from 22nd July

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what has been the number of supplementary benefits claimants in Birmingham in the last two years; in total and in each of the following classifications: (a) supplementary pensioners, (b) single-parent families, (c) claimants classified as unemployable, (d) claimants unemployed and wage-stopped, (e) claimants unemployed but not wage-stopped, (f) claimants off work sick and (g) others; and if she will also break these figures down into figures for each local office serving Birmingham;(2) what is the number of claimants in Birmingham who have received exceptional needs payments and exceptional claims allowances in the last two years; and what was the average amount paid.

I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as the available information has been complied.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of supplementary benefits claimants in Birmingham who are rent-stopped; and what figures she has as to the average amount stopped for the last two years.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of cases of supplementary benefits claimants in Birmingham where the four-week and twelve-week rules have been applied in the last two years.

388 claimants had their allowances limited to four weeks at the outset of claim, and three after they had received an allowance for about 13 weeks. The operation of the four-week rule has been suspended generally since last December.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of staff employed at each of the local offices in Birmingham, broken down into their different grades, the number of visiting officers employed in these offices, at the last available date, and the number of officers by which these offices are under strength.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration she has given to a letter dated 10th March 1974 from Major C. B. Thorne, MC, of Andover, a constituent of the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester, which was acknowledged on 15th March under reference B2A, concerning his pension.

I shall write to the hon. and gallant Gentleman about this matter as soon as possible.